I used to think that no one would ever understand how I felt, especially after I struggled to verbalize what I was going through. During college, I would turn to music or a podcast, as they could both easily capture my thoughts and how I felt. Over the years, I would read books that would immediately resonate with me and they targeted, to the core, what I was going through with words. In those moments, I would realize that I was not the only one going through these things. I was not alone, especially within the South Asian community, where mental health issues are suppressed.
Here are 11 podcasts that support mental health and advocate for listeners to get the self-care they need:
1) “The Mental Illness Happy Hour” with Paul Gilmartin
“The Mental Illness Happy Hour” is a weekly online podcast that interviews comedians, artists, friends, and the occasional doctor. Each episode explores mental illness, trauma, addiction, and negative thinking. This podcast is for everyone, even if you are just curious or have mental health issues. Gilmartin’s podcasts stem from a genuine perspective through his own battles with clinical depression and alcoholism.
“I’m not a therapist. This isn’t a doctor’s office. It’s more like a waiting room, that doesn’t suck.” – Paul Gilmartin
2) “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” with Nora McInerny
You know how every day someone asks “how are you?” And even if you’re totally dying inside, you just say “fine,” so everyone can go about their day? – American Public Media.
McInerny changes that perspective with “Terrible, Thanks for Asking,” allowing guests to open up about their struggles and just be real! What would it be like if you just say how you truly felt and not have to lie about your feelings? Everyone has their personal struggles. It’s another podcast that highlights that you are not alone and is very relatable.
3) “The Savvy Psychologist’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Mental Health” with Dr. Ellen Hendriksen
Dr. Hendriksen takes a different approach, using psychology, while making it enjoyable and relatable. She utilizes evidence-based research and addresses the rationale behind basic core emotions, all while reviewing and understanding the relationships within your life and how it impacts your mental health.
[Read Related: I Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and I’m a Therapist]
4) “The Struggle Bus: Self-Care, Mental Health, and Other Hilarious Stuff” with Katharine Heller and Sally Tamarkin
Join the struggle bus and go on a bumpy and adventurous ride with Katharine and Sally, as they provide advice related to mental health, self-care, and how to make it through on a day you’re struggling. They answer questions submitted by listeners related to family, friends, work, mental health, and anything else. The best part is that the Struggle Bus hits every topic. Nothing is off limits!
5) “The Anxiety Guy Podcast” with Dennis Simsek
“I share my knowledge and experience on the causes of anxiety, as well as the best options for people going through these life challenges. The Anxiety Guy podcast was awarded Best Of iTunes in the health category because of my passionate commitment to helping guide people from a life of coping with the daily challenges they face, to defying their fears once and for all.”– Dennis Simsek.
Simsek helps break down anxiety and delivers it in a relatable format for everyday individuals, making it personal.
6) “AFFIRM by Redefine Enough” with Davia Roberts
“The podcast for women of color who affirm their worth, value mental health, and seek wholeness.” – Redefine Enough. Hosted by Davia Roberts, a licensed therapist and creator of “Redefine Enough.”
7) “Happier” with Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft
Gretchen Rubin is the bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before. Within this podcast, she gets even more personal as she provides relatable and practical advice about happiness and the ways to achieve it in your daily life. Happier is co-hosted by Rubin’s younger sister.
8) “Hidden Brain” with Shankar Vedantam
“Hidden Brain” focuses on the small things in our lives that often are dismissed. This podcast focuses on the little things that often go overlooked in our daily lives. Vedantam incorporates science and storytelling to go over the unconscious patterns that influence our behaviors, the way we make choices, and other factors impacting our relationships.
[Read Related: It’s Mental Health Awareness Month — 4 Incredible South Asian Resources to Break the Silence]
9) “SelfWork” with Dr. Margaret Rutherford
How many times have you said you wanted to change something, but you struggled to do so? Join Dr. Rutherford as she uses her twenty years of experience to assist you in making the changes you want. Worried about her using psychological jargon you can’t understand? She makes it easy for you to understand and uses a solution-oriented approach to depression, anxiety, trauma, or grief. Give it a try!
10) “The Hilarious World of Depression” with John Moe
“The Hilarious World of Depression” is a series of direct, honest, and deep conversations mixed with humor from comedians who have dealt with this depression. Moe brings to light within dark times that those with depression are not alone. The podcast is made possible by a grant from HealthPartners and its Make It Okay campaign which works to reduce the stigma of mental health.
“The host, John Moe, effortlessly shifts between describing the obstacles, pain, and frustration that come with depression and the levity required to actually manage it.” – Wil Williams
11) “Your Motivational High 5 | 5-Minute Inspiration, Motivation, Positivity, Mental Health, Self-Help, Esteem, Improvement, Growth” with Phil Larson
Don’t have enough time? This is a great podcast to listen to while you’re driving to work or even working out! “Your Motivational High 5” is a quick, five-minute podcast which strives to motivate you in through self-exploration, achieving better mental health, as well as empowering yourself.
“Find support, realize you’re not alone and feel empowered to move forward!” – Your Motivational High 5
As some of these the topics may be triggering, please contact following services if you are need of additional support:
National Suicide Prevention HotLine: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741741
The Good Samaritan Hotline: 877-870-4673 or 212-673-3000
Imalive.org: (online chat)
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
The Trevor Project: (For the LGBTQ Community): 1-866-488-7386
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Eating Disorders Association: 1-800-931-2237
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357
For more information on mental health in the South Asian community, check out MannMukti—ending the mental health stigma, one story at a time.
