Why this UW doctor wants colleagues to ask patients if they are lonely Medical professionals have started noting that isolation and loneliness are increasingly factors in health care, alongside smoking or exercise. One Seattle doctor urges his colleagues to ask their patients about it. Patricia Murphy Andy Hurst
Got brothers or sisters? Warm sibling bonds help boost happiness as you age Researchers have found that a warm, close bond with a sibling in early adult life is predictive of good emotional health later in life, with less loneliness, anxiety and depression. Allison Aubrey
National How to give kids autonomy? 'Anxious Generation' author says a license to roam helps Kids have too much screen time and not enough autonomy, says author Jonathan Haidt. His book The Anxious Generation argues this has caused an epidemic of mental illness and suggests ways to fix it. Michaeleen Doucleff
A gunman stole his twin from him. This is what he's learned about grieving a sibling About 60,000 children a year in the U.S. lose a sibling. Zion Kelly joined that unlucky group in 2017 when his twin, Zaire, was killed. Zion has learned a lot about grief, and himself, since then. Rhitu Chatterjee
National Americans who live alone report depression at higher rates, but social support helps The number of people living alone in the U.S. jumped to nearly 38 million. A new study shows people who live alone are more likely to report depression if they didn't have other social supports. Rhitu Chatterjee
The Middle East crisis is stirring up a 'tsunami' of mental health woes The Israel-Gaza conflict is likely to leave people in the region struggling with trauma-related mental health symptoms for a long time to come. Rhitu Chatterjee
National These habits can cut the risk of depression in half, a new study finds New evidence shows that people who maintain a range of healthy habits, from good sleep to physical activity to strong social connections, are significantly less likely to experience depression. Allison Aubrey
Loneliness is an epidemic, can writing letters help? While artists have long plumbed the depths of solitude’s impact on the soul, doctors are only now focusing on its consequences for our well being. Libby Denkmann Hans Anderson
This depressed voice actor turned to the sound of water for solace. It worked It’s been nine years since Merk Nguyen shared her father’s journey with KUOW listeners. And since then, water has taken on a whole new meaning for Merk as she’s continued to grow as a daughter, friend, and creative. Libby Denkmann Noel Gasca Angela Nguyen
LGBTQ+ youth are less likely to feel depressed with parental support, study says Participants were asked questions about their parents' general parenting style and how that affected their thoughts and feelings in the previous two weeks. Ayana Archie
