kupn.org
ScienceTechnologySocietyHealthPhilosophyEconomyArts
The Mental Health Crisis
Health & Mind

The Mental Health Crisis

Why Mental Illness Is So Prevalent — and Why Treatment Is So Hard to Access

Thomas Insel

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist who served as Director of the National Institute of Mental Health from 2002 to 2015. He is the author of "Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health."

March 9, 2026·10 min read

The Mental Health Crisis

Mental illness affects one in five adults in the United States, yet fewer than half receive treatment. The treatment gap is driven by a shortage of mental health professionals, high costs, stigma, and a healthcare system that has historically undervalued mental health. New approaches — including digital mental health tools and integrated care models — are beginning to address the gap.

TOPICS
mental healthdepressiontherapypsychiatryhealthcare
FURTHER READING
WHO: Mental Health
WHO
NAMI: Mental Health Resources
NAMI
Lancet Psychiatry
Lancet Psychiatry
Health & Mind

The science of the body, brain, and the pursuit of human flourishing

Explore more →
RELATED ARTICLES
Health & Mind

Why Do We Dream?

March 22, 2026
Society & Culture

The Loneliness Epidemic

March 12, 2026
Health & Mind

The Gut-Brain Axis

March 10, 2026
NEWSLETTER

Never miss an insight

Get the week's most important stories delivered to your inbox.

Continue Reading

More from Health & Mind

View all Health & Mind articles →
Why Do We Dream?
Health & Mind

Why Do We Dream?

Every night, as your body lies still, your brain stages an elaborate private cinema — conjuring faces, landscapes, and emotions from nothing. After a century of research, scientists are finally beginning to decode what dreams are actually for, and the answers are stranger and more profound than anyone expected.

Sophia Liang·15 min read
The Loneliness Epidemic
Society & Culture

The Loneliness Epidemic

Despite living in the most connected era in human history, rates of loneliness and social isolation have reached epidemic proportions across the developed world. Understanding this paradox requires examining the difference between connection and genuine community.

Amara Osei·13 min read
The Gut-Brain Axis
Health & Mind

The Gut-Brain Axis

The trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive system do far more than help you digest food. Emerging research reveals that the gut microbiome communicates directly with the brain, influencing mood, cognition, and the risk of psychiatric disorders.

Priya Nair·15 min read
View all Health & Mind articles →
NEWSLETTER

Insights delivered to your inbox

Join over 200,000 readers who receive our weekly digest of the most important ideas across science, technology, society, and culture.

kupn.org

Insights That Matter — Exploring the depth of human knowledge across science, technology, society, and culture.

TwitterLinkedInRSS
SECTIONS
Science & Nature
Technology
Society & Culture
Health & Mind
Philosophy & Ideas
Economy & Business
Arts & Humanities
ABOUT
About Us
Our Mission
Editorial Standards
Contributors
Contact
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

© 2026 kupn.org. All rights reserved.

Committed to in-depth, accurate journalism that serves the public interest.