Licensed clinical social worker Justyna Rzewinski exposed "deadlocking," a practice at Rikers Island where inmates are confined to their cells for extended periods without human contact, sunlight or medication. Rzewinski, who worked at Rikers as a clinical supervisor for mental health, resigned and testified about the issue, prompting an investigation by the Department of Investigation. "Not a day goes by that I do not think about Rikers and the people I left behind," Rzewinski writes.

Licensed clinical social worker Iasia Wells, who was honored recently among the "40 Under 40 2025" for Fayetteville, N.C., balances running a therapy business with serving on the town board of Wagram, N.C. Wells also recently completed her doctorate in social work. "We've witnessed firsthand how life-changing and life-affirming therapy can be and we are honored to offer that same space for growth, healing, and self-discovery to others," says Wells, speaking for herself and others in the profession.

Educators are finding ways to support LGBTQ+ students amid a challenging political climate by framing inclusion as child protection, involving students and alumni in developing inclusive cultures and carefully choosing language to avoid resistance, writes Jennifer Klein, author of "The Global Education Guidebook. Teachers are also leveraging resources from organizations like GLSEN and The Trevor Project to promote mental health and safety.

Two-time US figure skating champion Amber Glenn recently discussed her mental health journey, including a 2015 diagnosis of anxiety, depression and an eating disorder, during an interview on "Today." Glenn, who stepped away from skating briefly at age 16, has since become a two-time national champion and is vying for a spot on the 2026 Olympic team. "Growing up, I saw the top skaters as untouchable and as these people who didn't have the same struggles that I was having at that age," said Glenn, explaining that she eventually realized that many of her peers were quietly experiencing challenges of their own.

Columbus, Ohio, residents are advocating for the creation of nonpolice crisis teams to handle mental health emergencies, driven in part by the 2017 death of Jaron Thomas, who died after police used force during a mental health crisis. The proposed Community Crisis Response division would operate 24/7 with trained clinicians and social workers, aiming to reduce police involvement in "low-level" mental health and substance abuse calls. The initiative requires 25,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot.

Marketplace enrollment has grown from 11.4 million in 2020 to 24.3 million in 2025, with 18.2% of enrollees having mental health diagnoses, according to KFF. However, pending policy changes such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits could result in 8.2 million people losing coverage by 2034, raising concerns about access to mental health services.

Introverts can be both reserved and assertive without changing their natural communication style by aligning their actions with their values and needs, Ryan Trimble writes. Assertiveness means prioritizing self-respect over approval from others -- in other words, respectfully expressing your perspective instead of suppressing it to avoid conflict or seek validation.

Instead of trying to learn everything, focus on collecting only the essential knowledge for your immediate projects, entrepreneur and author Pat Flynn advises. A lean learning approach helps reduce information overload, accelerate progress and ensure that learning directly supports action and achievement, allowing you to be more effective and make progress faster.