GLP-1 medications are reshaping obesity care, but their potential impact may extend well beyond weight loss. In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Charles Nemeroff, M.D., about what psychiatrists should know about GLP-1 medications, from addressing weight gain and metabolic risks associated with psychiatric treatment to emerging research on cravings, alcohol use disorder, and other addictive behaviors. They also discuss potential psychiatric effects, safety considerations, and concerns about inappropriate use as these medications become increasingly common.

En este episodio especial por el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, la Dra. Karen Martínez González, psiquiatra de niños y adolescentes y directora del Departamento de Psiquiatría de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, conversa sobre por qué una atención de salud mental culturalmente receptiva requiere mucho más que hablar el mismo idioma. La Dra. Martínez González aborda la importancia de comprender el contexto cultural y familiar de cada paciente, reducir el estigma y otras barreras a la atención psiquiátrica, y ampliar el acceso a profesionales de salud mental que hablen español. También destaca el papel de la mentoría y la exposición temprana a la medicina para fortalecer la representación de hispanos y latinos en la psiquiatría, y comparte un mensaje de esperanza para quienes aún buscan atención que comprenda su idioma, su cultura y sus experiencias.   In this special Hispanic Heritage Month episode, Dr. Karen Martínez González, child and adolescent psychiatrist and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Puerto Rico, discusses why culturally responsive mental health care requires more than speaking the same language. She explores the importance of understanding patients' cultural and family contexts, reducing stigma and other barriers to psychiatric care, and expanding access to Spanish-speaking mental health professionals. Dr. Martínez González also shares why mentorship and early exposure to medicine are essential to building a stronger pipeline of Hispanic and Latino psychiatrists and offers a message of hope for people still searching for care that understands their language, culture, and experiences.

In this episode Dr. Gupta is joined by Katherine G. Kennedy, M.D. Dr. Kennedy is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and a board-certified adult psychiatrist in private practice in New Haven, Connecticut. At Yale, Dr. Kennedy leads the Yale Legislative Advocacy Program, which equips trainees with advocacy skills that help advance bills before the Connecticut state legislature. She also co-leads the Advocacy Track for the Health Equity Curriculum, serves as Faculty Co-Leader of the Psychotherapy Distinction Track, and supervises psychiatry residents in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Beyond Yale, Dr. Kennedy serves as Co-Editor of Voices in Advocacy and Policy for Psychiatric News, the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) national news publication. She chairs the Legislative Committee of the Connecticut Psychiatric Society and is a Past Chair of APA's Council on Advocacy and Government Relations, where she led federal and state advocacy efforts to expand access to psychiatric care. Dr. Kennedy also chairs the Committee on Psychotherapy for the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry and serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Psychotherapy and APA Publishing Books. Dr. Kennedy has presented at national conferences and published on advocacy, psychotherapy, and supervision, including two books, A Psychiatrist's Guide to Advocacy and Supervising Individual Psychotherapy: The Guide to Good Enough. Elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 2020, additional honors include the Yale Psychiatry Residents' Outstanding Teaching Award, the Yale Department of Psychiatry's Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award, the Connecticut Psychiatric Society's Outstanding Service Award, and the New Haven County Medical Society's Distinguished Service Award.

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza welcomes back Dr. Rajesh Tampi for a broader look at how the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease are evolving. Building on their previous discussion of behavioral symptoms, they explore modifiable risk factors, emerging blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and newer disease-modifying therapies, including lecanemab and donanemab. The conversation also examines challenges related to access and health equity, the continuing role of established Alzheimer's medications, and the importance of social connection, psychotherapy, and meaningful activity as people age. Mirza and Tampi discuss why advances in biomarkers and technology should complement, rather than replace, the fundamentals of psychiatric care and the human connection between clinicians, patients, and families. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

Natural disasters can leave psychological effects that last long after the immediate crisis has passed. Host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Andrew McLean, chair of the APA Committee on the Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster, about how disasters affect individuals, families, and communities, and the role psychiatrists can play in supporting recovery. Dr. McLean discusses warning signs that someone may be struggling, how children can respond differently to traumatic events, the risks of repeated exposure to disaster coverage, and the growing impact of climate anxiety. He also shares practical strategies for coping, including his three R's: rest, routine, and relationships.

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Rajesh Tampi about evidence-based approaches to managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Their conversation explores comprehensive assessment, caregiver burden, nonpharmacological interventions, medication strategies, and emerging treatments, with an emphasis on treating the whole patient and adapting care to individual needs. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Sarah El Halabi and Dr. Stephen J. Ferrando about why lithium remains underused despite its established role in treating bipolar disorder. They explore how specialized lithium clinics and standardized monitoring can support safer prescribing for pregnant and postpartum patients, older adults, and people with renal disease. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about lithium toxicity, the challenges of managing complex medications, and the importance of coordinated, team-based care. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

In this episode Dr. Gupta is joined  by Theresa Miskimen Rivera, MD, DLFAPA.  Dr. Miskimen Rivera is the former President of the American Psychiatric Association; a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA); a member of the American College of Psychiatrists, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She most recently served as the Medical Quality and Clinical Effectiveness Officer for Behavioral Health in the Department of Psychiatry at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, New Jersey. Dr. Miskimen centered her public-sector clinical practice on improving access to and delivery of psychiatric care for bilingual and bicultural communities, developing and implementing intercultural clinical programs, and serving as a consulting psychiatrist for a collaborative care practice in New Jersey. Her clinical work has informed research endeavors, resulting in numerous articles and lectures on diagnostic challenges and symptom phenomenology in treating racially and ethnically diverse populations, as well as on ethical issues affecting psychopharmacological research among ethnic populations and the cultural aspects of patient symptomatology. For over 30 years, Dr. Miskimen has applied her passion and expertise to critical roles, including psychiatric clinical care, patient advocacy, community outreach, academic endeavors, and organizational leadership. Dr. Miskimen has served in numerous community-facing initiatives and appointed positions under three past Governors of the State of New Jersey, addressing mental health issues spanning the intersection of technology and the delivery of psychiatric care, mental health in university settings, and youth suicide prevention. She has served as an APA Delegate to the American Medical Association Section Council on Psychiatry. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Wellness through Equity and Leadership (WEL) program, which is tasked with developing a training curriculum and leadership experience for women physicians, mentoring participants, and establishing principles on equitable work environments.  

In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, Dr. John Torous, chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Digital Health, Innovation, and Technology, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in mental health care. He discusses the opportunities and limitations of AI-supported care, the risks of long-term chatbot use, privacy concerns, and the importance of maintaining human connection. The conversation also highlights the council's work to educate clinicians, shape responsible policy, and develop practical frameworks for evaluating new technologies.

In this June episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Heather Murray of the University of Colorado about clinical considerations for cannabis use in inpatient medical settings. The conversation examines how high-potency cannabis and concentrates have changed the clinical picture, including intoxication, withdrawal, hyperemesis, psychosis risk, delirium, catatonia, medication interactions, and self-directed discharge. Dr. Murray also emphasizes balanced, stigma-free assessment and the importance of asking about formulation, potency, route, frequency, and last use when caring for patients across medical and psychiatric settings.