More and more people have realized the importance of their mental and physical well-being.
For that reason, there’s been an explosion of mental health podcasts available. But which ones are the best?
Below, read about the top 15 mental health podcasts today. We include the best podcasts on Spotify, as well as the best options for women and professionals.
Get started listening and watch your outlook transform.
The Best Mental Health Podcasts (Examples)
We’ve included an overview of our top picks below. For detailed information on each pick, scroll down.
Best Mental Health Podcasts on Spotify
Mental Health Podcasts for Women
Podcasts for Mental Health Professionals
What Is a Mental Health Podcast?
It’s critical to understand what we mean when we say “mental health podcast.”
After all, the field is rather broad. In addition, people often lump other topics in the ever-growing health podcasting niche with it.
In this case, the name says it all: a mental health podcast is a podcast that primarily tackles topics related to mental health and well-being.
As a podcast, the information will be presented in episode format.
Usually, each episode has the same host, although they may also bring guests on their show.
What Does a Mental Health Podcaster Talk About?
On mental health podcasts, you’ll hear a range of topics and hear from experts in various fields. Some podcasts focus on a single aspect of mental health, like recovery from addiction, while others are broader.
Mental health podcasters give a trigger or content warning for most episodes. If you worry about upsetting material, you have forewarning.
What Is Included on a Mental Health Podcast?
Every mental health podcast will cover some topic related to psychology or healthy minds.
In a way, they’re similar to mental health blogs in that there are almost infinite issues to discuss.
Some common topics on mental health podcasts include anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and how social justice impacts individuals.
The hosts might talk about global or national trends, give tips for managing disorders, or just provide general education on the topic.
Other Things You Can Find On a Mental Health Podcast
There are several other elements or features common to mental health podcasts. They include:
- Expert Guests: No one knows everything, so podcasters frequently interview experts about their field to help educate themselves and their listeners.
- Trigger or Content Warnings: As mentioned above, most episodes will provide one so listeners can use discretion.
- Links or Resources: Because these podcasts discuss heavy topics, most episodes will give a hotline number or website where you can reach out for more support.
Types of Mental Health Podcasts
There are numerous mental health podcasts, especially those dedicated to particular conditions or illnesses. Here are the three main sub-niches.
- Best Mental Health Podcasts on Spotify: Spotify is one of the most popular places where to listen to a podcast, especially because monthly subscribers usually don’t have to deal with ads. Because of its wide usage, it’s an excellent place to start.
- Best Mental Health Podcasts for Women: Women face particular kinds of challenges when it comes to their mental well-being. These podcasts address those challenges, and women usually host them.
- Best Mental Health Podcasts for Professionals: Even though it’s a popular topic, mental health professionals need particular support. These podcasts target psychologists, therapists, social workers, and students in the field.
Best Mental Health Podcasts: 15 Examples
Let’s take a look at the 15 best mental health podcasts. We’ve separated them into the above categories, but anyone can benefit from listening to them.
How Many Mental Health Podcasts Are There?
It’s difficult to provide a concrete number, as podcasts always come on and off the air. Still, there are thousands of mental health podcasts.
Some podcasters tailor their material to individuals with particular illnesses. Others target a specific group of people, such as Latinx or LGBTQ+ groups.
Best Mental Health Podcasts on Spotify
Spotify is one of the best places to listen to podcasts.
Just like they do with your favorite musical artists, they’ll alert you to new episodes and seasons of your favorite shows. You can even make playlists of episodes for long car trips or workouts, something Apple Podcasts doesn’t do.
Below are the five best mental health podcasts available on Spotify.
The Happiness Lab
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor, hosts the Happiness Lab.
In each episode, she explains a skill or technique proven by science to reduce symptoms of mental disorders and improve well-being. Check it out for easy tricks to improve your life.
Positive Psychology Podcast
Positive psychology as a movement has been around for many years. In the late 1990s, it emerged as a way to treat mental illnesses and challenges.
It focuses on a person’s strengths, advantages, and interests in tackling problems. This podcast will help you implement its principles.
The Hilarious World of Depression
Depression isn’t a joke, and the hosts of this show aren’t trying to imply that it is. However, they are deft at pointing out some of the lighter aspects of it. After all, laughter can be the best medicine.
If you need to connect to others with struggles similar to yours in a less heavy way, check out The Hilarious World of Depression.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
This option is a great podcast if you want to hear inspiring stories of how others have dealt with (not necessarily overcome) mental health issues.
Each episode of The Mental Illness Happy Hour features the host and a guest sharing stories of their struggles and how they have coped.
Not Another Anxiety Show
Not Another Anxiety Show is hosted by a registered nurse who struggled with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety.
Keli Walker and her guests offer practical tips for managing anxiety and stressful situations. People diagnosed with anxiety disorders and those who want to reduce their stress will find this podcast helpful.
Mental Health Podcasts for Women
It’s no secret that women face specific challenges in their day-to-day lives. They encounter pressures around conformity, appearance, marriage, motherhood, and career.
Moreover, many women report feeling lonely or isolated, which exacerbates other mental and physical health problems.
These podcasts can help. Some are written explicitly for women, while others are more popular with females than males.
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Do you ever feel like your world is caving in? Host Nora McInerny can relate.
In Terrible, Thanks for Asking, she’ll encourage her guests and listeners to honestly answer the question, “how are you?” It’s uplifting, sad, and funny at the same time.
Unlocking Us
Brene Brown, who rose to fame with her research on vulnerability and shame, hosts the podcast Unlocking Us.
In each episode, she interviews artists, writers, researchers, and ordinary people to unravel the mystery of being human.
Therapy for Black Girls
Women of color face even more obstacles. That’s why therapy designed to unpack and address these issues can be critical.
Join host Dr. Joy Harden Bradford in Therapy for Black Girls as she explores these topics.
Fertility Friday Radio
Fertility Friday Radio isn’t just about getting pregnant, though it covers that topic in depth. It also covers a myriad of women’s health issues, including menstruation, endometriosis, menopause, pregnancy, cervical cancer, and more.
If your mental health has ever been impacted by one of these issues, you may benefit from listening to this podcast.
Where Should We Begin?
Ester Peril, a famous couples therapist and author, hosts Where Should We Begin.
In it, she tackles some of the thorniest issues in relationships, both romantic and otherwise. Her matter-of-fact, science-based approach provides practical tips you can use.
Podcasts for Mental Health Professionals
Whether you work in law, education, finance, healthcare, or another industry, you’ll find podcasts produced specifically for your field.
Mental health is no different. Therapists have to balance their personal and work lives like everyone else, but there’s an incredible emotional component.
Psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals will benefit from the topics and advice discussed in these podcasts.
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain is a National Public Radio show that focuses on minor, often unnoticed aspects of society, culture, and human behavior that potentially hugely impact our lives.
It provides practitioners with valuable insight into their clients’ behavior.
The Trauma Therapist Project Podcast
This show is a terrific podcast for mental health professionals, as it’s explicitly designed to help them treat clients with traumatic histories.
The Trauma Therapist Project Podcast helps therapists of all backgrounds and specialties be more trauma-informed in their practice.
Inside Mental Health
Produced by Psych Central, Inside Mental Health is an award-winning show that breaks down complex topics into simple language without losing all the nuance.
It helps practitioners remember that their clients aren’t experts and provides ways of explaining challenging concepts.
Therapy Chat
Therapy Chat hosted by Laura Reagan, a licensed clinical social worker, is suitable for professionals because she only interviews experts.
She also provides information on holistic and alternative approaches to mental health, which is often missing in mainstream care.
The Private Practice Startup
Even practitioners not in private practice can benefit from listening to The Private Practice Startup.
The hosts stay on top of critical industry news. It’s crucial for everyone in the field to keep up with trends.
Similar Podcasts To Check Out
The topic of mental health is vast, but it also intersects with several other fields. Here are some similar podcasts to check out:
- Self-help Podcasts: Many self-help podcasts diverge from mental health because they’re less scientific or hosted by non-professionals. Still, some niche topics can be tremendously helpful.
- Podcasts for Weight Loss: Scientists are still unlocking the secrets of the mind-body connection. We certainly know that physical and mental health are intricately connected. For many people, safe weight loss can improve both.
- Psychology Podcasts: Psychology and mental health are closely related, but psychology is more scientific. These podcasts will also cover topics from different standpoints and talk about other brain health issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we go, let’s answer some mental health podcast questions.
What is the #1 mental health podcast?
Rankings and ratings change constantly, so it’s challenging to provide a concrete answer. Two that have been running for a long time with consistently high rankings are The Positive Psychology Podcast and The Hilarious World of Depression.
What are the top three mental health issues?
Since this question is subjective, you’ll get different answers depending on who you ask.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the three most common mental health issues are anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
However, the deadliest mental illnesses are opiate use disorder and eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa.
Wrapping Up
Mental health podcasts help millions of listeners improve their lives.
These podcasts range from lighthearted discussions and self-help tips to serious tales about mental struggles.
Now that you have a list of mental health podcasts to try, all you have to do is start listening and watch your mental health improve.
