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NPR | Feb 10, 2026

Mikaela Shiffrin has plenty to be proud of already.

She is the winningest Alpine skier of all time with 108 World Cup victories to her name, nearly two dozen more than any other skier in history.

Those achievements are astounding on their own — especially considering that she has sustained that level of success even while facing the challenges of serious injury, PTSD and an all-consuming grief that followed the sudden death of her father in 2020.

The Conversation | Feb 10, 2026

In their day-to-day work, first responders – including police, firefighters, paramedics and lifesavers – often witness terrible things happening to other people, and may be in danger themselves.

For some people, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which usually involves intrusive memories and flashbacks, negative thoughts and emotions, feeling constantly on guard, and avoiding things that remind them of the trauma.

But our research – which tested a mobile app focused on building resilience with firefighters – shows PTSD isn’t inevitable. We found depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms were less likely when firefighters used a mental health program that was self-led, specifically addressed trauma and focused on teaching practical skills.

The New York Times | Feb 10, 2026

The N.F.L. claims Guardian Caps reduce the risk of concussions. The company that makes them says, “It has nothing to do with concussions.”

Colorado Public Radio | Feb 10, 2026

Each year, about two million children, many while playing organized sports, suffer concussions. But, according to concussions researcher Jaclyn Stephens, an occupational therapist and associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University, parents and coaches don’t always know how to recognize and respond to them.

Stephens teamed up with other experts around the world to issue an easy guide on concussions.

The New York Times | Feb 10, 2026
Some athletes battered by concussions are desperately searching beyond conventional medicine. Researchers see potential in the brain-stimulating power of psilocybin mushrooms.
Military Times | Jan 28, 2026

For me, the biggest takeaway was simple. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. That alone made it easier to keep going.

BBC | Jan 28, 2026

A study led by FifPro has found female footballers suffering from concussion on at least three occasions performed "significantly worse" in tasks requiring attention.

BBC | Jan 28, 2026

When a senior coroner declared on Monday that repeatedly heading footballs is "likely" to have contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Leeds United and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, the relationship between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses was thrust into the spotlight again.

The Conversation | Jan 21, 2026

Beyond its monsters and 1980s nostalgia, Stranger Things resonates because it tells stories of struggles familiar to young people: trauma that lingers, identity that wavers, and friendships that buffer against fear.

And by turning inner struggles into visible monsters, Stranger Things can provide a lens to discuss trauma, identity and resilience.

Here are some of Stranger Things’ insights into adolescent development and mental health – and how adults can use the show to talk to teenagers about their own mental health.

Military.com | Jan 21, 2026

Veterans keep fighting long after the uniform comes off. Some battles unfold in families, careers and friendships. Others stay locked inside the mind.

Sheepdog, a new independent film, brings those unseen struggles into the open and refuses to leave them there.

Los Angeles Times | Jan 21, 2026
  • Evangeline Lilly says much of her brain is “functioning at a decreased capacity” after her traumatic brain injury last year.
  • Lilly suffered a concussion when she fell after fainting and hit her head on a boulder at a beach.
Military Times | Jan 21, 2026
Legislators in the House and Senate have introduced bills that would give veterans wider access to treatments for brain injuries at facilities outside the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Stars and Stripes (limited free articles) | Jan 21, 2026
New treatment for the devastating effects of traumatic brain injuries would be developed and tested in a $30 million pilot program that aims to expand rehabilitation programs for veterans to regain physical functions. The Veterans TBI Breakthrough Exploration of Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act — also known as the BEACON Act — would direct the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to fund grants for nonprofits to develop, implement and evaluate non-drug therapies known as neuro-rehabilitation programs.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation | Jan 5, 2026

An Australian-first study has found evidence of memory changes among women who experienced more than six brain injuries as a result of concussions and strangulation from intimate partner violence. 

The Monash University researchers say women who experience violence are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for brain injury compared to atheletes. 

LA Times (limited free articles) | Dec 30, 2025

Scientists have found that memories are not static records but dynamic processes that change the brain’s wiring each time they are recalled.

Based on this research, neuroscientist Steve Ramirez’s hope is that his work will inform noninvasive therapies for conditions such as PTSD, depression and dementia.

Military.com (free account required) | Dec 30, 2025

An Army veteran with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder spent three years trying different treatments offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Medications helped some. Traditional talk therapy felt like digging through the same ground over and over. Then a provider mentioned EMDR. Twelve weeks later, the nightmares stopped. The hypervigilance eased. For the first time since deployment, he could drive without constantly scanning for IEDs.

PBS NewsHour | Dec 30, 2025

Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among veterans, with 10% of men and nearly 20% of women reporting having symptoms at some point in their lives. But could exposure to more arts programming be the needed prescription for those who have served our country? Stephanie Sy reports for our look at the intersection of art and health, part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

The New York Times | Dec 24, 2025
There’s research suggesting that these four-legged “battle buddies” can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. But shortages and long wait times pose barriers.
Wisconsin Public Radio | Dec 22, 2025

The BRAVE program has graduated 61 patients since February 2024. The three-week outpatient program, which is the first of its kind in the Midwest, is tailored to the needs of each patient.

Psychology Today | Dec 16, 2025

Neuropsychology research is exploring alternative pathways to brain healing.

Time | Dec 16, 2025

Tens of thousands of Afghans have resettled in the U.S. after aiding the American military in Afghanistan. They can struggle with assimilation and mental health issues. Many Afghan refugees have confronted an uphill battle in adapting to life in the U.S., feeling estranged from their home country and as though they don’t have the support or tools necessary to thrive in their new one, experts and Afghan veterans now living in the U.S. tell TIME.

Slate | Dec 10, 2025

A Georgia man’s life was changed forever when he sustained a catastrophic brain injury. Now his family is battling the court system over what happens to his mind and body.

The Conversation | Dec 10, 2025

A newly discovered biological signal in the blood could help health care teams and researchers better understand how children respond to brain injuries at the cellular level, according to our research in the Journal of Neurotrauma.

In the future, this information could help clinicians identify children who need more tailored follow-up care after a traumatic brain injury.

PBS | Dec 3, 2025

The dogs train for the specific needs of the person they’re working with, but are all taught to disrupt panic attacks and help veterans feel safer in stressful situations.

Military.com | Dec 3, 2025

About a quarter of U.S. service members and veterans who start psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) quit before they finish treatment, according to a recent study, with experts pushing for more effective long-term approaches to sustain mental health treatments.