Mental Health

We?ve all heard the advice: ?trust your gut.? But what does that really mean ? and is there science behind it? Dr. Hongkui Zeng, Executive Vice President and Director of the Brain Initiative at the Allen Institute, joins us to explain how the nervous system tracks and regulates the body?s internal organs. This NIH-supported project aims to uncover the body?s true ?sixth sense? ? the subconscious communication between the brain and organs like the heart, lungs, and stomach that helps keep us balanced and alive.

Chicago has taken another step towards reopening city mental health clinics.

Living in the city, many children aren't exposed to the lessons of the great outdoors, like hunting and fishing.

The Friendwork Collective is helping adults build genuine friendships and improve mental health through creative, inclusive community events. From art nights to fitness meetups, each gathering is designed to make connection easy, natural, and fun. Founder Ashley Komperda and member Rosie Patterson join us to share the group?s mission and preview their upcoming Wellness Walk on October 11.

While bullying is often associated with childhood, new data shows it's a growing problem among adults. A national survey found that nearly one in three U.S. adults have experienced bullying, with cyberbullying?especially on social media?being the most common form. As part of Bullying Prevention Month, we're joined by Dr. Lora Erickson from The Chicago School, which now offers a Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate aimed at equipping professionals with the tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to this increasingly prevalent issue.

Ballet 5:8 combines live music and dance, including works like "Beauty Will Save the World" and "La Llorona," to highlight Hispanic stories, representation in ballet, and conversations around mental health.

The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention holds its "Out of the Darkness" suicide prevention walk at Chicago's Montrose Harbor on Saturday.

It's an important cause that often doesn't get talked about. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is holding it's Out of the Darkness walk in Chicago.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and HHS recently claimed that Tylenol use during pregnancy is linked to autism. Dr. Shikha Jain, a board-certified hematology and oncology physician, joins us to break down the science behind the claim ? and stresses that no study shows causation between Tylenol and autism.

Rush University researchers share how psilocybin studies and other treatments are offering options for patients who don?t respond to standard antidepressants.

Psychologist Ben Shabad breaks down why AI can?t challenge or push back on users like human therapists do ? raising serious concerns about their use in mental health. This, as states regulate AI in therapy.

When a new baby arrives, parents are often told it?s the happiest time of their lives. But studies show the drop in happiness after having a baby is actually bigger than what people experience after unemployment, divorce, or even loss?yet we rarely talk about it. Lindsay Ambrose, a doula, and Arden Joy, a reiki master, are the authors of The Nurture Method show parents how to weave mindfulness into the everyday chaos of caring for a newborn.

Licensed clinical social worker Anna Richmond from Thriveworks joins us to discuss how to navigate grief, avoid harmful coping habits, and embrace therapy as a valuable tool for healing.

In her recent New Heights podcast appearance Taylor Swift dropped some helpful advice. She said: ?Think of your energy as if it?s expensive. As if it?s a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it. Not everyone has invested in you, in order to b e able to have the capital for you to care about this.? Christy Whitman, an energy mastery expert and spiritual guide, dives deeper into treating our time and energy like a valuable currency.

FOX 32's Paris Schutz has the latest on politics in Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the nation.

A person in Missouri was diagnosed with a brain-eating amoeba after water skiing. A local doctor joins ChicagoNOW to talk about what you need to do to stay safe.

Wendy Williams' lawyer, Joe Tacopina, is claiming that Wendy's leaked medical diagnosis is "false." TMZ's executive producer Michael Babcock breaks it down for us on ChicagoNOW.

DuPage County is taking a step in reimagining how the community responds to mental health and substance use crises.