Introducing Shrink Speak Shorts

Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman On The Brain, Mind, And Mental Illness
March 2026

After decades of clinical practice and leadership in psychiatry, Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman introduces Shrink Speak Shorts, a new video series dedicated to explaining the brain, the mind, and mental illness — and addressing some of the most important questions facing mental health today.

Mental Wellbeing At The Winter Olympics

Performance, Pressure, And The Mind
March 2026

The 2026 Winter Olympics offered a vivid example of how essential mental wellbeing is to peak performance. Dr. Lieberman explores how mental resilience, pressure, and the ability to quiet internal “chatter” can shape whether athletes rise to the occasion or struggle under the intensity of global competition.

Black History Month And Mental Health

Psychiatry's Failures And The Path Forward
March 2026

Black History Month provides an opportunity to reflect on how psychiatry and mental health care have sometimes failed Black Americans. Dr. Lieberman discusses how bias and prejudice influenced flawed research and distorted diagnoses — and why acknowledging this history is essential to building a more rigorous, fair, and effective mental health system.

The Cannabis Chronicles

When Legalization Outpaces The Science
April 2026

As the United States loosens restrictions on cannabis, marijuana enthusiasts and those who have criticized the harsh penalties tied to possession applaud long-overdue reforms. Yet the shift from prohibition to widespread medical and recreational use has not come without consequences.

March Madness

The Importance Of College Mental Health Services
April 2026

Why you should consider mental health services when choosing a college: Access to meaningful mental health support can make the difference between a student thriving or struggling to stay afloat in the most vulnerable years of their young adulthood.

World Bipolar Day

A Disorder Well-Known and Misunderstood
April 2026

In recognition of World Bipolar Day, we’re taking a closer look at Bipolar Disorder – what it is, how it affects those who suffer from it, and, despite its romantic notoriety, why confusion and misinformation still surround it.

Bravo, Joe Rogan

But His Opinion Shouldn't Determine America's Drug Policy
April 2026

Should a text message be enough to reshape FDA drug policy? The latest Shrink Short breaks down the recent executive order directing federal agencies to fast-track psychedelic drug review — an order reportedly prompted by a text from podcaster Joe Rogan to the president.

America Burning

Why Mass Violence Is Increasing
May 2026

What is “personal deviant violence” — and why does it appear to be rising in America? Distorted thinking, emotional dysregulation, magnified grievance, and the erosion of internal and external restraints can contribute to acts of personal violence.

World Bipolar Day (Pt. 2)

Treatments & Challenges
June 2026

Bipolar Disorder affects approximately 37 million people worldwide, or 0.5% of the population. For much of history, effective treatment remained frustratingly out of reach for those suffering from this debilitating disease. The landscape today has changed considerably – yet challenges to successful treatment persist.

The War on Psychiatry : Unholy Alliance

How MAHA Threatens Mental Health Reform
June 2026

There's no question that our mental health care system needs reform. But pulling the rug out from under the science is not the right answer. And unfortunately, that's the strategy with which our current Secretary of Health & Human Services, RFK Jr., is toying.

The Mental Health Gap for People of Color

Mental Health & People of Color (Pt. 1) : Who Delivers Care
July 2026

Across the country, people of color are more likely to face mental health challenges – and far less likely to receive treatment for them. Why? In this Shrink Short we introduce Dr. James McKnight, who will examine the first (of two) barriers to care: Who is actually in the room providing it.

Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., is a Columbia psychiatry professor and president of ARETÉ Science, advancing mental health through science, social awareness, and policy. In SHRINK SPEAK, he provides commentary around America’s dysfunctional mental health system. If you would like more content from Shrink Speak by Dr. Lieberman, visit the substack.