Digital mental health giant Headspace has named Tom Pickett as its next CEO.

A startup veteran, Pickett is joining Headspace after serving as chief revenue officer at food delivery company DoorDash, where he oversaw business development, sales and partnership growth.

Pickett has also worked in startup media. He previously served as CEO at Crunchyroll, which was acquired by AT&T. His resume also includes several roles at Google.

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Headspace was formed in 2021 through a $3 billion merger between virtual mental health provider Ginger and meditation company Headspace. It now offers D2C and B2B products, including meditation, sleep and mindfulness support tools, as well as mental health coaching, therapy, psychiatry and clinical services.

“Addressing complex societal challenges through a combination of technology and human touch has been core to my career, whether it be growing and empowering local economies or building new ways for people to share their voices at scale,” Pickett said in a statement. “I’m inspired by the impact that Headspace has had on reshaping people’s relationship to their mental health, and am excited to support the company’s growth and scale as we execute our mission to provide everyone with lifelong mental health support.”

In 2023, the company raised $105 million in debt financing, which it said would be used to expand its enterprise offerings, including in-person clinical care and more addiction treatment support.

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This comes after Russell Glass stepped down as CEO in March. Glass began his tenure with the company as CEO of Ginger and oversaw the 2021 merger.

Over the last year, Headspace has launched several new offerings and partnerships. In June, the company announced that it would partner with Uwill to expand its reach into the college population.

Headspace also recently announced the rollout of its coaching services to individual consumers. Previously, coaching services were exclusive to its B2B clients.

Still, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Headspace in recent years. In 2023, the company laid off roughly 15% of its workforce.

Where did the first month of 2025 go!? Wherever it went, we’ve got an excellent batch of premieres for your final New Music Friday of January.

Below, check out brand new music and performance videos like Amanda Bjorn’s “Until We Become Earth,” a song about searching for yourself set to a gorgeously warm and retro video shot on film. Pitney Meyer (a duo of longtime country and bluegrass pals, John Meyer and Mo Pitney) bring a live performance of their new single, “Bear Creek Clay,” as well.

Bluegrass mainstays Lonesome River Band bring back a Jimmy Yeary song that Sammy Shelor turned into a classic, “I’m On To You,” with the full LRB on this new rendition. Plus, Dave Murphy calls on Mark Erelli for his new number, “Planet of Pain II,” a sequel to the original “Planet of Pain” from his 1998 album, Under the Lights.

Elsewhere, don’t miss Joshua Finsel’s “Before the Snow,” about through hiking the Appalachian Trail and cresting Mount Katahdin in Maine before wintertime hits. And, Lily Talmers celebrates release day for her new album, It’s Cyclical, Missing You, by bringing us that project’s lush and deep folky title track.

It’s all right here on BGS – we’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: You Gotta Hear This!

Amanda Bjorn, “Until We Become Earth”



Artist: Amanda Bjorn

Hometown: Los Angeles, California and Spain

Song: “Until We Become Earth”

Album: That Kind of Woman

Release Date: January 24, 2025 (single)

In Their Words: “‘Until We Become Earth’ is the first single off my upcoming debut album, That Kind of Woman, which is set to release in April 2025. A blend of blues and folk with a bit of Americana, the new album reads like a diary touching on major changes in my life – balancing motherhood with artistry, finding and losing myself within relationships, postpartum mental health, and the transformation that happens from living abroad and returning home.

“The song was written in a School of Song workshop with one of my favorite songwriters, Adrianne Lenker, exactly one year ago. Without ruining it, the song is about that search for self-identity within a relationship, the vulnerability of building your own voice, and the risk it takes to keep expanding.

“With the help of my old friend, producer Aaron Stern, I recorded the album this past summer in Los Angeles at Verdugo Sound. With the help of some very talented musicians, we performed live together in the same room for most of the album, our aim was to capture the magic of improvisation and the authentic energy that arises from truly listening and connecting, free from a click track.” – Amanda Bjorn

Track Credits:

Phillip Krohnengold – Guitar, keys

Michael Villiers – Drums

Aaron Stern – Bass

Amanda Bjorn – Vocals

Adam Ayan – Mastering

Aaron Stern – Producer

Video Credits: Filmed by Giacomo Gex; color by Ruben Sogomonian; film processed by Kafard Films, Paris, France.

Starring Amanda Bjorn and Brando Wild.

Joshua Finsel, “Before the Snow”

No Honey by Joshua Finsel

Artist: Joshua Finsel

Hometown: Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Song: “Before the Snow”

Album: No Honey

Release Date: February 6, 2024

In Their Words: “‘Before The Snow’ is a song about an Appalachian Trail through-hiker whose river meditation is interrupted by a daydream. Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park in Maine is the northern end of the trail, and a hiker must get there ‘before the snow’ in order to be allowed to finish the journey.

“The lyrics are autobiographical. I teamed up with the famed string trio Bizarre Star Strings (Brandi Carlile, Madison Cunningham, The Shins) for the lush, theatrical river-like passages. Award winning fiddle player Katelynn Casper and mandolinist Quentin Fisher of Serene Green added to the arrangements. Finally, David Bowie producer and bass player Mark Plati mixed the record and played fretless bass.” – Joshua Finsel

Lonesome River Band, “I’m On To You”



Artist: Lonesome River Band

Hometown: Floyd, Virginia

Song: “I’m On To You”

Release Date: January 31, 2025

Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘I’m On To You’ is a song written by my friend Jimmy Yeary, who has become one of the most in-demand writers in Nashville. I recorded this song back in 1997 and it was the first song Jimmy had featured on an album. The album is long out of print, but this song kept making its way into sound checks and the show every now and then. It has that ’80s country vibe that we felt would lend itself to the sound we are doing for this upcoming album. We hope you like this version!” – Sammy Shelor

Track Credits:

Sammy Shelor – Banjo, vocal

Jesse Smathers – Acoustic guitar, lead vocals

Mike Hartgrove – Fiddle

Adam Miller – Mandolin, vocals

Kameron Keller – Upright bass

Dave Murphy, “Planet of Pain II” (Featuring Mark Erelli)



Artist: Dave Murphy

Hometown: Madison, New Jersey

Song: “Planet of Pain II” featuring Mark Erelli

Album: A Heart So Rare

Release Date: January 31, 2025

In Their Words: “The song is a rumination on the fragility of life, disappointment, lessons learned, and carrying on. This theme is illustrated in my lyrics, ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust/ Sometimes it feels like it’s all just too much/ When something is lost (they say) something is gained/ Still finding my way on this planet of pain.’ The original ‘Planet of Pain‘ appeared on my first album, Under the Lights. It was just one voice, one acoustic, and a lap steel. Part II borrows some lyrics, but elevates the song to a different level with the support of Chris Tarrow’s mysterious pedal steel playing, Shawn Pelton’s percussion, and Mark Erelli’s haunting vocals.” – Dave Murphy

Track Credits:

Dave Murphy – Vocals, acoustic guitar

Shawn Pelton – Drums

Chris Tarrow – Electric guitar, pedal steel

Richard Hammond – Bass

Mark Erelli – Backing vocals

Pitney Meyer, “Bear Creek Clay”



Artist: Pitney Meyer

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Song: “Bear Creek Clay”

Album: Cherokee Pioneer

Release Date: January 10, 2025 (single); April 18, 2025 (album)

Label: Curb Records

In Their Words: “‘Bear Creek Clay’ is a song brought to the group by Danielle Yother from North Carolina. It’s a snapshot of a pioneering Daniel Boone-type of character, blazing a trail to a home in the mountains. ‘Bear Creek Clay’ was the title we settled on, which in the moment I figured was something we would come back and edit later, but come to find out, there are creeks and rivers by that name all over Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. Driving through Bon Aqua, Tennessee, I noticed on the map I was nearing a Bear Creek. This was just a few miles from the log cabin where we would be recording. When we cut the song to tape a few days later, I knew we had to drive down to the creek first. The water was brown and rushing fast, swollen from the rains the night before. We made it back to the cabin a bit soaked but ready to step in and sing this song that seemed to be coming to life in the landscape around us.” – John Meyer

Track Credits:

Mo Pitney – Guitar

John Meyer – Banjo

Nate Burie – Mandolin

Blake Pitney – Bass

Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle

Lily Talmers, “It’s Cyclical, Missing You”



Artist: Lily Talmers

Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan and Brooklyn, New York

Song: “It Is Cyclical, Missing You”

Album: It Is Cyclical, Missing You

Release Date: January 30, 2025

In Their Words: “This song is sort of meant to mirror the experience of running up and down a hill, continuously. It was born of witnessing two brothers arguing in a parking lot– the younger, around five years old, was sobbing trying to get his older brother’s attention. The older brother, around age seven, clearly had the awareness that ignoring someone only makes them more desperate for your attention, and wouldn’t look his brother in the eye. The whole record is sort of a big statement of what it means to be in both of these positions, cyclically. I am both the desperate, reaching brother, and the power-hungry, indignant brother who hasn’t learned the responsibility of loving other people.” – Lily Talmers

Track Credits:

Lily Talmers – Vocals, acoustic guitar, music, lyrics

Raffi Boden – Cello

Konstantinos Revelas – Bouzouki

Alec Spiegelman – Clarinet, bass clarinet, flute

David Ward – Drums, percussion

Photo Credit: Lonesome River Band by Sandlin Gaither; Lily Talmers by Bailey Lecat.

I could barely get out of bed, and I didn’t want to see Ndaba, River or my family. As time went on, I started to believe that everyone would be better off without me.

One day I managed to drag myself to my sister-in-law’s baby shower. Everybody there was so happy, but I couldn’t find happiness in anything, not even River.

The following day, my mum was so worried that she took me to see my doctor. I was diagnosed with postnatal depression, and I was prescribed the antidepressant, sertraline. It was a real turning point. I’d found it so hard to admit I needed help because I thought I was being silly.

It took me hitting rock bottom to realise it was something serious.

As soon as I was able to explain what was wrong and I got a diagnosis, I started to feel better.

When I was pregnant with Delilah, I had a specialist mental health midwife who was great at calling me regularly to check in on how I was doing. I stopped taking antidepressants during pregnancy and I went back on them, on a low dosage, after giving birth. I still take them.

Now I’ve learned to spot the signs when I’m feeling down or anxious, and I talk to my parents or Ndaba about how I’m feeling – it makes me realise I’m not on my own.

For any parent worried they might be suffering from postnatal depression, I’d say, please get support. There’s no need to feel ashamed. If you had a broken leg, you’d get professional help. It should be no different with your mental health.

This article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility:

This photo shows Tara Brach leading a meditation class at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland on March 23, 2012. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits. Credit: Jonathan Foust/River Road Unitarian Universalist Church via AP

The first time Marcelle Hutchins sat down to meditate, she put on a guided session, relaxed her shoulders and tried to close her eyes. She lasted two minutes.

“I had a deadline, and I thought, ‘I don’t know if I can sit still this long,'” said Hutchins, who was working as a radio journalist.

At the urging of her father, a longtime practitioner, she tried again and managed to finish a 10-minute video on her third attempt. “I remember feeling this sense of joy and relaxation,” she said. “I used to be that person who said, ‘I can’t meditate.'”

Hutchins has since become a certified meditation teacher—and serves as an example that busy, restless people who try once should try again. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits.

The trick is to get over that initial barrier. Experts say it’s more achievable when you throw common misconceptions out the window. For instance, many people try meditation only once because they feel they’re doing it wrong or that they can’t turn off their brain.

That’s not the point, says Tara Brach, who holds a doctorate in psychology and has trained more than 7,000 people to be meditation teachers.

“It’s not about stopping thoughts. The mind generates thoughts the way body creates enzymes,” she said. “It’s about being able to get larger than the thoughts and witness them.”

START SIMPLE

There is no right way to meditate, Brach stressed.

The key is to relax and focus on something in the present moment. Feel your breath pass through your nostrils, listen to a guided recording, mentally scan your body from head to toe, repeat a loving phrase to yourself or try countless other techniques.

You can sit on the floor, in a chair or on a cushion. If you can’t get comfortable, lie down. You don’t even need to close your eyes, though it’s recommended to try.

There is no standard amount of time to begin with, but set an achievable goal.

“You can customize it to who you are,” said Brach, author of several books, including “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha.”

“Start with the most you can comfortably do without having to feel like you want to quit,” she said.

Marcelle Hutchins meditates in her studio in West Hollywood, Calif. on Jan. 13, 2024. Research shows a daily meditation practice can reduce anxiety, improve overall health and increase social connections, among other benefits. Credit: Marcelle Hutchins via AP

That could mean starting with as little as a few minutes, said John Mitchell, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University who uses meditation to treat patients with ADHD. The goal should be working meditation into a routine and focusing on the quality of the practice, not the quantity.

“Then the question is, what do we do to create success so we can have momentum and start off without feeling like you’re failing right way?” he said.

WHEN YOU CAN’T SIT STILL

When you inevitably get distracted—everyone does—notice the thought or urge to move, acknowledge it and bring your attention back to where you are.

Instead of judging yourself, get curious for a minute about the nature of restlessness, Brach said. Ask yourself, “What does it really feel like if I want to jump out of my skin?”

Then take a long, deep breath, and sit for one more minute. If you still want to move, then move. But Brach recommended doing so mindfully. Stand up, do a light stretch, take a deep breath and sit again. You will be surprised at how that sense of restlessness will change over time, she said. “It will evolve.”

If the restlessness builds to a point where you are uncomfortable, consider taking a slow, meditative walk, Mitchell said. Stay alert but calm, focusing on the sounds, sights and smells around you, or maybe on the sensation of the wind and sun on your face.

“You’re not restricted,” he said. “You don’t have to sit there in silence and be still all the time.”

TOMORROW, AND THE NEXT DAY, TRY AGAIN

After sticking through the first session, you will almost certainly feel calmer, no matter the length. But to get the full benefits, as with exercise, research shows you need to practice consistently.

For people having trouble starting, that can be daunting, but Brach suggested trying a few techniques to find the right fit.

“It takes a bit of experimentation to find the style of meditation that works for your particular body, mind and personality,” she said.

Luckily, there’s a universe of free meditation resources online.

“Nobody reading this needs to go buy anything,” she said.

© 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

There is growing concern among mental health experts about paranoid ideation and the urge to commit suicide which are becoming common in Nigeria and are currently manifesting in the increase in the number of people plunging into the Lagos Lagoon.

Although the reasons why people attempt suicide are varied and complex, what is certain is that the victims are often subjected to severe emotional and physical pain they cannot bear.

Read also: Financial challenge, depression, others raise suicide rate among students

In response to the mounting stress induced by Nigeria’s challenging economic climate, with the rise in the use of drug abuse amongst youths, poor power supply, kidnappings, violent conflicts, psychiatrists have proposed laughter, music, and dance therapy as effective coping mechanisms.

Since the beginning of the year, Nigeria has witnessed a troubling increase in deaths by suicide, with many attributed to socio-economic pressures.

Mental health experts, who spoke with BusinessDay, gave this advice in response to stemming the tide of the increasing suicide rates in the country.

BusinessDay has reported a couple of suicide cases in several parts of the country.

In January, a female marketing employee with a new generation bank in the Ikorodu area of Lagos and a soldier with the Nigerian Army died by suicide.

Also, a school security guard in Kano State and a 72-year-old retired soldier in Benue State hanged themselves. A Lagos socialite, Farida Sobowale, was rescued by passersby at the extension of the Third Mainland Bridge as she attempted to plunge to her death in Lagos Lagoon in August 2023.

In January, members of the police force in Lagos and the fire service in Kano, stopped two men while attempting to kill themselves. In February, two varsity students in separate schools ended their lives, while not less than three cases of death by suicide were recorded in Enugu, Lagos and Imo States in March. Meanwhile, in 2022, about 79 suicide cases were reported nationwide.

About 60 million Nigerians have been reported to be down with various types of mental illnesses, and the numbers appear to be rising.

But in a bid to reduce the rate of Nigerians sinking into depression and nursing suicidal thoughts, which are the telltale signs of mental disorders, psychiatrists recommended laughter and music therapy as coping mechanisms.

They further urged persons with mental disorders and long-term diseases who can no longer afford their drugs to speak out and seek help.

Commenting on the issue, a Professor of Psychiatry and a Clinical Psychologist at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Ayodele Coker, said that there are lots of stressors that could trigger emotional distress, consequently leading to depression and suicidal ideation.

He further noted that since there seems to be no end to the current economic situation and the stressors accompanying it, Nigerians must learn how to cope with stress.

The don also recommended learning emotional resilience as a way to prevent suicide ideation and thoughts.

He advised, “Spend at least 30 minutes per day alone to introspect, pray often, meditation helps you to eliminate worries. It makes you focus your attention on life goals and creative problem-sharing.

“Also, ensure to take breakfast; eat like a king in the morning, like a prince at noon and like a pauper at night. You are what you eat and your food should be your medicine. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, forgive and forget past painful issues and forgive yourself first. Engage in fun activities every day. Learn to be financially independent.

“Judge your goals realistically. Keep a positive attitude because your attitude determines your altitude in life. Be open to new life opportunities. Say no to whatever may stress your life, don’t undertake a task you will not complete and you must not make commitments that are not consistent with your life goals.”

He also encouraged people to engage in happy moments, laughter, music and dance therapy, describing it as a medicine for all ailments and a stress reliever.

He further recommended engaging in physical activities and occasional strolls and sightseeing.

Also, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba and the National Coordinator of the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative, Dr. Raphael Ogbolu, said that a rise in psychosocial stressors makes people more prone to suicide.

He decried the out-of-pocket treatment of mental disorders, stating that the economic situation may worsen the situation for those who can no longer afford the medication.

Ogbolu added, “Majority of those who die by suicide may have one mental disorder or the other. However, not everyone who dies by suicide has a mental illness. Those who don’t have a mental disorder and die by suicide are also going through the stressors that everyone is facing because they are a part of society.

“In Nigeria, people must pay for medication out of pocket. Someone with a mental disorder, whose treatment is supported financially by a family member who is going through financial difficulty because of the current economic situation may no longer be able to access treatment. If they are unable to continue their treatment, their mental disorder may worsen.

“People are being weighed down by the stress of the current economic situation, which can also lead to a mental disorder. Those who don’t have mental disorders can also be suicidal because of the economic situation.”

He advised persons going through stressful times to speak to professionals who can help and not suffer in silence.

The SUPRIN’s National Coordinator said, “Talk to people, let them know what you are going through, don’t hide it. I know that in our society, there is still a lot of stigma around mental illnesses. A person who dies by suicide definitely didn’t want to continue living the way they were and what they needed was that little glimmer of hope.

“To people undergoing depression, everything appears gloomy and within that period, they need to be assured of the light at the end of the tunnel. So, they need someone to support them through that phase till they are better.

We need to prioritise mental health. People should bond together and support each other. Taking care of one’s mental health includes taking care of one’s physical health because it can impact on mental health.”

Ogbolu emphasised the importance of individuals receiving treatment for mental disorders to remain consistent with their therapy.

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