After storing holiday decorations and finishing off holiday leftovers, some Alabamians find it difficult to transition to routine life or make plans for 2026. After the festivities have come to an end, many people feel emotionally and physically drained and experience sadness and loneliness. Unmet expectations versus reality, financial stress, changes in diet, and sleep difficulties can lead to holiday blues.
Those seeking assistance with mental health often find that professional appointments are not easily available due to a shortage of healthcare providers and other reasons including busy schedules and transportation challenges. To help remove barriers to mental health, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the Jefferson County Department of Health, and the Mobile County Health Department formed a partnership to address the needs of the one in five adults who experience mental illness each year.
Since May 2025, the digital mental well-being platform called CredibleMind has been available at no charge to Alabama residents. Its stated purpose is to provide a means to empower and assist individuals in overcoming their mental health challenges through a confidential, personalized, accessible, immediate, and anonymous self-care and mental well-being platform. CredibleMind brings together a wealth of information in expert-rated and vetted videos, podcasts, apps, books, and articles. This platform supports wellness with evidence-based resources designed to support the mental health needs of everyone.
One advantage of accessing CredibleMind is that using the platform can provide support sooner. Also, its use can help avoid the social stigma that may result from seeking mental health services. Personalized resources are organized by one’s specific topic of concern or condition. The platform helps users deal with a wide range of behavioral and mental health needs including stress, anxiety, burnout, depression, sleep, workplace wellness, mindfulness, and other issues by offering topics and tips. Essential community resources and support services for each Alabama county are available, along with national crisis resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The platform currently explores the benefits, importance and value of goal setting and ways to prevent overuse of screen time. There is a link to a January 2026 Psychology Today article, “Treating Depression With Food.” Under the “Happiness” series, topics include meditation, tips for finding happiness, happiness in relationships, finding your bliss, frequently asked questions, followed by personal stories and key discussions with experts. In addition to selected articles, users can access selected best videos, top-rated apps, and articles for specific demographic groups. Each series provides a focused learning experience, helping the individual discover new approaches and ideas.
Good mental health is deeply connected to good physical health and well-being in life, so I invite you to explore the multiple resources available on the platform by visiting CredibleMind.
Scott Harris, M.D., M.P.H.
State Health Officer