The Overlooked Crisis: Why ‘Brain Health’ Conversations Exclude Mental Illness

April 28, 2026 - 15:35

In a compelling new commentary, leading neuroscientists and mental health advocates are calling out a glaring blind spot in the global conversation about brain health. Husseini K. Manji, Eric J. Nestler, and Patrick J. Kennedy argue that the current focus on neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injury has systematically excluded mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This exclusion, they warn, represents a massive loss of human potential.

The authors contend that the term “brain health” has been narrowly co-opted by the aging and wellness industries, often emphasizing cognitive sharpness and the prevention of dementia while ignoring the millions of people living with psychiatric disorders. These conditions, which are rooted in the same organ—the brain—are frequently stigmatized and treated as separate, less legitimate medical issues. Manji, Nestler, and Kennedy point out that depression alone is the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet it is rarely included in public campaigns about maintaining a healthy brain.

They propose a more inclusive framework that recognizes mental illness as a core component of brain health. By bridging the gap between neurology and psychiatry, the authors believe society can unlock new avenues for research, treatment, and public policy. Failing to do so, they argue, not only perpetuates stigma but also denies millions of people access to the same urgency and resources afforded to other brain disorders. The call to action is clear: brain health cannot be truly healthy if it ignores the mind.