The State Department has stopped issuing US passports with an "X" if requested by transgender people and others who do not want a traditional classification of "male" or "female." Allan Barsky, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, advises mental health professionals to be supportive of people who are processing the loss of this option. "Mental health professionals can play critical roles in advancing safety and well-being by providing affirming care, helping clients navigate the psychological and practical consequences of these laws, and connecting them with legal information and advocacy resources, as needed," writes Barsky.

Social work researcher and author Brene Brown says that 40% of online self-help gurus are "sheer grifters" who give self-serving advice, and Brown avoids the self-help space after seeing her work misused in that context. Thinking critically and evaluating the content and credentials of self-help sources can help people avoid bad advice, says licensed mental health counselor Lauren Larkin.

Firefighters have a higher suicide rate at 18 per 100,000 compared to 13 per 100,000 in the general public, writes former fire chief Marc Revere, who describes the "mental health purgatory" many in the field experience. Revere calls for a national mental health program for firefighters, similar to the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act.

Grief is difficult all year long, but it can be especially hard at the holidays. Licensed clinical social worker Sarah Light joins other mental health professionals to discuss how to best help families in this position. Light recommends strategies such as displaying treasured photos, understanding personal triggers and sharing a meal with foods the loved one enjoyed.

Ohio violence prevention advocates are concerned about House Bill 172, which would require parental consent for minors to access emergency mental health services. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Johnathan Newman, proposes involving parents in children's mental health issues, but advocates warn that it could endanger teens who are abused by parents, as they would need consent from their abusers to seek help.

The CMS debuted a beta version of the national provider directory at the Health Tech Ecosystem Connectathon in Washington, D.C. This directory aims to help beneficiaries locate providers that accept Medicare, marking a significant step in the CMS' interoperability initiative, launched in collaboration with the White House. This initiative focuses on voluntary industry standards to improve health care data transfer and patient access.

Be assertive in your leadership by being directive, speaking with conviction and leading with both authority and empathy to increase your chances of a promotion over leaders who are quiet, conflict-averse and reluctant to make tough calls, writes executive coach Joel Garfinkle. Improve your presence as a leader by being more enthusiastic, asserting yourself with respect and letting senior leaders see you engaging in difficult conversations and addressing issues head-on, Garfinkle advises.

Get your audience excited about the topic of your presentation (even if it's a dry subject) by working to infuse your voice with enthusiasm and a feeling of purpose, writes public speaking coach Gary Genard. Practice by thinking about how you'd convey your information to a friend or family member to infuse some excitement and think "about listeners and what they really need from you in this presentation," Genard advises.