Declining depression rates in teens, tiny cat staircases, and Vatican City’s solar boost

Fri Aug 08 2025

Today’s episode dives into the good news that depression and suicide rates have declined in teenagers. You’ll also hear about how tiny staircases are helping cats in Amsterdam, a massive new solar farm, and a heroic pitbull who saved his owners’ lives. This episode was hosted and produced by Case Kenny. Research and writing by Natalie Stone, Ally Mauch, Rebekah Brandes, and Stephanie Friedman. Music by Ryan Peitzke. For more good news, tune in to Nice News Today on Mondays and Fridays and subscribe to the daily Nice News newsletter at NiceNews.com. The episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Nice News listeners get 40% off at cozyearth.com with code NICENEWS at checkout. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial or text 988 to get help right away.

Summary

Nice News Today: Episode Summary Host: Case Kenny | Release Date: August 8, 2025

In this uplifting episode of Nice News Today, hosted by Case Kenny, listeners are treated to a collection of heartening stories ranging from improvements in teenage mental health to heroic acts by our furry friends. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

1. Declining Depression and Suicide Rates in Teenagers

Case Kenny opens the episode by addressing a significant positive trend in mental health among young people.

Key Findings:
- Depression rates in teenagers have decreased between 2021 and 2024.
- Suicidal thoughts among 12 to 17-year-olds dropped by 3%.
- Suicide attempts declined from 3.6% to 2.7%.
- Major depression episodes in teens decreased from 21% to 15%.
Contributing Factors:
- Increased openness among teens about their mental health struggles.
- Greater access to mental health treatments and support systems.
Notable Quote:

"Teenagers are increasingly looking for help and finding treatments for mental health conditions." — Senior Vice President of Research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention [02:45]
Additional Insights:
- While the improvements are encouraging, Kenny emphasizes the ongoing need for mental health support.
- Helpline Information: For those in need, dialing or texting 988 can provide immediate assistance.

2. Amsterdam’s Tiny Staircases to Protect Cats

Shifting focus to animal welfare, Case Kenny highlights Amsterdam's innovative approach to safeguarding its feline residents.

Initiative Details:
- Investment: Over $115,000 allocated to install wooden staircases along Amsterdam's canals.
- Purpose: Prevent cats from drowning by providing safe pathways back to shore.
Background:
- Inspired by the Dutch city of Amersfoort, which installed approximately 300 staircases in June.
Local Support:
- Amsterdam Councillor Judith Crome:
  
  "A simple measure can prevent enormous animal suffering. The adopted motion demonstrates that as a city we take responsibility for protecting the lives of animals." [05:30]
Future Plans:
- Identification of high-risk locations in the city center.
- Construction of additional staircases along canal walls later in the year.
Travel Tip: Visitors to Amsterdam should keep an eye out for these charming staircases that blend utility with aesthetic appeal.

3. MIT Study on the Brain’s Distinction Between 'Things' and 'Stuff'

In a fascinating exploration of neuroscience, Kenny delves into recent research conducted by MIT.

Study Highlights:
- Definitions:
  - Things: Solid objects that can be easily grasped (e.g., a ball).
  - Stuff: Materials that are difficult to grip (e.g., liquids, sand).
Brain Mechanisms:
- The visual cortex enables humans to differentiate between 'things' and 'stuff'.
- Involvement of two neural pathways:
  - Ventral Visual Pathway
  - Dorsal Visual Pathway
Findings:
- Distinct subregions within the visual cortex activate depending on whether one is viewing 'things' or 'stuff'.
- This distinction aids not only in identification but also in interacting with the environment appropriately.
Practical Implication:
- Understanding these neural processes can enhance designs in everyday objects and interfaces, making interactions more intuitive.

4. Vatican City’s Solar Boost Towards Carbon Neutrality

Highlighting environmental progress, Kenny discusses Vatican City's ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality.

Project Overview:
- Location: A 1,000-acre wheat field north of Rome.
- Investment: $114 million allocated to develop a solar farm.
- Capacity: Expected to generate sufficient electricity to power Vatican City entirely.
Community Benefits:
- Any surplus electricity produced will be supplied to the local community, fostering broader environmental benefits.
Historical Context:
- Pope Francis Initiation:
  
  "Solar energy plays a key role in fighting climate change and accomplishing climate neutrality." — Pope Francis [12:10]
Current Status:
- Pope Leo XIV has endorsed the project, actively supporting its realization.
Significance:
- If successful, Vatican City will become the world's first carbon-neutral state, setting a precedent for other nations.

5. Kindness Aboard a Delta Flight Eases Parental Stress

Case Kenny shares a touching story of compassion exhibited by airline staff during a challenging flight.

The Situation:
- Passengers: Rochelle and Mike Johnson traveling with their 8-year-old son, Creed, who is on the autism spectrum.
- Issue: Creed experienced frequent meltdowns, disturbing neighboring passengers and heightening parental stress.
Airline Response:
- The Delta crew took proactive measures to alleviate the situation:
  - Reseating: Moved the irritated passenger to a different seat.
  - Personal Touch: Provided cookies and a handwritten apology note.
Notable Quote:

"I want to personally apologize for the passengers around you who lack empathy and compassion. You are always welcomed here and we always are happy to provide assistance in any way we can." — Delta Crew Member [15:50]
Impact:
- Rochelle Johnson:
  
  "The small gesture meant so much to us and changed everything." [16:20]
Takeaway: A little kindness can significantly transform stressful situations, fostering a more understanding and supportive community.

6. Heroic Pit Bull Saves Owners’ Lives

Concluding the episode with an inspiring animal hero story, Kenny recounts the bravery of a pit bull in Pittsburgh.

The Event:
- Incident Location: A local park where Gary Thines encountered the pit bull.
- Heroic Act: The dog ran through heavy traffic to alert Gary of a distress situation.
Discovery:
- Gary followed the dog to a tent encampment, finding an unhoused couple unconscious.
- Immediate action by Gary led to the couple receiving timely medical assistance.
Community Response:
- Social Worker Statement:
  
  "It is an honor for me to take care of this guy until his humans are well enough to reunite with a dog that loves them very much." — Gary Thines [19:35]
Reunion Hopes:
- The couple, now in the hospital, have reconnected with Gary through social media, expressing gratitude and eagerness to reunite with their beloved pet.
Conclusion: This story underscores the profound bond between humans and animals and the extraordinary lengths pets will go to protect and assist their owners.

Final Thoughts: In this episode, Case Kenny effectively showcases a diverse array of positive news stories that uplift and inspire. From advancements in mental health and environmental sustainability to acts of kindness and animal heroism, the episode serves as a reminder of the good that persists in the world.

For more heartening stories, consider following Nice News Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music, and subscribe to their daily newsletter.

Remember, there's always more good out there to go around. Have a great day!

Transcript

Case Kenny (0:00)

Good morning. Welcome to Nice news today, your 10 minute roundup of the week's most positive News. It is August 8th and today I'm diving into the news that depression and suicide rates have declined in teenagers. I've also got the scoop on the tiny staircases helping cats in Amsterdam, a massive new solar farm and a heroic pit bull who saved his owners lives. I'm your host, Case Kenny. Let's uncover some good news together. We're often bombarded with devastating statistics about the state of mental health in the US Particularly among young people. But this morning I'm here to share a bright spot on the topic. Between 2021 and 2024, rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in teenagers during went down. A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services administration surveyed over 70,000 people ages 12 and older and found that the prevalence of serious suicidal thoughts in 12 to 17 year olds dropped 3% in that time frame. The prevalence of suicide attempts by teenagers also fell to 2.7% from 3.6%. And the percentage of teens with an episode of major depression went from 2115. So what do we have to thank for these improved numbers? One theory is that more teens are opening up about their suicidal thoughts, which is a step in the right direction, according to the senior vice president of research at the American foundation for Suicide Prevention. She told NPR that teenagers are increasingly looking for help and finding treatments for mental health conditions. And while these numbers are promising, there's still plenty more work to be done to help teens and and adults take care of their mental health. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can always dial or text 988 to get help right away. Pivoting to some uplifting animal news, Amsterdam is taking a unique approach to help cats live their nine lives to the fullest. The city is spending over $115,000 to install little wooden staircases along its iconic canals, which will help prevent cats from drowning. The Amsterdam City Council voted in favor of this plan on July 10, following in the footsteps of another Dutch city called Amersfoort. In June, amersfoort installed around 300 tiny staircases to help cats and other animals safely return to shore in case they fall in the canals. According to the Independent, Amsterdam Councillor Judith Crome said a simple measure can prevent enormous animal suffering. The adopted motion demonstrates that as a city we take responsibility for protecting the lives of animals. And once the highest risk locations in the city center are identified, later this year, the government plans to begin building along canal walls. So if you have a trip to Amsterdam on the books. Look out for the adorable and important staircases. What is the difference between things and stuff? In a recent MIT study, researchers defined things as sol objects we can grip like a ball, and stuff as materials that would slip right through our fingers like liquids and sand. And they discovered that the brain's visual cortex is the reason we're able to distinguish between the two. More specifically, this ability lies in two neural pathways, the ventral visual pathway and the dorsal visual pathway. The scientists found that different sub regions in this area of the brain get activated depending on whether we're looking at things or stuff. The distinction between the two categories not only allows us to identify what we see, but also guides how we interact with the lived environment. So the next time you get a cup for water, instead of trying to grab the liquid with your fingers, you now know what section of the brain to thank for that sound decision. And now a quick break to learn about today's sponsor, Cozy Earth. Everyone has a happy place in their home. For me, it's my bed. There's nothing better than collapsing into bed at the end of a long day. And Cozy Earth sheets are the ultimate way to make your bed as comfortable as possible. They're made from viscose from bamboo and naturally wick heat and moisture away from your body, helping you sleep several degrees cooler. As someone experiencing summer in the south, that's been a game changer for me. If you want to try them out for yourself, the purchase is risk free. Cozy earth offers a 100 night sleep trial and and a 10 year warranty. Head to cozyearth.com use the code nicenews to get 40% off. And if you get a post purchase survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth from Nice. News today, your bed should be more than a place to sleep. It should be your happy place. And Cozy Earth makes that possible. One European country is now well on its way to becoming the world's first carbon neutral state. Can you guess which one? I'll give you a hint. It's located within Italy's borders, but it's a completely separate nation. If you guessed Vatican City, you'd be correct. Last week, Italy agreed to a plan from the Vatican to convert a 1,000 acre wheat field north of Rome into a solar farm. If all goes according to plan, the new $114 million solar farm will generate enough electricity to supply Vatican City with all the energy it needs, which could make it the first carbon neutral state. And if this generates any extra electricity, it'll go to the local community. According to the Associated Press, it was the late Pope Francis who got the ball rolling on this plan. He asked the Vatican to look into creating a solar farm on this piece of land last year. In a letter he wrote at the time, he said solar energy plays a key role in fighting climate change and accomplishing climate neutrality. Then in June, Pope Leo XIV visited the field and confirmed that he would help bring Francis's vision to to life. Hopefully this is just the start of countries going full carbon neutral. All the parents out there will appreciate this next story. Even the most well behaved children have meltdowns on airplanes, but it can be super stressful for parents worried about their kids annoying other passengers. Thankfully, the crew on a recent Delta flight showed a little extra kindness to Rochelle and Mike Johnson and it made all the difference. They told the Today show that while recently traveling to Jamaica for a wedding, their 8 year old son Creed, who's on the autism spectrum, was screaming and crying every 10 minutes. A passenger seated in front of him became irritated, which only added to the stress Rochelle was already feeling, so the crew stepped in to help. They reseated the annoyed passenger and handed Mike some cookies and a handwritten note that read, quote, I want to personally apologize for the passengers around you who lack empathy and compassion. You you are always welcomed here and we always are happy to provide assistance in any way we can. Rachelle said the small gesture meant so much to her and Mike and quote, changed everything for them. It just goes to show that a little kindness can go a long way. Today's inspiring human isn't actually a human, but he's inspiring all the same. A pit bull saved his owners lives by running through heavy traffic to get them the help they needed. Pittsburgh resident Gary Thines told local TV station WTAE that he at a park last week when the pit bull ran up to him barking and trying to get someone's attention. Thines then followed the distressed pup across a busy street and ended up at a tent encampment where he found an unhoused man and his girlfriend who were both unconscious. He called 911 and first responders quickly came to take the couple to the hospital. A social worker later confirmed that the pit bull was theirs and the story only gets better. While the couple are in the hospital, Fiennes agreed to take care of the pit bull. He wrote on Facebook, quote, it is an honor for me to take care of this guy until his humans are well enough to reunite with a dog that loves them very much. The owners also seem to have found Thines through his Facebook post with the woman commenting that she would love to meet Thines and can't wait to get back to her pup. It's a happy ending after all, thanks to one brave dog. And that's it for today's episode. If you love these stories, please consider giving us a follow on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Music and sharing this episode with a friend. If you want more good news, visit nicenews.com to sign up for our free daily newsletter. Until next time, keep spreading your light and remember, there's more than enough good out there to go around. Have a great day.