5 September 19

Yesterday I learned that today is "National Shrink Day," honoring the services of psychologists and psychiatrists! It is celebrated on 5 September because that's the birthday of Bob Newhart, who played psychologist Dr. Robert Hartley on the wonderful Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978). The association of the word "shrink" with mental health professionals dates to the 1960s, as a humorous reference to "the ritual practice in certain tribal societies of literally shrinking the heads of one’s vanquished enemies." My tossed-salad tie for today is inspired by the theme song from another "shrinks'" situation comedy, Frasier (1993-2004), covering the lives and work of the psychiatrists and brothers Frasier and Niles Crane. The song is "Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs," referring humorously to the fact that people seeking help from mental health professionals are often very "mixed up."

More seriously, here's a National Shrink Day video that presents the attitudes of some real-life counselors and points to helpful resources for good mental health.