Last year, NSPCCs 25-year-old ChildLine launched an online version of its call-centre service. Children who wanted to get in touch about a range of serious issues could now write an email, send a text, or start a live web chat with a volunteer counsellor. The launch proved incredibly popular, with 60% of ChildLine’s counselling now read more »

According to a recent study, elderly people who take anti-depressant drugs are more likely to experiences falls. The drugs in question are selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are frequently prescribed to elderly patients who suffer from dementia. The study, which was conducted by researchers from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam – recorded read more »

Mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness have launched a media campaign designed to take away some of the fear and awkwardness that still surrounds the subject. ‘It’s Time to Talk, Time to Change’ will consist of three radio ads created by renowned advertising agency Dare. Dare has an impressive resume, having worked successfully read more »

A mental health trust in Sussex has today released advice for those struggling to cope with the start of the new year. 2011 was a difficult year for Britain, with widespread financial instability, redundancies, service cuts, mounting debts, fee increases and riots. Lisa Rodrigues, chief executive of the Sussex Partnership HNS Trust, has recognised that read more »

With Christmas only a few days away, most people’s thoughts will be on turkey collections, last minute shopping and present wrapping to ensure the Big Day runs as smoothly as possible. For the charities Lifeline, Samaritans and Childline, however, all thoughts will be on the many people across Britain who will not be enjoying Christmas read more »

TV personality and journalist Jeremy Clarkson has sparked outrage from mental health charities after branding those who have killed themselves on railways as ”selfish”. Clarkson recently stirred anger amongst the public after his comments on the BBC’s The One Show suggesting that public sector strikers should be ”shot in front of their families” generated 21,000 read more »

A new scheme that offers a telephone callback service to individuals who are feeling anxious or depressed has helped around 2,000 Glasgow residents since 2008. The phone line promptly puts those in need in touch with a professional clinician who will be able to offer them advice over the phone – a huge benefit for read more »

A ten-year-old child, born as a boy, has returned from the summer holidays dressed as a little girl. The child has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition that means an individual believes they are not the gender they were born with. The child’s mother has explained to the press that, growing up, her daughter read more »

A centre that is designed to offer women counselling advice and training courses could be opened in Ramsbottom, Bury. The founder of Graceful Oaks, Joanna Shea has been looking for a base in the town to open up the facility, which is to be run mainly by volunteers. The aim is to provide free imaginative read more »

A proposal to remove abortion providers of their role in counselling women has been heavily defeated in the House of Commons after a split emerged between the original campaigners of the amendment. MP’s voted by a majority of 250 to rebuff the amendment by Conservative backbencher Nadine Dorries after her co-sponsor, Labour MP Frank Field, withdrew read more »