Chef Kevin Boyle, who filmed alongside Jamie Oliver in a Chanel 4 cooking series in 2002, killed himself last month after suffering from depression for 10 years.

Mr Boyle, 26 at the time of his death, was found in a wooded garden two miles from his family home in Purley. According to his sister Naomi Anderson, this was not the first attempt he had made to take his own life.

Now the 30 year old Accounts Manager has spoken out against the mental health system, which she believes failed to help her younger brother when he needed it most.

“Kevin had suicidal thoughts in 2010 and confided to friends and family, which resulted in him being sectioned, and his treatment was brutal. He was pinned down, sedated, with no compassion for his condition. It was a disgusting way to treat anybody,” she said.

One in 5,700 men commits suicide every year, making suicide the most common way for a young man to die.

Mrs Anderson believes that the lack of support available for men suffering with depression is shockingly low. There is a certain notion that asking for help is a sign of weakness. This means that many young men continue to struggle on through life without help.

She is now using her brother’s tragic death to raise awareness for male depression, and hopes that some good will come out of her devastating loss.

Dave Ahern, head chef of Ben’s Canteen in Clapham, has been so moved by Mr Boyle’s suicide that he has promised to help fight the stigma surrounding depression in the ‘macho’ restaurant industry.

On April 30 Mr Ahern will be hosting a charity dinner for 200 people in order to raise £70,000 for suicide prevention charity Calm. The dinner will be attended by 50 chefs, including Michelin-starred Russel Brown and MasterChef winner Mat Follas.

Depression is not something to be ashamed of. Seeking help is the first step towards getting better. To find out more about how counselling can help people battling with depression, please visit our Types of Distress section. 

View and comment on the original Evening Standard article.

Last year Lauren Reed woke up from jaw replacement surgery headache-free for the first time in 20 years.

The 33-year-old music teacher described the pain as ‘unbearable’ and said: “I couldn’t sleep or eat properly. I just couldn’t function. It was like seeing the world through a grey fog. I was a miserable person.”

Miss Reed began to suffer from blinding headaches and jaw pain when she was a child.  She was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder, which is pain or restricted movement in the jaw joint.

She had corrective surgery as a University student in her 20s, but the procedure was unsuccessful and left her in even more pain than before.

Eating became incredibly painful and she soon stopped going out with other people due to embarrassment of having to eat such tiny mouthfuls. Ten years went by where Lauren lived on painkillers and sheer willpower.

Eventually, her dentist referred her to a clinic at King’s College Hospital and London, run by maxillofacial surgeon Shaun Matthews. After examination, Mr Matthews convinced her that the only cure would be a complete jaw joint replacement.

Lauren accepted the procedure on the grounds that the pain was too much to live with and she didn’t care if it changed the way she looked.

The replacement itself was made from titanium and had to be shipped from Colorado in the USA. Using 3D scans of her head and jaw, the US team made a virtual model of Miss Reed’s bone anatomy to help Mr Matthews prepare for the complex 9 hour operation.

The new joint woks via a hinge process, whereby the patient is able to move their mouth up and down, but not side to side.

Lauren is now pain-free and enjoying her life. She claims that even her pupils have noticed a difference in the way she acts.

Chronic pain can be isolating and debilitating. If you think you are suffering from depression as a result of chronic pain, you may benefit from visiting a counsellor. To find out more, visit our Depression page. Alternatively, you can find a counsellor using our advanced search tool.  

View and comment on the original BBC article.

If you are married to your job and frequently find yourself in the office for more than 11 hours, you could be putting yourself at an increased risk of suffering from depression.

Experts have found that individuals who work for 11 or more hours a day are at double the risk of suffering from depression than their colleagues who work a standard eight-hour day.

The study in question followed over 2,000 civil servants for a period of almost six years, and revealed a clear link between regular overtime and depression.

The researchers found that employees working the longest hours were more likely to be men than women, married or living with a partner and generally exceeded the recommended alcohol limits.

Even when the above risk factors were taken into account, workaholics were still 2.5 times more likely to suffer from at least one major episode of depression after six years, despite all of them having no prior experience of mental health problems.

Chief executive of mental health charity Mind, Paul Farmer, has said that making employees work excessive hours is a false economy: “Not only are tired, unhappy workers less productive, but they risk developing mental health issues that if handled badly, can be costly to businesses. ”

If you are often in the office late or working overtime and you feel that your emotional well-being is starting to feel the effects then it is important that you address the situation as soon as possible. Discuss your workload with your manager or a colleague so that you can arrive at a solution together.

It may be that you feel the depression has already taken hold, or the first signs are appearing – if this is the case then talking to a counsellor in confidence may benefit you. Visit our depression page to find out more or use the search tool located on our homepage to locate a counsellor in your local area.

View and comment on the original Independent article.

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 the daily drug use and number of falls in 248 nursing home residents over a two-year period.

The results of the study suggested that 152 of the patients had suffered a total of 683 falls, some of which had extreme consequences. 220 falls resulted in injuries, including broken bones and hip fractures.

More research is needed in order to establish why the anti-depressant is having this effect on dementia patients, and the Alzheimer’s Society has also called for more research into alternative treatments.

The results of the study showed that the risk of falls was calculated to be three times higher for individuals taking SSRIs than for care home patients not taking the drug – a considerably higher risk especially considering that many of these patients are also on sedative drugs at the same time.

Until more research has been undertaken and a link has been uncovered between SSRIs and an increased risk of falls, experts are recommending that the increased risk be taken into account when the elderly are being assessed to see whether the anti-depressants need to be prescribed.

Researcher Dr Carolyn Sterke said “Physicians should be cautious in prescribing SSRIs to older people with dementia, even at low doses.”

Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer’s Society, added: “More research is now needed to understand why this anti-depressant is having this effect on people with dementia and if there is an alternative treatment for depression that they could be prescribed”.

Counselling is a natural and side effect free tool for treating depression. If you would like to find out more, please visit our fact-sheet on counselling for depression.

View and comment on the original BBC News article.

A BBC one documentary see’s former cricket ace Freddie Flintoff investigate how mental health problems plague top-level sport.

Regardless of the fact there was no evidence suggesting that his death was related to depression, the recent suicide of Welsh manager Gary Speed sparked much interest into the connection between sportsmen and mental health.

Despite the front of bravado and confidence that many sportsmen exude, there is clearly a connection between their mental health and what they do. Freddie Flintoff investigated the link in the revealing BBC One documentary The Hidden Side of Sport, in which he explored the following high profile cases:

• Ricky Hatton, boxer - Suffered trauma after being knocked out in his fight with Manny Pacquia in 2009. It took him 4 months to pluck up the courage to replay the fight after falling into a spiral of depression and drinking.
• Neil Lennon, Celtic FC manager - Suffered from sweats, shakes and a loss of appetite when he used to be a player due to his depression.
• Graham Dott, snooker player – Now taking medication following a bout of depression that resulted in him often bursting into tears during matches.
• Vinnie Jones, footballer – Contemplated suicide and went as far as wandering into a wood’s near to his home with a gun after being harshly criticised in the press after a notoriously poor performance in Dublin.

Interestingly, Flintoff also spoke of his own experiences as a high profile sportsman. Although he was never technically diagnosed with depression, he did admit to veering of the rails slightly during the infamously bad 2006/7 Ashes performance, in which he captained England through to 5 consecutive defeats. In the documentary Flintoff reflected on that stage of his life, describing one time in particular as ‘rock bottom’ when on a tearful night out with his dad.

Flintoff described how as a pro cricketer, even during the early stages of his career he was encouraged to put on a front of confidence on the pitch even if he felt the opposite. He managed to do this so convincingly that it meant he couldn’t confess to his team mates that in actual fact he felt insecure or depressed because he feared that doing so would damage their confidence.

Though Flintoff didn’t manage to draw any concrete conclusions from his investigation, former cricket psychologist Steve Bull observed that modern sportsmen often become completely consumed and obsessed with their sport, so much so that it is fine when it is going well – but extremely damaging to the self-esteem when it isn’t.

If you are concerned that either yourself or a loved one may be suffering from depression then you may find talking about your experiences with a qualified counsellor to be of benefit. For more information about counselling for depression, please visit our fact-sheet to find out more or visit our homepage and use the search tool to locate a professional in your local area.

You can view The Hidden Side of Sport on BBC iPlayer.

View and comment on the original Arts Desk article.

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 life is tough for everyone, but especially for those suffering hardship.

Rodrigues said: “mental health services can’t make people’s lives easier, but they can help people to cope with what life brings, however hard it may be.”

Her tips for people who want to improve their mental health in these troubling times are as follows:

1. Keep active – exercise really does noticeably change the way you feel by releasing certain feel-good hormones. Not only does it make you happier, it keeps your body looking healthy and working properly. It can also help people suffering from serious mental illnesses such as psychosis.

2. Eat well – research has revealed significant links between eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein, with an improvement in mental health. Diet is important – you will notice that if you eat junk food, you feel worse even if you enjoyed it at the time.

3. Sleep well – try to go to bed at a reasonable time, allowing you to have 6-8 hours of sleep at night. Relax before bed – don’t work at the computer, play games, watch TV or drink caffeine before sleeping as these activities act as stimulants and will keep your brain awake.

4. Don’t drink too much – we all enjoy a drink every now and then, but moderation is essential. If you are feeling low, alcohol will act as a depressant and make you feel even worse. Find another way to distract yourself, like immersing yourself in a book or a film.

5. Keep a social life – sometimes it is an effort to socialise when you don’t feel like it. Forcing yourself to get out and keep in touch with family and friends is important and will make you feel better.

6. Talk about it – if you think you might need professional help, don’t be afraid to seek it. Admitting to a problem is the first step towards fighting it. We all feel sad sometimes, but if the feeling won’t go then you may benefit from some external advice or treatment.

7. Go outside – fresh air really is medicine. Going for a walk in the park or by the sea can do wonders for your mind. It will replenish your oxygen supplies, heighten your senses and maybe even take your mind off things.

8. Think of 3 good things – when things are particularly tough and you struggle to find any positive aspects to your life, force yourself to write 3 good things down. This can involve even the smallest achievement or event – from getting out of bed, to someone smiling at you in the street. Reading back at the end of the week will make you realise that not all is bad.

9. Help someone – sometimes all we need is to feel a little compassion. Doing something good for someone not only spreads goodwill, it also makes you feel better. Human beings are social creatures – it makes sense that helping each other makes us happy.

To find out more about how talking to a counsellor could help you,  please browse our Types of Distress section, or find a counsellor using our search tool. 

View and comment on the original The Argus article.

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 this year.

“Christmas is a very happy time but, for some of us, it can be a time of loneliness and isolation,” said Suzanne Costello, director of Samaritans Ireland.

Samaritans offers a 24 hour phone-line for those who simply need someone to talk to about their distress. Samaritan volunteers will listen to any caller unconditionally, offering support and guidance whenever asked.

Samaritans, along with Lifeline and Childline,  are staying open throughout the festive period. Volunteers are expecting to deal with up to 8,000 calls for help over Christmas.

Lifeline lets you speak directly to qualified crisis counsellors who also offer up to six free face-to-face sessions at a location convenient to you.

NSPCC’s Childline too relies heavily on the kindness of volunteers. They will be giving up part of their Christmas holiday to be there for children who need help with bullying, abuse or family relationship issues.

Christmas can be a difficult time for many of us. Charity counsellors are always there to help those most in need.

If you feel that you have issues you need to address over a longer period of time, you can use our directory to locate a qualified counsellor near you.

For the charity phone numbers and to view or comment on the original article, visit UTV. 

NUS warns that more and more students in England are turning to dangerous methods in order to afford the £9000 a year University fees.

According to the English Collective of Prostitutes, which runs a helpline for people working in the sex industry, the number of calls it receives from students has at least doubled over the last year.

Research from the University of Kingston suggests that 20% of women working as lap dancers are students and 16% of all students asked said they would consider working in the sex industry.

Sarah Walker, who works for a prostitute helpline, has noticed an increase in calls since the government announced the planned rise in tuition fees. She told the BBC: “they [government ministers] know that the cuts they’re making are driving women into things like sex work. It’s a survival strategy so we would hold the government responsible for that.”

One young woman has revealed how she started working as an escort when she was 17 in order to fund her £70 weekly travel expenses to college.

The woman decided that in order to complete her A levels and eventually make it to University, she would have to find a job that didn’t clash with her study hours. In the end a friend encouraged her to work for his escort agency and she accepted.

According to the BBC, the young woman now thoroughly regrets her decision and has lost self-confidence and trust in others as a result. She encourages other young people in her position to find out as much as possible about available grants and benefits before making such life-changing decisions.

In light of these worrying reports, the Department of Education has released plans to offer £180 million worth of financial support to the most vulnerable 16-19 year olds hoping to go to University.

If you have worked or are working in the sex industry and you want to speak with a counsellor, you can find out more about the help on offer by visiting Types of Distress. Alternatively you can search for a counsellor using the search tool on the Counselling Directory homepage. 

View and comment on the original BBC article

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 complaints.

Earlier on this month Clarkson caused further outrage after writing in a newspaper column that people who kill themselves on railways are ”selfish”, as in the words of the TV presenter they cause ”immense” disruption among commuters. Clarkson went on to say:

“Every year around 200 people decide that the best way to go is by hurling themselves in front of a speeding train. In some ways they are right. This method has a 90% success rate and it’s extremely quick.

“However, it is a very selfish way to go because the disruption it causes is immense. And think what it’s like for the poor train driver who sees you lying on the line and can do absolutely nothing to avoid a collision.”

Mental health charities have condemned Clarkson for his stance, describing his comments as ”extraordinarily tasteless”.

Chief Executive of leading mental health charity Mind, Paul Farmer, said: “I think there will be many people who have lost loved ones to suicide and people who have contemplated suicide that will think it in extremely bad taste.

“It stands out like a sore thumb from what is increasingly a more supportive approach to suicide by the media. People will feel like he is trivialising the subject and dismissing people who have taken their own lives. I think it’s extraordinarily tasteless. This is a man who really doesn’t understand what he is talking about.”

Later on in his column, Clarkson referred to individuals who jumped in front of trains as “Johnny Suicide”, and revealed that he thought trains should continue on their journeys as soon as possible – leaving body parts for foraging animals.

Chief Executive of mental health charity Sane, Marjorie Wallace has said that Clarkson has obviously never experienced the mental anguish that could lead people to such acts.

If you or someone you know are feeling emotionally vulnerable then it is important that you seek professional help and advice as soon as possible. Visit your GP who will be able to provide you with support and advice about the most appropriate action.

Talk therapies have long since been used as a method for addressing emotional and psychological issues and if you would like to find out more about how a counsellor could help you, please visit our ‘Types of Distress’ page for information about the various areas of counselling.

If you do not feel comfortable talking to an individual in person about your problems then Samaritans run a 24-hour help line and also offer email support. Visit the Samaritans website to find out more.

View and comment on the original Guardian article. 

According to David Hamilton, author of ‘Why Kindness if Good for You’, being kind can increase your happiness levels, relax your cardiovascular system and reduce your blood pressure.

So the Dalai Lama had it right when he said:  “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion”.

‘Helpers high’ was first coined in 1979 after psychologists found that charity volunteers rated themselves happier than people who didn’t volunteer.

We all know that doing something like helping an elderly lady across the road, or doing a friend a favour, can make us feel good- it’s been the foundations of morality and religion for thousands of years- but how exactly does it work?

According to Hamilton, when a person does something to help another, the brain first produces a hormone called dopamine, which is associated with positive thinking. Secondly, it produces endogenous opoids like endorphins- nature’s happy pills. Thirdly, it produces Oxytocin, the bonding hormone. This helps to dilate arteries and eases the flow of blood around the body, helping to prevent high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks.

Apart from the personal benefits of helping others, your actions will often have a positive impact on another person’s life- even if only to cheer them up for a few moments. Acts of kindness don’t always have to be big and often don’t require a lot of sacrifice on your behalf. Simply look out for the little things, like a person struggling with shopping bags, or someone who’s dropped something.

There is plenty of academic debate regarding the nature of altruism (pure selflessness), and whether it really exists. The truth is- it doesn’t matter. As the Dalai Lama said- compassion can help you and it can help others. So why not try it?

Depression is becoming more and more common in the UK. If you would like to tackle your unhappiness or depression, you may benefit from visiting a counsellor. To find out more about how a counsellor could help, please visit our Depression factsheet. 

View and comment on the original Independent article.