New figures released today show the extent of the increase in demand for housing, debt and couples counselling, reports The Telegraph.

The recent economic climate has seen people struggling holding onto jobs and homes, and the financial burden can put a strain on relationships.

155 local authorities were surveyed, and 93% said there had been an increase in demand for debt counselling, as well as a 69% increase in requests for housing advice and a 17% increase for relationship counselling.

Cllr Margaret Eaton, the chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “These figures demonstrate the effects the credit crunch and the recession are having on families across the country.

“From fears about debt to cash worries putting strains on relationships, people are feeling the pinch.”

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Having counselling may double a women’s chance of surviving breast cancer, a new study has shown. An article in the Telegraph reports that helping patients to improve their mental health, giving them advice on telling friends and family about their illness and dealing with tiredness.

The study, carried out by the Ohio State University, followed 227 breast cancer patients over a period of eleven years, half of whom were given counselling sessions. The number of those who died in the group that received counselling was half that of the group that didn’t.

Professor Barbara Andersen, a key figure in the research and trails said: “The results suggest that we can help breast cancer patients make positive steps that may help them live longer.”

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Stress can have many detrimental effects, but a new study has shown that it can physically change the shape of the brain, and cause long-term damage, reports the Guardian.

Various studies carried out on laboratory mice showed that, after being exposed to loud rock music, being restrained, or being deprived of food and water the size of the learning and memory area of the brain decreased by up to 3%. It’s thought that there are similar results in humans when suffering from stress for long periods of time, including brain cells diminishing, explaining why some people struggle with their memory in stressful situations.

More worryingly, stress in expectant mothers can transfer to their unborn child, affecting the way the child regulates their emotions and makes decisions.

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An article over on Times Online recently highlighted the mass anxiety that is sweeping through Britain, causing raised blood pressure, increasing stress-hormone levels and rash economic actions. The credit crisis, bank failures and unpredictable stock prices have apparently sent record numbers seeking therapy.

According to Philip Corr, a professor of psychology, uncertainty causes severe unease: “If you are faced with higher interest rates, large fuel bills, rising food costs and the worry of what is going to happen in the next few months - that can have a catastrophic effect on people.”

Worry ripples through a crowd, like a virus, in a manner called “emotional contagion” and things can rapidly spiral into mass anxiety. However studies show that the fear can be forestalled. Developing resilience skills, such as getting physical, staying curious, keeping a gratitude journal and getting involved with your community can all help to promote a sense of calm during these more difficult times.

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According to research, every year over 13 million working days are lost in the UK due to stress and stress-related symptoms, and experts believe it affects everyone at least every two weeks. Frances Ive, founder of the website Healthy Soul, has written the book Stress - The Essential Guide (due out in September) to tackle this issue head on.

Frances said: “Everyone suffers with some form of stress at least once in his or her life; it’s a natural part of life. The important thing is knowing what to do about it when it happens. This essential guide gives you that knowledge in an easily digestible format so action can be taken and control regained”.

The book offers readers advice on what to do in extreme circumstances of stress, how to minimise the pressure and where to get further help and support. Available from Need2Know.

According to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) a survey has been published saying that self-harm, anorexia, aggression and bullying are the results of increasing childhood stress. The teachers and lecturers believe that the children today are under a lot more pressure than 10 years ago. The stress that children are experiencing is caused by different issues, tests and exams, also home life and family break ups.

With the increase of young people committing suicide this has attracted media attention and is highlighting that there are issues that some children cannot deal with. There is a need for mental health care to be available in schools for the children that need it.

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According to new research from a study at Imperial College London and Wexham Park Hospital Berkshire, stress in an expectant mother can have an effect on the foetus from as early as 17 weeks after conception.

The amount of the stress hormone cortisol was measured in the blood of 267 mothers and the amniotic fluid surrounding their unborn babies. The study was the first to demonstrate how unborn babies are affected by their mother’s stress hormones, however the researchers expressed that these findings should not unduly worry expectant mothers.

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According to an article on the BBC, individuals claiming incapacity benefit because of mental illness has hit an all time high of £1.1m. The government said spending on mental health had risen by 25% in five years.

Figures show that claimants are now younger and more likely to be female and that drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders, stress and depression are increasingly becoming reasons for claims.

Spending more money on early intervention in mental health services was suggested to save money spent on benefits.

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In a poll of 353 families in England and Northern Ireland, 60% of families caring for an adult or child with severe learning problems did not get the support needed. An article on BBC News reported that the Charity Mencap is calling for councils to give every family regular short breaks.

“Short breaks can involve people with learning disabilities going into respite care for a short period or carers coming into the person’s home to allow their family to take a break”. Apparently there are approximately 1.5m people with learning disabilities in the UK, though only 251,000 have serious enough conditions to qualify for disability living allowance.

Those on the highest rate of allowance should get a minimum of one break per week according to Mencap. A spokesman for the Local Government Association said, “Mencap is quite right to point out that extra resources must be made available to ensure families can enjoy the breaks they need and deserve.”

“I can’t carry on much longer and I shouldn’t have to”, was a quote from one individual caring for her 18-year-old grandson.

According to an article in The Guardian, the results of almost 50 clinical studies on t’ai chi revealed that ‘the almost meditative state of calmness it produces reduced anxiety and stress, and also lowered blood pressure’. Another study two years ago showed that t’ai chi boosts the immune system, which helps to raise protection against common viruses by 50%. Maybe there’s more to the martial art of t’ai chi than we realise?

An article in the British Medical Journal claims that a review published last week confirms ‘counselling can achieve a reduction in work related stress in more than 50% of people’. Levels of sickness and absense fell and small, but significant, positive effects were seen on levels of job commitment, job satisfaction and work functioning.