In a follow up to Mondays story about those suffering from depression receiving online counselling, a recent story featured in The Guardian reported that research shows instant messaging has been proven to help.
That ping of the instant message window popping up may now just seem like a reminder to many, of our yester years of read more »

A new project in cornwall is to help people living with post tramatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a career in the armed forces reports the BBC.
One of the most difficult aspects of PTSD is that it isn’t apparent straight away and can often go unnoticed for years before it rears its head. Suffers have described read more »

As reality T.V producers introduce more and more vulnerable contestants in order to up their ratings, are they doing enough to help the contestants cope with the fallout from their fifteen minutes in the limelight.
With Television broadcasters constantly having to push the boundaries to keep their viewers interested they are more often than not introducing read more »

A recent report featured in The Telegraph looks into new research suggessting that online counselling should be offered to those who are depressed in a bid to avoid long waiting times to see a doctor. With one in six adults suffering from depression or chronic anxiety, online counselling may offer an alternative to a growing read more »

Suicide, murder and heart attack rates are expected to increase as a result of the recessions, reports the BBC.
An analysis in the Lancet of economic changes and death rates predicts that the UK will see around 290 more suicides because of rising unemployment. It’s thought by mid-2010 10% of the workforce may be unemployed.
The study read more »

A feature on the Independent website today highlights the emotional cost of the recession.
The Samaritans are reporting a rise in the number of calls, mainly from people worried about money. One in ten calls are related to financial worries, with over half of these being from people worried about job security.
Drinking has also risen, with read more »

Instead of encouraging smokers to quit the habit and save money, the recession has meant many are continuing to smoke to help deal with stress, reports the BBC.
A survey of 877 smokers and ex-smokers by Ipsos Mori revealed that nearly a quarter of smokers had abandoned plans to try and kick the habit, and 28% read more »

New figures show the that depression is costing £8.6 billion a year, reports The Independent.
Over the last decade the figure has risen by £3 billion. The figure does not include the impact on the NHS, just the cost on the economy caused by people taking time off work. Those who become unemployed due to mental read more »

Many soldiers returning from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder in silence, reports The Telegraph.
A ’stiff upper lip’ attitude may be preventing soldiers from admitting they have a problem, and talking about how they feel.
Professor Alexander McFarlane, professor of psychiatry at the University of Adelaide and head of read more »

In a world of rolling news and constant information updates, scientists fear that it is causing extra stress on the brain, reports The Times.
Two new studies have suggested that the constant flood of information may result in brains blocking the development of wisdom – traits such as empathy, tolerance, emotional stability and compassion, and we read more »