Reducing the stigma around mental health
By Michelle Robinson For many people, creative pursuits like writing, drawing and dancing offer a welcome escape from the world. They give us the chance to express our emotions and feelings in a healthier way. They reduce stress, they can provide solace in times of abject darkness. And can bring Continue Reading
By Michelle Robinson The health of our minds is inextricably linked to the health of our bodies. Now, recent research has shown that maybe this link goes further than we first thought. Much research, sometimes controversial, takes place into the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions. A recent Continue Reading
By Michelle Robinson Is there a link between how we handle rejection and an increased suicide risk? A recent study has found that people who attempt suicide demonstrate an increase in negative consequences when experiencing social exclusion. The study found that there were differences in their brain activity. The differences Continue Reading
By Michelle Robinson Kindness costs nothing. Being kind to someone, or having someone show you kindness, gives you that warm glow, and a study has shown that kindness is also good for our mental health. Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation has commissioned a study called “Kind Communities – A Continue Reading
By Michelle Robinson Everyone wants to be happy. But what is happiness? That is the million-dollar question. Happiness is subjective and hard to define. Your idea of happiness might be very different from someone else’s. But one thing’s for sure; there’s plenty about modern life that makes it difficult to Continue Reading
By Michelle Robinson The health of our mind and the health of our bodies is undeniably linked, though often they are treated as being separate from one another. Think about when you’ve been going through a stressful time and your shoulders have ended up full of knots. Or if you’re worried Continue Reading
Mental health is a broad term. It encompasses our social, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. Good mental health is achieved by having balance in all of these areas. Just as physical wellbeing is not just about being free from illness or disease, mental wellbeing is not just about being free from Continue Reading
Mental illness can be isolating, terrifying, and debilitating. Much has been done by charities, campaigners, and sufferers to try and tackle the problem of stigma. It is testament to their tireless work that the issues around mental health are now front and centre in the public consciousness, but if stigma Continue Reading
Amy Bleuel, the inspirational founder of Project Semicolon, passed away recently, aged only 31. Her project inspired many people to talk about their mental illness, and was a source of hope and strength for people suffering from mental ill health, addictions, and self-harm. The semicolon project and its significance As Continue Reading
Everybody has heard of the stereotypical ‘tortured genius’; the musician, artist, or writer whose own dark thoughts and feelings fuels the creativity behind their work. The poet Sylvia Plath, the musician Kurt Cobain, and the actor Heath Ledger are notable examples of creative people who expressed their anguish via their Continue Reading
Mental health has always been a difficult subject to talk about. The difficulties lie in the stigma surrounding it, the lack of understanding around mental health generally and if you suffer from a mental health problem, feeling ashamed about it. But people shouldn’t be afraid to talk about mental health. Continue Reading
There’s a lot about mental illness that’s misunderstood. Thankfully, there is a growing awareness of the issues surrounding mental ill health, partly due to the willingness of sufferers to speak out about their personal experiences, which goes some way to helping others to understand. But there’s still a lot to Continue Reading