Antidepressant Death Awareness Month: Antidepressants may elevate risk of death, finds study

Antidepressants, usually prescribed for depression and anxiety, can at times cause a variety of side effects like nausea, weight gain, loss of sexual desires, etc. And now a new study, published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics in September 2017, has revealed that antidepressants may elevate the risk of death. According to the study, antidepressant users were 33 percent more likely to die than non-users. Furthermore, the study found that people taking antidepressants had 14 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems, including strokes and heart attacks. Continue reading →

8 effective lifestyle modifications to deal with anxiety

It is common to experience anxiety occasionally. Anything from job interviews, social gatherings and other personal vulnerabilities tend to evoke anxiety at times that vanishes on its own. However, for some people these experiences can be more than a momentary restlessness. Individuals with persistent restlessness or fear are likely to suffer from anxiety disorders. Continue reading →

Time to create conducive workplace atmosphere to overcome stigma linked to mental problems

Mental health stigma at the workplace is alive and kicking. In a recent survey, conducted in the United Kingdom by the London-based Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, an overwhelming majority of 85 percent of the participants agreed about stigma linked to mental health issues. Some 58 percent of the respondents disclosed that they would be uncomfortable sharing details of their illness with their manager. Only 20 percent considered their managers to be capable of providing support to them. Also, a resounding 26 percent disclosed that when they took a day off from work because of stress or any other such condition, they had fibbed about the reason. Women were more likely to lie about their illness and take a day off. Continue reading →

World Mental Health Day: Time to offer effective care to people with mental illnesses

Mental health problems usually bring in isolation and loneliness. Individuals with psychiatric disorders tend to detach themselves from others because of their negative feelings and tendency to doubt their abilities. Therefore, friends and family members of those suffering from mental illnesses find it tough to take care of them without making them feel low. Continue reading →

World Smile Day: Are you smiling to immerse your depression?

The general assumption about a person smiling is that he or she is happy, relaxed and enjoying life. Nevertheless, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), an individual who appears to be happy and goes about his or her daily chores comfortably, but is still unable to enjoy life, might be suffering from smiling depression.

In simple words, smiling depression is a depressive disorder in which a person appears to be happy despite battling an inner turmoil. Characterized by atypical symptoms, smiling depression is hard to detect as people suffering from this disorder generally do well in their professional, social and personal lives. Continue reading →

Americans more open about mental health issues but stigma persists, finds survey

While the general awareness about mental health problems is on the rise in the United States, stigmas and misperceptions surrounding them are still prevalent among Americans, a recent survey reveals. According to the survey conducted on 3,000 U.S. adults, 70 percent of the respondents were comparatively more open to talking about mental health than a decade ago. Continue reading →

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month: Tips to recover and celebrate recovery

“The best thing you could do is master the chaos in you. You are not thrown into the fire, you are the fire.”

– Mama Indigo, Author Continue reading →

Football clubs need to do more to help improve mental health of their players, says Prince William

Prince William has asked football clubs to do more to help players improve their mental health. The Duke of Cambridge made his comments recently while meeting with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse at Sporting Chance in Liphook, Hampshire. Prince William, who is the president of the Football Association (FA), acknowledged the survivors’ ability to tackle issues such as racism while performing well in sports. Sporting Chance, founded by former England football captain Tony Adams, supports people from professional sports deal with mental health and addiction problems. Continue reading →

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Experts at suicide awareness conference highlight role of suicidal gene

The month of September is being observed as the National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in the United States. It is a good time to make an effort to openly talk about the taboo topic. Working in this direction, a conference was held to understand the biology of the suicidal brain and possible role of genetics in triggering suicide. Organized by the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, on Sept. 9, 2017, the 2^nd Annual Suicide Awareness & Prevention Conference had over 250 people in attendance. The conference with the theme, “Shattering the Silence,” saw mental health experts from across the country discussing about suicide prevention and finding ways to support people with depression. Continue reading →

Agony of DACA repeal may affect mental health of immigrants

“I’m here today to announce that the program known as Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA), that was effectuated under the Obama administration, is being rescinded,” Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions declared recently. The announcement that came in the first week of September 2017, was enough to stun Dona Cantu (name changed), an immigrant who grew up in America and considers California her home. A pall of hopelessness descended upon her. Suddenly, everything she had worked so hard to achieve, seemed endangered. Continue reading →

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