Mental Health
Here you can read the latest news and research studies covering mental health. This is also the place to find out about different strategies on how you can reduce stress and boost happiness, and many other ways to look after your mental wellbeing.
Meaningful moments: how to make family gatherings more engaging over the holidays
During the holiday season, the spirit of family togetherness is sometimes overshadowed by family tensions and unavoidable disputes. Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., a recognized childcare specialist and author of Why Will No One Play with Me?: The Play Better Plan to Help Children of All Ages Make Friends Read More...
Canada's new 988 suicide crisis helpline aims for hope and healing
On November 30th, Canada launched the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, providing a quick and accessible lifeline to persons in mental health crises. This three-digit hotline, similar to 911 for emergencies, connects individuals to critical suicide prevention services, giving instant assistance 24/7, Read More...
How West African hairdressers offer mental health support and a pathway to healing
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader's Choice selection of 2023! Here's why one of our fellow optimists nominated this story: "A few days before [this article was published], I was at my favorite salon getting my hair done. As she was conditioning my hair and massaging my scalp Read More...
Breaking the ice: Swedish city combats winter loneliness with "say hello" campaign
In the frozen embrace of Luleå, where daylight dwindles to mere hours, plunging into icy seawater becomes a ritual. For Katariina Yliperttula, a dip before work is about more than braving the cold—it’s an invigorating thrill. "It’s like a happiness rush afterwards," she says, recounting her Read More...
Irish town's Smartphone ban offers blueprint for digital balance and kid's mental health
The daily quandary of when to introduce smartphones to tweens resonates with parents worldwide. Greystones, County Wicklow, in Ireland, however, didn't just grapple with this challenge individually but united to create a town-wide ‘no-smartphone code.’ The collaborative endeavor aims to Read More...
Study shows children of gay dads thrive
Researchers dug into the lives of families with gay fathers in a landmark study published in the journal Family Process, challenging prevalent preconceptions and shedding light on the resilience and success of these family dynamics. Contrary to some belief, children born to homosexual couples Read More...
Parental leave revolution: South Africa's landmark decision sets new standards
South Africa plans to pioneer shared parental leave, making it the first country in Africa to implement this provision. The country's highest court recently declared that both parents had the right to time off following the birth or adoption of a child, allowing them to determine how to divide a Read More...
Extra-long films are on the rise: here's why the intermission should be reinstated
As "Barbenheimer" (the fun portmanteau of Barbie and Oppenheimer) took the world by storm earlier this year, it illustrated the growing difficulty of sustaining long movie runs. With Oppenheimer clocking in at a whopping three hours, it became clear that we needed a way to deal with epic-length Read More...
6 significant ways dog ownership improves human health, happiness, and longevity
Dog owners will attest that their lives have changed tremendously thanks to the arrival of their four-legged buddies. For many people, dogs are more than just pets; they are significant allies in the search for health and vitality. A healthy heart's best friend Dogs are known to provide joy, but Read More...
Protecting ourselves and our children from overexposure to images of war and violence
At a time when our media feeds are rife with distressing images and heartbreaking news, it is critical to learn how to shield ourselves and our children from the overwhelming emotional toll. Dr. Arash Javanbakht, a renowned trauma psychiatrist and researcher, has dedicated his career to assisting Read More...