Mental health articles, blogs, news and stories
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Understanding Our Emotions: What The Inside Out Movies Teach Us
Inside Out 2 shows how all emotions, even tough ones like anxiety, sadness, and envy, are essential for well-being. Growing up means learning to embrace and balance them. Mindfulness and self-acceptance help us navigate life’s emotional ups and downs.
Understanding EMDR Therapy: Stages, Benefits, and Readiness
EMDR is a therapy for processing traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) across 8 stages to reduce distress from PTSD and related issues. It requires readiness and careful planning with a therapist.
Unlocking Communication: A Caregiver’s Guide to Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems
AAC systems support people with speech difficulties using tools like gestures, symbols, or technology. They enhance, not replace, speech. Finding the right mix—unaided, aided, or high-tech—can improve communication and quality of life.
AI Chatbots for Mental Health: How the Mindsum AI Bot Supports Young People
Many young people face mental health challenges, with long wait times for support. AI chatbots like Mindsum's offer 24/7, anonymous help using evidence-based techniques. They’re not a replacement for therapy, but a helpful, accessible first step.
Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety is the fear of failing in front of others and can affect anyone. It’s often linked to fear of judgment and social rejection, triggering symptoms like nausea, trembling, and rapid heartbeat. Support from teachers, parents, and mental health professionals is key to building confidence and overcoming anxiety.
Family Therapy
Therapy involves collaboration between the therapist and individual to address challenges. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on personal tools, while family therapy examines family dynamics and perspectives.
Navigating Career Pressures: Tips for GCSE and A-Level Students
It’s okay not to have your career path figured out yet. The journey isn’t always linear—exploring interests, strengths, and different experiences can help. Try volunteering, apprenticeships, or gap years. Avoid comparison, seek guidance, and prioritise well-being.
Alcohol Use in Adolescents: The Hidden Impact on Mental Health
Alcohol affects memory, emotions, and sleep. In teens, it harms brain development, increases mental health risks, and lowers academic performance. Early drinking raises dependency risks and is influenced by peer pressure. Healthier social alternatives exist.
Navigating GCSEs with Confidence: Stress-Reducing Tips for Students
GCSEs can feel overwhelming, but managing stress is possible. Create a study schedule, balance revision with hobbies, and use study techniques like self-testing, interleaving, and spacing. Exercise, socialising, and apps like Forest can help. Stay calm, stay organised!
Anxiety and the Fight-or-Flight System
The fight-or-flight system, part of the sympathetic nervous system, prepares the body to respond to threats with adrenalin-fueled changes like a faster heart rate, nausea, and dizziness. Today, it often activates due to anxiety from modern stressors, worsening symptoms.
Breaking the vicious Cycle: How Poverty Impacts Mental Health
Poverty in the UK affects millions, worsened by rising living costs. It forces tough choices like food vs. essentials, increasing stress, mental illness, and generational trauma. Low-income groups face stigma, limited mental health care, and systemic barriers. Mindsum offers inclusive, affordable mental health support for all.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) helps individuals accept negative emotions instead of suppressing them, aligning actions with personal values to build a meaningful life. Its six principles—Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Present Moment Awareness, Observing Self, Values, and Committed Action—aid in managing anxiety, depression, substance use, and pain, often complementing CBT.
Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
Revenge bedtime procrastination occurs when individuals delay sleep to gain personal relaxation time due to busy days. Common among students and workers, it stems from lack of free time, stress, or a desire to delay the next day. It harms sleep, concentration, and mental health, creating a vicious cycle.
How Accurate Is Pop Psychology?
Pop psychology simplifies psychological ideas for mass appeal, often spreading myths like "left/right-brained" thinking, the "10% brain use" claim, learning styles, MBTI accuracy, and perfect memory. Scientific evidence debunks these widespread beliefs.
Digital Mental Health Therapeutics: How Technology is Shaping the Future Well-Being
Digital therapeutics (DTx) leverage technology, like apps and AI, to deliver evidence-based mental health care. Unlike fitness apps, DTx meets medical standards, enhances therapies like CBT, and offers personalised, cost-effective, and private treatment. Despite its benefits, challenges include data privacy risks and limited adoption.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety in children and young people is a common condition where social situations cause anxiety. It ranges from mild to severe and can lead to avoidance and isolation. Social anxiety often stems from self-beliefs or perceptions of others, and the COVID pandemic has heightened its prevalence due to reduced social interaction.
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is the fear of being seriously ill despite benign symptoms, formerly called hypochondria. CBT helps manage this by breaking the cycle of anxious thoughts and behaviors. Support for youth with health anxiety includes empathy, engaging in their home practice, and practicing mindfulness together.
Breaking the Silence: Understanding the Impact of Racism on Mental Health
Racism disrupts social unity, leading to exclusion and limiting access to resources. It fuels economic inequality, affects education, worsens health disparities, and reduces political representation. Emotionally, racism causes stress, anxiety, and depression, with lasting effects that may impact future generations.
Mindful Listening: The Mental Health Benefits of Podcasts
Podcasts are audio shows available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, offering both entertainment and mental health benefits. They help reduce stress, boost learning, and foster self-awareness. Topics range from fun facts to self-help, mindfulness, and celebrity interviews. Give them a try!
Cannabis Usage in Children and Young People
Cannabis, illegal in the UK, affects the brain and body, especially in young people. It can cause short-term cognitive and physical issues, and long-term use may lead to addiction, cognitive decline, and serious health risks. Support is crucial for young users, and early intervention can help prevent harm.