COVID-19 takes a toll of mental health

Coronavirus isn’t only taking a physical toll, it’s playing with our minds, too, but there are steps we should all be taking to keep ourselves mentally well

Rethinking interactions with mental health patients

New research overturns the belief that people with severe mental illness are incapable of effective communication with their psychiatrist, and are able to work together with them to achieve better outcomes for themselves.

A glimmer of light in the darkness

Strengthening men’s social connections and understanding more about what male depression ‘looks like’ could be key steps to engage men with services to reduce male suicide.

Green cities improve mental health

Urban design and planning can promote mental health by refocusing on spaces we use in our everyday lives in light of what research tells us about the benefits of exposure to nature and biodiversity.

Counting the true cost

Suicide statistics of non-Indigenous Australians are underestimated by 15 to 50 per cent, owing partly to coroners being confined to a binary finding of suicide or not suicide, and their desire to spare the dead person’s family the stigma of the act.

Learning from Denmark to reduce teenage self-harm

Denmark’s success in reducing teenage self-harm suggests that positive social media and more support services can offset the pressures of school and work which can drive young people to damaging behaviours.

Older people still shun mental health support

New research has found that more than 40 per cent of older Australians with chronic disease would be unlikely to seek help for mental health conditions even if they needed it.

Smartphones can help tackle Australia’s mental health crisis

With smartphones and smart devices now ubiquitous in most Australian homes, a review by the Black Dog Institute has identified how these technologies can be used to identify, prevent and help treat mental illness. 

Australia’s hidden mental illness epidemic

Mental concerns like depression and anxiety are now the most common serious illness among Australians, with rates among women rising to 20 per cent.

Global commission into mental illness offers blueprint for change

A taskforce of more than 30 international experts have released a report on the health inequities experienced by people with mental illness and offered recommendations to reduce social inequalities and personal distress.

Kids cartwheel to better mental health

“Circus takes your mind off some things…sad things…it’s my weekly pick-up and sort of an escape.”

A new understanding of hoarding disorder

Hoarding disorder is distressingly common, and was recently classified as a medical disorder by the World Health Organization, in a move hailed by both psychiatrists and hoarders themselves as “extremely significant.”