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The amount of money Northern Ireland universities are spending on mental health and wellbeing services for students has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Figures received via Freedom of Information requests have revealed the amount of money allocated has increased by an average of more than 40% since 2020. That includes the annual amount for salaries, wellbeing services and counselling. Northern Ireland's mental health champion welcomed the increased spending but called for a joined-up approach with statutory services. Professor Siobhan O'Neill said starting university very often coincided with the age at which most common mental disorders first present themselves. She put an increase in the recorded rates of poor mental health in students down to "increased financial and social pressure" as well as a "reduced stigma and a willingness to ask for help". "International students, and those from marginalised communiti...

HAVE you ever met someone who, one day, is full of energy, talking fast, making big plans, and then, a few days or weeks later, withdraws completely, feeling hopeless and drained? You might have thought, “This person is just moody,” but what if it’s something more? Let’s meet Ms. Grace, a 28-year-old woman who works in marketing. She’s the life of the office, full of ideas, always initiating new projects, and often volunteering to help others. But sometimes, without warning, Ms. Grace disappears from work. She won’t answer calls, doesn’t leave her bed, and feels like a failure. Her colleagues joke that she’s just being dramatic, but Grace is actually living with bipolar disorder. There have been misconceptions over the years, misconceptions just like those of Ms. Grace’s colleagues. Many still believe that bipolar disorder is a sign of weakness, laziness, or even a spiritual problem. But in truth, it is a brain-based condition influenced by a mix of genetics, chemical imbalance...

Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to healthcare access both in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. It leaves individuals isolated and vulnerable. People suffering from medical conditions like cancer or mental health disorders carry heavy social judgment, making it difficult for them to seek help. February, being cancer awareness month, serves as a crucial reminder of the misconceptions that fuel this stigma. Some people are misinformed and have this misconception that cancer is contagious, leading to heartbreaking situations where patients are avoided by even their closest friends, caregivers, and family members. Similarly, those battling depression or anxiety often face dismissive attitudes, being told to 'snap out of it' rather than receiving the support and understanding they need. Health stigma takes various forms, impacting how individuals are perceived, how they view themselves, and how institutions respond to them. One specific type of health stigma...

READ MORE: Long-term exposure to air pollution linked to mental health issues Exposure to air pollution could be contributing to a mental health crisis, scientists from Harvard warn. The researchers, from the college's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed emergency department (ED) admission rates for mental health conditions in California during the state's 2020 wildfires — among the worst in the state's history before the latest devastation in January. In particular, they looked at admissions for anxiety, depression , mood disorders and psychosis — or a loss of touch with reality. Results showed an increase in ED admissions for mental health in areas with higher levels of air pollution from the fires. Not only could a life-altering event like a wildfire cause a mental health crisis over fears of losing your home, a loved one or being worried for your livelihood, but researchers believe pollution from the burning is actually...

The death of controversial public figure Said Benjebli left many shaken. But behind the headlines and debates was a man quietly battling a much deeper struggle: bipolar disorder. Thursday, news broke from Boston, where Benjebli had been living, confirming that he had taken his own life. In a letter he wrote before his death, Benjebli shared his pain, his apologies to loved ones, and his final wish—for understanding. “The illness killed me,” he wrote. “Or rather, made me kill myself.” While tributes poured in from friends and colleagues, so did online hate. Some mocked his death. Others accused him of faking it. A few even suggested that his atheism was to blame. But in between the noise, a more important truth emerged: Morocco still struggles to talk honestly about mental health. As one social media user put it, “Underdeveloped societies do not show mercy to people during their periods of mental illness… Mocking them or expelling them from family or...

British Netflix series Adolescence has sparked discussion about the internet, smartphones and teen's mental health. Does the online world really harm teenagers’ health? Researchers have clear advice for parents. The release of Netflix's Adolescence , which depicts the fallout from the online radicalization of young boys by misogynistic figures such as Andrew Tate , is highlighting what people have suspected for a long time: Spending too much time online has a detrimental effect on teenage minds. It's even impacting government policy decisions. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he'd watched the series, which has spurred the UK government to examine how to address the "emerging and growing problem" posed by online radicalization of young boys. Every generation of parents fears teenagers are being corrupted by things outside their control: Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth of ancient Athens, the Rolling Stones wer...

By Wollen Nell Namdeb Head: Safety, Health & Operation Risk Management. Building a health-first culture in the workplace is no longer just about preventing physical injuries – it is about fostering an environment where overall well-being is prioritized. In industries like mining, where safety regulations have traditionally been centered on physical injuries, the focus is now shifting. Companies are recognizing that health and safety extend beyond protective gear and hazard identification; they encompass mental and emotional well-being as well. As a result, companies are recognizing the importance of adopting a collaborative approach to encourage employees to report deviations in the workplace or any situation that could lead to harm. When speaking of a truly safe workplace in any company, it is important to note that such a workplace is one where employees feel physically secure, emotionally supported, and mentally resilient. They, in turn, make better ...

Stakeholders’ consensus was that mental health conditions affecting women are prevalent, and it is critical to accelerate actions to stem them in Nigeria. Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, a consultant psychiatrist, speaking at the March 2025 special edition of the Interactive Monthly Community Engagement (IMCE) Series of the Asido Foundation, said women are prone to mental health due to a combination of biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors, including gender roles and societal expectations, trauma, abuse and discrimination. Abiri, also the Director of Women’s Mental Health at Asido Foundation, said that when women develop mental health issues, they face a lot of stigma and a lack of support. According to her, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were the most common mental health conditions affecting women, with depression affecting women at twice the rate of men. “Even though we don’t think that it’s that common, women are beginning to come do...

When steelworker Christopher Curtis realised he was losing what he thought might be a "job for life", his mental health "struggled a lot". The 42-year-old, who has set up a new gardening business, said the past year had taught him "mental health is more important than anything". Hundreds of workers have left the Port Talbot site since Tata Steel shut down the town's remaining blast furnace six months ago. More than £3m has now been announced by the UK government's steel transition board to boost mental health support in the community. Earlier this week, Tata Steel confirmed 300 jobs have been secured after new contracts were handed to local companies to help build the £1.25bn electric arc furnace. But Mr Curtis said he worried for months about how his job loss at Tata would impact his family's future and his ability to pay the bills. "I struggled a lot to be honest. I struggled mentally and I took a bit of...

Happiness relies on outside conditions. Joy involves acceptance, openness, playfulness, and connection. Why do you put in such effort daily into your enterprise? If you ask many entrepreneurs this query, they would ultimately say it’s about achieving happiness. Indeed, we establish businesses to create wealth and enhance society; however, the primary objective for most proprietors is to lead a joyful existence. That seems like the most basic idea in existence. What could potentially be wrong with it? Surprisingly, quite a bit, as per various perspectives. psychologists Those who assert that we'd all be better off by focusing on increasing our happiness. America the miserable Before diving into the difference between happiness and joy, it's crucial to address another query initially. What is amiss with pursuing happiness? In brief, our pursuit of happiness tends to be quite problematic. clearly backfiring . Take a look at America today and reflect: How...

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Following a tiring day filled with meetings that could have simply been emails, along with interacting with bothersome colleagues, stressing over deadlines It can be tough to manage everything, huh? When you finally make it to your car or walk through the front door, you might feel like crying, yelling, or retreating to your bedroom with the door shut. For children, this phenomenon is known as "after-school restraint collapse," term coined by parenting coach and educator Andrea Loewen Nair Throughout the entire day, they've had to interact with hostile children at recess, maintain good behavior, and challenge their minds, which makes it quite reasonable for them to suddenly burst into tears or appear irritable when they return home. However, this phenomenon isn’t exclusive to children; adults can also encounter it. It’s known as "post-work restraint collapse," or PWRC briefly. In...

Working at the NHS adult ADHD service as both a psychiatrist and integrative psychotherapist, Dr. James Kustow also runs a private practice on Harley Street in London. He is globally recognized for his work in mental health education. who also deals with ADHD personally . Over the last fifteen years, he has been unraveling the intricate aspects of this condition, and now presents his management tactics in his latest publication. How to Flourish with Adult ADHD: 7 Foundations for Concentration, Efficiency, and Stability . Although the book provides further details, this guide will offer practical takeaways from Kustow’s “how to flourish” technique. 1. Foster a mentality geared towards development and progress The pillars outlined by Kustow in his book are meant to be adhered to sequentially. As he has worked extensively with individuals over the years, ADHD I comprehend the sequence of priorities, with the first pillar focusing on mindset. "Having the inco...

Every possible way your presentation could fail dances through your thoughts. The stressful interaction with your boss from yesterday repeats endlessly. Concerns about potential job cuts, a recent mistake in parenthood, and an uncomfortable initial meeting occupy designated spots in your mind. Familiar scenario? Even as you appear to calmly enjoy a plate of pasta, stride into the office, or mingle at a gathering, your brain is actually buzzing with noise . This constant worry is essentially posing a straightforward query in countless subtle manners: Is everything going to be okay? "'Brain noise' is how I frequently hear my patients articulate their experience with an incessant flow of thoughts, predominantly negative ones, which can be overpowering and generally unproductive," explains Dr. Nina Vasan, a psychiatrist and the founder as well as executive director of Brainstorm: The Stanford Lab for Mental Health Innovation. Just as ever...