The alarming national rise in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teenage girls has made headlines recently. Experts point to social media, cyberbullying and COVID-19 as potential new sources of stress for teenagers. However, a well-known source of stress that now affects more teenagers compared with a decade ago has been overlooked in explanations for this increase – stress related to sexual identity. […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Teen girls are facing an increased risk of suicide − and stress related to sexual identity might be contributing to it
Psychotherapy may change memories of childhood – here’s why practitioners should warn clients
One of the unfortunate legacies that my generation, gen X, has passed on to the millennials and gen Z, is the idea that therapy has no side effects. However, just like many other medical treatments, there can be negative effects. For example, in some cases psychotherapy can be linked with a worsening of psychiatric symptoms, increased anxiety and false memories. My team’s recent paper investigated the […] … learn more→
What should I do if I can’t see a psychiatrist?
People presenting at emergency with mental health concerns are experiencing the longest wait times in Australia for admission to a ward, according to a new report from the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. The amount of time Australians are waiting in hospital emergency departments is increasing with the average wait time for admission now between 12 and […] … learn more→
How midlife became a crisis
In the acknowledgments of her 2024 novel “All Fours,” Miranda July explains that she was inspired by a series of conversations about “physical and emotional midlife changes” with several women close to her. “And while there is almost no trace of these actual conversations in the book,” she adds, “they made writing it more necessary.” […] … learn more→
Why your spin bike has become a clothes rack – and what you can do about it, according to behavioural science
Chances are that the end of the year has made you assess some of your 2024 New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you, like us, bought a home spin bike or rowing machine in January. Most likely by March, you realised you’ve used it a lot less than you planned. And very probably by June, it has […] … learn more→
Why does drinking alcohol give you a headache?
When your head reminds you of the excesses of the day before. Does the quality of the drink have an impact on the pain? Are there any remedies approved by science? Can you prevent a hangover? Since when do we have hangovers ( or “vesalgia” for scientists)? Probably for much longer than wine and other fermented drinks […] … learn more→
Conscious breathing can reduce anxiety and depression – tips for how to do it
Breathing is a thing we do without thinking; it keeps us alive. But there is far more to this most basic of biological functions. Conscious breathing can reduce stress, anxiety and depression and prevent insomnia. Christiane Brems, author and clinical professor in psychiatry and behavioural sciences, describes where to start if you’d like to develop a […] … learn more→
Walking into stress in 2025? Take steps now to prepare
Five years ago, I began a research project into emotional labour, compassion fatigue and burnout in Alberta’s educational workers. The results from the earliest study suggested a wide scope of emotional and mental distress among teachers, educational assistants, school leaders and support staff. This distress has been documented globally and across Canada, suggesting educator mental and emotional well-being continues to decline […] … learn more→
Exercise boosts memory for up to 24 hours after a workout – new research
What’s good for your heart is good for your brain. Just as physical activity helps keep our bodies fit and strong as we age, it also helps maintain our cognitive function – and is even linked with lower dementia risk. Yet beyond the longer term cognitive benefits of physical activity, exercise also seems to give a […] … learn more→
New solutions allow Seniors to age in place
As our population continues to age, more seniors are expressing a desire to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than transitioning to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. This growing trend, known as aging in place, has sparked significant innovation in healthcare technology, home modification, and support services that enable older adults […] … learn more→
