Mental Health and Wellbeing

Teen mental health has been deteriorating over the last five years.  Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology, San Diego State University sheds light on studies teen suicide, depression. Around 2012, something started going wrong in the lives of teens. In just the five years between 2010 and 2015, the number of U.S. teens who felt useless and joyless – classic symptoms of depression – surged 33 percent in large national surveys. Teen suicide attempts increased 23 percent. Even more…

Many of us struggle with sugar cravings. It could be at a party, or when we are depressed, per-menopausal or just bored. Here are some tips in a useful infographic.  Also, see the discussion here  Read about PMS related cravings   

Shivani Maheshwari brings you a list of 10 movies and documentaries on health released in 2017. It is a random selection, with no preference or bias. They were picked up because they featured prominently on social media. The dominance of American staple probably makes a telling statement that more work needs to be done in the health sector in India, in terms of films, features, docudramas, narratives, and motion pictures. Hopefully, 2018 will be better. Watch them if you can. Many are available…

Recovering from depression isn’t easy, but not impossible. Shubhrata Prakash, an officer with the Indian Revenue Service currently on a sabbatical in Bangkok, who is finally on the road to recovery after an excruciating period of depression, exults that it is wonderful to experience life again in all its glorious hues.  “….and the Prince gave Sleeping Beauty a magical kiss. She woke up from the evil spell put on her and looked into his eyes……and they lived happily ever after!”…

Approximately 34% of women with PCOS have depression. Dr Madanki Srinavasan, Gynaecologist and women’s health counselor helps us understand lifestyle changes to manage PCOS. Along with weight gain, unwanted hair growth, acne, irregular periods etc, women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) also frequently suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.  Can stress be a risk factor for PCOS? Stress can be a risk factor for any medical ailment, including PCOS.…

A film festival dedicated exclusively to mental health, particularly depression, is on this weekend in Pune with screenings of several award winning films. We speak to Anushri Thakar, Clinical Psychologist & Co- founder, TRIMITI Trust, who curated the Mental Health Film Festival (MHFF) to create awareness and build an inclusive society. MindScope, a festival of films focusing on mental health, seems unique. What was the inspiration behind it? Creating awareness on mental health is one of…

Swati Agrawal, who has Fibromyalgia, appeals to others in the community to start speaking about their invisible illness to raise awareness, remove prejudices and advocate for more equal and friendly world. If you have a story to share, write in to us. You can't see that I am unwell. You can’t tell that I have multiple Chronic Invisible Illnesses by talking to me, or by looking at me. I will tell you the customary "I am fine" to "How are you". This is the story of all spoonies. Our illness is…

Swati Neogy is not lazy. She has a condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which causes extreme fatigue, together with allied problems like body ache, hypertension and sugar level fluctuations and even partial memory loss. She has had to battle misleading perceptions, even by doctors. Finally she now accepts her condition and wishes to spread awareness. Swati, please tell us a bit about your condition  I am a patient of SEID/CFS (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease/Chronic Fatigue…

Workplace can create its own pressures on a person to develop long-term mental health issues. A look by clinical psychologist Smriti Sawhney at how certain issues ought to be tackled in one’s professional space. “INDORE, India — Leaving his wife and two young children home on a recent Sunday, a 27-year-old salesman for Abbott Laboratories’ operations in India — in fact, one of the American health care company’s top performers there — rode his motorcycle to a remote railroad track and jumped in…

Reshma Valliappan, is a an artist-activist-author who believes her schizophrenia is an integral part of her identity. Here, she talks about her initiative, The Red Door, and the focus on the mental health of youth. Tell us about your concept of The Red Door and its various initiatives with the youth? The Red Door (TRD) is an initiative to create more awareness about issues of mental health in India. It is built on a simple concept of empowerment and inspiration through social media (blogs,…