Taking Things for Granted: Lessons I Learned Too Late
A personal reflection on taking things for granted, regret, grief, empty nest syndrome, and the connection to mental health—highlighting how loss teaches us the value of people and moments.
When Stigma Comes From Home: My Experience With Mental-Health Judgement
A first-person account of mental-health stigma within a traditional rural Polish family: why it’s hard to explain mental health to older generations, how judgement impacts wellbeing, and what the statistics say about stigma and discrimination in Poland.
Loneliness at Christmas: You Are Not Alone
Loneliness at Christmas can affect anyone. This heartfelt first-person article reminds readers they are not alone, explores depression and seasonal sadness, and offers practical ways to cope, learn new skills, and find hope as the New Year approaches.
Mental Health: Its Impact on Different Professions and Life Circumstances
Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of their profession or life circumstances. Whether it’s a lawyer managing the pressures of a courtroom, a teacher shaping young minds, or a student balancing academic and personal life, mental health plays a critical role in an individual’s overall well-being.
Erasing Memory: The Possibilities and Challenges of Selective Forgetting
Managing distressing memories through existing therapies, mindfulness, and support networks remains the most accessible path. As research continues, the dream of selectively forgetting the bad while keeping the good may one day become a reality. Until then, moments of natural relief, like forgetting an OCD trigger and finding the anxiety has passed, remind us of the brain’s capacity to heal itself.
Understanding the Window of Tolerance in Mental Health
Intrusive thoughts and the window of tolerance are closely linked through the lens of stress and emotional regulation. When you are within your window of tolerance, intrusive thoughts are easier to manage and less likely to overwhelm you. Conversely, being outside this zone can amplify their intensity, making emotional regulation strategies essential.
Understanding OCD: Breaking Down Misconceptions
People with OCD don’t “choose” their thoughts or compulsions. Telling someone to “just get over it” is dismissive, harmful, and perpetuates ableist attitudes. If someone has lived with OCD for decades and tried all known interventions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), medication, counseling, and even alternative therapies such as hypnosis, it is unjust to boil their suffering down to a fad.
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Universal Credit Reforms
Labour is facing the prospect of another mass rebellion from its own MPs as concerns mount over proposed reforms to the universal credit system. The focus of unease is on changes to the assessment process for disability benefits, particularly the health element of universal credit (UC).
Facing Inner Demons: Why Trauma Survivors Turn to Drugs and Alcohol
Trauma leaves lasting wounds, but numbing pain with drugs and alcohol only deepens the suffering. Although self-medication may seem like an escape, it damages the body and creates new chains of dependency. The path to healing is not easy, but it is possible. With therapy, support, and healthier coping mechanisms, people can face their fears, overcome their inner demons, and take back control of their lives.
Understanding Emotional Distress Tort
Through tort law, individuals and organisations, councils included, can be sued for damages provided there’s evidence of negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Compensation is available and varies depending on the severity of harm and supporting evidence.