Mental health

Blurry photo through a shop window showing people on the street, a woman near the glass and pastry on display inside.

The brain’s reading of the body’s state is key to mental health

The neural basis of ‘interoception’ – the interpretation of bodily signals – is affected in many mental health conditions

by Camilla Nord

Blurry photo of a person with a colourful neon sign reflected in a window at night.

Mental disorders aren’t diseases, they’re networks of symptoms

Mental disorders are usually seen as the causes of symptoms. In the network perspective, symptoms are causes themselves

by Richard J McNally

Portrait painting of a person in dark clothing with a white collar a gold necklace and rings against a green background.

How to get your mojo back

You’re not depressed but you’re not happy – you’re languishing. Give yourself a boost with these evidence-backed strategies

by Frank Martela

Photo of a person standing behind frosted glass in an office, obscured by the glass’s patterns.

How to deal with being bullied at work

You might understandably feel trapped and powerless, but there is a range of steps you can take to improve your situation

by Pat Ferris

Photo of a person’s neck and shoulders illuminated with pink and blue light on a dark blue background.

How to trust your body

Your heart, lungs, abdomen and gut are trying to tell you something. Learning to tune in can significantly boost your health

by Saga Briggs

Photo of nine matches in a row, progressing from unused to completely burnt.

How to recover from burnout

Feeling worn down, checked out, or bitter about work? The answer is not to ‘just work harder’. Try these steps instead

by Debbie Sorensen

Blurry photo of a dimly lit interior with a person in swimwear under red lighting.

In an unstable economy, I found freedom and security in sex work

Speculation about the mental health of sex workers is undermining. Focus instead on how to improve our working conditions

by Tamara MacLeod

A painting of a still life with fish, vegetables, a lobster a cat, and kitchen items on a table with baskets and copper pots.

How to use food to help your mood

Depression and low mood are not separate from the rest of your bodily health: the right diet can help reduce your risk

by Kimberley Wilson

A person and two children stand on shore promenade, surrounded by seagulls, with a large water fountain and cityscape in the background.

Many people not only survive mental illness – they thrive

For people with depression, anxiety and other conditions, reaching high wellbeing – not just recovery – is a real possibility

by Jonathan Rottenberg & Andrew Devendorf

Photo of a person lying on a sofa, looking relaxed with eyes closed. They are wearing a grey jumper and holding their hair.

Mental disorders are brain disorders – here’s why that matters

The most vital quandary of mental health disorders and therapies today is not whether they change the brain but how

by Camilla Nord

Photo of two women leaning on a concrete wall overlooking a sandy beach and cliffs by a calm blue sea.

How to look after your emotional health

Find out which of your emotional needs you’ve been neglecting and use tips from human givens therapy to address them

by Denise Winn

Photo of people relaxing on tiered grassy steps in a public space with railings, cyclists below, and some pigeons present.

If you stay mentally well your entire life, you’re not normal

Surveys suggest only a minority of people live lives entirely free from mental disorder. What can we learn from them?

by Jonathan D Schaefer

Photo of a girl swinging high above a cityscape with a cloudy sky in the background.

Why does early puberty pose a risk to girls’ mental health?

Girls who start puberty earlier are at greater risk of depression and anxiety. To know why, we must look beyond biology

by Marjolein E A Barendse & Michelle L Byrne

Photo of a person outdoors smoking, silhouetted against the sky with visible smoke and surrounding greenery.

Mental illness and substance use: genes show a two-way street

Why are smoking, alcohol and cannabis use linked to mental illness? The answer is complex but valuable for mental health

by Jorien Treur

Photo of a person with a backpack silhouetted against a white wall under trees, using a phone on a walkway.

How a feeling that you belong could protect your mental health

Research on young adults at a time of social transition highlights the significance of feeling that you belong to a group

by Janine M Dutcher & Amber Quinn

Photo of a man in a grey shirt holding a cup, sitting among others in a room, with a pensive expression on his face.

Bias in mental health diagnosis gets in the way of treatment

Some groups are at risk of receiving less accurate mental health diagnoses. The expanded use of diagnostic aids could help

by Howard N Garb