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Ancient Chinese painting of a procession with figures holding banners and an umbrella on a brown scroll background.

History and philosophy of mental health

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Chinese philosophy has long known that mental health is communal

The early Chinese philosophers knew that a healthy mind comes from a harmonious community, not a matter for individuals alone

by Alexus McLeod

A man walking by a girl in Amish clothing on a hoverboard near a pink house with a “Dead End” sign in front.

Technology and media

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To be more tech-savvy, borrow these strategies from the Amish

With their focus on values and intentionality, the Amish offer a lesson in thinking critically about digital technology

by Alex Mayyasi

A muslim woman in a colourful orange sari reaches up to touch a decorative panel above a shrine

Mental health across cultures

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Why a Sufi approach to healing mental illness is so powerful

In Sufi shrines, rituals offer sufferers a path beyond the fear and isolation of their mental distress

by Bhrigupati Singh

Play

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What TikTok videos have in common with Victorian parlour games

TikTok and Insta videos are the Victorian parlour games of today, allowing us to share in the emotional benefits of play

by Kim Beil & Ryan Tacata

People wearing yellow rosettes holding clipboards and pens count votes at a table filled with ballot papers.

Values and beliefs

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To be a responsible citizen today, it is not enough to be reasonable

To survive society’s problems, today reasonableness isn’t enough; we need citizens to recognise beliefs have consequences

by Francisco Mejia Uribe

Two men near a graffiti-covered wall with chipped paint, one standing and gesturing, the other sitting on the pavement.

Cultural diversity

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Cultural differences are far more nuanced than East vs West

It’s simply not the case that ‘Eastern’ cultures are relationally-minded, while ‘Western’ societies are individualistic

by Matt Huston

Silhouette of a person using a phone, leaning on a railing under trees with a building in the background.

Mental health

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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

People standing outside terraced houses, clapping. The houses are decorated with Welsh flags and rainbow flags.

History of emotions

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True gratitude is a communal emotion, not a wellness practice

Positive psychology touts the personal benefits of gratitude. It’s actually a challenging emotion that binds communities

by Michal Zechariah

People dining at long tables adorned with blue tablecloths in a narrow, lantern-lit street lined with old buildings and blue-and-white flags.

Community

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Take a seat: the long table is an antidote to loneliness

While some consider the long, shared dining table outdated or inconvenient, it is actually a powerful social tool

by Antone Martinho-Truswell

People standing on marked spots waiting for a train at an underground station, as a blurred train passes by.

Community

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The behavioural immune system protects us, but at what cost?

The COVID-19 pandemic created an unplanned social experiment on skin hunger and touch aversion. How will our politics suffer?

by Manos Tsakiris

Person wearing an electronic ankle monitor, resting on a floral-patterned sofa with a red cushion and a book beside them.

Stigma and taboo

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The families of people who commit sex crimes need care and support

While they deal with a kind of grief, the relatives of those who harm others sexually are subject to blame and judgment

by Azadeh Nematy

A painting depicting three individuals with expressive, smiling faces and dark, textured background. Their features are rough and abstract.

Communication and language

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How a secret European language ‘made a rabbit’ and survived

How Rotwelsch, the secret lingo of vagrants who mistrusted big words and official institutions, survived via police archives

by Martin Puchner