Mental health

Disorders and difficulties Therapies and practical advice Perspectives and controversies

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

Mental health

idea

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 health

idea

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.

Meaning and the good life

guide

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

Illustration of a person in a bathtub, their head covered by vibrant, multicoloured flowers, against a pink-tiled background.

Bipolar disorder

film

What’s it like to feel betrayed by your brain? A memoir of bipolar disorder

Directed by Melanie Cura Daball

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

Work and vocation

idea

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

Mental health

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

Mind-body interactions

guide

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

Illustration of a young woman with a bob haircut, red skin and two different coloured eyes. She holds her hands up to her cheeks.

Mental health

film

Fixating on her body, a woman grapples with strange distortions of the self

Directed by Chenghua Yang

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

Brain interventions

idea

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

Mental health

idea

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

Conflict and conflict resolution

guide

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

Close-up of a woman wearing a flight helmet with a microphone, looking ahead with a focused expression.

Mental health

film

Denise finds a hard-earned freedom in Colorado’s alpine skies

Directed by Lindsey Hagen