Coronavirus has not only been affecting the physical health of infected people but has also been bringing a downward spiral in the mental health of people.

Cases of depression and anxiety increased by more than a quarter in just the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, i.e. 2020.

A study has revealed that there were at least 52 million new cases of people suffering from depression and nearly 76 million new cases of anxiety in 2020.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iceland-suspends-use-of-modernas-covid-vaccine-due-to-heart-inflammation-fears-419324">Iceland suspends use of Moderna's Covid vaccine due to heart-inflammation fears</a>

The study was conducted globally and experts concluded that there has been a 28 and 26 per cent of increase in the two mental health disorders respectively.

Needless to say, the countries which have been worst hit by the deadly coronavirus have seen the most increase in mental health disorders.

"Our findings highlight an urgent need to strengthen mental health systems in order to address the growing burden of major depressive disorder and&nbsp;anxiety&nbsp;disorders worldwide," said lead study author Damian Santomauro, from the University of Queensland's School of Public Health. "Meeting the added demand for mental health services due to COVID-19 will be challenging, but taking no action should not be an option."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-suggests-that-alzheimers-and-covid-19-share-genetic-risk-factor-419232">Study suggests that Alzheimer's and COVID-19 share genetic risk factor</a>

Data from North America, Europe and East Asia showed that if the pandemic had not taken place, the world may have recorded nearly 190 million cases of depression. However, a total of 246 million cases were recorded in 20202 due to COVID-19.

Similar is the case in anxiety disorders where 298 million cases were predicted sans Covid but the pandemic resulted in 374 million anxiety cases globally.

In addition to an increase in mental health disorders, the study also revealed that women around the globe have faced problem in a disproportionate manner. This can be a result of existing inequal opportunities in the health and social sectors.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many existing inequalities, and social determinants of mental health disorders, and the underpinning mechanisms to improve mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic globally," said Alize Ferrari, from the University of Queensland.&nbsp;"It is crucial that policymakers take underlying factors such as these into account as part of measures to strengthen mental health services."

Coronavirus has not only been affecting the physical health of infected people but has also been bringing a downward spiral in the mental health of people. Cases of depression and anxiety increased by more than a quarter in just the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, i.

Coronavirus has not only been affecting the physical health of infected people but has also been bringing a downward spiral in the mental health of people. Cases of depression and anxiety increased by more than a quarter in just the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, i.e. 2020. A study has revealed that there were at least 52 million new cases of people suffering from depression and nearly 76 million new cases of anxiety in 2020. Also read | Iceland suspends use of Moderna's Covid vaccine due to heart-inflammation fears The study was conducted globally and experts concluded that there has been a 28 and 26 per cent of increase in the two mental health disorders respectively. Needless to say, the countries which have been worst hit by the deadly coronavirus have seen the most increase in mental health disorders. "Our findings highlight an urgent need to strengthen mental health systems in order to address the growing burden of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders worldwide," said lead study author Damian Santomauro, from the University of Queensland's School of Public Health. "Meeting the added demand for mental health services due to COVID-19 will be challenging, but taking no action should not be an option." Also read | Study suggests that Alzheimer's and COVID-19 share genetic risk factor Data from North America, Europe and East Asia showed that if the pandemic had not taken place, the world may have recorded nearly 190 million cases of depression. However, a total of 246 million cases were recorded in 20202 due to COVID-19. Similar is the case in anxiety disorders where 298 million cases were predicted sans Covid but the pandemic resulted in 374 million anxiety cases globally. In addition to an increase in mental health disorders, the study also revealed that women around the globe have faced problem in a disproportionate manner. This can be a result of existing inequal opportunities in the health and social sectors. "The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many existing inequalities, and social determinants of mental health disorders, and the underpinning mechanisms to improve mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic globally," said Alize Ferrari, from the University of Queensland. "It is crucial that policymakers take underlying factors such as these into account as part of measures to strengthen mental health services."

Covid resulted in alarming increase in depression and anxiety cases: Study

Experts have warned that climate change is having an impact on the mental health of children and young people.&nbsp; 
Mala Rao and Richard Powell, of Imperial College London’s Department of Primary Care and Public Health, while writing in the British medical journal said that eco-anxiety “risks exacerbating health and social inequalities between those more or less vulnerable to these psychological impacts”.&nbsp;

Eco anxiety refers to the chronic fear of environmental doom. It is not yet considered a diagnosable condition. However, as per the researchers, the recognition of eco-anxiety and its complex psychological effects is increasing. Also, its “disproportionate” impact on children and young people is on an upward cycle.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/theres-no-vaccine-for-climate-crisis-who-chief-on-wildfires-in-several-countries-404716">Also read |&nbsp;There's no vaccine for climate crisis: WHO chief on wildfires in several countries</a>

The research talked about how young people’s emotions were linked with their feelings of betrayal by governments and adults. Governments were seen as failing to respond adequatel. This has left the young people with “no future” and “humanity doomed”.

The researchers highlighted that as per a 2020 survey, a total of 57 per cent of children and young people are seen distressed about the climate crisis.&nbsp;

The researchers called on global leaders to “recognise the challenges ahead, the need to act now, and the commitment necessary to create a path to a happier and healthier future, leaving no one behind”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-set-to-worsen-resource-degradation-conflict-report-says-418842">Also read |&nbsp;Climate change set to worsen resource degradation, conflict, report says</a>

According to a report by The Guardian, the researchers said, "The best chance of increasing optimism and hope in the eco-anxious young and old is to ensure they have access to the best and most reliable information on climate mitigation and adaptation."

“Especially important is information on how they could connect more strongly with nature, contribute to greener choices at an individual level, and join forces with like-minded communities and groups.” 
With this, the researchers said that it is important to find a solution to this problem.&nbsp;

Experts have warned that climate change is having an impact on the mental health of children and young people. Mala Rao and Richard Powell, of Imperial College London’s Department of Primary Care and Public Health, while writing in the British medical journal said that eco-anxiety “risks exacerbating health and social inequalities between those more or less vulnerable to these psychological impacts”.

Experts have warned that climate change is having an impact on the mental health of children and young people. Mala Rao and Richard Powell, of Imperial College London’s Department of Primary Care and Public Health, while writing in the British medical journal said that eco-anxiety “risks exacerbating health and social inequalities between those more or less vulnerable to these psychological impacts”. Eco anxiety refers to the chronic fear of environmental doom. It is not yet considered a diagnosable condition. However, as per the researchers, the recognition of eco-anxiety and its complex psychological effects is increasing. Also, its “disproportionate” impact on children and young people is on an upward cycle. Also read | There's no vaccine for climate crisis: WHO chief on wildfires in several countries The research talked about how young people’s emotions were linked with their feelings of betrayal by governments and adults. Governments were seen as failing to respond adequatel. This has left the young people with “no future” and “humanity doomed”. The researchers highlighted that as per a 2020 survey, a total of 57 per cent of children and young people are seen distressed about the climate crisis. The researchers called on global leaders to “recognise the challenges ahead, the need to act now, and the commitment necessary to create a path to a happier and healthier future, leaving no one behind”. Also read | Climate change set to worsen resource degradation, conflict, report says According to a report by The Guardian, the researchers said, "The best chance of increasing optimism and hope in the eco-anxious young and old is to ensure they have access to the best and most reliable information on climate mitigation and adaptation." “Especially important is information on how they could connect more strongly with nature, contribute to greener choices at an individual level, and join forces with like-minded communities and groups.” With this, the researchers said that it is important to find a solution to this problem.

‘Eco-anxiety’: Fear of environmental damage affecting mental health of people

From Virat Kohli to Simone Biles: Sports icons who battled with mental health issues

As owners return to work and students to the classroom, some animals are experiencing increased anxiety as they experience the new normal. There was a surge of pet adoptions during lockdown as more people were at home. But these furry friends feel isolated now-a-days as their owners return to their normal routine.

Pandemic changes life of pets as they face new challenges in post lockdown world

Have you been feeling extremely stressed lately? Scientists believe you could be at high&nbsp;risk of developing “broken heart syndrome”.

Formally known as “takotsubo cardiomyopathy”, the syndrome causes weakening of heart’s pumping chamber. First identified in 1990 in Japan, the syndrome is mistaken for cardiac arrests due to similar symptoms.

What did scientists find?

Scientists recently found two high stress molecules responsible for causing the broken heart syndrome, which mostly affects women after menopause and is caused in the aftermath of sever stress and loss.

Besides imitating the symptoms of a heart attack, the syndrome poses risks of similar complications. The worst part? Doctors are unsure what causes it. But it seems likely that a broken heart drives the ailment. High levels of stress causes by loss of a loved one, accidents, natural disasters and even events like weddings could be causing a loss of movement in the heart wall, which accelerates the failure of the organ.

The molecules linked to depression, stress and anxiety, called&nbsp;microRNA-16 and microRNA-26a were detected in patients with broken heart syndrome.

How did they find it?

To understand the link, the researchers exposed cells from human hearts and rat hearts to both the molecules. The scientists wrote in Cardiovascular Research that both sets of hearts were consequentially more sensitive to adrenaline after being exposed to this molecules.

Dr Liam Couch, the lead study author from Imperial College London told The Guardian that among patients with broken heart syndrome, the upper portion of the heart beats more while the lower part stops beating.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/us-studying-cases-of-heart-inflammation-among-youngsters-who-received-covid-jabs-386840" hreflang="en">US studying cases of heart inflammation among youngsters who received Covid jabs</a>

The findings claim that long-term stress&nbsp; caused by sudden shock could cause broken heart syndrome among people. Even then, diagnosing takotsubo among patients is difficult. In the long-term, the study could shed light on groups that have a higher chance of developing the syndrome and ways in which it can be avoided and managed.

Some scientists even think that drugs which effectively block the heartbreaking molecules could prevent escalation of the condition.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/now-a-3d-heart-scan-to-fast-track-diagnosis-of-heart-disease-382728" hreflang="en">Now, a 3D heart scan to fast-track diagnosis of heart disease</a>

Have you been feeling extremely stressed lately? Scientists believe you could be at high risk of developing “broken heart syndrome”. Formally known as “takotsubo cardiomyopathy”, the syndrome causes weakening of heart’s pumping chamber.

Have you been feeling extremely stressed lately? Scientists believe you could be at high risk of developing “broken heart syndrome”. Formally known as “takotsubo cardiomyopathy”, the syndrome causes weakening of heart’s pumping chamber. First identified in 1990 in Japan, the syndrome is mistaken for cardiac arrests due to similar symptoms. What did scientists find? Scientists recently found two high stress molecules responsible for causing the broken heart syndrome, which mostly affects women after menopause and is caused in the aftermath of sever stress and loss. Besides imitating the symptoms of a heart attack, the syndrome poses risks of similar complications. The worst part? Doctors are unsure what causes it. But it seems likely that a broken heart drives the ailment. High levels of stress causes by loss of a loved one, accidents, natural disasters and even events like weddings could be causing a loss of movement in the heart wall, which accelerates the failure of the organ. The molecules linked to depression, stress and anxiety, called microRNA-16 and microRNA-26a were detected in patients with broken heart syndrome. How did they find it? To understand the link, the researchers exposed cells from human hearts and rat hearts to both the molecules. The scientists wrote in Cardiovascular Research that both sets of hearts were consequentially more sensitive to adrenaline after being exposed to this molecules. Dr Liam Couch, the lead study author from Imperial College London told The Guardian that among patients with broken heart syndrome, the upper portion of the heart beats more while the lower part stops beating. Also read: US studying cases of heart inflammation among youngsters who received Covid jabs The findings claim that long-term stress caused by sudden shock could cause broken heart syndrome among people. Even then, diagnosing takotsubo among patients is difficult. In the long-term, the study could shed light on groups that have a higher chance of developing the syndrome and ways in which it can be avoided and managed. Some scientists even think that drugs which effectively block the heartbreaking molecules could prevent escalation of the condition. Also read: Now, a 3D heart scan to fast-track diagnosis of heart disease

Feeling stressed? You could be at high risk of developing 'broken heart syndrome'

A recent study has revealed that higher rates of mental illness are witnessed in children and young individuals, growing up amid heavy traffic-related air pollution. The symptoms generally come to light, by the time these individuals reach the age of 18.

Childhood exposure to nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and the development of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are linked.

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-air-pollution-is-causing-miscarriages-359301/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

These are the findings of a 25-year-long joint British/American study. The study was conducted on 2,039 children from England and Wales, all twins, born in 1994 and 1995. An assessment of their mental health was done at 18.

The authors of this study conclude that "the results collectively suggest that youths persistently exposed to moderate levels of nitrogen oxide air pollution may experience greater overall liability to psychiatric illness by young adulthood," said a report in The Guardian.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-pollution-in-india-led-to-17-million-deaths-in-2019-study-351871">Air pollution in India led to 1.7 million deaths in 2019: Study</a>

According to them, the connection between air pollution and the risk of mental illness is "modest" but real. "Individual, family and neighbourhood influences on mental health", such as poverty and/or a family history of mental disorder don't seem to affect this association.

"This study has demonstrated that children growing up in our biggest cities face a greater risk of mental illness due to higher levels of traffic,"&nbsp;said, the study’s co-author, Dr Helen Fisher. "While we might like to think of our towns and cities as green and open spaces, it's clear that there is a hidden danger that many will not have even considered."

The mental health evaluation of participants at the age of 18 was done via an assessment of symptoms for ten of the most common psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, ADHD, and alcohol dependence. This was then used to calculate something known as the psychopathology factor or p-factor, which is a measure of their mental health. Participants with a higher p-factor score displayed more symptoms.

Participants with the highest exposure to nitrogen oxides scored 2.62 points higher p-factor score than their peers in the bottom three quartiles. While those with the most particulate matter exposure scored 2.04 points more.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/air-pollution-may-result-in-irreversible-blindness-study-says-359752">Air pollution may result in irreversible blindness, study says</a>

"We know from research that our mental health is determined by the lives we lead, the environments we’re in and our experiences from our early years onwards. A child’s mental health is influenced by many factors, including their home, school, community and neighbourhood," said, Andy Bell, deputy chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health think tank.

"We know that poverty, racism, trauma and exclusion are major risks to mental health.&nbsp;Today’s research shows, our physical environment matters too, and making places safer, cleaner and healthier to live in will have lifelong benefits," he added.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;World Health Organization data, worldwide nine out of ten people are exposed to high pollution levels. Various studies&nbsp;identify pollution as one of the major contributing, aggravating factors for poor heart and lung health and ailments of the central nervous system and risk of mental illness.&nbsp;

While the study does show an interrelation between pollution, traffic fumes and mental ill-health, according to Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, "what they can’t do is to show that it’s the high air pollution that actually causes the poorer mental health."

A recent study has revealed that higher rates of mental illness are witnessed in children and young individuals, growing up amid heavy traffic-related air pollution.

A recent study has revealed that higher rates of mental illness are witnessed in children and young individuals, growing up amid heavy traffic-related air pollution. The symptoms generally come to light, by the time these individuals reach the age of 18. Childhood exposure to nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and the development of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are linked. Watch | These are the findings of a 25-year-long joint British/American study. The study was conducted on 2,039 children from England and Wales, all twins, born in 1994 and 1995. An assessment of their mental health was done at 18. The authors of this study conclude that "the results collectively suggest that youths persistently exposed to moderate levels of nitrogen oxide air pollution may experience greater overall liability to psychiatric illness by young adulthood," said a report in The Guardian. Also read | Air pollution in India led to 1.7 million deaths in 2019: Study According to them, the connection between air pollution and the risk of mental illness is "modest" but real. "Individual, family and neighbourhood influences on mental health", such as poverty and/or a family history of mental disorder don't seem to affect this association. "This study has demonstrated that children growing up in our biggest cities face a greater risk of mental illness due to higher levels of traffic," said, the study’s co-author, Dr Helen Fisher. "While we might like to think of our towns and cities as green and open spaces, it's clear that there is a hidden danger that many will not have even considered." The mental health evaluation of participants at the age of 18 was done via an assessment of symptoms for ten of the most common psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, ADHD, and alcohol dependence. This was then used to calculate something known as the psychopathology factor or p-factor, which is a measure of their mental health. Participants with a higher p-factor score displayed more symptoms. Participants with the highest exposure to nitrogen oxides scored 2.62 points higher p-factor score than their peers in the bottom three quartiles. While those with the most particulate matter exposure scored 2.04 points more. Also read | Air pollution may result in irreversible blindness, study says "We know from research that our mental health is determined by the lives we lead, the environments we’re in and our experiences from our early years onwards. A child’s mental health is influenced by many factors, including their home, school, community and neighbourhood," said, Andy Bell, deputy chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health think tank. "We know that poverty, racism, trauma and exclusion are major risks to mental health. Today’s research shows, our physical environment matters too, and making places safer, cleaner and healthier to live in will have lifelong benefits," he added. According to World Health Organization data, worldwide nine out of ten people are exposed to high pollution levels. Various studies identify pollution as one of the major contributing, aggravating factors for poor heart and lung health and ailments of the central nervous system and risk of mental illness. While the study does show an interrelation between pollution, traffic fumes and mental ill-health, according to Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, "what they can’t do is to show that it’s the high air pollution that actually causes the poorer mental health."

Continuous exposure to pollution can cause mental illness in children: Study

After a year spent at home, there is finally an end inside to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. But for some, this feels more like the root cause of growing anxiety rather than a cause of celebration. WION tells you more.

COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on mental health

When the world entered the lockdown a year ago, people had to battle with a downward spiral of their mental health as isolation and loneliness negatively affected millions of people around the world.

However, now after a year, the lifting of lockdown and a return to the old daily lifestyle could trigger heightened anxiety and stress for many people, UK mental health experts have warned.

Experts and mental health charities believe people, especially those with mental health concerns and history, will have a tough time dealing with the readjustment in the pre-pandemic life during the post-pandemic days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/serving-uk-police-officer-charged-with-murder-of-33-year-old-woman-370174">Serving UK police officer charged with murder of 33-year-old woman</a>

The lockdowns had helped people with anxiety, PTSD etc the freedom to stay at home without being criticised. However, experts believe, that now that they know they will have to step back into the world and deal with their pre-pandemic struggles, it may bring back their mental health conditions in a greater sense.

Lifting of lockdown may also be tough for people with mental health conditions as the fear of catching the deadly coronavirus may also be a trigger for their mental health issues.

Considering this, mental health charities and experts have stressed that is extremely important for the government and employees to offer support and empathy for those suffering from such conditions.

A survey conducted by YoungMinds it was revealed that while 79 per cent of young people admitted that they hope their mental health will improve once the lockdown is lifted, others were worried that the end of lockdown may be abrupt, leading to reimposition.

"Again and again, young people said they felt like they were experiencing ‘Groundhog Day’, and above all they wish for an end to a cycle of freedoms followed by restrictions," the report said.

When the world entered the lockdown a year ago, people had to battle with a downward spiral of their mental health as isolation and loneliness negatively affected millions of people around the world.

When the world entered the lockdown a year ago, people had to battle with a downward spiral of their mental health as isolation and loneliness negatively affected millions of people around the world. However, now after a year, the lifting of lockdown and a return to the old daily lifestyle could trigger heightened anxiety and stress for many people, UK mental health experts have warned. Experts and mental health charities believe people, especially those with mental health concerns and history, will have a tough time dealing with the readjustment in the pre-pandemic life during the post-pandemic days. Also read | Serving UK police officer charged with murder of 33-year-old woman The lockdowns had helped people with anxiety, PTSD etc the freedom to stay at home without being criticised. However, experts believe, that now that they know they will have to step back into the world and deal with their pre-pandemic struggles, it may bring back their mental health conditions in a greater sense. Lifting of lockdown may also be tough for people with mental health conditions as the fear of catching the deadly coronavirus may also be a trigger for their mental health issues. Considering this, mental health charities and experts have stressed that is extremely important for the government and employees to offer support and empathy for those suffering from such conditions. A survey conducted by YoungMinds it was revealed that while 79 per cent of young people admitted that they hope their mental health will improve once the lockdown is lifted, others were worried that the end of lockdown may be abrupt, leading to reimposition. "Again and again, young people said they felt like they were experiencing ‘Groundhog Day’, and above all they wish for an end to a cycle of freedoms followed by restrictions," the report said.

Lifting of lockdown may trigger anxiety, PTSD and more: Experts

"rage room" just outside Los Angeles has found a steady stream of new customers looking to shed some stress by beating the heck out of things.

Novel idea to de-stress in California

&nbsp;A recent survey on college students sheds light on the surge in prevalence of depression&nbsp;and anxiety in young people, and now reaching its highest levels. 
 
The study of nearly 33,000 college students across the country reveals the prevalence of depression and anxiety in young people continues to increase, now reaching its highest levels, a sign of the mounting stress factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and systemic racism and inequality. "Half of the students in fall 2020 screened positive for depression and/or anxiety," said Sarah Ketchen Lipson, a Boston University mental health researcher and a co-principal investigator of the nationwide survey published on February 11, 2021, which was administered online during the fall 2020 semester through the Healthy Minds Network. 
 
The survey further reveals that 83 per cent of students said their mental health had negatively impacted their academic performance within the past month, and that two-thirds of college students are struggling with loneliness and feeling isolated--an all-time high prevalence that reflects the toll of the pandemic and the social distancing necessary to control it. 
 
Lipson, a BU School of Public Health assistant professor of health law, policy, and management, said the survey`s findings underscore the need for university teaching staff and faculty to put mechanisms in place that can accommodate students` mental health needs."Faculty need to be flexible with deadlines and remind students that their talent is not solely demonstrated by their ability to get a top grade during one challenging semester," Lipson said.She added that instructors can protect students` mental health by having class assignments due at 5 pm, rather than midnight or 9 am, times that Lipson said can encourage students to go to bed later and lose valuable sleep to meet those deadlines. 
 
Especially in smaller classroom settings, where a student`s absence may be more noticeable than in larger lectures, instructors who notice someone missing classes should reach out to that student directly to ask how they are doing."Even in larger classes, where 1:1 outreach is more difficult, instructors can send class-wide emails reinforcing the idea that they care about their students not just as learners but as people, and circulating information about campus resources for mental health and wellness," Lipson said.And, crucially, she said, instructors must bear in mind that the burden of mental health is not the same across all student demographics. "Students of colour and low-income students are more likely to be grieving the loss of a loved one due to COVID," Lipson said. They are also "more likely to be facing financial stress." All of these factors can negatively impact mental health and academic performance in "profound ways," she said. 
 
At a higher level within colleges and universities, Lipson said, administrators should focus on providing students with mental health services that emphasise prevention, coping, and resilience. The fall 2020 survey data revealed a significant "treatment gap," meaning that many students who screen positive for depression or anxiety are not receiving mental health services."Often students will only seek help when they find themselves in a mental health crisis, requiring more urgent resources," Lipson said. "But how can we create systems to foster wellness before they reach that point?" 
 
She has a suggestion: "All students should receive mental health education, ideally as part of the required curriculum."It`s also important to note, she said, that rising mental health challenges are not unique to the college setting--instead, the survey findings are consistent with a broader trend of declining mental health in adolescents and young adults. "I think mental health is getting worse [across the US population], and on top of that we are now gathering more data on these trends than ever before," Lipson said. "We know mental health stigma is going down, and that`s one of the biggest reasons we are able to collect better data. People are being more open, having more dialogue about it, and we`re able to better identify that people are struggling. 
 
"The worsening mental health of Americans, more broadly, Lipson said, could be due to a confluence of factors: the pandemic, the impact of social media, and shifting societal values that are becoming more extrinsically motivated (a successful career, making more money, getting more followers and likes), rather than intrinsically motivated (being a good member of the community).The crushing weight of historic financial pressures is an added burden. "Student debt is so stressful," Lipson said. "You`re more predisposed to experiencing anxiety the more debt you have. 
 
And research indicates that suicidality is directly connected to financial well-being."With more than 22 million young people enrolled in US colleges and universities, "and with the traditional college years of life coinciding with the age of onset for lifetime mental illnesses," Lipson stresses that higher education is a crucial setting where prevention and treatment can make a difference.One potential bright spot from the survey was that the stigma around mental health continues to fade. 
 
The results reveal that 94 per cent of students say that they wouldn`t judge someone for seeking out help for mental health, which Lipson said is an indicator that also correlates with those students being likely to seek out help themselves during a personal crisis (although, paradoxically, almost half of the students say they perceive that others may think more poorly of them if they did seek help)."We`re harsher on ourselves and more critical of ourselves than we are with other people--we call that perceived versus personal stigma," Lipson said. 
 
"Students need to realise, your peers are not judging you."

A recent survey on college students sheds light on the surge in prevalence of depression and anxiety in young people, and now reaching its highest levels. The study of nearly 33,000 college students across the country reveals the prevalence of depression and anxiety in young people continues to increase, now reaching its highest levels, a sign of the mounting stress factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and systemic racism and inequality.

A recent survey on college students sheds light on the surge in prevalence of depression and anxiety in young people, and now reaching its highest levels. The study of nearly 33,000 college students across the country reveals the prevalence of depression and anxiety in young people continues to increase, now reaching its highest levels, a sign of the mounting stress factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and systemic racism and inequality. "Half of the students in fall 2020 screened positive for depression and/or anxiety," said Sarah Ketchen Lipson, a Boston University mental health researcher and a co-principal investigator of the nationwide survey published on February 11, 2021, which was administered online during the fall 2020 semester through the Healthy Minds Network. The survey further reveals that 83 per cent of students said their mental health had negatively impacted their academic performance within the past month, and that two-thirds of college students are struggling with loneliness and feeling isolated--an all-time high prevalence that reflects the toll of the pandemic and the social distancing necessary to control it. Lipson, a BU School of Public Health assistant professor of health law, policy, and management, said the survey`s findings underscore the need for university teaching staff and faculty to put mechanisms in place that can accommodate students` mental health needs."Faculty need to be flexible with deadlines and remind students that their talent is not solely demonstrated by their ability to get a top grade during one challenging semester," Lipson said.She added that instructors can protect students` mental health by having class assignments due at 5 pm, rather than midnight or 9 am, times that Lipson said can encourage students to go to bed later and lose valuable sleep to meet those deadlines. Especially in smaller classroom settings, where a student`s absence may be more noticeable than in larger lectures, instructors who notice someone missing classes should reach out to that student directly to ask how they are doing."Even in larger classes, where 1:1 outreach is more difficult, instructors can send class-wide emails reinforcing the idea that they care about their students not just as learners but as people, and circulating information about campus resources for mental health and wellness," Lipson said.And, crucially, she said, instructors must bear in mind that the burden of mental health is not the same across all student demographics. "Students of colour and low-income students are more likely to be grieving the loss of a loved one due to COVID," Lipson said. They are also "more likely to be facing financial stress." All of these factors can negatively impact mental health and academic performance in "profound ways," she said. At a higher level within colleges and universities, Lipson said, administrators should focus on providing students with mental health services that emphasise prevention, coping, and resilience. The fall 2020 survey data revealed a significant "treatment gap," meaning that many students who screen positive for depression or anxiety are not receiving mental health services."Often students will only seek help when they find themselves in a mental health crisis, requiring more urgent resources," Lipson said. "But how can we create systems to foster wellness before they reach that point?" She has a suggestion: "All students should receive mental health education, ideally as part of the required curriculum."It`s also important to note, she said, that rising mental health challenges are not unique to the college setting--instead, the survey findings are consistent with a broader trend of declining mental health in adolescents and young adults. "I think mental health is getting worse [across the US population], and on top of that we are now gathering more data on these trends than ever before," Lipson said. "We know mental health stigma is going down, and that`s one of the biggest reasons we are able to collect better data. People are being more open, having more dialogue about it, and we`re able to better identify that people are struggling. "The worsening mental health of Americans, more broadly, Lipson said, could be due to a confluence of factors: the pandemic, the impact of social media, and shifting societal values that are becoming more extrinsically motivated (a successful career, making more money, getting more followers and likes), rather than intrinsically motivated (being a good member of the community).The crushing weight of historic financial pressures is an added burden. "Student debt is so stressful," Lipson said. "You`re more predisposed to experiencing anxiety the more debt you have. And research indicates that suicidality is directly connected to financial well-being."With more than 22 million young people enrolled in US colleges and universities, "and with the traditional college years of life coinciding with the age of onset for lifetime mental illnesses," Lipson stresses that higher education is a crucial setting where prevention and treatment can make a difference.One potential bright spot from the survey was that the stigma around mental health continues to fade. The results reveal that 94 per cent of students say that they wouldn`t judge someone for seeking out help for mental health, which Lipson said is an indicator that also correlates with those students being likely to seek out help themselves during a personal crisis (although, paradoxically, almost half of the students say they perceive that others may think more poorly of them if they did seek help)."We`re harsher on ourselves and more critical of ourselves than we are with other people--we call that perceived versus personal stigma," Lipson said. "Students need to realise, your peers are not judging you."

What increases depression, anxiety and loneliness in college students?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lockdowns all over the world, and they have come at a considerable cost to mental health. Restrictions have led to significant increase in symptoms of depression & anxiety among students of France. WION brings you a report.

France: Depression rate among youths increased due to COVID-19 lockdowns

Roiled by concerns about the pandemic and politics? Lifting weights might help, according to a timely new study of anxiety and resistance training. The study, which involved healthy young adults, barbells and lunges, indicates that regular weight training substantially reduces anxiety, a finding with particular relevance during these unsettling, bumpy days.

We already have plenty of evidence that exercise helps stave off depression and other mental ills, and that exercise can elevate feelings of happiness and contentment. But most past studies of exercise and moods have looked at the effects of aerobic exercise, like running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike.

Scientists only recently have begun to investigate whether and how weight training might also affect mental health. A 2018 review of studies, for instance, concluded that adults who lift weights are less likely to develop depression than those who never lift. In another study, women with clinical anxiety disorders reported fewer symptoms after taking up either aerobic or weight training.

But many of these studies involved frequent and complicated sessions of resistance exercise performed under the eyes of researchers, which is not how most of us are likely to work out. They also often focused on somewhat narrow groups, such as men or women with a diagnosed mental health condition like depression or an anxiety disorder, limiting their applicability.

So for the new study, which was published in October in Scientific Reports, researchers at the University of Limerick in Ireland and other institutions decided to see if a simple version of weight training could have benefits for mood in people who already were in generally good mental health.

To find out, they recruited 28 physically healthy young men and women and tested their current moods, with a particular emphasis on whether the volunteers felt anxious. All the participants scored in a healthy range on detailed anxiety questionnaires.

The scientists then divided these well-adjusted volunteers into two groups. Half were asked to continue with their normal lives as a control group. The others began to weight train, a practice with which few were familiar.

The scientists had devised a helpfully simple resistance training routine for them, based around health guidelines from the World Health Organization and the American College of Sports Medicine. Both those organizations recommend muscle strengthening at least twice a week, and that’s what the volunteers began doing. After initial instruction from the researchers, the volunteers took up a basic program of lunges, lifts, squats and crunches, sometimes using dumbbells and other equipment.

Their training continued for eight weeks. Throughout, both groups periodically repeated the tests of their anxiety levels, including at the end of the full program. (After the study ended, the control group was given the option of starting the weight training routine.)

As expected, the control group, for the most part, retained their original low levels of anxiety. They still felt about as tranquil as eight weeks before.

But the weight trainers scored about 20% better on the tests of anxiety. They had started with low levels of anxiety to begin with, but felt even less anxious afterward.

This effect was “larger than anticipated,” said Brett Gordon, currently a postdoctoral scholar at the Penn State Cancer Institute at Penn State College of Medicine, who was an author of the study with Matthew Herring, Cillian McDowell and Mark Lyons. The benefits for mental health were greater, in fact, than those often seen in studies of aerobic exercise and anxiety. But Gordon cautions that such comparisons are limited, since the various experiments use different amounts of exercise and measures of moods.

The new study also did not delve into how weight training can affect anxiety. But Gordon and his colleagues suspect increased physical and psychological potency figure in. The lifters became stronger over time and able to lift heavier weights. “Feelings of mastery may have occurred” then, he said, leaving people feeling generally more capable of coping. Molecular changes in the lifters’ muscles and brains probably also occurred and contributed to improvements in their moods, he said, noting that future studies may help to detail some of those changes.

Or course, this experiment featured only healthy young people performing one version of training, so the findings cannot tell us if lifting likewise eases anxiety in older people. Nor can it tell us which regimen might be enough, too much or just the right amount to bolster mental health. Finally, it also does not prove that heading to the gym today can acutely soothe any mental turmoil we may be feeling, since the improvements in the study showed up after weeks of training.

But if you are feeling tense and uptight, as so many of us are these days, becoming stronger is probably a worthwhile goal and need not be intimidating, Gordon said. “There are numerous ways to strength train with little to no equipment,” he said. “Try common body weight exercises, such as pushups, situps or squats, or use household items as weights.”

Roiled by concerns about the pandemic and politics? Lifting weights might help, according to a timely new study of anxiety and resistance training. The study, which involved healthy young adults, barbells and lunges, indicates that regular weight training substantially reduces anxiety, a finding with particular relevance during these unsettling, bumpy days.

Roiled by concerns about the pandemic and politics? Lifting weights might help, according to a timely new study of anxiety and resistance training. The study, which involved healthy young adults, barbells and lunges, indicates that regular weight training substantially reduces anxiety, a finding with particular relevance during these unsettling, bumpy days. We already have plenty of evidence that exercise helps stave off depression and other mental ills, and that exercise can elevate feelings of happiness and contentment. But most past studies of exercise and moods have looked at the effects of aerobic exercise, like running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. Scientists only recently have begun to investigate whether and how weight training might also affect mental health. A 2018 review of studies, for instance, concluded that adults who lift weights are less likely to develop depression than those who never lift. In another study, women with clinical anxiety disorders reported fewer symptoms after taking up either aerobic or weight training. But many of these studies involved frequent and complicated sessions of resistance exercise performed under the eyes of researchers, which is not how most of us are likely to work out. They also often focused on somewhat narrow groups, such as men or women with a diagnosed mental health condition like depression or an anxiety disorder, limiting their applicability. So for the new study, which was published in October in Scientific Reports, researchers at the University of Limerick in Ireland and other institutions decided to see if a simple version of weight training could have benefits for mood in people who already were in generally good mental health. To find out, they recruited 28 physically healthy young men and women and tested their current moods, with a particular emphasis on whether the volunteers felt anxious. All the participants scored in a healthy range on detailed anxiety questionnaires. The scientists then divided these well-adjusted volunteers into two groups. Half were asked to continue with their normal lives as a control group. The others began to weight train, a practice with which few were familiar. The scientists had devised a helpfully simple resistance training routine for them, based around health guidelines from the World Health Organization and the American College of Sports Medicine. Both those organizations recommend muscle strengthening at least twice a week, and that’s what the volunteers began doing. After initial instruction from the researchers, the volunteers took up a basic program of lunges, lifts, squats and crunches, sometimes using dumbbells and other equipment. Their training continued for eight weeks. Throughout, both groups periodically repeated the tests of their anxiety levels, including at the end of the full program. (After the study ended, the control group was given the option of starting the weight training routine.) As expected, the control group, for the most part, retained their original low levels of anxiety. They still felt about as tranquil as eight weeks before. But the weight trainers scored about 20% better on the tests of anxiety. They had started with low levels of anxiety to begin with, but felt even less anxious afterward. This effect was “larger than anticipated,” said Brett Gordon, currently a postdoctoral scholar at the Penn State Cancer Institute at Penn State College of Medicine, who was an author of the study with Matthew Herring, Cillian McDowell and Mark Lyons. The benefits for mental health were greater, in fact, than those often seen in studies of aerobic exercise and anxiety. But Gordon cautions that such comparisons are limited, since the various experiments use different amounts of exercise and measures of moods. The new study also did not delve into how weight training can affect anxiety. But Gordon and his colleagues suspect increased physical and psychological potency figure in. The lifters became stronger over time and able to lift heavier weights. “Feelings of mastery may have occurred” then, he said, leaving people feeling generally more capable of coping. Molecular changes in the lifters’ muscles and brains probably also occurred and contributed to improvements in their moods, he said, noting that future studies may help to detail some of those changes. Or course, this experiment featured only healthy young people performing one version of training, so the findings cannot tell us if lifting likewise eases anxiety in older people. Nor can it tell us which regimen might be enough, too much or just the right amount to bolster mental health. Finally, it also does not prove that heading to the gym today can acutely soothe any mental turmoil we may be feeling, since the improvements in the study showed up after weeks of training. But if you are feeling tense and uptight, as so many of us are these days, becoming stronger is probably a worthwhile goal and need not be intimidating, Gordon said. “There are numerous ways to strength train with little to no equipment,” he said. “Try common body weight exercises, such as pushups, situps or squats, or use household items as weights.”

Weight training may help ease anxiety

New Yorkers these days are infusing positivity while battling the coronavirus pandemic. They are dancing and throwing away their anxiety

Infusing positivity while battling the coronavirus pandemic

The researchers of Dalhousie University have come up with a new app that can detect mental conditions like anxiety and depression based on how you use your phone.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/googles-sundar-pichai-reveals-companys-new-plans-to-detect-earthquakes-early-314415" hreflang="en">Google's Sundar Pichai reveals company's new plans to detect earthquakes early</a>

The app is called PROSIT and includes tracking features like exercise, sleep, call frequency, message histories and music tastes. An emotionally charged state can be detected with your typing speed and the force you use.&nbsp;

The App will also ask the users to record a 90-second audio clip to talk about their best and exciting part of the week. They (users) will be asked to self-report their feelings on a five-point scale.

PROSIT is currently is under the testing stage where about 300 people are using this app. Half among the users are patients.&nbsp;

Privacy concerns have hit the users a lot of times and the developers are well aware of it. To tackle this issue, the use of app requires a signed consent and the data will be stored in a secure location.&nbsp;

PROSIT does not provide a complete analysis of one's mental health but could prove useful for the psychologists track and better understand their patients’ development outside of sessions.&nbsp;

The world has witnessed a rise in mental health issues due to the coronavirus pandemic. The researchers from the University College London (UCL) in the UK found that one in four people hospitalised with COVID-19 may experience delirium during their illness.

The post-recovery effects of COVID-19 are not yet known, so long-term risks such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety are based on SARS and MERS studies, which may or may not apply to COVID-19 as well.

The researchers of Dalhousie University have come up with a new app that can detect mental conditions like anxiety and depression based on how you use your phone.

The researchers of Dalhousie University have come up with a new app that can detect mental conditions like anxiety and depression based on how you use your phone. Also read: Google's Sundar Pichai reveals company's new plans to detect earthquakes early The app is called PROSIT and includes tracking features like exercise, sleep, call frequency, message histories and music tastes. An emotionally charged state can be detected with your typing speed and the force you use. The App will also ask the users to record a 90-second audio clip to talk about their best and exciting part of the week. They (users) will be asked to self-report their feelings on a five-point scale. PROSIT is currently is under the testing stage where about 300 people are using this app. Half among the users are patients. Privacy concerns have hit the users a lot of times and the developers are well aware of it. To tackle this issue, the use of app requires a signed consent and the data will be stored in a secure location. PROSIT does not provide a complete analysis of one's mental health but could prove useful for the psychologists track and better understand their patients’ development outside of sessions. The world has witnessed a rise in mental health issues due to the coronavirus pandemic. The researchers from the University College London (UCL) in the UK found that one in four people hospitalised with COVID-19 may experience delirium during their illness. The post-recovery effects of COVID-19 are not yet known, so long-term risks such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety are based on SARS and MERS studies, which may or may not apply to COVID-19 as well.

Researchers develop PROSIT app that tracks mental health by studying phone usage

During US President Donald Trump's visit to India on February 24 and 25, both countries signed three agreements in health and oil sectors. 
 
In a noteworthy gesture, the health departments of both countries sealed a pact&nbsp;to deal with mental health challenges through innovative measures.

The agreement will enable India to learn from the experience of the US in treating mental health issues. It will also facilitate greater access to traditional Indian medicines and therapies to treat mental health challenges in America.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression across the world. It has further stated that there is one death by suicide every 40 seconds and each year more than 800,000 people end their own lives.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the National Mental Health Survey, 2016, conducted across 12 Indian states, has stated that 150 million persons are in need of mental health interventions and care.

According to a report, the US suicide rate increased on average by about 1 per cent a year from 2000 through 2006 and by 2 per cent a year from 2006 through 2016.

It's heartening to see that governments, people and organisations across the globe have acknowledged the challenges related to&nbsp;mental health. In 2018, the UK government had appointed Loneliness Minister for cross-government work on loneliness.

Moreover, fund allocations also have to be increased. Funds allocated to the National Mental Health Programme were not increased in the Union Budget for FY 2020. It was brought down to Rs 40 crore from Rs 50 crore in FY2018.&nbsp;

Also, more trained psychiatrists and psychologists should be made available at government health care centres to meet WHO prescribed norms so that people can avail mental health treatment at a cheaper cost.

Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. To tackle depression, loneliness and anxiety, it's important to deal with the illness at home, offices, schools and colleges. 
 
Other countries should also learn from this collaboration between the world's two largest democracies to deal with mental health challenges, and come together to tackle mental illness. 
 
Governments must, through there policies including programmes, educate people and organisations about the effects of mental health problems. Globally, we need to increase our efforts to tackle mental health problems.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

During US President Donald Trump's visit to India on February 24 and 25, both countries signed three agreements in health and oil sectors. In a noteworthy gesture, the health departments of both countries sealed a pact to deal with mental health challenges through innovative measures.

During US President Donald Trump's visit to India on February 24 and 25, both countries signed three agreements in health and oil sectors. In a noteworthy gesture, the health departments of both countries sealed a pact to deal with mental health challenges through innovative measures. The agreement will enable India to learn from the experience of the US in treating mental health issues. It will also facilitate greater access to traditional Indian medicines and therapies to treat mental health challenges in America. World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 300 million people suffer from depression across the world. It has further stated that there is one death by suicide every 40 seconds and each year more than 800,000 people end their own lives. Furthermore, the National Mental Health Survey, 2016, conducted across 12 Indian states, has stated that 150 million persons are in need of mental health interventions and care. According to a report, the US suicide rate increased on average by about 1 per cent a year from 2000 through 2006 and by 2 per cent a year from 2006 through 2016. It's heartening to see that governments, people and organisations across the globe have acknowledged the challenges related to mental health. In 2018, the UK government had appointed Loneliness Minister for cross-government work on loneliness. Moreover, fund allocations also have to be increased. Funds allocated to the National Mental Health Programme were not increased in the Union Budget for FY 2020. It was brought down to Rs 40 crore from Rs 50 crore in FY2018. Also, more trained psychiatrists and psychologists should be made available at government health care centres to meet WHO prescribed norms so that people can avail mental health treatment at a cheaper cost. Mental illness, like any other disease, does not discriminate. It affects all age groups, children, youth, elderly people. To tackle depression, loneliness and anxiety, it's important to deal with the illness at home, offices, schools and colleges. Other countries should also learn from this collaboration between the world's two largest democracies to deal with mental health challenges, and come together to tackle mental illness. Governments must, through there policies including programmes, educate people and organisations about the effects of mental health problems. Globally, we need to increase our efforts to tackle mental health problems. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India-US agreement on mental health is highly praiseworthy

A study conducted by the American Journal of Psychiatry on 200,000 military veterans shows that genetics&nbsp;lay the foundation of anxiety and depression.

It has identified six genetic variants that are linked to anxiety&nbsp;and explains&nbsp;how some people might be pre-inclined towards anxiety. 
&nbsp;

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In the largest genetic study on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/anxiety?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#anxiety</a> to date, VA researchers found new evidence on the underlying biological causes of anxiety disorder. <a href="https://t.co/R1eUf0zpWg">https://t.co/R1eUf0zpWg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/YalePsych?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YalePsych</a> <a href="https://t.co/p3GogMVGFX">pic.twitter.com/p3GogMVGFX</a>
— The American Journal of Psychiatry (@AmJPsychiatry) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmJPsychiatry/status/1214582717163200513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic structure of the symptoms and disorders associated with anxiety.

According to Daniel Levey, co-author of the study, the genome analysis is the "largest study ever" to establish a link between genes and anxiety.

Previous studies had implied that anxiety can lead to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.&nbsp;

The presence of MAD1L1, a new discovered anxiety gene variant, was also highly noteworthy as it has already been linked to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mental-illness-affects-a-fifth-of-people-living-in-war-zones-226550">severe mental illness</a>.&nbsp;

The co-lead author the study, Joel Gelernter, "the study provides the most substantial evidence" that identifies genetics as a basis for anxiety till date.

Researchers from the Yale University along with colleagues from Veteran Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, VA San Diego Healthcare System, and the University of California San Diego conducted this study on the data provided by Million Veteran Program, an initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs that analyses the impact of genes and lifestyle on the health of the veterans who participated in it.

This program uses one the world's largest biobank for genetic, medical and environmental information.

The research focuses on veterans who suffered from anxiety as a continuous trait and this anxiety was associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder which is usually experienced by veterans who participated in a war away from home.

A study conducted by the American Journal of Psychiatry on 200,000 military veterans shows that genetics lay the foundation of anxiety and depression. It has identified six genetic variants that are linked to anxiety and explains how some people might be pre-inclined towards anxiety.

A study conducted by the American Journal of Psychiatry on 200,000 military veterans shows that genetics lay the foundation of anxiety and depression. It has identified six genetic variants that are linked to anxiety and explains how some people might be pre-inclined towards anxiety. In the largest genetic study on #anxiety to date, VA researchers found new evidence on the underlying biological causes of anxiety disorder. https://t.co/R1eUf0zpWg @YalePsych pic.twitter.com/p3GogMVGFX — The American Journal of Psychiatry (@AmJPsychiatry) January 7, 2020 × The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic structure of the symptoms and disorders associated with anxiety. According to Daniel Levey, co-author of the study, the genome analysis is the "largest study ever" to establish a link between genes and anxiety. Previous studies had implied that anxiety can lead to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The presence of MAD1L1, a new discovered anxiety gene variant, was also highly noteworthy as it has already been linked to severe mental illness. The co-lead author the study, Joel Gelernter, "the study provides the most substantial evidence" that identifies genetics as a basis for anxiety till date. Researchers from the Yale University along with colleagues from Veteran Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, VA San Diego Healthcare System, and the University of California San Diego conducted this study on the data provided by Million Veteran Program, an initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs that analyses the impact of genes and lifestyle on the health of the veterans who participated in it. This program uses one the world's largest biobank for genetic, medical and environmental information. The research focuses on veterans who suffered from anxiety as a continuous trait and this anxiety was associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder which is usually experienced by veterans who participated in a war away from home.

Genetics foundation of anxiety and depression: Study

A study conducted by The Lancet indicates that the mental health of the citizens of Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the present turmoil in the country.

Hong Kong has been reeling in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-university-protest-fizzling-out-as-over-1000-arrested-by-authorities-263246">clashes</a> between the law enforcement agencies and the protestors for over seven months since&nbsp;June last year.

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NEW—The ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong may be affecting the mental health of the general adult population—potentially leading to substantial increases in demand for mental and psychosocial support services: finding from a 10-year observational study <a href="https://t.co/mpZ1TAM772">https://t.co/mpZ1TAM772</a> <a href="https://t.co/tdqXtOquts">pic.twitter.com/tdqXtOquts</a>
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheLancet/status/1215416711618363392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The head injuries suffered by the civilian population from batons and rubber bullets along with the population's exposure to tear gas, toxic by-products of petrol bombs and burned tyres and irritants in water cannons have become&nbsp;a cause of concern for the doctors, according to the Lancet study.

It has&nbsp;most likely caused damage to the mental health of the people of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/police-shoot-hong-kong-protester-in-chest-during-clashes-253085">Hong Kong</a>, the study found.

The population-based prospective and the most extensive research was conducted on adult participants aged 18 years or older who were assessed at nine different time points from 2009.

Probable depression and suspected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to direct exposure to traumatic events because of the ongoing social unrest were assessed in the study.

Probable depression was estimated at 11&nbsp;per cent of the participants in 2019, compared with 1.9 per cent from 2009 to 2014.&nbsp;

This is five-times increase&nbsp;in comparison to the social unrest in 2017 during which it was 6.5 per cent.

Prevalence of suspected PTSD in 2019 was estimated to be 12.8 per cent and almost 32 per cent in Sept-Nov&nbsp;last year&nbsp;alone.

This is approximately six times higher in comparison to 5 per cent&nbsp;briefly after the "Occupy&nbsp;Central" movement in March 2015.&nbsp;

One in out of every five Hong Kong resident surveyed last year&nbsp;reported probable "major depression"&nbsp;or "suspected PTSD" which is nearly one-third of the citizens of the country who have reported the symptoms of Post-traumatic disorder, according to the report.

A study conducted by The Lancet indicates that the mental health of the citizens of Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the present turmoil in the country. Hong Kong has been reeling in clashes between the law enforcement agencies and the protestors for over seven months since June last year.

A study conducted by The Lancet indicates that the mental health of the citizens of Hong Kong has been adversely affected by the present turmoil in the country. Hong Kong has been reeling in clashes between the law enforcement agencies and the protestors for over seven months since June last year. NEW—The ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong may be affecting the mental health of the general adult population—potentially leading to substantial increases in demand for mental and psychosocial support services: finding from a 10-year observational study https://t.co/mpZ1TAM772 pic.twitter.com/tdqXtOquts — The Lancet (@TheLancet) January 9, 2020 × The head injuries suffered by the civilian population from batons and rubber bullets along with the population's exposure to tear gas, toxic by-products of petrol bombs and burned tyres and irritants in water cannons have become a cause of concern for the doctors, according to the Lancet study. It has most likely caused damage to the mental health of the people of Hong Kong, the study found. The population-based prospective and the most extensive research was conducted on adult participants aged 18 years or older who were assessed at nine different time points from 2009. Probable depression and suspected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to direct exposure to traumatic events because of the ongoing social unrest were assessed in the study. Probable depression was estimated at 11 per cent of the participants in 2019, compared with 1.9 per cent from 2009 to 2014. This is five-times increase in comparison to the social unrest in 2017 during which it was 6.5 per cent. Prevalence of suspected PTSD in 2019 was estimated to be 12.8 per cent and almost 32 per cent in Sept-Nov last year alone. This is approximately six times higher in comparison to 5 per cent briefly after the "Occupy Central" movement in March 2015. One in out of every five Hong Kong resident surveyed last year reported probable "major depression" or "suspected PTSD" which is nearly one-third of the citizens of the country who have reported the symptoms of Post-traumatic disorder, according to the report.

After violence, one-third of Hong Kong citizens reported PTSD symptoms: Lancet study

Chilling Facts From WHO's Report On Suicide

Gravitas: Suicide results in 8 Lakh deaths every year

Actor Ellen Page has revealed that during her early 20s she felt 'very depressed and very anxious' due to the constant media scrutiny in her sexuality.

The 31-year-old actor, who came out as a homosexual in 2014, told The Observer that it would have been 'very harmful' for her if somebody had revealed her sexuality before her.

"I have a responsibility to be out now, because I have these resources. I can access therapists and security and support. But the reality is a lot of people can be in severely grave danger. I think, for instance, it would have been very harmful for me if someone had outed me earlier. "

"When I was 20, someone wrote an article with the headline: 'The Ellen Page Sexuality Sweepstakes' in the Village Voice. 'Is Juno a you know?' I never even touched a woman outside until I was 27. I was very depressed, and very anxious. I was not well," she added.

When the #MeToo movement started in Hollywood in 2017, Page was one of the women who had accused director Brett Ratner of inappropriate behaviour.

In a lengthy Facebook post Page accused Ratner of making the slur about her to other actors during the first day of filming the movie, in which she was starring as Kitty Pryde.

Recalling the incident, Page said, "Something had switched. I wanted to talk about the sh**tiness I'd seen. I've dealt with these difficult things, whether it's directors trying to sleep with me when I was 16, or stalkers. But there are people in society who deal with far, far worse and cannot access the resources I have."

"What changed for me after publishing that was the realisation how much crazy s**t happened that was so normalised. And I internalised it. It's disturbing. Then, talking about it does really open something in you, which is painful in many ways. But that's what's letting us all connect and have the conversations, about intersectional feminism, etc," she added.&nbsp;

Actor Ellen Page has revealed that during her early 20s she felt 'very depressed and very anxious' due to the constant media scrutiny in her sexuality. The 31-year-old actor, who came out as a homosexual in 2014, told The Observer that it would have been 'very harmful' for her if somebody had revealed her sexuality before her.

Actor Ellen Page has revealed that during her early 20s she felt 'very depressed and very anxious' due to the constant media scrutiny in her sexuality. The 31-year-old actor, who came out as a homosexual in 2014, told The Observer that it would have been 'very harmful' for her if somebody had revealed her sexuality before her. "I have a responsibility to be out now, because I have these resources. I can access therapists and security and support. But the reality is a lot of people can be in severely grave danger. I think, for instance, it would have been very harmful for me if someone had outed me earlier. " "When I was 20, someone wrote an article with the headline: 'The Ellen Page Sexuality Sweepstakes' in the Village Voice. 'Is Juno a you know?' I never even touched a woman outside until I was 27. I was very depressed, and very anxious. I was not well," she added. When the #MeToo movement started in Hollywood in 2017, Page was one of the women who had accused director Brett Ratner of inappropriate behaviour. In a lengthy Facebook post Page accused Ratner of making the slur about her to other actors during the first day of filming the movie, in which she was starring as Kitty Pryde. Recalling the incident, Page said, "Something had switched. I wanted to talk about the sh**tiness I'd seen. I've dealt with these difficult things, whether it's directors trying to sleep with me when I was 16, or stalkers. But there are people in society who deal with far, far worse and cannot access the resources I have." "What changed for me after publishing that was the realisation how much crazy s**t happened that was so normalised. And I internalised it. It's disturbing. Then, talking about it does really open something in you, which is painful in many ways. But that's what's letting us all connect and have the conversations, about intersectional feminism, etc," she added.

Ellen Page felt 'depressed', 'anxious' in her 20s

The idea of coming home to your pet after a long day at work is one that most would agree as a great stress buster. The West has already been successful in coming up with a concept called Pet Therapy that involves animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy for those dealing with stress and other related issues. 
&nbsp; 
Interestingly, the concept is now making its way to a developing country like India where an average middle-class person is constantly juggling between several responsibilities, while making a decent living. Keeping in mind the growing societal pressure on an individual to perform and succeed, a small, yet, bright venture in India called Fur Ball Story is using pet therapy as a model to help people relax, find comfort, recover from serious illnesses and stay happier in general.

They also aim to &ldquo;help those with any form of disability in coming to terms with life and to provide them unconditional love for motivation. At Fur Ball Story, the aim is to alleviate stress at the very basic level so that it does not reach the chronic stages.&rdquo;

Start of a Story 
&nbsp; 
It all started when Animesh Katiyar, co-founder Fur Ball Story got two Labrador puppies for recreational purposes. The dogs became an instant hit among his peers and became a source of happiness for first year students who were unable to deal with homesickness, absenteeism, result-related pressure and others. 
&nbsp; 
Animesh then researched about the concept and resolved to start something of his own using this model. The startup got registered in September 2016 with two of Animesh&rsquo;s friends, Srishti Sharma and Arushi Dixit joining him in this endeavor.

Animesh says, &ldquo;If the concept could be successful at such a small-scale (in college), it would probably work wonders at a large-scale. That&rsquo;s how Fur Ball Story began.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Dishiti Titus, a lawyer who has a dog at home agrees that her pet is her stress buster and mood uplifter. She says, &ldquo;Sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on when you&#39;re low--no advice, no consoling or sometimes you just need to be alone. Whenever I&#39;ve been low and I want a break from humans, I go out and sit on the steps of my house. &nbsp;Everytime without fail, I&#39;ve had muddy paws and a wet nose come inspect. I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt. My furry friend and her innocent face is a mood lifter. It works every time.&rdquo;

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<h5>I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt</h5>
</blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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&nbsp;

Ashutosh Uttarwar, another pet owner says, &ldquo;It&#39;s hard to point at one specific thing that he (dog) does for me but he&#39;s &nbsp;been with us for six years and everytime I&#39;m feeling tense or sad, I simply go and hug him. He helps relieve a lot of negativity. Today I was worried about some decisions I had to make and kept freaking out about how the future will turn out, so I got Pablo (dog) to my bed and lay&nbsp;down with him. Not only did he relieve my stress, but slowly I started to think more clearly and realised I needn&#39;t worry and could focus better.&rdquo;&nbsp;

But to be a pet owner is one thing and call for a pet therapy session quite another. Is India, with its blanket vision of stereotypes and strong cultural opposition to therapy, ready for this ? 
&nbsp; 
Animesh confirms, &ldquo;Yes, India is conservative when it comes to therapy but there are two reasons why this hasn&rsquo;t affected our business: 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;People hardly understand the scientific relevance attached to pet therapy. To most, it still is just about playing with dogs. Those who find it interesting, give us a call and while they think it&rsquo;s just some time they are spending with dogs, the therapy does its work and leaves a mark without them knowing. As long as our purpose is served, it hardly matters what stereotypes the client has.

&ldquo;Also, not a lot of Indians are conservative about therapy anymore.&rdquo;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/image%20tweeted%20out%20by%20alyssa%20(6)-20170505081609.jpg" />
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Furry Army&#39;s Angel at Burger King, CP (WION)
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What keeps them going, I ask?

Animesh answers, &ldquo;The unconditional love of the members of our furry army, and the happy, satisfied faces of our clients. When a parent of an autistic child sees her interacting with our pooches and smiling after a long time, his speechlessness and wet eyes give us all the motivation we require to keep it going, despite the hardships.&rdquo;

Aanchal Kalra, a photographer by profession narrates how pet therapy changed her life. She was able to survive a troubled phase in her life after she came in contact with therapy dogs. She says, &ldquo;My dog had passed away and I started remaining sad during most hours of the day. Every other small problem started adding to the agony. It was a really tough time for me. I had gotten that dog (now dead) for myself after suffering from clinical depression for five years. It was difficult to get over that and lead a normal life.

&ldquo;That&#39;s when I went to Pet Fed&#39;16 as a photographer and came across Fur Ball Story&#39;s stall. After the event, I called them for a residential session and it became a regular thing. After a few weeks, I had to shift to Mumbai for work and it seriously wouldn&#39;t have been as smooth as it was, had there not been the existing support and unconditional love of the furry army.&rdquo;

Therapy Training for Dogs

How do the dogs get therapy training?&nbsp;

Animesh explains, &ldquo;The primary requirement of having a therapy dog is, that it must be your pet, it must be your full-time partner in crime. So yes, these dogs are our pets. They live with the founders of the company. We address these dogs as furry army, individually known as Angel (Gold retriever), Muffin (Labrador) and Cocoa (Shih-tzu).&nbsp;

&ldquo;Therapy training is very different from other kinds of training being provided to dogs such as sniffing or protection. In this, the dog is taught two main things: focus and interaction. The dog is trained with a handler, and for that dog, the handler has to become nothing less than a godly figure. And all this is done with the help of treats. We use salami in training our dogs. It&rsquo;s call positive enforcement training or reward-based training.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Therapy training is taught by taking the dogs in public places and teaching him to ignore everyone but their handler. The dog will follow and notice only the handler and when the handler commands the dog to interact with people, the dog does so by sitting next to them so that people pet him.&nbsp;

&ldquo;For a therapy training, the chemistry between the dog and the handler has to be top notch. Therapy dogs are not allowed to bite, bark or lunge as it may scare or worsen the condition of the people, specifically patients such as autistic or other mentally or physically challenged people. (We prefer the term differently abled). Our training is given by Mr. Varun Anand, who is one of the very few people who is internationally certified to train and certify therapy dogs.&rdquo; &nbsp;

Human-Animal bond

&nbsp;

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<h5>Cuddling a pet releases the &lsquo;cuddle chemical&rsquo; oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cuddling a pet releases the ?cuddle chemical? oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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&nbsp;

Several researches indicate that being in proximity with an animal reduces stress substantially and makes one feel lighter.

Millinjyot, a clinical psychologist trained in veterinary medicine says, &ldquo;Studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people&#39;s level of the &lsquo;hormone oxytocin&rsquo;. Cuddling a pet releases the &lsquo;cuddle chemical&rsquo; oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.&rdquo;

Animesh confirms that it&rsquo;s true for his furry friends too, that there has been a considerable change in the nature and mood of his dogs. He says, &ldquo;Our dogs are most happy when they have people around, because that&rsquo;s the way they&rsquo;re trained, so being in sessions is the best time for them.&rdquo;

Studies have continued in this field since a long time. Dr. Aubrey H. Fine, a clinical psychologist and author of several books on human-animal bond can be cited in his books: &ldquo;Use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years. One could even look at Florence Nightingale (Founder of modern nursing) recognising that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both&rdquo;, he adds in his books.&nbsp;

But this exercise must be exhausting for the pets, I ask Animesh?&nbsp;

Animesh ensures, &ldquo;We make sure that the dogs are taken care of even during the sessions--they are given breaks and personal time to relax or sleep. On regulars days, they chill at the house with a family member, or are taken to parks for recreation and exercise. &nbsp;Pre-and post session they&rsquo;re back in the house doing their own thing.&rdquo;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/image%20tweeted%20out%20by%20alyssa%20(7)-20170505081922.jpg" />
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The Furry Army at Nagarro&#39;s Gurgaon office in a pet therapy session (WION)
</div>
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Limitations

Has there been any limitation for a startup like Fur Ball Story while including animals in therapy?

&ldquo;With regard to hospitals, people raise concerns of hygiene but our dogs are fully vaccinated and are given utmost care when it comes to maintaining cleanliness-- as we know our clientele. Another challenge, is to tackle people who might not be receptive to dogs and will object to their presence in the building.&nbsp;

&ldquo;When it comes to bringing the pets to a residence, the only issue is that some people call us in the afternoon and want the session to happen outside in open. We can&rsquo;t do that due to weather issues, obviously. For a therapy session to happen, we always need ample space and an air conditioned environment.&rdquo;

Adopt Pets and Say No to Animal Abuse

With Fur Ball Story, Animesh and his co-founders are trying to build a culture of &ldquo;encourage adoption, increase productivity and decrease animal abuse&rdquo;. 
&nbsp; 
With an established premise of pet therapy and its benefits to both animals and humans, Fur Ball Story wants to break barriers of just adopting purebred breeds. They want to encourage adoption of indie dogs and discourage abandonment of a furry family member once he or she is old or sick. The startup aims to involve more number of people who can benefit from pet therapy and also increase sensitivity towards animals--lowering rates of animal abuse. 
&nbsp; 
Animesh says, &ldquo;Upon spending time with a therapy dog, people tend to undergo certain hormonal changes in the body due to which stress reduces, people start feeling happier and thus they end up giving their 100 per cent&nbsp;in whatever work they indulge in. While providing corporate sessions, we advise clients to opt for 3-months long collaboration wherein regular sessions are provided to the employees. This inculcates a feeling of belongingness in employee and he feels like coming to office for something other than money. Such positive changes improve the productivity of the person.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

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<h5>I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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</div>
</div>

&nbsp;

A therapy-seeker, Pankaj Gulati is a banker who admits being short-tempered throughout his life. He says, &ldquo;My anger has affected my health at certain times. One day, my son just randomly called Fur Ball Story home with their dogs. I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different. It&#39;s hard to explain that feeling--initially I did not support it at all, just kept sitting in a corner but till when can you ignore those eyes. The dogs when they came home, they changed the entire atmosphere. After two to three sessions with those cute dogs, I ended up asking my son to adopt one for our own. My family now believes that playing with the dogs has calmed me down. All I know is that I feel happy around them.&rdquo;

Apart from improving productivity and reducing stress with pet therapy, Fur Ball Story also touches upon an important factor of animal sensitivity. In the wake of several incidents where youngsters all around the country have been seen abusing animals, particularly dogs, it is an important step. 
&nbsp; 
Animesh says, &ldquo;We are attempting to spread animal sensitivity in India with the help of our sessions. Wherever we go for therapy, apart from telling them the benefits of a therapy dog, we also help them understand how to interact with stray dogs and indies in the neighborhood. We educate kids about the fact that the Indian dogs are not harmful, it&rsquo;s all about how our approach is towards them is, and we make them learn the right approach so that violence against these animals can be reduced.&rdquo; &nbsp;

An organisation like Fur Ball Story in India is one-of-a-kind. The startup is planning on expanding to cities Mumbai and Bangalore, and are also working on coming up with India&rsquo;s first therapy and recreational centre using animal-assisted therapy. Animesh adds, &ldquo;Once we are settled with pet therapy, we might start a range of organic dog food and other healthcare products.&rdquo;&nbsp;

(WION) &nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Pet therapy is emerging as a model to help people relax, find comfort, and recover from serious illnesses

The idea of coming home to your pet after a long day at work is one that most would agree as a great stress buster. The West has already been successful in coming up with a concept called Pet Therapy that involves animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy for those dealing with stress and other related issues. Interestingly, the concept is now making its way to a developing country like India where an average middle-class person is constantly juggling between several responsibilities, while making a decent living. Keeping in mind the growing societal pressure on an individual to perform and succeed, a small, yet, bright venture in India called Fur Ball Story is using pet therapy as a model to help people relax, find comfort, recover from serious illnesses and stay happier in general. They also aim to “help those with any form of disability in coming to terms with life and to provide them unconditional love for motivation. At Fur Ball Story, the aim is to alleviate stress at the very basic level so that it does not reach the chronic stages.” Start of a Story It all started when Animesh Katiyar, co-founder Fur Ball Story got two Labrador puppies for recreational purposes. The dogs became an instant hit among his peers and became a source of happiness for first year students who were unable to deal with homesickness, absenteeism, result-related pressure and others. Animesh then researched about the concept and resolved to start something of his own using this model. The startup got registered in September 2016 with two of Animesh’s friends, Srishti Sharma and Arushi Dixit joining him in this endeavor. Animesh says, “If the concept could be successful at such a small-scale (in college), it would probably work wonders at a large-scale. That’s how Fur Ball Story began.” Dishiti Titus, a lawyer who has a dog at home agrees that her pet is her stress buster and mood uplifter. She says, “Sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on when you're low--no advice, no consoling or sometimes you just need to be alone. Whenever I've been low and I want a break from humans, I go out and sit on the steps of my house. Everytime without fail, I've had muddy paws and a wet nose come inspect. I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt. My furry friend and her innocent face is a mood lifter. It works every time.” I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt × Ashutosh Uttarwar, another pet owner says, “It's hard to point at one specific thing that he (dog) does for me but he's been with us for six years and everytime I'm feeling tense or sad, I simply go and hug him. He helps relieve a lot of negativity. Today I was worried about some decisions I had to make and kept freaking out about how the future will turn out, so I got Pablo (dog) to my bed and lay down with him. Not only did he relieve my stress, but slowly I started to think more clearly and realised I needn't worry and could focus better.” But to be a pet owner is one thing and call for a pet therapy session quite another. Is India, with its blanket vision of stereotypes and strong cultural opposition to therapy, ready for this ? Animesh confirms, “Yes, India is conservative when it comes to therapy but there are two reasons why this hasn’t affected our business: “People hardly understand the scientific relevance attached to pet therapy. To most, it still is just about playing with dogs. Those who find it interesting, give us a call and while they think it’s just some time they are spending with dogs, the therapy does its work and leaves a mark without them knowing. As long as our purpose is served, it hardly matters what stereotypes the client has. “Also, not a lot of Indians are conservative about therapy anymore.” Furry Army's Angel at Burger King, CP (WION) × What keeps them going, I ask? Animesh answers, “The unconditional love of the members of our furry army, and the happy, satisfied faces of our clients. When a parent of an autistic child sees her interacting with our pooches and smiling after a long time, his speechlessness and wet eyes give us all the motivation we require to keep it going, despite the hardships.” Aanchal Kalra, a photographer by profession narrates how pet therapy changed her life. She was able to survive a troubled phase in her life after she came in contact with therapy dogs. She says, “My dog had passed away and I started remaining sad during most hours of the day. Every other small problem started adding to the agony. It was a really tough time for me. I had gotten that dog (now dead) for myself after suffering from clinical depression for five years. It was difficult to get over that and lead a normal life. “That's when I went to Pet Fed'16 as a photographer and came across Fur Ball Story's stall. After the event, I called them for a residential session and it became a regular thing. After a few weeks, I had to shift to Mumbai for work and it seriously wouldn't have been as smooth as it was, had there not been the existing support and unconditional love of the furry army.” Therapy Training for Dogs How do the dogs get therapy training? Animesh explains, “The primary requirement of having a therapy dog is, that it must be your pet, it must be your full-time partner in crime. So yes, these dogs are our pets. They live with the founders of the company. We address these dogs as furry army, individually known as Angel (Gold retriever), Muffin (Labrador) and Cocoa (Shih-tzu). “Therapy training is very different from other kinds of training being provided to dogs such as sniffing or protection. In this, the dog is taught two main things: focus and interaction. The dog is trained with a handler, and for that dog, the handler has to become nothing less than a godly figure. And all this is done with the help of treats. We use salami in training our dogs. It’s call positive enforcement training or reward-based training. “Therapy training is taught by taking the dogs in public places and teaching him to ignore everyone but their handler. The dog will follow and notice only the handler and when the handler commands the dog to interact with people, the dog does so by sitting next to them so that people pet him. “For a therapy training, the chemistry between the dog and the handler has to be top notch. Therapy dogs are not allowed to bite, bark or lunge as it may scare or worsen the condition of the people, specifically patients such as autistic or other mentally or physically challenged people. (We prefer the term differently abled). Our training is given by Mr. Varun Anand, who is one of the very few people who is internationally certified to train and certify therapy dogs.” Human-Animal bond Cuddling a pet releases the ‘cuddle chemical’ oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans. × Several researches indicate that being in proximity with an animal reduces stress substantially and makes one feel lighter. Millinjyot, a clinical psychologist trained in veterinary medicine says, “Studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people's level of the ‘hormone oxytocin’. Cuddling a pet releases the ‘cuddle chemical’ oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.” Animesh confirms that it’s true for his furry friends too, that there has been a considerable change in the nature and mood of his dogs. He says, “Our dogs are most happy when they have people around, because that’s the way they’re trained, so being in sessions is the best time for them.” Studies have continued in this field since a long time. Dr. Aubrey H. Fine, a clinical psychologist and author of several books on human-animal bond can be cited in his books: “Use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years. One could even look at Florence Nightingale (Founder of modern nursing) recognising that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill.” “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both”, he adds in his books. But this exercise must be exhausting for the pets, I ask Animesh? Animesh ensures, “We make sure that the dogs are taken care of even during the sessions--they are given breaks and personal time to relax or sleep. On regulars days, they chill at the house with a family member, or are taken to parks for recreation and exercise. Pre-and post session they’re back in the house doing their own thing.” The Furry Army at Nagarro's Gurgaon office in a pet therapy session (WION) × Limitations Has there been any limitation for a startup like Fur Ball Story while including animals in therapy? “With regard to hospitals, people raise concerns of hygiene but our dogs are fully vaccinated and are given utmost care when it comes to maintaining cleanliness-- as we know our clientele. Another challenge, is to tackle people who might not be receptive to dogs and will object to their presence in the building. “When it comes to bringing the pets to a residence, the only issue is that some people call us in the afternoon and want the session to happen outside in open. We can’t do that due to weather issues, obviously. For a therapy session to happen, we always need ample space and an air conditioned environment.” Adopt Pets and Say No to Animal Abuse With Fur Ball Story, Animesh and his co-founders are trying to build a culture of “encourage adoption, increase productivity and decrease animal abuse”. With an established premise of pet therapy and its benefits to both animals and humans, Fur Ball Story wants to break barriers of just adopting purebred breeds. They want to encourage adoption of indie dogs and discourage abandonment of a furry family member once he or she is old or sick. The startup aims to involve more number of people who can benefit from pet therapy and also increase sensitivity towards animals--lowering rates of animal abuse. Animesh says, “Upon spending time with a therapy dog, people tend to undergo certain hormonal changes in the body due to which stress reduces, people start feeling happier and thus they end up giving their 100 per cent in whatever work they indulge in. While providing corporate sessions, we advise clients to opt for 3-months long collaboration wherein regular sessions are provided to the employees. This inculcates a feeling of belongingness in employee and he feels like coming to office for something other than money. Such positive changes improve the productivity of the person.” I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different × A therapy-seeker, Pankaj Gulati is a banker who admits being short-tempered throughout his life. He says, “My anger has affected my health at certain times. One day, my son just randomly called Fur Ball Story home with their dogs. I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different. It's hard to explain that feeling--initially I did not support it at all, just kept sitting in a corner but till when can you ignore those eyes. The dogs when they came home, they changed the entire atmosphere. After two to three sessions with those cute dogs, I ended up asking my son to adopt one for our own. My family now believes that playing with the dogs has calmed me down. All I know is that I feel happy around them.” Apart from improving productivity and reducing stress with pet therapy, Fur Ball Story also touches upon an important factor of animal sensitivity. In the wake of several incidents where youngsters all around the country have been seen abusing animals, particularly dogs, it is an important step. Animesh says, “We are attempting to spread animal sensitivity in India with the help of our sessions. Wherever we go for therapy, apart from telling them the benefits of a therapy dog, we also help them understand how to interact with stray dogs and indies in the neighborhood. We educate kids about the fact that the Indian dogs are not harmful, it’s all about how our approach is towards them is, and we make them learn the right approach so that violence against these animals can be reduced.” An organisation like Fur Ball Story in India is one-of-a-kind. The startup is planning on expanding to cities Mumbai and Bangalore, and are also working on coming up with India’s first therapy and recreational centre using animal-assisted therapy. Animesh adds, “Once we are settled with pet therapy, we might start a range of organic dog food and other healthcare products.” (WION)

Finding love in furry friends

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