Recently, a number of celebrities have come forward to combat long-standing stigmas surrounding mental health. The most recent is actor Dwayne Johnson, who has revealed that behind his tough, muscular Hollywood persona, there was once a person who struggled with mental illness. Many other celebrities are also sharing their darkest moments.

Dwayne Johnson opens up about facing depression, speaks about mental health

As CBSE board exam results for class 10 and 12 declared in India according to the survey, 81% of students attribute as a major cause of anxiety and stress.

Board exam results are out leading a mental health crisis among students

Heatwave isn't a pleasant thing. It doesn't matter if you like summer. Prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions can result in health issues and even death. The physical effects of weather phenomena are perhaps widely known. What might be less known is the link between external factors and the mental health of a person.

A study says that those suffering from mental health conditions face more risk of heat-related death. Epidemiologists from the British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) have found this in a study, according to a report in TIME magazine. The experts were studying the impacts of the Western heat dome event that heated up parts of Canada and the Pacific Northwest in June 2021.

The study reportedly found that those people with a history of schizophrenia were thrice as likely to die during the heat wave than people who didn't.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Schizophrenia is characterised by significant impairments in the way reality is perceived and changes in behaviour...". The mental disease makes a person experience persistent delusions and hallucinations among other things.

“We knew that schizophrenia was a risk factor,” Sarah B. Henderson, who oversaw the study at BCCDC.

“But the magnitude of the risk we observed in this particular event was very surprising—head and shoulders above those other risk factors, and not in a good way.”

Henderson was quoted by TIME magazine. The study has been published on March 15 in the journal GeoHealth.

BCCDC epidemiologist Michael Lee, lead author of the study, &nbsp;told TIME magazine that the study demonstrated the need for climate-aware care for this segment of society.

“The most important thing we can do moving forward into the summer of 2023 and the reality of climate change—where these heat events are going to become more common and more severe—is to really start raising awareness of the increased risks to individuals with mental health [concerns],” he told the TIME magazine.

Heatwave isn't a pleasant thing. It doesn't matter if you like summer. Prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions can result in health issues and even death.

Heatwave isn't a pleasant thing. It doesn't matter if you like summer. Prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions can result in health issues and even death. The physical effects of weather phenomena are perhaps widely known. What might be less known is the link between external factors and the mental health of a person. A study says that those suffering from mental health conditions face more risk of heat-related death. Epidemiologists from the British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) have found this in a study, according to a report in TIME magazine. The experts were studying the impacts of the Western heat dome event that heated up parts of Canada and the Pacific Northwest in June 2021. The study reportedly found that those people with a history of schizophrenia were thrice as likely to die during the heat wave than people who didn't. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Schizophrenia is characterised by significant impairments in the way reality is perceived and changes in behaviour...". The mental disease makes a person experience persistent delusions and hallucinations among other things. “We knew that schizophrenia was a risk factor,” Sarah B. Henderson, who oversaw the study at BCCDC. “But the magnitude of the risk we observed in this particular event was very surprising—head and shoulders above those other risk factors, and not in a good way.” Henderson was quoted by TIME magazine. The study has been published on March 15 in the journal GeoHealth. BCCDC epidemiologist Michael Lee, lead author of the study, told TIME magazine that the study demonstrated the need for climate-aware care for this segment of society. “The most important thing we can do moving forward into the summer of 2023 and the reality of climate change—where these heat events are going to become more common and more severe—is to really start raising awareness of the increased risks to individuals with mental health [concerns],” he told the TIME magazine.

People with mental health issues at increased risk of death in heat waves: Study

In today's fast-paced life, it is nice to slow down, and breathe, free of stress as the day passes by. Embracing the beauty that lies in 'slowing down,' in 2009, Norway introduced "slow TV" — by broadcasting about seven hours of footage of a snowy countryside, captured by a camera attached to a train.

This antidote to the stress of everyday life has in recent years gained widespread popularity in Sweden. Slow TV was launched in the Scandinavian country five years ago and since then the hours of footage, generally of nature, have proven to be a huge success, with viewers logging a combined 12 million hours in 2022, reports the Local.&nbsp;

<h2>What is 'Slow TV'?</h2>

In 'Slow TV', things are just left to happen at their own pace. Sweden's 'Den Stora Älgvandringen' or 'The great moose migration', which is aired for a few weeks each spring by public broadcaster SVT on TV and online, attracts a large community that watches and comments on the animals’ every move.

"It’s kind of relaxing and also fascinating,"&nbsp;Ingvar Persson, a regular viewer, told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/french-startup-will-take-to-take-people-to-space-in-a-balloon-heres-how-590070">French startup will take people to space in a balloon. Here's how</a>

The latest broadcasts started on April 23rd and as per the Local, 2023 looks to be a record year.

The show's producer Johan Erhag says that he had no idea "it would be this popular".&nbsp;

"On all the social media, everything is very stressed. There’s a lot of music in the programmes. There’s a lot of speaking. And this is the totally opposite way," he added.

<h2>How is Den Stora Älgvandringen recorded?</h2>

The feed is monitored from a control room lined with screens, with teams working shifts day and night to offer alternating viewpoints from 30 cameras. The region is a popular route for large mammals heading to new pastures in the spring.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/just-three-planets-down-from-earth-this-icy-alien-planets-moons-may-be-hiding-oceans-of-salty-water-589855">Just three planets down from Earth, this icy alien planet's moons may be hiding oceans of salty water</a>

<h2>Why is a TV show with 'nothing' happening so popular?</h2>

The footage is seen as a form of meditation, providing a sense of nature and a break from city life.&nbsp;

Talking to AFP, Anders Lindberg, a columnist for the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, said that he believes the concept of watching nothing happening for hours could be exported to other countries as a form of healthy entertainment.

"I think this could be exported to other countries also. The whole concept of sitting and watching nothing happening for hours and hours could be quite healthy for more people than us," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In today's fast-paced life, it is nice to slow down, and breathe, free of stress as the day passes by. Embracing the beauty that lies in 'slowing down,' in 2009, Norway introduced "slow TV" — by broadcasting about seven hours of footage of a snowy countryside, captured by a camera attached to a train.

In today's fast-paced life, it is nice to slow down, and breathe, free of stress as the day passes by. Embracing the beauty that lies in 'slowing down,' in 2009, Norway introduced "slow TV" — by broadcasting about seven hours of footage of a snowy countryside, captured by a camera attached to a train. This antidote to the stress of everyday life has in recent years gained widespread popularity in Sweden. Slow TV was launched in the Scandinavian country five years ago and since then the hours of footage, generally of nature, have proven to be a huge success, with viewers logging a combined 12 million hours in 2022, reports the Local. What is 'Slow TV'? In 'Slow TV', things are just left to happen at their own pace. Sweden's 'Den Stora Älgvandringen' or 'The great moose migration', which is aired for a few weeks each spring by public broadcaster SVT on TV and online, attracts a large community that watches and comments on the animals’ every move. "It’s kind of relaxing and also fascinating," Ingvar Persson, a regular viewer, told AFP. Also read | French startup will take people to space in a balloon. Here's how The latest broadcasts started on April 23rd and as per the Local, 2023 looks to be a record year. The show's producer Johan Erhag says that he had no idea "it would be this popular". "On all the social media, everything is very stressed. There’s a lot of music in the programmes. There’s a lot of speaking. And this is the totally opposite way," he added. How is Den Stora Älgvandringen recorded? The feed is monitored from a control room lined with screens, with teams working shifts day and night to offer alternating viewpoints from 30 cameras. The region is a popular route for large mammals heading to new pastures in the spring. Also read | Just three planets down from Earth, this icy alien planet's moons may be hiding oceans of salty water Why is a TV show with 'nothing' happening so popular? The footage is seen as a form of meditation, providing a sense of nature and a break from city life. Talking to AFP, Anders Lindberg, a columnist for the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, said that he believes the concept of watching nothing happening for hours could be exported to other countries as a form of healthy entertainment. "I think this could be exported to other countries also. The whole concept of sitting and watching nothing happening for hours and hours could be quite healthy for more people than us," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In 2022, Swedes spent 12 million hours watching 'nothing' on Slow TV. Here's why you should take inspiration

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - Losing your zen at work: The mental health struggle, 'Godfather of AI' says Elon Musk and White House requesting for his help, Adidas faces investor unrest.

The mental heath struggle at work | Adidas faces investor unrest | Trending On WION

Stress not. 
Five ways to de-stress 
Keep calm and be stress-free 
Banish stress forever

Just reading these made me feel all stressed out. Don’t these headlines look and sound familiar? You bet they do.&nbsp;

Each year as the month of April approaches (for the uninitiated, this month is supposed to be the Stress Awareness Month), the world and the media of course, doles out advice on how to keep your life stress free or how to completely banish stress from your life.&nbsp;

You will be bombarded by articles on stress management and sent forwards on WhatsApp and Messenger and what have you, with well-meaning tips to get your life back on track. All this unsolicited help/advice can fall in an avalanche on you anytime, but mostly in this particular month because everybody wants to cash in on the ‘banish stress’ craze.

Come the month of May, and it’s a different story and a different agenda as the ‘stay stress-free’ advice dwindles a bit. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; 
But honestly speaking, can you or I or anybody for that matter lead a stress-free life? It does sound ideal. &nbsp;

A Utopian life where there is no angst, no pain, no grief, no hair-tearing moments or wanting to throw things around the house; but just peace and bliss and harmony and perfect happiness.&nbsp;

All that is very well unless you consider the things one has to do in order to achieve that perfect life. It could range from online peddlers trying to sell you calming lavender oil, candles or jade stones for your home spa (yes, you’re supposed to create one the moment you’re stressed out?), chamomile tea or Rhodiola Rosea face masks or even new age Insta gurus telling you to plug in your earphones, no matter where you are and listen to some strange African or Indian beats that could actually get your heart rate pumping, forget calming.

But seriously, what would work for you? To de-stress? 
 
Perhaps the sounds of pitter-patter on the roof or maybe a gushing waterfall? All this, even as you try to type an adequate response to some mean texts from a mean boss or deal with your better/worse half who is having a mental breakdown and the only thing you can do is tell yourself: I’m going to&nbsp;be okay as soon as I sign up for that de-stress Zumba workshop or maybe visit that neighbourhood meditation centre, for the inner peace to hit you, like a drag of marijuana?

Well, it wont work.

Because you may push stress to the back of your mind while you are indulging in those few minutes of ‘self-care’ and ‘love yourself,’ the larger-than-life stress is going to be back with a bang.

Simply because when there’s life, there’s stress and the two are synonymous with each other. Of course, temporary de-stressors can always help for that little while.&nbsp;

But like they say, there’s always calm before the storm. And the storm will hit, not to mention that it may become a tsunami before you realise it, in your quest for a stress-free life as you wade through the million remedies to cut out stress, but you have your blinkers on. &nbsp;

So, what's the next best thing? 
I’d say, own your stress and make it work for you.

William James, American philosopher, historian, psychologist of the late 19th century and one of the leading thinkers of that era had this to say: The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

According to him, the mind has immense transformative powers. This train of thought is even more relevant today and our biggest ally as we wage a daily war with our multiple stressors that can mean anything from a relationship breakdown to a career debacle to managing finances to trying to keep people around us happy or even achieving career goals.

Stress need not viewed as exclusively negative. In fact, it can be a positive experience if we choose to look at it that way, by drawing into our inner reserves and calling forth our qualities of strength, courage and endurance in times of crises.&nbsp;

The bad news is that stressors and anxiety can impact our organs, our nervous system, our guts, and our brains. Carrying stress around can make us more vulnerable to illnesses and infections or make our immune system hurt our cells.&nbsp;

The good news is that we can control our reactions to stress (which by the way is the only thing in our control at that point of time) and how we alter our feelings towards stress.&nbsp;

How do we do that? 
By following the three important As.

1. Acknowledge: Mentally process your thoughts. See it, know it and feel it. Don’t wish it away. Just observe like an outsider to your mind, that you are getting stressed out. Tell yourself that you realise you are stressed. Do not deny it. That will mean shifting your thoughts from irrational fear to an amount of self-control. When you try to suppress feelings of stress by telling yourself and others that you are okay, it requires enormous mental pressure to subjugate your real thoughts instead of freely feeling.

2. Accept: Take a moment for yourself. There is no guilt or shame in accepting the condition we are in. Your stressors could be something small like feeling anxious about a social event that you don’t really want to go to or a little bigger like facing a partner with whom you’ve had a less than cordial breakup or thinking about the new changes in your office that you may not be comfortable with or even some drastic life changes like a divorce or a loved one’s illness. Know that the situation will not change if you don’t accept it.

3. Apply: Apply or use the stress that surrounds you as this third or most important step suggests. Leverage it to achieve your goals and also the things that you care about the most. So, if you are stressed out about an impending work presentation that’s not really your cup of tea, what do you do? You turn it around to make yourself a cup of coffee instead.&nbsp;

Ah, just joking. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But when you move out of that comfort zone and instead work harder to learn all those new things you were scared of; for one thing you’ve made it productive for yourself and the second, you’ve conquered your fear and made the stress work for your betterment. That presentation will be a success, fuelled by your positive thoughts instead of the 'stress' thoughts. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Ok, now suppose you’re worried about a loved one who has just snapped ties with you and you cannot stop yourself from calling or checking up on them despite their rude behaviour. You feel sad, dishearted and stressed that they are behaving this way. 
&nbsp; 
A better way to transform that stress to work for you would be to take one day at a time and believe people when they say they don’t need you. It works better when you use that to instead fix yourself. See a therapist, talk it out. You’ll realise that you are not to blame for their notions about you. And you’ll be the stronger for it.

Experts believe that true transformative change can occur only during stress or crises. That makes sense. How else would you progress, grow and evolve if you’ve never faced challenges in life.

Moderate levels of daily, manageable stress — also known as ‘eustress’ — may help protect against oxidative damage, which is linked to aging and disease, as a 2013 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology tells us. Another article in Time magazine says that even though stress can feel overwhelming, it also forces people to problem-solve thereby building confidence and skills that can help in the future, according to Peter Vitaliano, professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the School of&nbsp;Medicine at the University of Washington&nbsp;

An article in Science Daily, pegged on research done in the year 2022, at the University of Georgia says that some types of stress could be good for brain functioning and may help build resilience while reducing risk of mental illness.&nbsp;

So, there you go. 
In a nutshell, it’s not really the stress that’s bad; it’s our toxic relationship with stress that seems to be the problem.&nbsp; 
 
So, stress happens. We react.&nbsp;Fight, freeze or flight?&nbsp;

I’d go for the fight. Always works.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Stress not. Five ways to de-stress Keep calm and be stress-free Banish stress forever Just reading these made me feel all stressed out. Don’t these headlines look and sound familiar?

Stress not. Five ways to de-stress Keep calm and be stress-free Banish stress forever Just reading these made me feel all stressed out. Don’t these headlines look and sound familiar? You bet they do. Each year as the month of April approaches (for the uninitiated, this month is supposed to be the Stress Awareness Month), the world and the media of course, doles out advice on how to keep your life stress free or how to completely banish stress from your life. You will be bombarded by articles on stress management and sent forwards on WhatsApp and Messenger and what have you, with well-meaning tips to get your life back on track. All this unsolicited help/advice can fall in an avalanche on you anytime, but mostly in this particular month because everybody wants to cash in on the ‘banish stress’ craze. Come the month of May, and it’s a different story and a different agenda as the ‘stay stress-free’ advice dwindles a bit. But honestly speaking, can you or I or anybody for that matter lead a stress-free life? It does sound ideal. A Utopian life where there is no angst, no pain, no grief, no hair-tearing moments or wanting to throw things around the house; but just peace and bliss and harmony and perfect happiness. All that is very well unless you consider the things one has to do in order to achieve that perfect life. It could range from online peddlers trying to sell you calming lavender oil, candles or jade stones for your home spa (yes, you’re supposed to create one the moment you’re stressed out?), chamomile tea or Rhodiola Rosea face masks or even new age Insta gurus telling you to plug in your earphones, no matter where you are and listen to some strange African or Indian beats that could actually get your heart rate pumping, forget calming. But seriously, what would work for you? To de-stress? Perhaps the sounds of pitter-patter on the roof or maybe a gushing waterfall? All this, even as you try to type an adequate response to some mean texts from a mean boss or deal with your better/worse half who is having a mental breakdown and the only thing you can do is tell yourself: I’m going to be okay as soon as I sign up for that de-stress Zumba workshop or maybe visit that neighbourhood meditation centre, for the inner peace to hit you, like a drag of marijuana? Well, it wont work. Because you may push stress to the back of your mind while you are indulging in those few minutes of ‘self-care’ and ‘love yourself,’ the larger-than-life stress is going to be back with a bang. Simply because when there’s life, there’s stress and the two are synonymous with each other. Of course, temporary de-stressors can always help for that little while. But like they say, there’s always calm before the storm. And the storm will hit, not to mention that it may become a tsunami before you realise it, in your quest for a stress-free life as you wade through the million remedies to cut out stress, but you have your blinkers on. So, what's the next best thing? I’d say, own your stress and make it work for you. William James, American philosopher, historian, psychologist of the late 19th century and one of the leading thinkers of that era had this to say: The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. According to him, the mind has immense transformative powers. This train of thought is even more relevant today and our biggest ally as we wage a daily war with our multiple stressors that can mean anything from a relationship breakdown to a career debacle to managing finances to trying to keep people around us happy or even achieving career goals. Stress need not viewed as exclusively negative. In fact, it can be a positive experience if we choose to look at it that way, by drawing into our inner reserves and calling forth our qualities of strength, courage and endurance in times of crises. The bad news is that stressors and anxiety can impact our organs, our nervous system, our guts, and our brains. Carrying stress around can make us more vulnerable to illnesses and infections or make our immune system hurt our cells. The good news is that we can control our reactions to stress (which by the way is the only thing in our control at that point of time) and how we alter our feelings towards stress. How do we do that? By following the three important As. 1. Acknowledge: Mentally process your thoughts. See it, know it and feel it. Don’t wish it away. Just observe like an outsider to your mind, that you are getting stressed out. Tell yourself that you realise you are stressed. Do not deny it. That will mean shifting your thoughts from irrational fear to an amount of self-control. When you try to suppress feelings of stress by telling yourself and others that you are okay, it requires enormous mental pressure to subjugate your real thoughts instead of freely feeling. 2. Accept: Take a moment for yourself. There is no guilt or shame in accepting the condition we are in. Your stressors could be something small like feeling anxious about a social event that you don’t really want to go to or a little bigger like facing a partner with whom you’ve had a less than cordial breakup or thinking about the new changes in your office that you may not be comfortable with or even some drastic life changes like a divorce or a loved one’s illness. Know that the situation will not change if you don’t accept it. 3. Apply: Apply or use the stress that surrounds you as this third or most important step suggests. Leverage it to achieve your goals and also the things that you care about the most. So, if you are stressed out about an impending work presentation that’s not really your cup of tea, what do you do? You turn it around to make yourself a cup of coffee instead. Ah, just joking. But when you move out of that comfort zone and instead work harder to learn all those new things you were scared of; for one thing you’ve made it productive for yourself and the second, you’ve conquered your fear and made the stress work for your betterment. That presentation will be a success, fuelled by your positive thoughts instead of the 'stress' thoughts. Ok, now suppose you’re worried about a loved one who has just snapped ties with you and you cannot stop yourself from calling or checking up on them despite their rude behaviour. You feel sad, dishearted and stressed that they are behaving this way. A better way to transform that stress to work for you would be to take one day at a time and believe people when they say they don’t need you. It works better when you use that to instead fix yourself. See a therapist, talk it out. You’ll realise that you are not to blame for their notions about you. And you’ll be the stronger for it. Experts believe that true transformative change can occur only during stress or crises. That makes sense. How else would you progress, grow and evolve if you’ve never faced challenges in life. Moderate levels of daily, manageable stress — also known as ‘eustress’ — may help protect against oxidative damage, which is linked to aging and disease, as a 2013 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology tells us. Another article in Time magazine says that even though stress can feel overwhelming, it also forces people to problem-solve thereby building confidence and skills that can help in the future, according to Peter Vitaliano, professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the School of Medicine at the University of Washington An article in Science Daily, pegged on research done in the year 2022, at the University of Georgia says that some types of stress could be good for brain functioning and may help build resilience while reducing risk of mental illness. So, there you go. In a nutshell, it’s not really the stress that’s bad; it’s our toxic relationship with stress that seems to be the problem. So, stress happens. We react. Fight, freeze or flight? I’d go for the fight. Always works. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Stress Matters: It can be good for you if you know how to use it

What works for one may not for another. This is especially true when it comes to mental health problems like depression and antidepressants. These drugs that can make a person's life significantly better often come with serious side effects. To avoid this and ensure that medications work effectively, an Israeli health-tech company is using Artificial Intelligence to match antidepressants to patients.

According to World Health Organization, globally, more than 280 million people suffer from depression. However, as per estimates for two-thirds of them, the initial prescriptions for depression or anxiety may not work properly.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/research-reveals-how-artificial-intelligence-can-help-look-for-alien-lifeforms-on-mars-and-other-planets-582992">Research reveals how Artificial Intelligence can help look for alien lifeforms on Mars and other planets</a>

The groundbreaking AI-based technology uses brain cells generated from patients' blood samples which are then tested for biomarkers when exposed to various antidepressants.&nbsp;

Genetika+, the company then analyses the patient's medical history and genetic data to determine the best drug and correct dosage for a doctor to prescribe.

As per a BBC report, the AI-based technology is still in development and is set to be launched commercially in 2024.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/heres-how-ai-can-help-modern-day-goldilocks-get-a-good-nights-sleep-578610">Here's how Artificial Intelligence can help modern-day Goldilocks get a good night's sleep</a>

The company has secured funding from the European Union's European Research Council and European Innovation Council. It is also working with pharmaceutical companies to develop precision drugs.

"We are in the right time to be able to marry the latest computer technology and biological technology advances," says neuroscientist Dr Cohen Solal, who is the co-founder and chief executive of Genetika+. Solal says that AI can help "solve the mystery" of which drugs work.

Dr Heba Sailem, senior lecturer of biomedical AI and data science at King's College London says that the potential for AI to transform the global pharmaceutical industry is huge.

(With inputs from agencies)

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What works for one may not for another. This is especially true when it comes to mental health problems like depression and antidepressants. These drugs that can make a person's life significantly better often come with serious side effects.

What works for one may not for another. This is especially true when it comes to mental health problems like depression and antidepressants. These drugs that can make a person's life significantly better often come with serious side effects. To avoid this and ensure that medications work effectively, an Israeli health-tech company is using Artificial Intelligence to match antidepressants to patients. According to World Health Organization, globally, more than 280 million people suffer from depression. However, as per estimates for two-thirds of them, the initial prescriptions for depression or anxiety may not work properly. Also read | Research reveals how Artificial Intelligence can help look for alien lifeforms on Mars and other planets The groundbreaking AI-based technology uses brain cells generated from patients' blood samples which are then tested for biomarkers when exposed to various antidepressants. Genetika+, the company then analyses the patient's medical history and genetic data to determine the best drug and correct dosage for a doctor to prescribe. As per a BBC report, the AI-based technology is still in development and is set to be launched commercially in 2024. Also read | Here's how Artificial Intelligence can help modern-day Goldilocks get a good night's sleep The company has secured funding from the European Union's European Research Council and European Innovation Council. It is also working with pharmaceutical companies to develop precision drugs. "We are in the right time to be able to marry the latest computer technology and biological technology advances," says neuroscientist Dr Cohen Solal, who is the co-founder and chief executive of Genetika+. Solal says that AI can help "solve the mystery" of which drugs work. Dr Heba Sailem, senior lecturer of biomedical AI and data science at King's College London says that the potential for AI to transform the global pharmaceutical industry is huge. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Artificial Intelligence helps 'solve the mystery,' match medicine to patient, aid in treatment of depression

Although stress and depression are well-documented health concerns, one crucial aspect related to these has not received widespread scholarly attention, which is the effect of stress and depression on individuals’ eyesight.

In a 2018 study, Bernhard A. Sabel and others observed that while stress and depression can arise from prolonged vision impairment, due to increased secretion of the stress hormones, stress can cause imbalances in the sympathetic nervous system and vascular dysregulation, ultimately leading to vision impairment.

Thus, a vicious cycle exists between mental stress and vision impairment, one that warrants further examination, especially in the Indian context, given the rising stress levels and large-scale prevalence of vision problems among Indians.

Speaking exclusively to WION,&nbsp;Dr Jogin Desai, CEO &amp; Founder of&nbsp;Eyestem, shared that during periods of stress, the brain, in response, increases the circulation of stress hormones in the vascular system. By influencing the vascular tone in and around the optic nerve, stress hormones can impair vascular autoregulation.

Other factors such as genetic susceptibility and propensity to stress, sensitivity to stress, and a weaker stress resilience system may contribute to the pathology of the visual system. Certain studies attest to this relationship.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-explained-yoga-an-ancient-indian-practice-for-stress-relief-and-intense-relaxation-stress-awareness-month-581347">Explained! Yoga, an ancient Indian practice, for stress relief and intense relaxation: Stress Awareness Month</a>

For example, SA Lim and others found an association between vision impairment and psychosocial problems, reporting that 36% of 140 adults and children with vision impairment reported concomitant psychosocial problems.

ES Avetisov and others found that following the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, 30% of the 762 residents they surveyed developed pseudo-myopia. These residents had never complained of vision problems before. As an imbalanced autonomic nervous system function, parasympathetic activation as it appeared in this case, is believed to cause pseudo-myopia, and psychogenic stress was concluded as the cause.

Additionally, R Casten and others found that patients with age-related macular degeneration suffer from higher stress.

Other vision problems may follow from stress. To facilitate threat detection and preparedness, the brain releases greater amounts of adrenaline, which makes pupils dilate. Increased levels of the stress hormone adrenaline may result in dilated pupils for a prolonged duration and greater sensitivity to light.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-stress-awareness-month-2023-doctor-suggests-9-lifestyle-and-diet-changes-to-lower-stress-hormones--exclusive-580024">Stress Awareness Month 2023: Doctor suggests 9 lifestyle changes to lower stress hormones | Exclusive</a>

Again for threat preparedness, stress leads to a narrowed field of vision and reduced blink rate, which can lead to tunnel vision and dry and strained eyes, respectively.&nbsp;

Continued stress can trigger inflammation in people with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease and, thereby, cause vision problems.

Chronic stress strains the body and its systems, causing chronic and continued eye muscle tension, twitching, strain, photophobia,&nbsp;and dry or wet eyes, depending on the body’s response to stressful situations.

In conclusion, he says, "Interestingly, as indicated by Professor Sabel and others in their 2018 article,&nbsp;ancient Indian physician&nbsp;Sushruta was among the initial proponents of the relationship between mental health and vision. Of the 18 causes of vision loss he identified, six were related to mental distress: improper sleeping, continuous weeping, rage, sorrow, stress suffering, and suppression of tears. Indian Ayurveda’s age-old grasp of this relationship, therefore, should also prompt a reappraisal among Indian medics of the diagnosis and treatment of eye care. Along with pathophysiology, the focus should be placed on psychosomatic ophthalmology. This will, eventually, lead to improved and more holistic care."

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

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Although stress and depression are well-documented health concerns, one crucial aspect related to these has not received widespread scholarly attention, which is the effect of stress and depression on individuals’ eyesight.

Although stress and depression are well-documented health concerns, one crucial aspect related to these has not received widespread scholarly attention, which is the effect of stress and depression on individuals’ eyesight. In a 2018 study, Bernhard A. Sabel and others observed that while stress and depression can arise from prolonged vision impairment, due to increased secretion of the stress hormones, stress can cause imbalances in the sympathetic nervous system and vascular dysregulation, ultimately leading to vision impairment. Thus, a vicious cycle exists between mental stress and vision impairment, one that warrants further examination, especially in the Indian context, given the rising stress levels and large-scale prevalence of vision problems among Indians. Speaking exclusively to WION, Dr Jogin Desai, CEO & Founder of Eyestem, shared that during periods of stress, the brain, in response, increases the circulation of stress hormones in the vascular system. By influencing the vascular tone in and around the optic nerve, stress hormones can impair vascular autoregulation. Other factors such as genetic susceptibility and propensity to stress, sensitivity to stress, and a weaker stress resilience system may contribute to the pathology of the visual system. Certain studies attest to this relationship. Also read: Explained! Yoga, an ancient Indian practice, for stress relief and intense relaxation: Stress Awareness Month For example, SA Lim and others found an association between vision impairment and psychosocial problems, reporting that 36% of 140 adults and children with vision impairment reported concomitant psychosocial problems. ES Avetisov and others found that following the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, 30% of the 762 residents they surveyed developed pseudo-myopia. These residents had never complained of vision problems before. As an imbalanced autonomic nervous system function, parasympathetic activation as it appeared in this case, is believed to cause pseudo-myopia, and psychogenic stress was concluded as the cause. Additionally, R Casten and others found that patients with age-related macular degeneration suffer from higher stress. Other vision problems may follow from stress. To facilitate threat detection and preparedness, the brain releases greater amounts of adrenaline, which makes pupils dilate. Increased levels of the stress hormone adrenaline may result in dilated pupils for a prolonged duration and greater sensitivity to light. Also read: Stress Awareness Month 2023: Doctor suggests 9 lifestyle changes to lower stress hormones | Exclusive Again for threat preparedness, stress leads to a narrowed field of vision and reduced blink rate, which can lead to tunnel vision and dry and strained eyes, respectively. Continued stress can trigger inflammation in people with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease and, thereby, cause vision problems. Chronic stress strains the body and its systems, causing chronic and continued eye muscle tension, twitching, strain, photophobia, and dry or wet eyes, depending on the body’s response to stressful situations. In conclusion, he says, "Interestingly, as indicated by Professor Sabel and others in their 2018 article, ancient Indian physician Sushruta was among the initial proponents of the relationship between mental health and vision. Of the 18 causes of vision loss he identified, six were related to mental distress: improper sleeping, continuous weeping, rage, sorrow, stress suffering, and suppression of tears. Indian Ayurveda’s age-old grasp of this relationship, therefore, should also prompt a reappraisal among Indian medics of the diagnosis and treatment of eye care. Along with pathophysiology, the focus should be placed on psychosomatic ophthalmology. This will, eventually, lead to improved and more holistic care." Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Can mental stress cause vision problems? Medical expert answers | Stress Awareness Month 2023

Stress Awareness Month 2023: "Mental health is a complex issue that affects many people worldwide. While there are various treatment options available, recent studies have shown that pets can play a significant role in promoting positive mental health. The bond between humans and pets is unique and powerful, providing companionship, love, and a sense of purpose. The positive impact of pets on mental health is becoming increasingly recognised, with many individuals turning to pets for emotional support and stress relief. In this regard, pets are proving to be more than just loving companions; they are also valuable allies in the fight against mental health issues,"&nbsp;said Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr&nbsp;Shantanu Kalambi, Supertails.

Dr Kalambi further listed how spending time with your fur baby affects your mental health.&nbsp;

Reducing Stress: Interacting with pets can help reduce stress levels in humans. Pets can provide a sense of calm and relaxation. And, the very act of petting a furry animal helps release endorphins that are known to reduce stress.

Decreasing Anxiety and Depression: Pets can help decrease feelings of anxiety and depression by providing companionship and unconditional love. Studies have shown that interacting with pets can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood and feelings of happiness.

Increasing Socialisation: Owning a pet can also help increase socialization and reduce feelings of loneliness. Walking a dog or taking them to a pet-friendly park can help individuals meet other pet owners and start conversations.

Boosting Mood and Self-Esteem: The presence of a pet can boost mood and increase self-esteem. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and responsibility, and the bond between pet and owner can create feelings of love and happiness.

Improving Physical Health: Owning a pet can also have a positive impact on physical health, which can in turn benefit mental health. Walking a dog or playing with a pet can provide regular exercise, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of obesity.

Providing a Sense of Security: Pets can also provide a sense of security and comfort. The presence of a pet in the home can make individuals feel less vulnerable and provide a source of emotional support during stressful times. This is especially true for individuals with PTSD, who may benefit from the calming presence of a service animal.

Stress Awareness Month 2023: "Mental health is a complex issue that affects many people worldwide. While there are various treatment options available, recent studies have shown that pets can play a significant role in promoting positive mental health.

Stress Awareness Month 2023: "Mental health is a complex issue that affects many people worldwide. While there are various treatment options available, recent studies have shown that pets can play a significant role in promoting positive mental health. The bond between humans and pets is unique and powerful, providing companionship, love, and a sense of purpose. The positive impact of pets on mental health is becoming increasingly recognised, with many individuals turning to pets for emotional support and stress relief. In this regard, pets are proving to be more than just loving companions; they are also valuable allies in the fight against mental health issues," said Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Shantanu Kalambi, Supertails. Dr Kalambi further listed how spending time with your fur baby affects your mental health. Reducing Stress: Interacting with pets can help reduce stress levels in humans. Pets can provide a sense of calm and relaxation. And, the very act of petting a furry animal helps release endorphins that are known to reduce stress. Decreasing Anxiety and Depression: Pets can help decrease feelings of anxiety and depression by providing companionship and unconditional love. Studies have shown that interacting with pets can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood and feelings of happiness. Increasing Socialisation: Owning a pet can also help increase socialization and reduce feelings of loneliness. Walking a dog or taking them to a pet-friendly park can help individuals meet other pet owners and start conversations. Boosting Mood and Self-Esteem: The presence of a pet can boost mood and increase self-esteem. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and responsibility, and the bond between pet and owner can create feelings of love and happiness. Improving Physical Health: Owning a pet can also have a positive impact on physical health, which can in turn benefit mental health. Walking a dog or playing with a pet can provide regular exercise, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of obesity. Providing a Sense of Security: Pets can also provide a sense of security and comfort. The presence of a pet in the home can make individuals feel less vulnerable and provide a source of emotional support during stressful times. This is especially true for individuals with PTSD, who may benefit from the calming presence of a service animal.

How furry friends help with stress & mental health | Stress Awareness Month & National Pet Day

Do rising temperatures, melting ice, deforestation, and pollution levels bother you? Does the climate crisis stress you out? If the answer to all this is yes, then you could be suffering from eco-anxiety. Eric njoka brings you the report.

Here's how you can cope with climate anxiety

Mental state triggered by climate change

In Disney's Zootopia, Officer Judy Hopps is a bunny who wants to become a cop. She hails from a family of carrot farmers. However, she succeeds in becoming the first bunny cop in her city. Little did Hopps know, a real-life bunny cop exists in Sacramento, California.&nbsp;

Percy, who was once an abandoned rabbit, has a crucial job at the California police station, CNN reported. He is a wellness officer and helps other cops decompress from their stressful lives. According to an officer, appointing the bunny was a joke, but it caught on.&nbsp;

Percy has an important role. He has to stay soft and look cute. Lt Michelle Brazil with the Yuba City Police Department told CNN, "I just love how soft he is. I think that's what I love the most."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/science/himalayas-have-lost-glacier-mass-equal-to-weight-of-570-million-elephants-study-579733">Himalayas have lost glacier mass equal to weight of 570 million elephants: Study</a>

Police officers encounter violence at their jobs leading to trauma and anxiety. Percy, the little brown ball of fur with little legs and a pink nose, is an outlet for stress for officers and staff members. "Being able to hold him, pet him, and just kind of step back from that situation for a minute, regroup is vital," Brazil added.

The Yuba City Police Department appointed Percy as a Wellness Officer in 2002 when the department increased its focus on police officers' mental health. Officer Ashley Carson found him abandoned while on duty. "I started to call him. I said, here bun. He came running and he stood on his hind legs. I picked him up," she stated.

Initially, Carson took Percy to the animal shelter. However, a few weeks later, when no family came to pick Percy up, department officer Chelsea Macready adopted him. She not only gave him a home but an office. Percy goes to work with Chelsea every day. The 'hard-working bunny' works shifts even when Officer Chelsea is not around.&nbsp;

According to Officer Brazil, the department has seen long-term benefits from appointing Percy in a short period. "He's a great little furry friend. I go in and see him every chance I get," said Carson.&nbsp;

Indeed, Percy is a cop that hops.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In Disney's Zootopia, Officer Judy Hopps is a bunny who wants to become a cop. She hails from a family of carrot farmers. However, she succeeds in becoming the first bunny cop in her city.

In Disney's Zootopia, Officer Judy Hopps is a bunny who wants to become a cop. She hails from a family of carrot farmers. However, she succeeds in becoming the first bunny cop in her city. Little did Hopps know, a real-life bunny cop exists in Sacramento, California. Percy, who was once an abandoned rabbit, has a crucial job at the California police station, CNN reported. He is a wellness officer and helps other cops decompress from their stressful lives. According to an officer, appointing the bunny was a joke, but it caught on. Percy has an important role. He has to stay soft and look cute. Lt Michelle Brazil with the Yuba City Police Department told CNN, "I just love how soft he is. I think that's what I love the most." ALSO READ | Himalayas have lost glacier mass equal to weight of 570 million elephants: Study Police officers encounter violence at their jobs leading to trauma and anxiety. Percy, the little brown ball of fur with little legs and a pink nose, is an outlet for stress for officers and staff members. "Being able to hold him, pet him, and just kind of step back from that situation for a minute, regroup is vital," Brazil added. The Yuba City Police Department appointed Percy as a Wellness Officer in 2002 when the department increased its focus on police officers' mental health. Officer Ashley Carson found him abandoned while on duty. "I started to call him. I said, here bun. He came running and he stood on his hind legs. I picked him up," she stated. Initially, Carson took Percy to the animal shelter. However, a few weeks later, when no family came to pick Percy up, department officer Chelsea Macready adopted him. She not only gave him a home but an office. Percy goes to work with Chelsea every day. The 'hard-working bunny' works shifts even when Officer Chelsea is not around. According to Officer Brazil, the department has seen long-term benefits from appointing Percy in a short period. "He's a great little furry friend. I go in and see him every chance I get," said Carson. Indeed, Percy is a cop that hops. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Bunny with a badge! Rabbit at K9 unit supports mental health of California police officers

April is Stress Awareness Month! Don't confuse it with International Stress Awareness Day, which is observed every year on the first Wednesday of November.&nbsp;

The month is dedicated to raising awareness about the causes and cures of our modern-day stress epidemic. Health professionals consider it a time to recognise the importance of managing stress and promoting mental health.

During these 31 days, people are encouraged to&nbsp;pay special attention to how they can remain stress-free throughout their workday. And, they are advised to do these three things to make the most of Stress Awareness Month.

<ol>
	<li>Five-minute mindful meditation every day</li>
	<li>Work stress awareness plan</li>
	<li>Ecotherapy</li>
</ol>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-exclusive-can-we-use-scrub-while-having-active-acne-dermatologist-answers-577029">Exclusive: Can you use scrub if you have active acne? Dermatologist answers</a>

<h2>Five-minute mindful meditation every day</h2>

Mindfulness meditation&nbsp;is a research-proven way to reduce stress and it can improve both mental and physical health. According to several psychologists, mindfulness meditation changes our brain and biology in positive ways, improving overall well-being.

Every day, take out 5 to 15 minutes to see a guided mindfulness meditation video on apps or YouTube. If you want to see a professional, look for&nbsp;mindfulness-based therapies. I would recommend that you download a meditation app and look for a guided meditation that works best for you.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-summer-skincare-routine-for-those-living-in-hot-cities-like-delhi-mumbai-dont-miss-tips-from-dermatologist-577228">Summer skincare routine for those living in hot cities like Delhi, Mumbai: Don't miss tips from dermatologist</a>

<h2>Work stress awareness plan</h2>

According to experts, a stress awareness plan keeps work stress at bay. It involves taking short breaks during stressful schedules to mitigate stress and ensure maximum output. These short work breaks don't just lead to higher job engagement and performance but also better sleep, increased immunity, improved digestion, lower blood pressure, and increased emotional well-being. Research conducted by scientists at North Carolina State University shows the value of "Microbreaks". It recommends five minutes of stretching, walking up and down stairs, gazing out a window at nature, or snacking during workdays.

<h2>Ecotherapy</h2>

Nature therapy, also known as ecotherapy, is the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing. The&nbsp;therapeutic treatment involves doing outdoor activities in nature to relieve stress and improve mental well-being. From taking a walk in&nbsp;the forest to spending an afternoon on the beach, ecotherapy involves going out and&nbsp;connecting with nature and recognising the positive impact of the same.

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April is Stress Awareness Month! Don't confuse it with International Stress Awareness Day, which is observed every year on the first Wednesday of November. The month is dedicated to raising awareness about the causes and cures of our modern-day stress epidemic.

April is Stress Awareness Month! Don't confuse it with International Stress Awareness Day, which is observed every year on the first Wednesday of November. The month is dedicated to raising awareness about the causes and cures of our modern-day stress epidemic. Health professionals consider it a time to recognise the importance of managing stress and promoting mental health. During these 31 days, people are encouraged to pay special attention to how they can remain stress-free throughout their workday. And, they are advised to do these three things to make the most of Stress Awareness Month. Five-minute mindful meditation every day Work stress awareness plan Ecotherapy Also read: Exclusive: Can you use scrub if you have active acne? Dermatologist answers Five-minute mindful meditation every day Mindfulness meditation is a research-proven way to reduce stress and it can improve both mental and physical health. According to several psychologists, mindfulness meditation changes our brain and biology in positive ways, improving overall well-being. Every day, take out 5 to 15 minutes to see a guided mindfulness meditation video on apps or YouTube. If you want to see a professional, look for mindfulness-based therapies. I would recommend that you download a meditation app and look for a guided meditation that works best for you. Also read: Summer skincare routine for those living in hot cities like Delhi, Mumbai: Don't miss tips from dermatologist Work stress awareness plan According to experts, a stress awareness plan keeps work stress at bay. It involves taking short breaks during stressful schedules to mitigate stress and ensure maximum output. These short work breaks don't just lead to higher job engagement and performance but also better sleep, increased immunity, improved digestion, lower blood pressure, and increased emotional well-being. Research conducted by scientists at North Carolina State University shows the value of "Microbreaks". It recommends five minutes of stretching, walking up and down stairs, gazing out a window at nature, or snacking during workdays. Ecotherapy Nature therapy, also known as ecotherapy, is the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing. The therapeutic treatment involves doing outdoor activities in nature to relieve stress and improve mental well-being. From taking a walk in the forest to spending an afternoon on the beach, ecotherapy involves going out and connecting with nature and recognising the positive impact of the same. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

3 things you must do during Stress Awareness Month

Got social anxiety? Well, according to some Swedish researchers, smelling other people's body odour could be an effective anxiety therapy for you. Scientists have been using armpit sweat in their experiments and they have reportedly found that social anxiety can be reduced with the help of human "chemo-signals". The study was done by researchers from Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

The study says that exposure to human stink reduces social anxiety by nearly 40 per cent when clubbed with mindfulness therapy.&nbsp;According to a BBC report, they are presenting some of their early findings at a medical conference in Paris this week.

The researchers believe that smell activates brain pathways linked to emotions, which eventually offers&nbsp;a calming effect. But the study is in its initial stage and it is far too soon to say if they are right or wrong.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-lady-gaga-spotted-kissing-female-bystander-while-shooting-joker-folie-a-deux-in-nyc--viral-video-576069">Lady Gaga spotted kissing female bystander while shooting Joker: Folie a Deux in NYC | Viral video</a>

For the study, the researchers asked volunteers to donate their&nbsp;armpit sweat while watching either a scary or a happy movie. Then they looked for&nbsp;48 women who had social anxiety and asked them to sniff some of these samples, alongside receiving a more conventional therapy called mindfulness, which encourages people to focus on the present moment than replaying negative thoughts.

Some of the women were given genuine body odour to sniff, while others were given clean air instead. Scientists say that those who were exposed to sweat appeared to do better with mindfulness therapy.

Lead researcher of the study, Elisa Vigna, says, "Sweat produced while someone was happy had the same effect as someone who had been scared by a movie clip. So there may be something about human chemo-signals in sweat generally which affects the response to treatment."

Vigna added, "It may be that simply being exposed to the presence of someone else has this effect, but we need to confirm this. In fact, that is what we are testing now in a follow-up study with a similar design, but where we are also including sweat from individuals watching emotionally neutral documentaries."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-jonathan-majors-lawyer-says-actor-is-completely-innocent-and-the-real-victim-in-assault-case-576048">Jonathan Majors' lawyer says actor is 'completely innocent and the real victim' in assault case</a>

Smell helps humans sense danger. It also makes meals tastier and evokes strong memories too. Aromas, detected by receptors in the upper part of the nose,&nbsp;are relayed directly to the limbic system, a brain region that is associated with memory and emotions. And while most of the skin's sweat is odourless, sweat glands in the armpit and groin produce certain compounds that cause body odour.

Duncan Boak from the charity Fifth Sense says, "We know there's a strong link between our sense of smell and our emotional well-being. Losing the ability to smell other people, such as your partner and children can cause depression and feelings of isolation."

Boak&nbsp;added, "Whilst this is a preliminary study and further work is of course needed, it's very encouraging to see further research around the importance of our sense of smell to good mental health."

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Got social anxiety? Well, according to some Swedish researchers, smelling other people's body odour could be an effective anxiety therapy for you. Scientists have been using armpit sweat in their experiments and they have reportedly found that social anxiety can be reduced with the help of human "chemo-signals".

Got social anxiety? Well, according to some Swedish researchers, smelling other people's body odour could be an effective anxiety therapy for you. Scientists have been using armpit sweat in their experiments and they have reportedly found that social anxiety can be reduced with the help of human "chemo-signals". The study was done by researchers from Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The study says that exposure to human stink reduces social anxiety by nearly 40 per cent when clubbed with mindfulness therapy. According to a BBC report, they are presenting some of their early findings at a medical conference in Paris this week. The researchers believe that smell activates brain pathways linked to emotions, which eventually offers a calming effect. But the study is in its initial stage and it is far too soon to say if they are right or wrong. Also read: Lady Gaga spotted kissing female bystander while shooting Joker: Folie a Deux in NYC | Viral video For the study, the researchers asked volunteers to donate their armpit sweat while watching either a scary or a happy movie. Then they looked for 48 women who had social anxiety and asked them to sniff some of these samples, alongside receiving a more conventional therapy called mindfulness, which encourages people to focus on the present moment than replaying negative thoughts. Some of the women were given genuine body odour to sniff, while others were given clean air instead. Scientists say that those who were exposed to sweat appeared to do better with mindfulness therapy. Lead researcher of the study, Elisa Vigna, says, "Sweat produced while someone was happy had the same effect as someone who had been scared by a movie clip. So there may be something about human chemo-signals in sweat generally which affects the response to treatment." Vigna added, "It may be that simply being exposed to the presence of someone else has this effect, but we need to confirm this. In fact, that is what we are testing now in a follow-up study with a similar design, but where we are also including sweat from individuals watching emotionally neutral documentaries." Also read: Jonathan Majors' lawyer says actor is 'completely innocent and the real victim' in assault case Smell helps humans sense danger. It also makes meals tastier and evokes strong memories too. Aromas, detected by receptors in the upper part of the nose, are relayed directly to the limbic system, a brain region that is associated with memory and emotions. And while most of the skin's sweat is odourless, sweat glands in the armpit and groin produce certain compounds that cause body odour. Duncan Boak from the charity Fifth Sense says, "We know there's a strong link between our sense of smell and our emotional well-being. Losing the ability to smell other people, such as your partner and children can cause depression and feelings of isolation." Boak added, "Whilst this is a preliminary study and further work is of course needed, it's very encouraging to see further research around the importance of our sense of smell to good mental health." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Smelling stinky armpits may reduce social anxiety: Study

The happiest countries are also some of the biggest consumers of antidepressants. Is safeguarding mental health the secret sauce to happiness? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Decoding the World Happiness report

Actors from the smash-hit comedy series Ted Lasso&nbsp;will meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss the importance of mental health, the administration said Sunday.

The Apple TV+ series, whose third season premiered March 15, delves into various characters' mental health, with storylines tackling issues with bullying, anger, relationships and self-esteem, as well as panic attacks.

The show stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, an out-of-his-depth American football coach who is recruited to lead a dysfunctional English soccer club in the aftermath of its owners' divorce, and as Lasso faces his own mental health issues.

The president and First Lady Jill Biden "will welcome Jason Sudeikis and the cast of Ted Lasso to the White House to discuss the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall well-being," the White House said.

"'Ted Lasso' has inspired the world through its universal themes around optimism, kindness, and determination, and the Lasso philosophy to 'believe,'" Apple TV+ said in a statement, as reported by entertainment news outlet Deadline.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/top-10-greatest-action-movies-of-all-time-573384">Top 10 greatest action movies of all time</a>

Biden on Sunday tweeted a photo of the Oval Office with a sign reading "BELIEVE" taped above the door -- a reference to Lasso's mantra.

The Biden administration said it had expanded mental health resources for young people and provided nearly $500 million to help states transition to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can access confidential counselling by calling or texting 988 in the United States to reach the hotline.

Ted Lasso won Emmys in 2022 and 2021 for best comedy, best lead actor in a comedy for Sudeikis and best-supporting actor in a comedy for Brett Goldstein, among other wins.

After winning in 2021, Sudeikis said the show was about family, mentors, teachers, and teammates.

"And I wouldn't be here without those three things in my life," he said.

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Actors from the smash-hit comedy series Ted Lasso will meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss the importance of mental health, the administration said Sunday.

Actors from the smash-hit comedy series Ted Lasso will meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss the importance of mental health, the administration said Sunday. The Apple TV+ series, whose third season premiered March 15, delves into various characters' mental health, with storylines tackling issues with bullying, anger, relationships and self-esteem, as well as panic attacks. The show stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, an out-of-his-depth American football coach who is recruited to lead a dysfunctional English soccer club in the aftermath of its owners' divorce, and as Lasso faces his own mental health issues. The president and First Lady Jill Biden "will welcome Jason Sudeikis and the cast of Ted Lasso to the White House to discuss the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall well-being," the White House said. "'Ted Lasso' has inspired the world through its universal themes around optimism, kindness, and determination, and the Lasso philosophy to 'believe,'" Apple TV+ said in a statement, as reported by entertainment news outlet Deadline. Top 10 greatest action movies of all time Biden on Sunday tweeted a photo of the Oval Office with a sign reading "BELIEVE" taped above the door -- a reference to Lasso's mantra. The Biden administration said it had expanded mental health resources for young people and provided nearly $500 million to help states transition to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can access confidential counselling by calling or texting 988 in the United States to reach the hotline. Ted Lasso won Emmys in 2022 and 2021 for best comedy, best lead actor in a comedy for Sudeikis and best-supporting actor in a comedy for Brett Goldstein, among other wins. After winning in 2021, Sudeikis said the show was about family, mentors, teachers, and teammates. "And I wouldn't be here without those three things in my life," he said.

Ted Lasso cast to visit White House to promote mental health

The gunman who went on a shooting rampage in Hamburg, Germany, killing seven people and injuring several others before turning the gun on himself, was visited by the police weeks before after they received a tip-off which raised concerns about the man's mental health.

The police said that the man co-operated with them and that they did not have enough grounds to seize the gun at the time. The 35-year-old suspected gunman, Philipp F, had been issued a licence to own a gun for sporting purposes.

A new law is being prepared by the government which will have tighter curbs on ownership of the gun, said the interior minister.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-killed-in-hamburg-church-shootout-says-german-police-570410">Hamburg church shooting leaves 8 dead, including unborn child</a>

Seven people, which included an unborn baby, were killed by the gunman in the attack which took place at a Jehovah's Witness meeting hall in the city.

The first emergency call was received at 21:04 local time (20:04 GMT) to report that gunshots were fired and the police officers reached the site four minutes later.

A video later appeared in which the gunman was seen firing through a window. He then entered the building where many people had gathered and fired nine magazines of ammunition before he apparently turned the gun on himself.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that there can be a rise in the death toll. German Senator Andy Grote said that many lives were saved by police officers' "fast and decisive actions". He added that the attack was the "worst crime" in the recent history of Hamburg.

Hamburg Police Chief Ralf Martin Meyer on Friday said that the police officers had visited the man in February after an anonymous letter was sent to them claiming that he "bore particular anger toward religious believers, in particular toward Jehovah's Witnesses".

WATCH | 6 Killed In German Church Shooting, Police issue "Extreme Danger" warning

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The letter also stated that he "might be suffering from a mental illness, although it had not been medically diagnosed".

Police stated that the man was co-operative and held an open conversation with the officers. "The bottom line is that an anonymous tip in which someone says they're worried a person might have a psychological illness, isn't in itself a basis for (such) measures," said Chief Meyer.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The gunman who went on a shooting rampage in Hamburg, Germany, killing seven people and injuring several others before turning the gun on himself, was visited by the police weeks before after they received a tip-off which raised concerns about the man's mental health.

The gunman who went on a shooting rampage in Hamburg, Germany, killing seven people and injuring several others before turning the gun on himself, was visited by the police weeks before after they received a tip-off which raised concerns about the man's mental health. The police said that the man co-operated with them and that they did not have enough grounds to seize the gun at the time. The 35-year-old suspected gunman, Philipp F, had been issued a licence to own a gun for sporting purposes. A new law is being prepared by the government which will have tighter curbs on ownership of the gun, said the interior minister. ALSO READ | Hamburg church shooting leaves 8 dead, including unborn child Seven people, which included an unborn baby, were killed by the gunman in the attack which took place at a Jehovah's Witness meeting hall in the city. The first emergency call was received at 21:04 local time (20:04 GMT) to report that gunshots were fired and the police officers reached the site four minutes later. A video later appeared in which the gunman was seen firing through a window. He then entered the building where many people had gathered and fired nine magazines of ammunition before he apparently turned the gun on himself. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that there can be a rise in the death toll. German Senator Andy Grote said that many lives were saved by police officers' "fast and decisive actions". He added that the attack was the "worst crime" in the recent history of Hamburg. Hamburg Police Chief Ralf Martin Meyer on Friday said that the police officers had visited the man in February after an anonymous letter was sent to them claiming that he "bore particular anger toward religious believers, in particular toward Jehovah's Witnesses". WATCH | 6 Killed In German Church Shooting, Police issue "Extreme Danger" warning The letter also stated that he "might be suffering from a mental illness, although it had not been medically diagnosed". Police stated that the man was co-operative and held an open conversation with the officers. "The bottom line is that an anonymous tip in which someone says they're worried a person might have a psychological illness, isn't in itself a basis for (such) measures," said Chief Meyer. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Hamburg shooting: Police were tipped off about gunman’s mental health weeks before attack

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - Two years later and still the negative ramifications of covid-19 pandemic just keep on coming. A new study revealed that the covid pandemic not only affected our physical health but also had detrimental impact on mental well-being.

Trending on WION: 'Dramatic decline in mental well-being of young people', says study

Two years later and still the negative ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic just keep on coming. Now, a new study has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic not only affected our physical health but also had detrimental effects on our mental health and even our relationships; this was found to be especially true for young adults. The research was based on over 400,000 participants across 64 countries. The global survey to better understand the state of mental health was commissioned by a non-profit called Sapien Labs. Its findings have been presented in the third annual mental state of the world report (MSW).

Watch |&nbsp;Your mental health can be impacted by climate-related events

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As per the report's findings, during the pandemic there has been&nbsp;barely been any recovery in declining mental health. Rather, its "mental health quotient" found that on a 300-point scale, the score for mental health has, on average, declined by 33 points.

The decline was witnessed over the past two years, a.k.a., during the pandemic years and is yet to improve.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/womens-mental-health-deteriorated-more-in-covid-pandemic-study-419561">Women's mental health deteriorated more in Covid pandemic: Study</a>

As per the research, young adults are more likely to face mental health challenges.&nbsp;

"This pattern, apparent even prior to the pandemic, represents a sharp reversal of patterns documented prior to 2010, indicating a dramatic decline in mental wellbeing with each younger generation rather than an increase in wellbeing as we age."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/playing-piano-may-help-deal-with-mental-health-issues-like-depression-study-539926">Playing piano may help deal with mental health issues, overcome depression: Study</a>

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 had a lower "social self". This metric, as per the Guardian, measures how a person perceives themselves and their ability to maintain meaningful relationships. &nbsp;

Young adults were also found to have problems getting along with family members and not having close friends. In fact, it found that familial relationships worldwide are on a decline and this negatively affects a person's mental health.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two years later and still the negative ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic just keep on coming. Now, a new study has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic not only affected our physical health but also had detrimental effects on our mental health and even our relationships; this was found to be especially true for young adults.

Two years later and still the negative ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic just keep on coming. Now, a new study has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic not only affected our physical health but also had detrimental effects on our mental health and even our relationships; this was found to be especially true for young adults. The research was based on over 400,000 participants across 64 countries. The global survey to better understand the state of mental health was commissioned by a non-profit called Sapien Labs. Its findings have been presented in the third annual mental state of the world report (MSW). Watch | Your mental health can be impacted by climate-related events As per the report's findings, during the pandemic there has been barely been any recovery in declining mental health. Rather, its "mental health quotient" found that on a 300-point scale, the score for mental health has, on average, declined by 33 points. The decline was witnessed over the past two years, a.k.a., during the pandemic years and is yet to improve. Also read | Women's mental health deteriorated more in Covid pandemic: Study As per the research, young adults are more likely to face mental health challenges. "This pattern, apparent even prior to the pandemic, represents a sharp reversal of patterns documented prior to 2010, indicating a dramatic decline in mental wellbeing with each younger generation rather than an increase in wellbeing as we age." Also read | Playing piano may help deal with mental health issues, overcome depression: Study Individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 had a lower "social self". This metric, as per the Guardian, measures how a person perceives themselves and their ability to maintain meaningful relationships. Young adults were also found to have problems getting along with family members and not having close friends. In fact, it found that familial relationships worldwide are on a decline and this negatively affects a person's mental health. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Study finds 'dramatic decline in mental well-being’ of young people, especially during Covid pandemic

Middle-aged persons who enjoy endearing relationships with partners, family, friends and colleagues and also exercise at least once every month have better physical and mental health in old age, according to two new research studies.

Two new research papers published by the British Medical Journal have claimed that living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying a good social circle can improve our chances of enjoying good health later in life.

According to the first study, in order to avert multiple ailments in old age, one should have satisfying relationships with partners, relatives, friends and colleagues.

The study further found that the less satisfying these relationships are in your 40s and 50s, the greater the risk of having several illness later in life.

The concussion was drawn after examining data from almost 8,000 women aged 45 to 50 in Australia who were free from 11 common long-term conditions. The study began in 1996.

For every three years, they reported their satisfaction levels with their partners, family members, friends and work colleagues.

Their status was checked for 20 years to see if they contracted old-age ailments like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, depression or anxiety.

The study found that those who experienced the lowest level of satisfaction with their social peers had double the risk of developing multiple conditions compared with those who reported the highest levels of satisfaction.

The second study discovered that regular physical activity at any age is linked to better brain function in old age, and maintaining an exercise routine throughout adulthood seems to be best for preserving mental acuity and memory and staving off conditions such as dementia.

The greatest cognitive effect was seen for those who stayed physically active throughout their life,” said lead author Dr Sarah-Naomi&nbsp;James, reports the Guardian.

“The effect is accumulative, so the longer an individual is active, the more likely they are to have a higher later-life cognitive function.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Middle-aged persons who enjoy endearing relationships with partners, family, friends and colleagues and also exercise at least once every month have better physical and mental health in old age, according to two new research studies.

Middle-aged persons who enjoy endearing relationships with partners, family, friends and colleagues and also exercise at least once every month have better physical and mental health in old age, according to two new research studies. Two new research papers published by the British Medical Journal have claimed that living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying a good social circle can improve our chances of enjoying good health later in life. According to the first study, in order to avert multiple ailments in old age, one should have satisfying relationships with partners, relatives, friends and colleagues. The study further found that the less satisfying these relationships are in your 40s and 50s, the greater the risk of having several illness later in life. The concussion was drawn after examining data from almost 8,000 women aged 45 to 50 in Australia who were free from 11 common long-term conditions. The study began in 1996. For every three years, they reported their satisfaction levels with their partners, family members, friends and work colleagues. Their status was checked for 20 years to see if they contracted old-age ailments like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, depression or anxiety. The study found that those who experienced the lowest level of satisfaction with their social peers had double the risk of developing multiple conditions compared with those who reported the highest levels of satisfaction. The second study discovered that regular physical activity at any age is linked to better brain function in old age, and maintaining an exercise routine throughout adulthood seems to be best for preserving mental acuity and memory and staving off conditions such as dementia. The greatest cognitive effect was seen for those who stayed physically active throughout their life,” said lead author Dr Sarah-Naomi James, reports the Guardian. “The effect is accumulative, so the longer an individual is active, the more likely they are to have a higher later-life cognitive function.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Satisfying relationships and good exercise can boost mental and physical health in old age, say studies

A new study by Lancet Planetary Health revealed that extreme heat, humidity and other climate changes have impacts on mental health in terms of depression and anxiety in Bangladesh. The study was published on February 05, Changing America reported.&nbsp;

Scientists at Georgetown&nbsp;University and colleagues at George Washington Univeristy and the World Bank in Bangladesh examined 43 weather stations across the world’s seventh most vulnerable country to climate change for humidity over a two-month period which experiences extreme flooding and cyclones.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-fires-heat-waves-cause-climate-anxiety-in-youth-488683">Also read |&nbsp;Report: Fires, heat waves cause 'climate anxiety' in youth</a>

Syed Shabab Wahid, the study’s lead author said, “we have now established a high-water mark that, alas, could soon be eclipsed for how climate can impact mental health in a highly vulnerable country. This should serve as a warning for other nations.”

The study showed that the overall prevalence of depression is 16.3 per cent, compared to the global rate of 4.4 per cent.&nbsp;

Anxiety rates were also higher in the country compared to the rest of the world, 6 per cent to 3.6 per cent respectively.&nbsp;

Wahid added that previous global research has found a link between climate-related phenomena and adverse mental health outcomes in terms of depression or anxiety.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-report-sheds-light-on-hidden-cost-of-mental-health-issues-caused-by-climate-change-387545">Also read |&nbsp;New report sheds light on 'hidden cost' of mental health issues caused by climate change</a>

Results also showed that individuals who experienced a one-degree Celsius temperature rise during the two months have a 21 per cent high probability of an anxiety disorder and a 24 per cent higher likelihood of co-occurring depression and anxiety.&nbsp;

“As climate change worsens, temperatures and humidity will continue to increase, as will natural disasters, such as extreme flooding, which portends worsening impact on our collective mental health, globally.”

However, scientists claimed that this research is not long enough to see major climate change impacts, and such studies can take years to show events linked to climate change can impact mental health outcomes.&nbsp;

Going forward, researchers claimed that by 2050, the temperature in Bangladesh is expected to increase by 1.4 degrees Celsius.

(with inputs from agencies)

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A new study by Lancet Planetary Health revealed that extreme heat, humidity and other climate changes have impacts on mental health in terms of depression and anxiety in Bangladesh.

A new study by Lancet Planetary Health revealed that extreme heat, humidity and other climate changes have impacts on mental health in terms of depression and anxiety in Bangladesh. The study was published on February 05, Changing America reported. Scientists at Georgetown University and colleagues at George Washington Univeristy and the World Bank in Bangladesh examined 43 weather stations across the world’s seventh most vulnerable country to climate change for humidity over a two-month period which experiences extreme flooding and cyclones. Also read | Report: Fires, heat waves cause 'climate anxiety' in youth Syed Shabab Wahid, the study’s lead author said, “we have now established a high-water mark that, alas, could soon be eclipsed for how climate can impact mental health in a highly vulnerable country. This should serve as a warning for other nations.” The study showed that the overall prevalence of depression is 16.3 per cent, compared to the global rate of 4.4 per cent. Anxiety rates were also higher in the country compared to the rest of the world, 6 per cent to 3.6 per cent respectively. Wahid added that previous global research has found a link between climate-related phenomena and adverse mental health outcomes in terms of depression or anxiety. Also read | New report sheds light on 'hidden cost' of mental health issues caused by climate change Results also showed that individuals who experienced a one-degree Celsius temperature rise during the two months have a 21 per cent high probability of an anxiety disorder and a 24 per cent higher likelihood of co-occurring depression and anxiety. “As climate change worsens, temperatures and humidity will continue to increase, as will natural disasters, such as extreme flooding, which portends worsening impact on our collective mental health, globally.” However, scientists claimed that this research is not long enough to see major climate change impacts, and such studies can take years to show events linked to climate change can impact mental health outcomes. Going forward, researchers claimed that by 2050, the temperature in Bangladesh is expected to increase by 1.4 degrees Celsius. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New study reveals impact of climate change on mental health

A new study suggests that climate-related weather events can have a negative impact on your mental health. Alyson Le Grange tell you more.

Your mental health can be impacted by climate-related events

Nigeria is observing mental health week. This year's theme is let's connect. Despite close family ties and communal living in Nigeria, mental health awareness is underrated in the country. The emotional care, especially for children and teenagers, is inadequate leading to a lack of positive thinking among the youth. Here's a report by WION correspondent Louisa Olaniyi.

World of Africa: Nigeria observes mental health week

Air pollution has long been associated with lung diseases and breathing problems and with growing levels of pollution in air and the airborne diseases have become a recurring feature in daily life.

WION Climate Tracker: Exposure to air pollution causes depression, anxiety; linked to mental health

People with poor literacy face more mental health problems such as loneliness, depression and anxiety, according to a review of studies which used data from nine countries, including India. The research, published in the journal Mental Health and Social Inclusion, is the first to look at the global picture of literacy and mental health.

The researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK found that little or no literacy disproportionately affects women, who account for two-thirds of the world’s illiterate.

“Despite rising literacy rates over the past 50 years, there are still an estimated 773 million adults globally who can’t read or write,” said Bonnie Teague from UEA’s Norwich Medical School.

“Literacy rates are lower in developing countries and those with a history of conflict, and women are disproportionately affected,” Teague said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-got-ultra-dry-skin-use-hyaluronic-acid-to-get-smooth-and-supple-skin-this-winter-554931">Got ultra dry skin? Use hyaluronic acid to achieve smooth and supple skin this winter</a>

The researchers noted that people with more literacy tend to have better social outcomes in terms of things like finding employment, being paid well, and being able to afford better food and housing.

Not being able to read or write holds a person back throughout their life and they often become trapped in poverty or more likely to commit crimes, they said.

“We also know that lower literacy is related to poorer health, chronic diseases and shorter life expectancy,” Teague said.

“There has been some research examining the potential association between literacy and mental health but this is the first study looking at the issue on a global scale,” he added.

The team reviewed data from 19 studies that measured both literacy and mental health. These studies took place across nine different countries — US, China, Nepal, Thailand, Iran, India, Ghana, Pakistan, and Brazil, and involved almost two million participants.

The researchers used information relating to mental health and literacy to assess the globally reported relationship between these two factors.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-resorts-for-rabbits-this-country-has-luxury-hotels-for-bunnies-555233">Resorts for rabbits? This country has luxury hotels for bunnies</a>

They found a significant association between literacy and mental health outcomes across multiple countries.

“People with lower literacy had greater mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression,” said Lucy Hunn, who completed the review as part of her Doctorate in clinical psychology training at UEA.

“We can’t say for sure that poor literacy causes poor mental health, but there is a strong association,” Hunn said.

The researchers noted that there may be multiple factors impacting mental health which also impact literacy such as poverty or living in an area with a history of conflict.

However, the data suggests that even in these places, worse mental health is seen for those without literacy skills, they added.

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People with poor literacy face more mental health problems such as loneliness, depression and anxiety, according to a review of studies which used data from nine countries, including India.

People with poor literacy face more mental health problems such as loneliness, depression and anxiety, according to a review of studies which used data from nine countries, including India. The research, published in the journal Mental Health and Social Inclusion, is the first to look at the global picture of literacy and mental health. The researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK found that little or no literacy disproportionately affects women, who account for two-thirds of the world’s illiterate. “Despite rising literacy rates over the past 50 years, there are still an estimated 773 million adults globally who can’t read or write,” said Bonnie Teague from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. “Literacy rates are lower in developing countries and those with a history of conflict, and women are disproportionately affected,” Teague said. Also read: Got ultra dry skin? Use hyaluronic acid to achieve smooth and supple skin this winter The researchers noted that people with more literacy tend to have better social outcomes in terms of things like finding employment, being paid well, and being able to afford better food and housing. Not being able to read or write holds a person back throughout their life and they often become trapped in poverty or more likely to commit crimes, they said. “We also know that lower literacy is related to poorer health, chronic diseases and shorter life expectancy,” Teague said. “There has been some research examining the potential association between literacy and mental health but this is the first study looking at the issue on a global scale,” he added. The team reviewed data from 19 studies that measured both literacy and mental health. These studies took place across nine different countries — US, China, Nepal, Thailand, Iran, India, Ghana, Pakistan, and Brazil, and involved almost two million participants. The researchers used information relating to mental health and literacy to assess the globally reported relationship between these two factors. Also read: Resorts for rabbits? This country has luxury hotels for bunnies They found a significant association between literacy and mental health outcomes across multiple countries. “People with lower literacy had greater mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression,” said Lucy Hunn, who completed the review as part of her Doctorate in clinical psychology training at UEA. “We can’t say for sure that poor literacy causes poor mental health, but there is a strong association,” Hunn said. The researchers noted that there may be multiple factors impacting mental health which also impact literacy such as poverty or living in an area with a history of conflict. However, the data suggests that even in these places, worse mental health is seen for those without literacy skills, they added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Poor literacy linked to worse mental health problems: Study

How important is it for world leaders and well-known personalities to talk about their mental health issues?

Gravitas: The importance of talking about mental health

A new study has revealed that a certain class of antidepressants can make patients emotionally "blunt" or dull.&nbsp;

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which happen to be the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, target serotonin or the "feel-good" chemical that as per scientists appears to affect mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: A silent Pandemic

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The joint study by the University of Copenhagen and the University of Cambridge involved 66 healthy volunteers, who were "semi-randomised to receive either 20 mg of escitalopram (a first-line antidepressant) or placebo, balanced for age, sex and intelligence quotient (IQ) for at least 21 days."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hormone-replacement-therapy-may-help-reduce-risk-of-alzheimers-disease-in-women-study-552570">Hormone replacement therapy may help reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women: Study</a>

32 patients received escitalopram while 36 were given the placebo. It found that the drug reduced "reinforcement sensitivity" compared to the placebo.&nbsp;

This reinforcement sensitivity theory proposes that there are three brain-behavioural systems that underlie individual differences in sensitivity to reward, punishment, and motivation. So, what the drugs did was reduce these behavioural systems and essentially "blunt" a person's ability to modify their behaviours according to the stimuli.

Professor Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge, who is a senior author of the study says that SSRIs "take away some of the emotional pain that people who experience depression feel, but, unfortunately, it seems that they also take away some of the enjoyment."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-highlights-risks-of-mental-health-outcomes-in-people-with-covid-19-454764">Study highlights risks of mental health outcomes in people with COVID-19</a>

"Emotional blunting" has long been a side-effect reported by patients who have been prescribed anti-depressants, with around 40-60 per cent experiencing a detachment from the things they once used to enjoy. It is estimated that globally, around a hundred million suffer from mental health disorders like depression, and most of them are prescribed SSRIs. As per NHS data, between 2021-22, in just England, around 8.3 million patients were prescribed these antidepressants,

(With inputs from agencies)

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602

WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations.

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A new study has revealed that a certain class of antidepressants can make patients emotionally "blunt" or dull. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which happen to be the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, target serotonin or the "feel-good" chemical that as per scientists appears to affect mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion.

A new study has revealed that a certain class of antidepressants can make patients emotionally "blunt" or dull. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which happen to be the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, target serotonin or the "feel-good" chemical that as per scientists appears to affect mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion. Watch | Gravitas Plus: A silent Pandemic The joint study by the University of Copenhagen and the University of Cambridge involved 66 healthy volunteers, who were "semi-randomised to receive either 20 mg of escitalopram (a first-line antidepressant) or placebo, balanced for age, sex and intelligence quotient (IQ) for at least 21 days." Also read | Hormone replacement therapy may help reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women: Study 32 patients received escitalopram while 36 were given the placebo. It found that the drug reduced "reinforcement sensitivity" compared to the placebo. This reinforcement sensitivity theory proposes that there are three brain-behavioural systems that underlie individual differences in sensitivity to reward, punishment, and motivation. So, what the drugs did was reduce these behavioural systems and essentially "blunt" a person's ability to modify their behaviours according to the stimuli. Professor Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge, who is a senior author of the study says that SSRIs "take away some of the emotional pain that people who experience depression feel, but, unfortunately, it seems that they also take away some of the enjoyment." Also read | Study highlights risks of mental health outcomes in people with COVID-19 "Emotional blunting" has long been a side-effect reported by patients who have been prescribed anti-depressants, with around 40-60 per cent experiencing a detachment from the things they once used to enjoy. It is estimated that globally, around a hundred million suffer from mental health disorders like depression, and most of them are prescribed SSRIs. As per NHS data, between 2021-22, in just England, around 8.3 million patients were prescribed these antidepressants, (With inputs from agencies) If you or someone you know wants help for mental well being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602 WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Study reveals the relationship between antidepressants and 'emotional blunting'

Military veterans in the United States can now avail of free treatment when stuck in an “acute suicidal crisis”. Free treatment, including inpatient care of up to 30 days, and outpatient care of up to 90 days will now be available to them.

The mental health care plan was announced by the Department of Veterans. Announcing the move on Friday, Secretary for Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough in a statement that is available on the VA website said, “Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve–no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care.”&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;A silent Pandemic

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“This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that,” he added.

As per the release, the care can be availed in both VA and non-VA healthcare facilities, and even those veterans that are not enrolled in the VA system can avail of the benefit.

Veterans who were discharged from the military after a minimum of two years of service are eligible for this care facility. However, those who were dishonourably discharged are not eligible.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mental-health-matters-what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-477702">Mental health matters: What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?</a>

Additionally, “former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who was discharged under conditions other than dishonourable,”&nbsp;can also avail the suicide care.

The policy will also apply to veterans who suffered “a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces”.

According to the release statement, the policy will pay directly or reimburse treatment costs of eligible veterans.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/over-50-per-cent-of-trans-and-non-binary-youth-in-us-considered-suicide-says-survey-543991">Over 50% of trans and non-binary youth in US considered suicide in 2022, reveals survey</a>

The move is reportedly a key part of the Joe Biden- Kamala Harris administration plan for reducing military and veteran suicides.&nbsp;

Every year, hundreds of veterans haunted by their time in the army, suffering from mental health issues like PTSD, take their own lives. Suicide, as per a VA report, is the 13th leading cause of death among former army personnel. As per the report, in 2020, 6,146 US veterans died by suicide. Another report, this one by the US Defence Department, shows that in 2021, 519 US service members, including active duty, Reserve, and National Guard troops, died by suicide.

(With inputs from agencies)

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602

WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations.

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Military veterans in the United States can now avail of free treatment when stuck in an “acute suicidal crisis”. Free treatment, including inpatient care of up to 30 days, and outpatient care of up to 90 days will now be available to them.

Military veterans in the United States can now avail of free treatment when stuck in an “acute suicidal crisis”. Free treatment, including inpatient care of up to 30 days, and outpatient care of up to 90 days will now be available to them. The mental health care plan was announced by the Department of Veterans. Announcing the move on Friday, Secretary for Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough in a statement that is available on the VA website said, “Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve–no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care.” Watch | A silent Pandemic “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that,” he added. As per the release, the care can be availed in both VA and non-VA healthcare facilities, and even those veterans that are not enrolled in the VA system can avail of the benefit. Veterans who were discharged from the military after a minimum of two years of service are eligible for this care facility. However, those who were dishonourably discharged are not eligible. Also read | Mental health matters: What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Additionally, “former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who was discharged under conditions other than dishonourable,” can also avail the suicide care. The policy will also apply to veterans who suffered “a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces”. According to the release statement, the policy will pay directly or reimburse treatment costs of eligible veterans. Also read | Over 50% of trans and non-binary youth in US considered suicide in 2022, reveals survey The move is reportedly a key part of the Joe Biden- Kamala Harris administration plan for reducing military and veteran suicides. Every year, hundreds of veterans haunted by their time in the army, suffering from mental health issues like PTSD, take their own lives. Suicide, as per a VA report, is the 13th leading cause of death among former army personnel. As per the report, in 2020, 6,146 US veterans died by suicide. Another report, this one by the US Defence Department, shows that in 2021, 519 US service members, including active duty, Reserve, and National Guard troops, died by suicide. (With inputs from agencies) If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602 WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US army veterans can now avail free 'suicide help'

The public school district in Seattle has filed a novel lawsuit against the tech giants behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for the mental health crisis among youth.

WION Pulse: Seattle schools file lawsuit against four tech giants

While getting more exercise, eating right, and making new friends are all good habits, new CU Boulder research suggests the addition of gardening can have a powerful impact. Funded by the American Cancer Society, the first-ever, randomised, controlled trial of community gardening found that those who started gardening ate more fibre and got more physical activity, two known ways to reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases. They also saw their levels of stress and anxiety significantly decrease.

The findings were published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health. “These findings provide concrete evidence that community gardening could play an important role in preventing cancer, chronic diseases, and mental health disorders,” said senior author Jill Litt, a professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder.

Filling the research gap!

Litt has spent much of her career seeking to identify affordable, scalable, and sustainable ways to reduce disease risk, especially among low-income communities. Gardening seemed an ideal place to start.

“No matter where you go, people say there’s just something about gardening that makes them feel better,” said Litt, who is also a researcher with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.

But solid science on its benefits is hard to come by. Without evidence, it’s hard to get support for new programs, she said.

Some small observational studies have found that people who garden tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and have a healthier weight. But it has been unclear whether healthier people just tend to garden or whether gardening influences health.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-_-secrets-to-longevity-from-the-centenarians-of-okinawa-537851">Four secrets to longevity from the centenarians of Okinawa, the land of immortals</a>

Only three studies have applied the gold standard of scientific research, the randomized controlled trial, to the pastime. None have looked specifically at community gardening.

To fill the gap, Litt recruited 291 non-gardening adults, an average age of 41, from the Denver area. More than a third were Hispanic and more than half came from low-income households.

After the last spring frost, half were assigned to the community gardening group and half to a control group that was asked to wait one year to start gardening.

The gardening group received a free community garden plot, some seeds and seedlings, and an introductory gardening course through the nonprofit Denver Urban Gardens program and a study partner.

Both groups took periodic surveys about their nutritional intake and mental health, underwent body measurements, and wore activity monitors.

A fibre boost!

By fall, those in the gardening group were eating, on average, 1.4 grams more fibre per day than the control group–an increase of about 7 per cent.

The authors note that fibre exerts a profound effect on inflammatory and immune responses, influencing everything from how we metabolize food to how healthy our gut microbiome is to how susceptible we are to diabetes and certain cancers.

While doctors recommend about 25 to 38 grams of fibre per day, the average adult consumes less than 16 grams.

“An increase of one gram of fibre can have large, positive effects on health,” said co-author James Hebert, director of the University of South Carolina’s cancer prevention and control program.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-study-reveals-travelling-far-from-home-is-good-for-health-550032">Study reveals travelling far from home is good for health</a>

The gardening group also increased their physical activity levels by about 42 minutes per week. Public health agencies recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, a recommendation only a quarter of the U.S. population meets. With just two to three visits to the community garden weekly, participants met 28 per cent of that requirement.

Study participants also saw their stress and anxiety levels decrease, with those who came into the study most stressed and anxious seeing the greatest reduction in mental health issues.

The study also confirmed that even novice gardeners can reap measurable health benefits of the pastime in their first season. As they have more experience and enjoy greater yields, Litt suspects such benefits will increase.

Blooming relationships

The study results don’t surprise Linda Appel Lipsius, executive director of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), a 43-year-old nonprofit that helps about 18,000 people each year grow their own food in community garden plots.

“It’s transformational, even life-saving, for so many people,” Lipsius said.

Many DUG participants live in areas where access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables is otherwise extremely limited. Some are low-income immigrants now living in apartments–having a garden plot allows them to grow food from their home country and pass on traditional recipes to their family and neighbours.

The social connection is also huge. “Even if you come to the garden looking to grow your food on your own in a quiet place, you start to look at your neighbour’s plot and share techniques and recipes, and over time relationships bloom,” said Litt, noting that while gardening alone is good for you, gardening in the community may have additional benefits. “It’s not just about the fruits and vegetables. It’s also about being in a natural space outdoors together with others.”

Litt said she hopes the findings will encourage health professionals, policymakers and land planners to look to community gardens, and other spaces that encourage people to come together in nature, as a vital part of the public health system. The evidence is clear, she added.

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While getting more exercise, eating right, and making new friends are all good habits, new CU Boulder research suggests the addition of gardening can have a powerful impact.

While getting more exercise, eating right, and making new friends are all good habits, new CU Boulder research suggests the addition of gardening can have a powerful impact. Funded by the American Cancer Society, the first-ever, randomised, controlled trial of community gardening found that those who started gardening ate more fibre and got more physical activity, two known ways to reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases. They also saw their levels of stress and anxiety significantly decrease. The findings were published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health. “These findings provide concrete evidence that community gardening could play an important role in preventing cancer, chronic diseases, and mental health disorders,” said senior author Jill Litt, a professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder. Filling the research gap! Litt has spent much of her career seeking to identify affordable, scalable, and sustainable ways to reduce disease risk, especially among low-income communities. Gardening seemed an ideal place to start. “No matter where you go, people say there’s just something about gardening that makes them feel better,” said Litt, who is also a researcher with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. But solid science on its benefits is hard to come by. Without evidence, it’s hard to get support for new programs, she said. Some small observational studies have found that people who garden tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and have a healthier weight. But it has been unclear whether healthier people just tend to garden or whether gardening influences health. Also read: Four secrets to longevity from the centenarians of Okinawa, the land of immortals Only three studies have applied the gold standard of scientific research, the randomized controlled trial, to the pastime. None have looked specifically at community gardening. To fill the gap, Litt recruited 291 non-gardening adults, an average age of 41, from the Denver area. More than a third were Hispanic and more than half came from low-income households. After the last spring frost, half were assigned to the community gardening group and half to a control group that was asked to wait one year to start gardening. The gardening group received a free community garden plot, some seeds and seedlings, and an introductory gardening course through the nonprofit Denver Urban Gardens program and a study partner. Both groups took periodic surveys about their nutritional intake and mental health, underwent body measurements, and wore activity monitors. A fibre boost! By fall, those in the gardening group were eating, on average, 1.4 grams more fibre per day than the control group–an increase of about 7 per cent. The authors note that fibre exerts a profound effect on inflammatory and immune responses, influencing everything from how we metabolize food to how healthy our gut microbiome is to how susceptible we are to diabetes and certain cancers. While doctors recommend about 25 to 38 grams of fibre per day, the average adult consumes less than 16 grams. “An increase of one gram of fibre can have large, positive effects on health,” said co-author James Hebert, director of the University of South Carolina’s cancer prevention and control program. Also read: Study reveals travelling far from home is good for health The gardening group also increased their physical activity levels by about 42 minutes per week. Public health agencies recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, a recommendation only a quarter of the U.S. population meets. With just two to three visits to the community garden weekly, participants met 28 per cent of that requirement. Study participants also saw their stress and anxiety levels decrease, with those who came into the study most stressed and anxious seeing the greatest reduction in mental health issues. The study also confirmed that even novice gardeners can reap measurable health benefits of the pastime in their first season. As they have more experience and enjoy greater yields, Litt suspects such benefits will increase. Blooming relationships The study results don’t surprise Linda Appel Lipsius, executive director of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), a 43-year-old nonprofit that helps about 18,000 people each year grow their own food in community garden plots. “It’s transformational, even life-saving, for so many people,” Lipsius said. Many DUG participants live in areas where access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables is otherwise extremely limited. Some are low-income immigrants now living in apartments–having a garden plot allows them to grow food from their home country and pass on traditional recipes to their family and neighbours. The social connection is also huge. “Even if you come to the garden looking to grow your food on your own in a quiet place, you start to look at your neighbour’s plot and share techniques and recipes, and over time relationships bloom,” said Litt, noting that while gardening alone is good for you, gardening in the community may have additional benefits. “It’s not just about the fruits and vegetables. It’s also about being in a natural space outdoors together with others.” Litt said she hopes the findings will encourage health professionals, policymakers and land planners to look to community gardens, and other spaces that encourage people to come together in nature, as a vital part of the public health system. The evidence is clear, she added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Gardening can help reduce cancer risk & boost mental health, new study finds

From birthing PTSDs to baby blues, it takes a toll on the mental health. A new research reveals the longer women spend time on mom focused social media sites, the higher their stress levels. Watch this to know more.

Do mom groups really help?

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