Even in the 21st century when mental health is an important topic of conversation in almost all circles, suicide is still considered to be a punishable crime in 20 countries.<o:p></o:p>

Research has revealed that at least 20 countries consider suicide a crime which is punishable in form of three years of prison and financial fine of thousands of pounds.<o:p></o:p>

Several countries can legally prosecute children for attempted suicide. Many countries in this list have made suicide punishable under the Sharia Law. In Nigeria, even children of the age of seven can be arrested and prosecuted for suicide.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-women-under-the-age-of-25-to-be-given-free-contraception-government-411894">French women under the age of 25 to be given free contraception: Government</a></o:p>

"Criminalisation of suicide is counterproductive, it does not deter people from taking their own lives," said Sarah Kline, co-founder of United for Global Mental&nbsp;Health.&nbsp;"It does deter people from seeking help in a moment of acute crisis and it can prevent people receiving the support they need for their mental health."<o:p></o:p>

A suicide survivor from Pakistan also came forward to report the harshness she had received from local police. "I felt guilty and stupid for attempting suicide," she was quoted by the Guardian. "Plus what made it worse was the way the police dealt with it. They humiliated my dad just so they could get money out of him. [The police officer’s] words were: 'Either your daughter is going to jail or you are.'"<o:p></o:p>

Experts believe that if such measures continue people suffering from mental health issues will become more hesitant in opening up about their problems and will not seek help. Due to the same fear, the Cayman Islands decriminalsied suicide in December 2020. The decision was taken after a campaign revealed that only five per cent of children and young people were seeking help, due to the fear of getting penalised.<o:p></o:p>

The study has revealed that more people having been dying as a result of suicide in comparison to Malaria, breast cancer or HIV.

<o:p></o:p>

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.

Even in the 21st century when mental health is an important topic of conversation in almost all circles, suicide is still considered to be a punishable crime in 20 countries.

Even in the 21st century when mental health is an important topic of conversation in almost all circles, suicide is still considered to be a punishable crime in 20 countries. Research has revealed that at least 20 countries consider suicide a crime which is punishable in form of three years of prison and financial fine of thousands of pounds. Several countries can legally prosecute children for attempted suicide. Many countries in this list have made suicide punishable under the Sharia Law. In Nigeria, even children of the age of seven can be arrested and prosecuted for suicide. Also read | French women under the age of 25 to be given free contraception: Government "Criminalisation of suicide is counterproductive, it does not deter people from taking their own lives," said Sarah Kline, co-founder of United for Global Mental Health. "It does deter people from seeking help in a moment of acute crisis and it can prevent people receiving the support they need for their mental health." A suicide survivor from Pakistan also came forward to report the harshness she had received from local police. "I felt guilty and stupid for attempting suicide," she was quoted by the Guardian. "Plus what made it worse was the way the police dealt with it. They humiliated my dad just so they could get money out of him. [The police officer’s] words were: 'Either your daughter is going to jail or you are.'" Experts believe that if such measures continue people suffering from mental health issues will become more hesitant in opening up about their problems and will not seek help. Due to the same fear, the Cayman Islands decriminalsied suicide in December 2020. The decision was taken after a campaign revealed that only five per cent of children and young people were seeking help, due to the fear of getting penalised. The study has revealed that more people having been dying as a result of suicide in comparison to Malaria, breast cancer or HIV. 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.

Suicide is still a crime in at least 20 countries worldwide: Research

Sandra Oh, who rose to fame playing Dr Cristina Yang in 'Grey's Anatomy', recently opened up about how she underwent therapy to deal with the fame. 
 
Oh appearing on `Sunday Today with Willie Geist` t and opened up about her "traumatic" experience becoming a household name after the success of the ABC medical drama. 
 
Oh played Dr Cristina Yang for the first 10 seasons of Grey`s before announcing her departure in 2013. 
 
She earned her first Golden Globe, as well as five Emmy nominations for the role.But despite the success of her role and the series, the actor told Geist the sudden fame was definitely an adjustment. 
 
Oh said, "To be perfectly honest, it was traumatic. The reason why I`m saying that is the circumstances you need to do your work is with a lot of privacy." 
 
She continued, "So when one loses one`s anonymity, you have to build skills to still try and be real. I went from not being able to go out, like hiding in restaurants, to then being able to manage attention, manage expectation, while not losing the sense of self." 
 
The actor then shared that she was able to cope with the fame and new lifestyle because she had a good therapist."I`m not joking. It`s very, very important. You just have to work at finding your way to stay grounded. And a lot of times that`s by saying no," she said about dealing with her mental health. 
 
Oh left `Grey`s Anatomy` seven years ago and fans have been hoping she might make a return to the series one day as season 17 of the medical drama welcomed back a number of former stars including Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, TR Knight as George O`Malley, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, and Sarah Drew as April Kepner. 
 
However, in May, Oh shut down the possibility of reprising her role as Cristina Yang, noting on the Los Angeles Times` podcast Asian Enough that she has "moved on." 
 
"It`s very rare, I would say, to be able to see in such a way the impact of a character. In some ways, you do your work as a bubble and you let it go. I left that show, my God, seven years ago almost. So in my mind, it`s gone. But for a lot of people, it`s still very much alive. And while I understand and I love it, I have moved on," she said at the time. 
 
Oh added, "I love it, though, and this is also why I really appreciate the show ... that I still get asked this." 
 
Since her exit, Oh has moved on with other projects, including the hit series `Killing Eve`, which will return for a fourth and final season next year, and Netflix`s latest series `The Chair`. 
&nbsp;

Sandra Oh, who rose to fame playing Dr Cristina Yang in 'Grey's Anatomy', recently opened up about how she underwent therapy to deal with the fame. Oh appearing on `Sunday Today with Willie Geist` t and opened up about her "traumatic" experience becoming a household name after the success of the ABC medical drama.

Sandra Oh, who rose to fame playing Dr Cristina Yang in 'Grey's Anatomy', recently opened up about how she underwent therapy to deal with the fame. Oh appearing on `Sunday Today with Willie Geist` t and opened up about her "traumatic" experience becoming a household name after the success of the ABC medical drama. Oh played Dr Cristina Yang for the first 10 seasons of Grey`s before announcing her departure in 2013. She earned her first Golden Globe, as well as five Emmy nominations for the role.But despite the success of her role and the series, the actor told Geist the sudden fame was definitely an adjustment. Oh said, "To be perfectly honest, it was traumatic. The reason why I`m saying that is the circumstances you need to do your work is with a lot of privacy." She continued, "So when one loses one`s anonymity, you have to build skills to still try and be real. I went from not being able to go out, like hiding in restaurants, to then being able to manage attention, manage expectation, while not losing the sense of self." The actor then shared that she was able to cope with the fame and new lifestyle because she had a good therapist."I`m not joking. It`s very, very important. You just have to work at finding your way to stay grounded. And a lot of times that`s by saying no," she said about dealing with her mental health. Oh left `Grey`s Anatomy` seven years ago and fans have been hoping she might make a return to the series one day as season 17 of the medical drama welcomed back a number of former stars including Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, TR Knight as George O`Malley, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, and Sarah Drew as April Kepner. However, in May, Oh shut down the possibility of reprising her role as Cristina Yang, noting on the Los Angeles Times` podcast Asian Enough that she has "moved on." "It`s very rare, I would say, to be able to see in such a way the impact of a character. In some ways, you do your work as a bubble and you let it go. I left that show, my God, seven years ago almost. So in my mind, it`s gone. But for a lot of people, it`s still very much alive. And while I understand and I love it, I have moved on," she said at the time. Oh added, "I love it, though, and this is also why I really appreciate the show ... that I still get asked this." Since her exit, Oh has moved on with other projects, including the hit series `Killing Eve`, which will return for a fourth and final season next year, and Netflix`s latest series `The Chair`.

Sandra Oh underwent therapy during her 'traumatic' rise to fame on 'Grey's Anatomy'

A group of scientists have claimed that more exposure to air pollution would directly lead to increased mental health issues.<o:p></o:p>

The research was conducted on nearly 13,000 people living in London. After carefully studying the data, experts found out that there is an 18 per cent increase in the risk of people needing medical treatment in hospitals and 32 per cent increase in the risk of people requiring community-based treatment if there is even a small increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/prolonged-exposure-to-air-pollution-can-cause-anosmia-study-388567" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/prolonged-exposure-to-air-pollution-can-cause-anosmia-study-388567&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj046-QrtHyAhVDzDgGHRRXCUQQFjABegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2cNwgMt2lZIKntqIVA5lnQ" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/prolonged-exposure-to-air-pollution-can-cause-anosmia-study-388567" target="_blank">Prolonged exposure to air&nbsp;pollution&nbsp;can cause 'anosmia': Study</a>

<o:p></o:p>

"Air pollution is modifiable, and on a big scale as well, reducing population-level exposure,"&nbsp;said Joanne Newbury, of the University of Bristol, part of the research team. "We know there are interventions that can be used, such as expanding low-emission zones.&nbsp;Mental health&nbsp;interventions at the individual level are actually quite difficult."<o:p></o:p>

This study can be assumed to be relevant for majority of the developed cities in first world countries, especially those dealing with increased air pollution.<o:p></o:p>

Experts studied the frequency of hospital admissions and people visiting community doctors and compared it with increase in air pollution level. Small increases in air pollution can lead to severe increase in depression and anxiety levels, especially in developed countries.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-says-ocean-surface-climates-may-disappear-by-2100-408799">Study says ocean surface climates may disappear by 2100</a></o:p>

The study also pointed out that increased dirty air is related to increased number of suicide cases, and children who grow up in polluted areas face the danger of developing mental disorders.<o:p></o:p>

Additionally, increased air pollution can also decrease intelligence level and cause more cases of dementia.<o:p></o:p>

Researchers have suggested that even a small reduction in even one pollutant alone could lead to a decrease in mental health related illness.<o:p></o:p>

"Identifying modifiable risk factors for illness severity and relapse could inform early intervention efforts and reduce the human suffering and high economic costs caused by long-term chronic mental illness," the researchers said.<o:p></o:p>

A group of scientists have claimed that more exposure to air pollution would directly lead to increased mental health issues. The research was conducted on nearly 13,000 people living in London.

A group of scientists have claimed that more exposure to air pollution would directly lead to increased mental health issues. The research was conducted on nearly 13,000 people living in London. After carefully studying the data, experts found out that there is an 18 per cent increase in the risk of people needing medical treatment in hospitals and 32 per cent increase in the risk of people requiring community-based treatment if there is even a small increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide. Also read | Prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause 'anosmia': Study "Air pollution is modifiable, and on a big scale as well, reducing population-level exposure," said Joanne Newbury, of the University of Bristol, part of the research team. "We know there are interventions that can be used, such as expanding low-emission zones. Mental health interventions at the individual level are actually quite difficult." This study can be assumed to be relevant for majority of the developed cities in first world countries, especially those dealing with increased air pollution. Experts studied the frequency of hospital admissions and people visiting community doctors and compared it with increase in air pollution level. Small increases in air pollution can lead to severe increase in depression and anxiety levels, especially in developed countries. Also read | Study says ocean surface climates may disappear by 2100 The study also pointed out that increased dirty air is related to increased number of suicide cases, and children who grow up in polluted areas face the danger of developing mental disorders. Additionally, increased air pollution can also decrease intelligence level and cause more cases of dementia. Researchers have suggested that even a small reduction in even one pollutant alone could lead to a decrease in mental health related illness. "Identifying modifiable risk factors for illness severity and relapse could inform early intervention efforts and reduce the human suffering and high economic costs caused by long-term chronic mental illness," the researchers said.

Air pollution leads to increased mental illness and decreases intelligence: Study

Selena Gomez has always been open about her battle with various illnesses. Now, in a new interview, Gomez has opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in April 2020 and admitted she felt like "a huge weight" was lifted off her post the diagnosis.&nbsp;

"I could take a deep breath and go, ‘Okay, that explains so much,’" explained Gomez to Elle Magazine.&nbsp;

"There were all things that honestly should have taken me down," Gomez admitted.&nbsp;

"Every time I went through something, I was like, 'What else? What else am I going to have to deal with?'"&nbsp;

Gomez has been dealing with illnesses for many years now. &nbsp;She was diagnosed with lupus in 2014 and then underwent a kidney transplant and chemotherapy.

"There could have been a time when I wasn't strong enough and would have done something to hurt myself," she admitted. But repeating the mantra, "‘You’re going to help people.’ (That is) really what kept me going," she said.

As the singer went through treatment for bipolar disorder, she also cut out using social media which the pop star said increased her anxiety.&nbsp;

"I’m like, ‘I’ve got to do something (more). After I’m gone, I want people to remember me for my heart,'" she said. "This tiny little phone that had 150 million people on it — I just put it down. That was such a relief for me."

Selena Gomez has always been open about her battle with various illnesses. Now, in a new interview, Gomez has opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in April 2020 and admitted she felt like "a huge weight" was lifted off her post the diagnosis.

Selena Gomez has always been open about her battle with various illnesses. Now, in a new interview, Gomez has opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in April 2020 and admitted she felt like "a huge weight" was lifted off her post the diagnosis. "I could take a deep breath and go, ‘Okay, that explains so much,’" explained Gomez to Elle Magazine. "There were all things that honestly should have taken me down," Gomez admitted. "Every time I went through something, I was like, 'What else? What else am I going to have to deal with?'" Gomez has been dealing with illnesses for many years now. She was diagnosed with lupus in 2014 and then underwent a kidney transplant and chemotherapy. "There could have been a time when I wasn't strong enough and would have done something to hurt myself," she admitted. But repeating the mantra, "‘You’re going to help people.’ (That is) really what kept me going," she said. As the singer went through treatment for bipolar disorder, she also cut out using social media which the pop star said increased her anxiety. "I’m like, ‘I’ve got to do something (more). After I’m gone, I want people to remember me for my heart,'" she said. "This tiny little phone that had 150 million people on it — I just put it down. That was such a relief for me."

Selena Gomez opens up about her bipolar disorder, says she felt relieved at being away from social media

In a recent interview, the 'Frozen' star opened up about her mental health journey and how she tackles bouts of anxiety and depression as and when they creep up on her.&nbsp;

 
"I don't wait for those things to find me. I have a preoperative list to combat them because I know they're coming. It's important to remember those feelings that you are having aren't 'your feelings', but rather 'a feeling that is passing through you'. Sometimes, with a mental health issue, you just got to let them live," she reportedly said.&nbsp;

 
Kristen has a similar approach when it comes to helping her daughters, Lincoln and delta, with their problems. When they burst out crying, she prefers to ask them, "Do you want a solution to this problem you're crying about, or do you just want to let this feeling pass through you?"

 
As for her 'moments', Bell said, "I will go to my bedroom for 10 minutes, just to reset and regulate."

 
When she is swamped with work, the actress prefers to log out first and recuperate. "You don't have to give a reason... putting on your gas mask first, and not being embarrassed about that."

 
For motivation, the 'Good Place' star reminds herself of this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt,"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

 
"I just don't consent anymore. I'm not embarrassed about any of the time I need to take to help myself, because that's making me a better me," concluded the actor.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In a recent interview, the 'Frozen' star opened up about her mental health journey and how she tackles bouts of anxiety and depression as and when they creep up on her.

In a recent interview, the 'Frozen' star opened up about her mental health journey and how she tackles bouts of anxiety and depression as and when they creep up on her. "I don't wait for those things to find me. I have a preoperative list to combat them because I know they're coming. It's important to remember those feelings that you are having aren't 'your feelings', but rather 'a feeling that is passing through you'. Sometimes, with a mental health issue, you just got to let them live," she reportedly said. Kristen has a similar approach when it comes to helping her daughters, Lincoln and delta, with their problems. When they burst out crying, she prefers to ask them, "Do you want a solution to this problem you're crying about, or do you just want to let this feeling pass through you?" As for her 'moments', Bell said, "I will go to my bedroom for 10 minutes, just to reset and regulate." When she is swamped with work, the actress prefers to log out first and recuperate. "You don't have to give a reason... putting on your gas mask first, and not being embarrassed about that." For motivation, the 'Good Place' star reminds herself of this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt,"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." "I just don't consent anymore. I'm not embarrassed about any of the time I need to take to help myself, because that's making me a better me," concluded the actor.

Kristen Bell shares her mantra for combating anxiety, depression

Mental health influences how you think, feel, and behave in daily life. Like In June 2020, 19% of UK Adults reported symptoms of depression. In US 42% of people surveyed report anxiety and depression.

Mental Health A Silent Pandemic

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

Gymnastics great Simone&nbsp;Biles&nbsp;has withdrawn from the Olympic floor final, leaving the American with just one more chance of competition at the Tokyo Games, USA Gymnastics said Sunday.

"Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week. Either way, we're all behind you, Simone," USAG tweeted.

Biles, the four-time Olympic champion widely considered to have pushed the sport to new limits, has said she is struggling with the "twisties", a condition where gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-tokyo-2020-olympics-novak-djokovic-smashes-racket-during-bronze-medal-match-402078">Tokyo Olympics: Novak Djokovic smashes racket during bronze medal match - watch</a>

The 24-year-old came to Tokyo seeking five gold medals to equal the Olympic all-time gymnastics career record of nine, but dramatically withdrew during her first event, the women's team competition.

Biles&nbsp;then skipped her all-around title defence and on Saturday it was announced she was dropping the vault and uneven bars.

She has documented her struggles with mental health during the Games in regular posts on her social media accounts.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indias-star-badminton-player-pv-sindhu-to-face-he-bingjiao-in-bronze-medal-match-402101">Tokyo Olympics: India's star badminton player PV Sindhu to face He Bingjiao in bronze medal match</a>

Gymnastics great Simone Biles has withdrawn from the Olympic floor final, leaving the American with just one more chance of competition at the Tokyo Games, USA Gymnastics said Sunday.

Gymnastics great Simone Biles has withdrawn from the Olympic floor final, leaving the American with just one more chance of competition at the Tokyo Games, USA Gymnastics said Sunday. "Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week. Either way, we're all behind you, Simone," USAG tweeted. Biles, the four-time Olympic champion widely considered to have pushed the sport to new limits, has said she is struggling with the "twisties", a condition where gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air. ALSO READ | Tokyo Olympics: Novak Djokovic smashes racket during bronze medal match - watch The 24-year-old came to Tokyo seeking five gold medals to equal the Olympic all-time gymnastics career record of nine, but dramatically withdrew during her first event, the women's team competition. Biles then skipped her all-around title defence and on Saturday it was announced she was dropping the vault and uneven bars. She has documented her struggles with mental health during the Games in regular posts on her social media accounts. ALSO READ | Tokyo Olympics: India's star badminton player PV Sindhu to face He Bingjiao in bronze medal match

Tokyo 2020- Simone Biles withdraws from another Olympic final: USA Gymnastics

Isolation and the absence of family and friends have taken a toll on athletes` mental health at the Tokyo Olympics, with some struggling to cope with the challenges posed by the pandemic while carrying their country`s hopes on the global sports stage.

After her stunning exit from the women`s gymnastics team event on Tuesday, Simon Biles said she felt she had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. That burden seems to have been exacerbated by a year a grief, loss and restrictions tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-athletes-support-for-simone-biles-reflects-growing-awareness-of-mental-health-401178" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Athletes support for Simone Biles reflects growing awareness of mental health</a> 
 
"Usually you hang out in the village, all that stuff," Biles said. "It does suck when you feel the weight of the world. There are no outlets with the amount of training that we do." 
 
Athletes have seen their pre-Olympic training disrupted by lockdowns and restricted access to athletic facilities, and the postponement of the Games fuelled concern about qualification schedules and the ability to travel internationally without contracting the virus. 
 
Their families and friends can`t cheer for them in the stands in Tokyo and their movements are heavily restricted. 
 
The pandemic prompted the U.S. women`s gymnastics team to steer clear of the bustle of the athletes village and stay at a nearby hotel for security reasons, something that takes the shine off an Olympic experience. 
 
"Not saying that we don`t have a great set up," Biles said. "We chose that to be COVID safe, the protocols and everything." 
 
Biles said she had been able to keep in touch with family by Facetime and text messages, giving her "all the support that I absolutely needed." 
 
"We have tons of resources available to us," Biles added. "But I wanted to tough it out to the last minute, but obviously it didn`t work that way." 
 
U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky, who also came into the Games with high expectations, said she understood the pressure Biles felt as an Olympian of her stature. She said their compatriots should be more concerned about what is happening in the world than whether she wins an Olympic title. 
 
"Being Olympians it`s something that we all have to watch out for each other and help each other through and in times of need," Ledecky said after winning gold in the first 1,500 metres swimming event for women ever staged at the Olympics. 
 
`A DIFFICULT ROAD` 
 
Even prior to arriving in Tokyo, athletes were facing new and unfamiliar pressures linked to the pandemic. They had to find ways to train during lockdowns and qualify for the world`s biggest sporting event without compromising their health or that of their families and communities. 
 
"It has been a difficult road since 2019," said gymnast Angelina Melnikova of the Russian Olympic Committee, who beat the United States to win gold in the women`s team event. 
 
"When we found out that the Games had been postponed because of the pandemic, our training base was closed. We were in quarantine for a year and a half and trained all that time." 
 
Other athletes contracted COVID-19 on their way to Tokyo, at the Games themselves or in the early stages of the pandemic, threatening to derail their years of gruelling work toward the Olympics. 
 
British swimmer Tom Dean contracted COVID-19 twice in the run-up to Tokyo, forcing him to spend days in isolation and put his training on hold. The 21-year-old nonetheless won the men`s 200m freestyle gold on Tuesday to help Britain to its best ever start to an Olympic Games. 
 
"I contracted COVID twice in the last 12 months," Dean said. "Sitting in my flat in isolation, an Olympic gold was a million miles away." 
 
Other Olympians who contracted COVID-19 weren`t so lucky. 
 
South Korean sabre fencer Oh Sanguk, who was hospitalised for a month with the virus, faded in his quarter-final against Georgian Sandro Bazadze, eventually losing 15-13. 
 
"I feel like my physical strength has weakened, but every time I think about that, I feel my confidence slipping," Oh told Reuters ahead of his quarter-final on Saturday. 
 
Like countless of people across the globe, Olympians have also lost loved ones to the virus. Biles` team mate Sunisa Lee, who won three medals at the 2019 world championships, lost both her aunt and uncle to the pandemic as she was preparing for Tokyo. 
 
"On a podium, people see athletes, others see machines that are running and have to be position one," said Bernard Ouma, who coaches Kenyan runner Timothy Cheruiyot, the 1,500 metre world champion. 
 
"At the back of my mind as a coach, I see a human being with social challenges as well.

Isolation and the absence of family and friends have taken a toll on athletes` mental health at the Tokyo Olympics, with some struggling to cope with the challenges posed by the pandemic while carrying their country`s hopes on the global sports stage.

Isolation and the absence of family and friends have taken a toll on athletes` mental health at the Tokyo Olympics, with some struggling to cope with the challenges posed by the pandemic while carrying their country`s hopes on the global sports stage. After her stunning exit from the women`s gymnastics team event on Tuesday, Simon Biles said she felt she had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. That burden seems to have been exacerbated by a year a grief, loss and restrictions tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: Athletes support for Simone Biles reflects growing awareness of mental health "Usually you hang out in the village, all that stuff," Biles said. "It does suck when you feel the weight of the world. There are no outlets with the amount of training that we do." Athletes have seen their pre-Olympic training disrupted by lockdowns and restricted access to athletic facilities, and the postponement of the Games fuelled concern about qualification schedules and the ability to travel internationally without contracting the virus. Their families and friends can`t cheer for them in the stands in Tokyo and their movements are heavily restricted. The pandemic prompted the U.S. women`s gymnastics team to steer clear of the bustle of the athletes village and stay at a nearby hotel for security reasons, something that takes the shine off an Olympic experience. "Not saying that we don`t have a great set up," Biles said. "We chose that to be COVID safe, the protocols and everything." Biles said she had been able to keep in touch with family by Facetime and text messages, giving her "all the support that I absolutely needed." "We have tons of resources available to us," Biles added. "But I wanted to tough it out to the last minute, but obviously it didn`t work that way." U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky, who also came into the Games with high expectations, said she understood the pressure Biles felt as an Olympian of her stature. She said their compatriots should be more concerned about what is happening in the world than whether she wins an Olympic title. "Being Olympians it`s something that we all have to watch out for each other and help each other through and in times of need," Ledecky said after winning gold in the first 1,500 metres swimming event for women ever staged at the Olympics. `A DIFFICULT ROAD` Even prior to arriving in Tokyo, athletes were facing new and unfamiliar pressures linked to the pandemic. They had to find ways to train during lockdowns and qualify for the world`s biggest sporting event without compromising their health or that of their families and communities. "It has been a difficult road since 2019," said gymnast Angelina Melnikova of the Russian Olympic Committee, who beat the United States to win gold in the women`s team event. "When we found out that the Games had been postponed because of the pandemic, our training base was closed. We were in quarantine for a year and a half and trained all that time." Other athletes contracted COVID-19 on their way to Tokyo, at the Games themselves or in the early stages of the pandemic, threatening to derail their years of gruelling work toward the Olympics. British swimmer Tom Dean contracted COVID-19 twice in the run-up to Tokyo, forcing him to spend days in isolation and put his training on hold. The 21-year-old nonetheless won the men`s 200m freestyle gold on Tuesday to help Britain to its best ever start to an Olympic Games. "I contracted COVID twice in the last 12 months," Dean said. "Sitting in my flat in isolation, an Olympic gold was a million miles away." Other Olympians who contracted COVID-19 weren`t so lucky. South Korean sabre fencer Oh Sanguk, who was hospitalised for a month with the virus, faded in his quarter-final against Georgian Sandro Bazadze, eventually losing 15-13. "I feel like my physical strength has weakened, but every time I think about that, I feel my confidence slipping," Oh told Reuters ahead of his quarter-final on Saturday. Like countless of people across the globe, Olympians have also lost loved ones to the virus. Biles` team mate Sunisa Lee, who won three medals at the 2019 world championships, lost both her aunt and uncle to the pandemic as she was preparing for Tokyo. "On a podium, people see athletes, others see machines that are running and have to be position one," said Bernard Ouma, who coaches Kenyan runner Timothy Cheruiyot, the 1,500 metre world champion. "At the back of my mind as a coach, I see a human being with social challenges as well.

Olympics: Pandemic takes toll on athletes' mental health at Tokyo Games

After sensationally pulling out of the women's team final at the Olympics, US gymnast <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-simone-biles-withdraws-from-womens-gymnastics-team-all-around-final-400973">Simone Biles</a>, 24, said she needed to focus on her mental health.

"I just think mental health is more prevalent now in sports and it's not just like we have to set everything aside, we also have to focus on ourselves," the four-time Olympic gold medallist said.

Biles scored 13.766 which was her lowest Olympic score as she mistimed her opening vault.&nbsp;

She was led away as onlookers looked stunned at her sudden disappearance. USA Gymnastics said she had pulled out over unspecified medical issues, however, Biles confirmed she had to tackle mental health in order to emerge stronger.

"At the end of the day, we're human too so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do," the champion gymnast said.

Biles began crying after the stunning disappointment flanked by teammates,&nbsp;she said: "I just don't trust myself as much as I used to. I feel like I am also not having as much fun. That just hurts my heart that doing what I love has been taken."

Russian Olympic Committee took advantage of the confusion in the US camp to claim the gold medal as the United States won silver and Britain took bronze.

It is unclear whether Biles who is the world and Olympic all-around champion will take further part in the mega event&nbsp;as USA Gymnastics said: "She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."

The day ended in shock as Japan's tennis sensation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-my-attitude-wasnt-great-says-japans-tennis-star-naomi-osaka-after-shock-exit-400938">Naomi Osaka</a> lost to Marketa Vondrousova just days after she lit the Olympic cauldron at the grand opening ceremony as the host country hoped she would win the gold, but the tennis star declared that her "attitude wasn't great".

Osaka had skipped Wimbledon last month to spend more time with her friends and family ahead of the Olympics.

She&nbsp;had withdrawn from French Open amid a row over press conferences after she was fined $15,000 by the organizers. She later said mental health issues needed to be addressed while declaring that she suffered “long bouts of depression” since the 2018 US Open final.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

After sensationally pulling out of the women's team final at the Olympics, US gymnast Simone Biles, 24, said she needed to focus on her mental health. "I just think mental health is more prevalent now in sports and it's not just like we have to set everything aside, we also have to focus on ourselves," the four-time Olympic gold medallist said.

After sensationally pulling out of the women's team final at the Olympics, US gymnast Simone Biles, 24, said she needed to focus on her mental health. "I just think mental health is more prevalent now in sports and it's not just like we have to set everything aside, we also have to focus on ourselves," the four-time Olympic gold medallist said. Biles scored 13.766 which was her lowest Olympic score as she mistimed her opening vault. She was led away as onlookers looked stunned at her sudden disappearance. USA Gymnastics said she had pulled out over unspecified medical issues, however, Biles confirmed she had to tackle mental health in order to emerge stronger. "At the end of the day, we're human too so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do," the champion gymnast said. Biles began crying after the stunning disappointment flanked by teammates, she said: "I just don't trust myself as much as I used to. I feel like I am also not having as much fun. That just hurts my heart that doing what I love has been taken." Russian Olympic Committee took advantage of the confusion in the US camp to claim the gold medal as the United States won silver and Britain took bronze. It is unclear whether Biles who is the world and Olympic all-around champion will take further part in the mega event as USA Gymnastics said: "She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions." The day ended in shock as Japan's tennis sensation Naomi Osaka lost to Marketa Vondrousova just days after she lit the Olympic cauldron at the grand opening ceremony as the host country hoped she would win the gold, but the tennis star declared that her "attitude wasn't great". Osaka had skipped Wimbledon last month to spend more time with her friends and family ahead of the Olympics. She had withdrawn from French Open amid a row over press conferences after she was fined $15,000 by the organizers. She later said mental health issues needed to be addressed while declaring that she suffered “long bouts of depression” since the 2018 US Open final. (With inputs from Agencies)

Olympics: We are human too, mental health more prevalent now, says US gymnast Simone Biles after pulling out

American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, who <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-demi-lovato-comes-out-as-non-binary-changes-pronouns-to-they-them-386012">last week came out as non-binary </a>and will henceforth be using they/them pronouns, recently said that complimenting someone on their weight loss can be just as harmful as complimenting somebody on weight gain. 
 
Lovato took to her Instagram story and wrote, "If you don`t know someone`s history with food, please don`t comment on their body. Because even if your intention is pure, it might leave that person awake at 2 am overthinking that statement."

Lovato said that body compliments could sometimes feel great, but they could also leave the recipient lying "awake at 2 am overthinking that statement." 
 
The 28-year-old singer wrote, "Does it feel great? Yeah, sometimes. But only to the loud ass eating disorder voice inside my head that says `See, people like a thinner you` or `If you eat less you`ll lose even more weight,`. But it can also sometimes suck because then I start thinking `Well, damn. What`d they think of my body before?`" 
 
Lovato concluded the post by adding, "Moral of the story: I am more than the shell for my soul that is my body and every day I fight to remind myself of that, so I`m asking you to please remind me that that is all people see of me sometimes." 
 
The post came four days after Lovato announced that they identify as nonbinary and will be changing their pronouns, telling fans that the decision came after "self-reflective work." 
 
Lovato said they picked gender-neutral pronouns as "this best represents the fluidity I feel in my gender expression," and further added, "I`m doing this for those out there that haven`t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones." 
 
The singer behind hits such as `Sorry Not Sorry`, `Heart Attack` and `Stone Cold` recently shared their personal struggles with mental health and addiction in a YouTube documentary, which followed their journey prior to and following a near-fatal overdose in 2018.&nbsp;

American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, who last week came out as non-binary and will henceforth be using they/them pronouns, recently said that complimenting someone on their weight loss can be just as harmful as complimenting somebody on weight gain.

American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, who last week came out as non-binary and will henceforth be using they/them pronouns, recently said that complimenting someone on their weight loss can be just as harmful as complimenting somebody on weight gain. Lovato took to her Instagram story and wrote, "If you don`t know someone`s history with food, please don`t comment on their body. Because even if your intention is pure, it might leave that person awake at 2 am overthinking that statement." Lovato said that body compliments could sometimes feel great, but they could also leave the recipient lying "awake at 2 am overthinking that statement." The 28-year-old singer wrote, "Does it feel great? Yeah, sometimes. But only to the loud ass eating disorder voice inside my head that says `See, people like a thinner you` or `If you eat less you`ll lose even more weight,`. But it can also sometimes suck because then I start thinking `Well, damn. What`d they think of my body before?`" Lovato concluded the post by adding, "Moral of the story: I am more than the shell for my soul that is my body and every day I fight to remind myself of that, so I`m asking you to please remind me that that is all people see of me sometimes." The post came four days after Lovato announced that they identify as nonbinary and will be changing their pronouns, telling fans that the decision came after "self-reflective work." Lovato said they picked gender-neutral pronouns as "this best represents the fluidity I feel in my gender expression," and further added, "I`m doing this for those out there that haven`t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones." The singer behind hits such as `Sorry Not Sorry`, `Heart Attack` and `Stone Cold` recently shared their personal struggles with mental health and addiction in a YouTube documentary, which followed their journey prior to and following a near-fatal overdose in 2018.

Demi Lovato says complimenting someone on weight loss might be 'harmful'

Prince Harry is opening up about his and his family's mental health like never before. In the recent episode of 'The Me You Can't See' docu-series, Harry revealed that how his wife Meghan Markle battled and overcame suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant with their son Archie.&nbsp; 
 
The Duke of Sussex broke down in an episode of his and Oprah Winfrey produced docuseries which is focused on bringing out mental health and emotional well-being with stories from people around the world.&nbsp; 
 
Harry has already made several shocking revelations including how he had panic attacks at the age of 12 after his mother- Princess Diana died in a car accident.&nbsp; 
 
In a recent conversation with Oprah in the series, he told that Markle did not act on suicidal impulses while pregnant with their son because she did not want her husband (Harry) to be hurt by the loss of "another woman" in his life. 
 
"The thing that stopped her from seeing it through was how unfair it would be on me after everything that had happened to my mum and to now be put in a position of losing another woman in my life, with a baby inside of her, our baby," he said. 
 
Harry further claimed that Markle did not go through with suicide because she did not want the history to repeat itself. 
 
"The scariest thing for her was her clarity of thought. She hadn`t `lost it, she wasn`t crazy, she wasn`t self-medicating, be it through pills or through alcohol. She was absolutely sober. She was completely sane. Yet in the quiet of the night, these thoughts woke her up," the Duke told Oprah. 
 
Harry admitted that he did not seek help from his family as he was ashamed of the situation and knew that the royal family would be unable to help.&nbsp; 
 
"That was one of the biggest reasons to leave, feeling trapped and feeling controlled through fear, both by the media and by the system itself, which never encouraged the talking about this kind of trauma. Certainly, now I will never be bullied into silence" said Harry. 
 
On a related note, the `The Me You Can`t See` series announcement came after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped away from their roles within the royal family and relocated to California in 2020.&nbsp; 
 
Since then the couple, have pursued many of their ventures jointly, like accepting positions at BetterUp and Aspen Institute. 
 
While promoting his docuseries, Harry had made several shocking revelations about the royal family including criticising his father Prince Charles for his lack of parenting skills; following which the royal aids have been demanding him and Meghan to strip of their titles.

`The Me You Can`t See` is a docuseries co-created by Oprah and Harry, that explores mental health and emotional well-being with stories from people around the world. 
 
Helmed by Academy Award and four-time BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, the series is co-directed and executive produced by Emmy Award and Spirit Award nominee Dawn Porter.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prince Harry is opening up about his and his family's mental health like never before. In the recent episode of 'The Me You Can't See' docu-series, Harry revealed that how his wife Meghan Markle battled and overcame suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant with their son Archie.

Prince Harry is opening up about his and his family's mental health like never before. In the recent episode of 'The Me You Can't See' docu-series, Harry revealed that how his wife Meghan Markle battled and overcame suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant with their son Archie. The Duke of Sussex broke down in an episode of his and Oprah Winfrey produced docuseries which is focused on bringing out mental health and emotional well-being with stories from people around the world. Harry has already made several shocking revelations including how he had panic attacks at the age of 12 after his mother- Princess Diana died in a car accident. In a recent conversation with Oprah in the series, he told that Markle did not act on suicidal impulses while pregnant with their son because she did not want her husband (Harry) to be hurt by the loss of "another woman" in his life. "The thing that stopped her from seeing it through was how unfair it would be on me after everything that had happened to my mum and to now be put in a position of losing another woman in my life, with a baby inside of her, our baby," he said. Harry further claimed that Markle did not go through with suicide because she did not want the history to repeat itself. "The scariest thing for her was her clarity of thought. She hadn`t `lost it, she wasn`t crazy, she wasn`t self-medicating, be it through pills or through alcohol. She was absolutely sober. She was completely sane. Yet in the quiet of the night, these thoughts woke her up," the Duke told Oprah. Harry admitted that he did not seek help from his family as he was ashamed of the situation and knew that the royal family would be unable to help. "That was one of the biggest reasons to leave, feeling trapped and feeling controlled through fear, both by the media and by the system itself, which never encouraged the talking about this kind of trauma. Certainly, now I will never be bullied into silence" said Harry. On a related note, the `The Me You Can`t See` series announcement came after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped away from their roles within the royal family and relocated to California in 2020. Since then the couple, have pursued many of their ventures jointly, like accepting positions at BetterUp and Aspen Institute. While promoting his docuseries, Harry had made several shocking revelations about the royal family including criticising his father Prince Charles for his lack of parenting skills; following which the royal aids have been demanding him and Meghan to strip of their titles. `The Me You Can`t See` is a docuseries co-created by Oprah and Harry, that explores mental health and emotional well-being with stories from people around the world. Helmed by Academy Award and four-time BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, the series is co-directed and executive produced by Emmy Award and Spirit Award nominee Dawn Porter. (With inputs from agencies)

Meghan Markle battled suicidal impulses while she was pregnant with son Archie, reveals Prince Harry

Sachin Tendulkar has revealed that he battled nervousness for 10-12 years of his career. The right-hander said&nbsp;a player needs to get ready mentally too for the game separated from the physical angles. The 48-year-old, who played international cricket from 1989 to 2013, further uncovered he has had sleepless nights before a few matches, and expected to do different errands to remove his psyche.&nbsp;

In an interaction with Unacademy, Sachin Tendulkar opened up on how he managed uneasiness for a significant part of his profession.

"I felt the anxiety for 10-12 years, had many sleepless nights before a game. Later on, I started accepting that it was part of my preparation. Then I made peace with times I was not able to sleep in the night. I would start doing something to keep my mind comfortable," Tendulkar said.

"Making tea, ironing my clothes also helped me prepare for the game. I would pack my bag the day before the game, my brother taught me all of it and it became a habit. I followed the same drill even in the last match I played for India,"&nbsp;he added.

"Over a period of time I realized that besides preparing physically for a game, you have to prepare yourself mentally also. In my mind, the match started long before I entered the ground,"&nbsp;the Master Blaster further said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-australia-reaches-out-to-cameron-bancroft-after-revelation-on-ball-tampering-issue-385562" hreflang="en">Cricket Australia reaches out to Cameron Bancroft after revelation on ball-tampering issue</a>

The psychological well-being of players has been in the more prominent focal point of late, with players secured steady bio-bubbles attributable to the progressing fight with COVID-19.

Tendulkar expressed that any player will undoubtedly go through high points and low points. At such critical times, imperative to have the correct individuals around you.

"When there is an injury, physios and doctors examine you and diagnose what is wrong with you. The same is the case with mental health. It is normal for anyone to go through ups and downs and when you hit those lows you need people around. Acceptability is the key here. Not just for the player, for people around him also. Once you have accepted you start looking for solutions,"&nbsp;he added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/have-played-extraordinary-cricket-in-recent-times-says-pace-maestro-mohammed-shami-385426" hreflang="en">'Have played extraordinary cricket in recent times', says pace maestro Mohammed Shami</a>

"That person got me dosa in the room and after keeping it on the table, he offered advice. He pointed out that my elbow guard was restricting my bat swing, which was actually the case. He helped me address that issue.” – he signed off. 
&nbsp;

Sachin Tendulkar has revealed that he battled nervousness for 10-12 years of his career. The right-hander said a player needs to get ready mentally too for the game separated from the physical angles.

Sachin Tendulkar has revealed that he battled nervousness for 10-12 years of his career. The right-hander said a player needs to get ready mentally too for the game separated from the physical angles. The 48-year-old, who played international cricket from 1989 to 2013, further uncovered he has had sleepless nights before a few matches, and expected to do different errands to remove his psyche. In an interaction with Unacademy, Sachin Tendulkar opened up on how he managed uneasiness for a significant part of his profession. "I felt the anxiety for 10-12 years, had many sleepless nights before a game. Later on, I started accepting that it was part of my preparation. Then I made peace with times I was not able to sleep in the night. I would start doing something to keep my mind comfortable," Tendulkar said. "Making tea, ironing my clothes also helped me prepare for the game. I would pack my bag the day before the game, my brother taught me all of it and it became a habit. I followed the same drill even in the last match I played for India," he added. "Over a period of time I realized that besides preparing physically for a game, you have to prepare yourself mentally also. In my mind, the match started long before I entered the ground," the Master Blaster further said. ALSO READ: Cricket Australia reaches out to Cameron Bancroft after revelation on ball-tampering issue The psychological well-being of players has been in the more prominent focal point of late, with players secured steady bio-bubbles attributable to the progressing fight with COVID-19. Tendulkar expressed that any player will undoubtedly go through high points and low points. At such critical times, imperative to have the correct individuals around you. "When there is an injury, physios and doctors examine you and diagnose what is wrong with you. The same is the case with mental health. It is normal for anyone to go through ups and downs and when you hit those lows you need people around. Acceptability is the key here. Not just for the player, for people around him also. Once you have accepted you start looking for solutions," he added. ALSO READ: 'Have played extraordinary cricket in recent times', says pace maestro Mohammed Shami "That person got me dosa in the room and after keeping it on the table, he offered advice. He pointed out that my elbow guard was restricting my bat swing, which was actually the case. He helped me address that issue.” – he signed off.

Battled anxiety for 10-12 years, had many sleepless nights before matches, reveals Sachin Tendulkar

It is believed that children, around the age of two, usually go through a turbulent period of uncontrollable emotions. However, similar emotional distress is now being observed in children much older, due to coronavirus.

The emotional stress that young children and youngsters have gone through in the coronavirus pandemic can lead to serious and dangerous mental health problems in their later years.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/high-amount-of-forever-chemicals-found-in-breast-milk-study-384738" hreflang="en">High amount of 'forever chemicals' found in breast milk: Study</a>

Research, conducted by experts at the University of Bristol, found children as old as eight have also shown difficult and emotional behaviour, and thrown tantrums which are usually associated with the "terrible twos".

For this research, the experts collected and compared data from a time before the covid crisis took over the world and from the time after covid has taken millions of lives through second (and in some countries, third) waves all over the world.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/we-finally-know-why-cats-love-to-sit-in-square-like-boxes-384538" hreflang="en">We finally know why cats love to sit in square-like boxes!</a>

"Emotional problems usually peak around age two and then decline over childhood, but during the pandemic older children had much higher levels of emotional difficulties than would be expected at their age," Rebecca Pearson, a senior lecturer in psychiatric epidemiology at the University of Bristol explained.

"Our findings suggest that primary school children may have emotional difficulties at the level expected during the 'terrible twos'. This could reflect a delay in emotional development that, if not supported,&nbsp;may far outlive the pandemic and have long-term consequences for this generation of children," she added.

Many parents have also reported cases where the children, usually in their early teenage years, have started behaving like much younger kids as the world is slowly returning back to normalcy. Stomping feet, screaming and shouting, not brushing teeth or not getting dressed, and not wanting to step out of the house have been some of the common problems that parents are observing in their grown-up children after multiple lockdowns.

This study has not been peer-reviewed yet and the research&nbsp;is preliminary.

It is believed that children, around the age of two, usually go through a turbulent period of uncontrollable emotions. However, similar emotional distress is now being observed in children much older, due to coronavirus.

It is believed that children, around the age of two, usually go through a turbulent period of uncontrollable emotions. However, similar emotional distress is now being observed in children much older, due to coronavirus. The emotional stress that young children and youngsters have gone through in the coronavirus pandemic can lead to serious and dangerous mental health problems in their later years. Also read | High amount of 'forever chemicals' found in breast milk: Study Research, conducted by experts at the University of Bristol, found children as old as eight have also shown difficult and emotional behaviour, and thrown tantrums which are usually associated with the "terrible twos". For this research, the experts collected and compared data from a time before the covid crisis took over the world and from the time after covid has taken millions of lives through second (and in some countries, third) waves all over the world. Also read | We finally know why cats love to sit in square-like boxes! "Emotional problems usually peak around age two and then decline over childhood, but during the pandemic older children had much higher levels of emotional difficulties than would be expected at their age," Rebecca Pearson, a senior lecturer in psychiatric epidemiology at the University of Bristol explained. "Our findings suggest that primary school children may have emotional difficulties at the level expected during the 'terrible twos'. This could reflect a delay in emotional development that, if not supported, may far outlive the pandemic and have long-term consequences for this generation of children," she added. Many parents have also reported cases where the children, usually in their early teenage years, have started behaving like much younger kids as the world is slowly returning back to normalcy. Stomping feet, screaming and shouting, not brushing teeth or not getting dressed, and not wanting to step out of the house have been some of the common problems that parents are observing in their grown-up children after multiple lockdowns. This study has not been peer-reviewed yet and the research is preliminary.

Pandemic can leave long-term effect on kids' mental health: Study

Hollywood actor and comedian Chris Rock says he used his time during the Covid-19 induced lockdown to have lots of therapy to tackle issues from his past, as success does not erase trauma. 
 
Asked if his experiences of childhood racism still have an impact, he said,"Yeah, it`s weird. I`ve been doing therapy. That`s what I did during Covid -- lots of therapy. Success does not erase trauma. It just doesn`t. So, I definitely had to go back through therapy and really go through my childhood." 
 
Rock says has "forgiven" anyone who has done wrong in the past and doesn`t see the benefit of calling people out now for things they did decades ago. 
 
"The key thing is, I forgive everybody that was involved. I don`t want to criticise the culture of whatever, but what happened to me happened 30 years ago. I could out everybody that called me a n***** and everybody that hit me, and put their faces on Instagram, and say their names and all that stuff, right?" Rock told Telegraph magazine. 
 
He added: "And they would never work again. Their lives would be absolutely destroyed. So I`m gonna pray that they learnt their lesson. I got kids going to college -- wouldn`t that suck if some kid couldn`t go to college because their dad called me a n***** in 1979? So I`m not gonna do that. I`m gonna take the very high road." 
 
Rock has two daughters, Lola, 19, and Zahra, 16, with former wife Malaak Compton-Rock.

Hollywood actor and comedian Chris Rock says he used his time during the Covid-19 induced lockdown to have lots of therapy to tackle issues from his past, as success does not erase trauma.

Hollywood actor and comedian Chris Rock says he used his time during the Covid-19 induced lockdown to have lots of therapy to tackle issues from his past, as success does not erase trauma. Asked if his experiences of childhood racism still have an impact, he said,"Yeah, it`s weird. I`ve been doing therapy. That`s what I did during Covid -- lots of therapy. Success does not erase trauma. It just doesn`t. So, I definitely had to go back through therapy and really go through my childhood." Rock says has "forgiven" anyone who has done wrong in the past and doesn`t see the benefit of calling people out now for things they did decades ago. "The key thing is, I forgive everybody that was involved. I don`t want to criticise the culture of whatever, but what happened to me happened 30 years ago. I could out everybody that called me a n***** and everybody that hit me, and put their faces on Instagram, and say their names and all that stuff, right?" Rock told Telegraph magazine. He added: "And they would never work again. Their lives would be absolutely destroyed. So I`m gonna pray that they learnt their lesson. I got kids going to college -- wouldn`t that suck if some kid couldn`t go to college because their dad called me a n***** in 1979? So I`m not gonna do that. I`m gonna take the very high road." Rock has two daughters, Lola, 19, and Zahra, 16, with former wife Malaak Compton-Rock.

Chris Rock: Success does not erase trauma

A new study reveals that Air Pollution could drive children to mental Illness.

Gravitas: Air Pollution & Mental Health

The coronavirus pandemic provide out to be tough for everyone, whether someone was infected or not. However, it took a massive toll especially on people suffering from mental health problems.

Research has proved that mental health patients found themselves in deeper problems and worsening situations as the hospitals and medical assistants switched from in-person help to telephonic or video/text chat support.

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The University of London conducted research about the quality of these support calls and the effect the switch of appointments has had on patients.

Researchers found out that people with mental problems found themselves lonelier as they were now pushed into heightened isolation and away from their friends and family, who acted as major support systems.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-anti-lockdown-protests-leads-to-five-arrests-police-injuries-380087" hreflang="en">London: Anti-lockdown protests leads to five arrests, police injuries</a>

"People with pre-existing mental health conditions experienced serious disruptions to their access to, and the quality of, mental healthcare as a result of the pandemic. The opportunities and challenges of remote mental healthcare were an important aspect of our findings," Dr&nbsp;Brynmor Lloyd-Evans explained.

"While for some people telephone and digital support provided continuity of care, for others there were issues around access to technology, maintaining therapeutic relationships remotely, and digital interfaces exacerbating difficult feelings or symptoms associated with their mental health,"&nbsp;Lloyd-Evans added.

The research was conducted by interviewing and observing 49 people with mental health problems in London, during the first lockdown in the city. Experts observed that the major problems were being caused due to "inadequate access to mental health services” which led to "difficulties in day-to-day functioning".

However, the researchers also stressed that not everyone had a negative experience. "A few participants had found alternative sources of mental health support from voluntary sector services or informal support groups, which were highly valued and mitigated disruptions to available healthcare," Lloyd-Evans said.

The coronavirus pandemic provide out to be tough for everyone, whether someone was infected or not. However, it took a massive toll especially on people suffering from mental health problems.

The coronavirus pandemic provide out to be tough for everyone, whether someone was infected or not. However, it took a massive toll especially on people suffering from mental health problems. Research has proved that mental health patients found themselves in deeper problems and worsening situations as the hospitals and medical assistants switched from in-person help to telephonic or video/text chat support. Also read | High-ly suggested: NYC organises 'joints for jabs' to fight coronavirus The University of London conducted research about the quality of these support calls and the effect the switch of appointments has had on patients. Researchers found out that people with mental problems found themselves lonelier as they were now pushed into heightened isolation and away from their friends and family, who acted as major support systems. Also read | London: Anti-lockdown protests leads to five arrests, police injuries "People with pre-existing mental health conditions experienced serious disruptions to their access to, and the quality of, mental healthcare as a result of the pandemic. The opportunities and challenges of remote mental healthcare were an important aspect of our findings," Dr Brynmor Lloyd-Evans explained. "While for some people telephone and digital support provided continuity of care, for others there were issues around access to technology, maintaining therapeutic relationships remotely, and digital interfaces exacerbating difficult feelings or symptoms associated with their mental health," Lloyd-Evans added. The research was conducted by interviewing and observing 49 people with mental health problems in London, during the first lockdown in the city. Experts observed that the major problems were being caused due to "inadequate access to mental health services” which led to "difficulties in day-to-day functioning". However, the researchers also stressed that not everyone had a negative experience. "A few participants had found alternative sources of mental health support from voluntary sector services or informal support groups, which were highly valued and mitigated disruptions to available healthcare," Lloyd-Evans said.

Mental health patients suffered during lockdown due to lack of in-clinic appointment

Jesse Lingard has returned to the form he showed as England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals but he admits before his loan move to West Ham he thought of quitting football.

The 28-year-old forward's form slumped after the World Cup, losing his place in the Manchester United first team.

He told the YouTube-based talk show 'Presenting' his mental health deteriorated to the extent he contemplated quitting or at least taking a time-out from the game.

"I could have easily quit in lockdown (the first one in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic)," he said.

"I could have been like 'nah, I don't want to do it, I quit, I give up'.

"But the fight in me always brings me back to life.

"Not quit football, just have a time-out, really. I was going into games happy sitting on the bench, and that's not me."

Lingard's form has been transformed since United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave him the go-ahead to join West Ham.

He has regained his place in the England squad as his dynamism has been a major factor behind the Hammers unlikely challenge for a place in next season's Champions League.

However, he said that before the move he could not focus properly on football. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"My mind wasn't there, I wasn't focused at all," he said.

"I was thinking about other things, and obviously bottling it all up trying to play football, you're tense, you're stressed and you can't do it.

"There were some days where I used to have a game at 8pm and we'd go to the hotel in the afternoon, I'd sleep from two until four, shut my curtains in the dark, and then wake up in the dark and you don't get any sunlight.

"So I was advised by the doctors, as soon as you get up in the morning, jump out of bed, open the curtains and even the little things can really change your attitude."

Lingard finally approached Solskjaer in 2019 to admit to his inner turmoil but by the time he went on loan to West Ham he had not started a first team match for more than a year.

"It feels like you're not the same person, I feel like I wasn't Jesse Lingard," he added.

"Even in football matches, I felt like the game was just passing me by, like I just didn't want to be there -- it was crazy.

"I opened up to United and told them what I was going through, what my mum was going through and they're always there to help.

"I've had other doctors that have helped which has been brilliant and during the lockdown I got my head together."

Lingard says that lockdown proved to be the spark that re-lit the fuse and brought himself back to the person he had been.&nbsp;

"I feel lockdown has transitioned me in a way," he said.

"I watch my old games back, the World Cup games and the old games I used to play and I think 'yeah, that's the real Jesse Lingard'.

"When I finally opened up and everyone understood it was like, 'oh, that's why', so now it's just me getting my head back together, football and helping my mum, and I don't have time for anything else really."

Jesse Lingard has returned to the form he showed as England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals but he admits before his loan move to West Ham he thought of quitting football.

Jesse Lingard has returned to the form he showed as England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals but he admits before his loan move to West Ham he thought of quitting football. The 28-year-old forward's form slumped after the World Cup, losing his place in the Manchester United first team. He told the YouTube-based talk show 'Presenting' his mental health deteriorated to the extent he contemplated quitting or at least taking a time-out from the game. "I could have easily quit in lockdown (the first one in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic)," he said. "I could have been like 'nah, I don't want to do it, I quit, I give up'. "But the fight in me always brings me back to life. "Not quit football, just have a time-out, really. I was going into games happy sitting on the bench, and that's not me." Lingard's form has been transformed since United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave him the go-ahead to join West Ham. He has regained his place in the England squad as his dynamism has been a major factor behind the Hammers unlikely challenge for a place in next season's Champions League. However, he said that before the move he could not focus properly on football. "My mind wasn't there, I wasn't focused at all," he said. "I was thinking about other things, and obviously bottling it all up trying to play football, you're tense, you're stressed and you can't do it. "There were some days where I used to have a game at 8pm and we'd go to the hotel in the afternoon, I'd sleep from two until four, shut my curtains in the dark, and then wake up in the dark and you don't get any sunlight. "So I was advised by the doctors, as soon as you get up in the morning, jump out of bed, open the curtains and even the little things can really change your attitude." Lingard finally approached Solskjaer in 2019 to admit to his inner turmoil but by the time he went on loan to West Ham he had not started a first team match for more than a year. "It feels like you're not the same person, I feel like I wasn't Jesse Lingard," he added. "Even in football matches, I felt like the game was just passing me by, like I just didn't want to be there -- it was crazy. "I opened up to United and told them what I was going through, what my mum was going through and they're always there to help. "I've had other doctors that have helped which has been brilliant and during the lockdown I got my head together." Lingard says that lockdown proved to be the spark that re-lit the fuse and brought himself back to the person he had been. "I feel lockdown has transitioned me in a way," he said. "I watch my old games back, the World Cup games and the old games I used to play and I think 'yeah, that's the real Jesse Lingard'. "When I finally opened up and everyone understood it was like, 'oh, that's why', so now it's just me getting my head back together, football and helping my mum, and I don't have time for anything else really."

Jesse Lingard almost 'quit' football due to mental health issues

At a time when people are trying to be more considerate about each other’s traumas and feelings, Instagram has had a major error, leading to several users feeling "triggered."

The search function in the social media app had automatically started recommending terms such as "fasting", "appetite suppressants" and such terms to some people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/instagram-launches-experiment-to-hide-likes-377629" hreflang="en">Instagram launches experiment to hide 'likes'</a>

People suffering from eating disorder felt triggered due to these suggestions and some even felt they might relapse.

Instagram has now removed all those harmful terms from the platform and has apologised for the damage caused. The company has termed it as a “mistake” which has been resolved, a spokesperson said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/instagram-launches-new-stickers-on-ramzan-heres-how-to-use-them-377488" hreflang="en">Instagram launches new stickers on Ramzan, here's how to use them</a>

"We recently rolled out a new search functionality on Instagram beyond hashtags and usernames, to help you more easily discover and explore content you’re most interested in," a spokesperson for Facebook, owner of Instagram, said.

"As part of this new feature, when you tap on the search bar, we’ll suggest topics you may want to search for," he added. "Those suggestions, as well as the search results themselves, are limited to general interests, and weight loss should not have been one of them."

At a time when people are trying to be more considerate about each other’s traumas and feelings, Instagram has had a major error, leading to several users feeling "triggered.

At a time when people are trying to be more considerate about each other’s traumas and feelings, Instagram has had a major error, leading to several users feeling "triggered." The search function in the social media app had automatically started recommending terms such as "fasting", "appetite suppressants" and such terms to some people. Also read | Instagram launches experiment to hide 'likes' People suffering from eating disorder felt triggered due to these suggestions and some even felt they might relapse. Instagram has now removed all those harmful terms from the platform and has apologised for the damage caused. The company has termed it as a “mistake” which has been resolved, a spokesperson said. Also read | Instagram launches new stickers on Ramzan, here's how to use them "We recently rolled out a new search functionality on Instagram beyond hashtags and usernames, to help you more easily discover and explore content you’re most interested in," a spokesperson for Facebook, owner of Instagram, said. "As part of this new feature, when you tap on the search bar, we’ll suggest topics you may want to search for," he added. "Those suggestions, as well as the search results themselves, are limited to general interests, and weight loss should not have been one of them."

Instagram apologises for promoting 'eating disorder' phrases

The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly has said triggered a controversy by saying England, Australia and West Indies players “give up” on mental health while adding Indian players are better at handling it.&nbsp;

The former Indian captain’s comments created a social media storm as he said that Indians are more tolerant than overseas players while citing Australia’s refusal to tour South Africa. Many players have highlighted the importance of mental well-being including Indian captain Virat Kohli, who said players were “cooked” in bio-secure bubbles.&nbsp;

Kohli said last month that players were being "cooked" in bio-secure bubbles while England's policy of rotating and resting tour squad members has been criticised by pundits but defended by players.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/anil-kumble-to-wion-selection-headache-a-good-thing-for-punjab-kings-375722" hreflang="en">Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings</a>

Ganguly’s comments come just before the start of the Indian Premier League which will see players spending eight weeks in a bio-secure environment.&nbsp;

"I feel we Indians are a bit more tolerant than overseas (cricketers)", Ganguly told a promotional event late Tuesday, while acknowledging the pressures all players endure.

"I've played with a lot of Englishmen, Australians, West Indians, they just give up on mental health," he added.&nbsp;

"In the last six to seven months, with so much cricket going on in the bio-bubble, it's so tough.

"Just going from the hotel room to the ground... it's an absolutely different life."

While talking about the postponement of Australia’s tour of South Africa in March, Ganguly said that while there is a COVID-19 scare, people have to train themselves mentally to overcome the challenges.&nbsp;

"Look at the Australian team, they were supposed to go to South Africa for a Test series after India played there. They refused to go there."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-2-key-foreign-players-to-miss-delhi-capitals-opening-match-vs-chennai-super-kings-375665" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: 2 key foreign players to miss Delhi Capitals' opening match vs Chennai Super Kings</a>

He added: "And always there's this scare of COVID. 'Hope it's not me the next time'. You have to stay positive, you have to train yourself mentally. All of us have to train ourselves mentally so that only good will happen. It boils down to training."&nbsp;

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<h2>Here's how netizens reacted to Sourav Ganguly's comments on mental health:</h2>

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Sourav Ganguly needs to be spoken to for his comment on mental health. Has he not read about the suicides? It’s irresponsible coming from a board that needs to lead by example, especially when cricketers are now constantly battling mental fatigue in between several bio bubbles.
— Arjun (@ArjunNamboo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArjunNamboo/status/1379695025525649410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/SGanguly99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SGanguly99</a> - please read before you make any more comments anywhere about mental health. <a href="https://t.co/xrA1LKDmFk">https://t.co/xrA1LKDmFk</a>
— Srinivas R (@srini_r_twit) <a href="https://twitter.com/srini_r_twit/status/1379605723940724742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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🚨 Long thread 🚨 
 
Recently in an interaction, Ganguly Sir talked a bit about Mental Health and bio bubbles. While we are aware of what he said, here is a thread of thoughts on the impact of what he said according to my understanding.
— Urvi Shah (@unikurvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/unikurvi/status/1379481814226542595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Pretty poor from Sourav Ganguly, pretty much the epitome of a countryman from a very divided nation though that he can take such an abject view of mental health. "Tolerance" plays no part and I would remind him several Indian players were reprimanded on the Aus tour for bubble
— Thomas Roper (@tomroper87) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomroper87/status/1379507422436466690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Quite a comment from Sourav Ganguly: “I feel we Indians are a bit more tolerant than overseas (cricketers). I’ve played with a lot of Englishmen, Australians, West Indians. They just give up on mental health.”
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) <a href="https://twitter.com/the_topspin/status/1379502149852336128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The IPL, to be held in six cities without spectators, will take place against the backdrop of a new surge in cases in India from April 9.

The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly has said triggered a controversy by saying England, Australia and West Indies players “give up” on mental health while adding Indian players are better at handling it.

The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly has said triggered a controversy by saying England, Australia and West Indies players “give up” on mental health while adding Indian players are better at handling it. The former Indian captain’s comments created a social media storm as he said that Indians are more tolerant than overseas players while citing Australia’s refusal to tour South Africa. Many players have highlighted the importance of mental well-being including Indian captain Virat Kohli, who said players were “cooked” in bio-secure bubbles. Kohli said last month that players were being "cooked" in bio-secure bubbles while England's policy of rotating and resting tour squad members has been criticised by pundits but defended by players. ALSO READ: Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings Ganguly’s comments come just before the start of the Indian Premier League which will see players spending eight weeks in a bio-secure environment. "I feel we Indians are a bit more tolerant than overseas (cricketers)", Ganguly told a promotional event late Tuesday, while acknowledging the pressures all players endure. "I've played with a lot of Englishmen, Australians, West Indians, they just give up on mental health," he added. "In the last six to seven months, with so much cricket going on in the bio-bubble, it's so tough. "Just going from the hotel room to the ground... it's an absolutely different life." While talking about the postponement of Australia’s tour of South Africa in March, Ganguly said that while there is a COVID-19 scare, people have to train themselves mentally to overcome the challenges. "Look at the Australian team, they were supposed to go to South Africa for a Test series after India played there. They refused to go there." ALSO READ: IPL 2021: 2 key foreign players to miss Delhi Capitals' opening match vs Chennai Super Kings He added: "And always there's this scare of COVID. 'Hope it's not me the next time'. You have to stay positive, you have to train yourself mentally. All of us have to train ourselves mentally so that only good will happen. It boils down to training." × Here's how netizens reacted to Sourav Ganguly's comments on mental health: Sourav Ganguly needs to be spoken to for his comment on mental health. Has he not read about the suicides? It’s irresponsible coming from a board that needs to lead by example, especially when cricketers are now constantly battling mental fatigue in between several bio bubbles. — Arjun (@ArjunNamboo) April 7, 2021 × @SGanguly99 - please read before you make any more comments anywhere about mental health. https://t.co/xrA1LKDmFk — Srinivas R (@srini_r_twit) April 7, 2021 × 🚨 Long thread 🚨 Recently in an interaction, Ganguly Sir talked a bit about Mental Health and bio bubbles. While we are aware of what he said, here is a thread of thoughts on the impact of what he said according to my understanding. — Urvi Shah (@unikurvi) April 6, 2021 × Pretty poor from Sourav Ganguly, pretty much the epitome of a countryman from a very divided nation though that he can take such an abject view of mental health. "Tolerance" plays no part and I would remind him several Indian players were reprimanded on the Aus tour for bubble — Thomas Roper (@tomroper87) April 6, 2021 × Quite a comment from Sourav Ganguly: “I feel we Indians are a bit more tolerant than overseas (cricketers). I’ve played with a lot of Englishmen, Australians, West Indians. They just give up on mental health.” — Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) April 6, 2021 × The IPL, to be held in six cities without spectators, will take place against the backdrop of a new surge in cases in India from April 9.

Overseas players 'give up on mental health,' Sourav Ganguly says Indians more tolerant in bubble life

Phone anxiety is a serious issue. It can cost people their mental well-being and adversely impact their overall quality of life. Watch the video to know more about the issue.

Tech It Out | Phone Anxiety: Why it happens and how to overcome it

In new research, scientists have found for the first time that disruptions to a particular protein called Akt can lead to the brain changes characteristic of bipolar disorder.The study was conducted by the scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The results offer a foundation for research into treating the often-overlooked cognitive impairments of bipolar disorder, such as memory loss and add to a growing understanding of how the biochemistry of the brain affects health and disease. The Cahill lab and their colleagues at Michigan State University published their findings in Neuron.

Bipolar disorder affects millions of Americans, causing dramatic swings in mood and, in some people, additional effects such as memory problems.

While bipolar disorder is linked to many genes, each one making small contributions to the disease, scientists don`t know just how those genes ultimately give rise to the disorder`s effects.

Akt is a kinase, a type of protein that adds tags of the molecule phosphate to other proteins. These phosphate tags can act as on or off switches, changing how other proteins work, ultimately influencing vital functions.

In neurons, those functions can include how cells signal to one another, which can affect thinking and mood. When the Akt pathway is revved up, a lot of other proteins get phosphate tags. When it`s quieter, those phosphate tags are absent.

The researchers discovered that men with bipolar disorder have reduced activity of this pathway, known at Akt-mTOR, in a brain region crucial for attention and memory. And when the researchers disrupted the pathway in mice, the rodents developed memory problems and crucial brain connections withered away, simulating changes in humans with bipolar disorder.

"This loss of Akt pathway function in people with bipolar disorder is probably contributing to cognitive impairment," said Michael Cahill, a professor of neuroscience in the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, who led the research.

"The idea is that maybe we can target pathways like this one pharmacologically to help alleviate core symptoms of bipolar disorder."

To assess the activity of the Akt pathway, the Cahill lab acquired brain tissue samples from deceased donors who had schizophrenia, bipolar disorder without psychosis, and bipolar disorder with psychosis, as well as healthy donors. The tissue samples came from the prefrontal cortex, known to control high-level functions, which is affected by bipolar disorder and the related disorder schizophrenia.

By measuring the number and variety of phosphate tags on proteins controlled by Akt in the tissue samples, the researchers could get a sense of the overall activity of the Akt-mTOR pathway.

Although they were originally expecting to see the biggest changes in patients with schizophrenia -- which has the strongest genetic links to the Akt gene among the three related disorders -- the researchers found that activity of the Akt-mTOR pathway was diminished in just one group of patients: men with bipolar disorder without psychosis.

"It was very different than we thought, which is kind of a good example of how in science you don`t really know what you`re going to get," aid Cahill.

After seeing this correlation between bipolar disorder and a quieter Akt pathway, Cahill`s group then asked what effect this diminished Akt pathway would have in the brain. To answer that question, they used viruses to deliver broken Akt proteins to the prefrontal cortexes of mice. The broken Akt proteins would override working ones, gumming up the Akt pathway.

In behavioral tests, the mice with gummed up Akt pathways demonstrated memory problems, no longer exploring changes to familiar environments.

Spending a lot of time investigating objects or other features that have changed their location is "their way of telling us that they recognize something is different," said Cahill. "That was impaired when we disrupted the Akt pathway."But mice with less active Akt pathways still showed typical social behaviors, suggesting that the pathway was not responsible for other high-level brain functions.

When the scientists looked in the brains of mice with diminished Akt pathways, they found that the connections that neurons use to interact with other neurons, known as dendritic spines, had withered.

Dendritic spines are like intersections between the roads that information in the brain travels on. "With the number of intersections being reduced, it`s harder to get where you want to go," Cahill said.

That disrupting the Akt pathway in mice seemed to replicate aspects of bipolar disorder that also occur in humans -- memory problems, weaker neuron connections -- provides the first clear link from this gene to the effects of bipolar disorder.

Yet, many questions remain. Women with bipolar disorder did not show the same changes in Akt-mTOR activity as men did. Nor did people with bipolar disorder with psychosis or those with schizophrenia, despite similar genetic links between the Akt pathway and these disorders.

Untangling these differences and fleshing out the path from genes to disease will require much more research. For instance, many other genes contribute to bipolar disorder, and those genes may play a larger role in these groups.

Going forward, Cahill`s lab plans to follow individual circuits in the brain to discover just how the Akt pathway influences memory. That additional research should help unravel some of the enduring riddles surrounding bipolar disorder and how subtle genetic changes can lead to big differences in how people experience the world.

In new research, scientists have found for the first time that disruptions to a particular protein called Akt can lead to the brain changes characteristic of bipolar disorder.

In new research, scientists have found for the first time that disruptions to a particular protein called Akt can lead to the brain changes characteristic of bipolar disorder.The study was conducted by the scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The results offer a foundation for research into treating the often-overlooked cognitive impairments of bipolar disorder, such as memory loss and add to a growing understanding of how the biochemistry of the brain affects health and disease. The Cahill lab and their colleagues at Michigan State University published their findings in Neuron. Bipolar disorder affects millions of Americans, causing dramatic swings in mood and, in some people, additional effects such as memory problems. While bipolar disorder is linked to many genes, each one making small contributions to the disease, scientists don`t know just how those genes ultimately give rise to the disorder`s effects. Akt is a kinase, a type of protein that adds tags of the molecule phosphate to other proteins. These phosphate tags can act as on or off switches, changing how other proteins work, ultimately influencing vital functions. In neurons, those functions can include how cells signal to one another, which can affect thinking and mood. When the Akt pathway is revved up, a lot of other proteins get phosphate tags. When it`s quieter, those phosphate tags are absent. The researchers discovered that men with bipolar disorder have reduced activity of this pathway, known at Akt-mTOR, in a brain region crucial for attention and memory. And when the researchers disrupted the pathway in mice, the rodents developed memory problems and crucial brain connections withered away, simulating changes in humans with bipolar disorder. "This loss of Akt pathway function in people with bipolar disorder is probably contributing to cognitive impairment," said Michael Cahill, a professor of neuroscience in the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, who led the research. "The idea is that maybe we can target pathways like this one pharmacologically to help alleviate core symptoms of bipolar disorder." To assess the activity of the Akt pathway, the Cahill lab acquired brain tissue samples from deceased donors who had schizophrenia, bipolar disorder without psychosis, and bipolar disorder with psychosis, as well as healthy donors. The tissue samples came from the prefrontal cortex, known to control high-level functions, which is affected by bipolar disorder and the related disorder schizophrenia. By measuring the number and variety of phosphate tags on proteins controlled by Akt in the tissue samples, the researchers could get a sense of the overall activity of the Akt-mTOR pathway. Although they were originally expecting to see the biggest changes in patients with schizophrenia -- which has the strongest genetic links to the Akt gene among the three related disorders -- the researchers found that activity of the Akt-mTOR pathway was diminished in just one group of patients: men with bipolar disorder without psychosis. "It was very different than we thought, which is kind of a good example of how in science you don`t really know what you`re going to get," aid Cahill. After seeing this correlation between bipolar disorder and a quieter Akt pathway, Cahill`s group then asked what effect this diminished Akt pathway would have in the brain. To answer that question, they used viruses to deliver broken Akt proteins to the prefrontal cortexes of mice. The broken Akt proteins would override working ones, gumming up the Akt pathway. In behavioral tests, the mice with gummed up Akt pathways demonstrated memory problems, no longer exploring changes to familiar environments. Spending a lot of time investigating objects or other features that have changed their location is "their way of telling us that they recognize something is different," said Cahill. "That was impaired when we disrupted the Akt pathway."But mice with less active Akt pathways still showed typical social behaviors, suggesting that the pathway was not responsible for other high-level brain functions. When the scientists looked in the brains of mice with diminished Akt pathways, they found that the connections that neurons use to interact with other neurons, known as dendritic spines, had withered. Dendritic spines are like intersections between the roads that information in the brain travels on. "With the number of intersections being reduced, it`s harder to get where you want to go," Cahill said. That disrupting the Akt pathway in mice seemed to replicate aspects of bipolar disorder that also occur in humans -- memory problems, weaker neuron connections -- provides the first clear link from this gene to the effects of bipolar disorder. Yet, many questions remain. Women with bipolar disorder did not show the same changes in Akt-mTOR activity as men did. Nor did people with bipolar disorder with psychosis or those with schizophrenia, despite similar genetic links between the Akt pathway and these disorders. Untangling these differences and fleshing out the path from genes to disease will require much more research. For instance, many other genes contribute to bipolar disorder, and those genes may play a larger role in these groups. Going forward, Cahill`s lab plans to follow individual circuits in the brain to discover just how the Akt pathway influences memory. That additional research should help unravel some of the enduring riddles surrounding bipolar disorder and how subtle genetic changes can lead to big differences in how people experience the world.

Scientists detect disruptions in Akt protein can cause bipolar disorder

Four Republican U.S. lawmakers requested on Tuesday that Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google turn over any studies they have done on how their services affect children’s mental health.

The request follows a joint hearing last week of two House Energy and Commerce subcommittees at which the companies’ chief executives discussed their content moderation practices in the wake of the siege on the Capitol in January.

Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the committee’s ranking Republican, had asked the CEOs at the hearing whether their companies had conducted internal research concerning children’s mental health.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg said he believed the company had, while Twitter’s Jack Dorsey said he did not believe so. Google’s Sundar Pichai said the company consulted with outside experts and invested “a lot of time and effort in these areas.”

In letters to the companies on Tuesday, McMorris Rodgers asked for copies of any relevant research or internal communications as well as information on any contractors and partners involved. They also requested any research the companies had done about how competitors’ products affect mental wellness of people under 18 years old.

The requests also cover Google’s YouTube Kids service and Facebook’s Instagram, which is developing a version for people under 13 years old.

The other lawmakers who signed the letter were ranking Republicans on various subcommittees, including Robert Latta, Gus Bilirakis and Morgan Griffith.

They asked for the companies to respond by April 16.

Four Republican U.S. lawmakers requested on Tuesday that Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google turn over any studies they have done on how their services affect children’s mental health.

Four Republican U.S. lawmakers requested on Tuesday that Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google turn over any studies they have done on how their services affect children’s mental health. The request follows a joint hearing last week of two House Energy and Commerce subcommittees at which the companies’ chief executives discussed their content moderation practices in the wake of the siege on the Capitol in January. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the committee’s ranking Republican, had asked the CEOs at the hearing whether their companies had conducted internal research concerning children’s mental health. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg said he believed the company had, while Twitter’s Jack Dorsey said he did not believe so. Google’s Sundar Pichai said the company consulted with outside experts and invested “a lot of time and effort in these areas.” In letters to the companies on Tuesday, McMorris Rodgers asked for copies of any relevant research or internal communications as well as information on any contractors and partners involved. They also requested any research the companies had done about how competitors’ products affect mental wellness of people under 18 years old. The requests also cover Google’s YouTube Kids service and Facebook’s Instagram, which is developing a version for people under 13 years old. The other lawmakers who signed the letter were ranking Republicans on various subcommittees, including Robert Latta, Gus Bilirakis and Morgan Griffith. They asked for the companies to respond by April 16.

US lawmakers press Big Tech for internal research on kids' mental health

The findings of a new study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggest that women who suffer from vision, hearing, or dual sensory loss are more than twice as likely to report depression and anxiety compared to men who experience the same issues.

The research, which has been published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, looked at survey data from more than 23,000 adults, where participants had self-reported whether they had suffered depression or anxiety, and also whether they experienced a vision, hearing, or dual (both vision and hearing) sensory impairment. 
&nbsp;

Across the whole sample, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was between 2 and 2.56 higher in women compared to men.

Women with dual sensory impairment were almost three and a half times more likely to report depression or anxiety than those who did not have any impairments, while men with dual sensory impairment were more than two and a half times more likely to experience depression, and almost twice as likely to report anxiety than those with no impairment.

Lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at ARU said: "Our study found that while sensory loss, particularly both vision and hearing loss, results in a higher number of the population reporting depression and anxiety, the association is particularly strong in women."This highlights the importance of interventions to address vision and hearing loss, especially in women. Some sensory loss is preventable or treatable, and clearly, these issues are taking their toll not just on physical health, but mental health too."&nbsp;

The findings of a new study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggest that women who suffer from vision, hearing, or dual sensory loss are more than twice as likely to report depression and anxiety compared to men who experience the same issues.

The findings of a new study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggest that women who suffer from vision, hearing, or dual sensory loss are more than twice as likely to report depression and anxiety compared to men who experience the same issues. The research, which has been published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, looked at survey data from more than 23,000 adults, where participants had self-reported whether they had suffered depression or anxiety, and also whether they experienced a vision, hearing, or dual (both vision and hearing) sensory impairment. Across the whole sample, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was between 2 and 2.56 higher in women compared to men. Women with dual sensory impairment were almost three and a half times more likely to report depression or anxiety than those who did not have any impairments, while men with dual sensory impairment were more than two and a half times more likely to experience depression, and almost twice as likely to report anxiety than those with no impairment. Lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at ARU said: "Our study found that while sensory loss, particularly both vision and hearing loss, results in a higher number of the population reporting depression and anxiety, the association is particularly strong in women."This highlights the importance of interventions to address vision and hearing loss, especially in women. Some sensory loss is preventable or treatable, and clearly, these issues are taking their toll not just on physical health, but mental health too."

Sensory loss in women twice as likely to lead to depression

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

COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on mental health

GravitasPlus | Most celebrities hide their struggles with mental health, most families mistake depression for introversion, most workplaces judge you for taking a day off for mental health, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of visiting a counsellor. We lose 800,000 people to mental health issues every year. Palki Sharma asks- why aren't we talking about it?

Gravitas Plus: A silent Pandemic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What increases depression, anxiety and loneliness in college students?

More than a year after the Coronavirus first emerged there is still no end in sight. Lockdowns, economic turmoil & ever climbing death tolls are leaving lasting impact on mental health as well. WION brings you a report.

WION Dispatch: Lockdowns & economic turmoil are causing mental health trauma

American model Bella Hadid encouraged her fans to "take time to get help for mental health," after returning to social media on Friday. 
 
According to E! News the 24-year-old model took her Instagram after a short hiatus and sent out a message on mental health for her followers. She wrote, "I took some time away to reflect and learn about myself in a way that would be too much to explain at the moment, but with time I will express." 
 
She added, "The memories and fortune I came back with are pure wisdom, a closer relationship with myself &amp; my spirituality, a sense of self-love that I have always lacked, a few great friends, and these books that saw me through. I found myself, my strength and my light again."&nbsp;

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Alongside her message, Bella shared a series of photos from her time away, including a shot of her riding a horse. Other pictures showed Bella`s reading material, `How to Love` by Thich Nhat Hanh, among others, as well as snaps of crystals and photos from outdoor activities.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/thor-love-and-thunder-who-is-new-who-is-coming-back-and-more-358501">'Thor: Love and Thunder': Who is new, who is coming back and more</a>

"I am only here to be an instrument of peace &amp; love to help people that suffer and hopefully the world, in time," she continued. "Thank you to my angels who have supported and have continued to love me, for me. You saved me. Take time to get help for your mental health. It`s worth it to get to your full potential," she concluded the post. 
 
As most of her fans might recall, Bella has been very vocal about the importance of mental health over the years on her social media. While celebrating her twenty-third birthday in 2019, Bella had shared a note on Instagram about asking for help in times of need.

American model Bella Hadid encouraged her fans to "take time to get help for mental health," after returning to social media on Friday. According to E! News the 24-year-old model took her Instagram after a short hiatus and sent out a message on mental health for her followers.

American model Bella Hadid encouraged her fans to "take time to get help for mental health," after returning to social media on Friday. According to E! News the 24-year-old model took her Instagram after a short hiatus and sent out a message on mental health for her followers. She wrote, "I took some time away to reflect and learn about myself in a way that would be too much to explain at the moment, but with time I will express." She added, "The memories and fortune I came back with are pure wisdom, a closer relationship with myself & my spirituality, a sense of self-love that I have always lacked, a few great friends, and these books that saw me through. I found myself, my strength and my light again." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid) × Alongside her message, Bella shared a series of photos from her time away, including a shot of her riding a horse. Other pictures showed Bella`s reading material, `How to Love` by Thich Nhat Hanh, among others, as well as snaps of crystals and photos from outdoor activities. 'Thor: Love and Thunder': Who is new, who is coming back and more "I am only here to be an instrument of peace & love to help people that suffer and hopefully the world, in time," she continued. "Thank you to my angels who have supported and have continued to love me, for me. You saved me. Take time to get help for your mental health. It`s worth it to get to your full potential," she concluded the post. As most of her fans might recall, Bella has been very vocal about the importance of mental health over the years on her social media. While celebrating her twenty-third birthday in 2019, Bella had shared a note on Instagram about asking for help in times of need.

Bella Hadid returns to social media, talks about mental health

The number of people taking their own lives in Japan rose for the first time in over a decade last year, as the pandemic reversed years of progress combatting a stubbornly high suicide rate.

Japan's health and welfare ministry said Friday that 20,919 people died by suicide in 2020 according to preliminary data, up 3.7 per cent from the previous year. That compares with 3,460 deaths from coronavirus in the same period.

It marks the first year-on-year rise in suicides in more than a decade, with women and children, in particular, taking their lives at higher rates.

Japan has long had the highest suicide rate among the Group of Seven advanced countries -- though regionally South Korea registers higher figures. But the government has worked in recent years to better support people with mental health needs.

Japan has seen a smaller coronavirus outbreak than some countries, avoiding the harsh lockdown measures put in place elsewhere, and a fall in suicides during the first half of 2020 raised hopes that the pandemic's impact might be limited.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-cancelled-japanese-government-issues-clarification-358428">Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Japanese government issues clarification</a>

But the figures began to rise in July after the first state of emergency was lifted in May, pattern experts say tracks with data showing suicides often drop in the first phase of crises such as conflicts and natural disasters, before rising sharply.

"For suicide in Japan, the rise was a major event and I think it was a big turning point," said Michiko Ueda, an associate professor of political science at Waseda University in Tokyo who studies suicide in Japan.

"The coronavirus is definitely a major factor," she told AFP, warning "we cannot deny the possibility that figures will rise again this year".

Virus 'highlighted gender gap'

Mental health experts around the world have warned that suicides could rise during the pandemic, driven by diverse factors including economic hardship, stress and family abuse.

In Japan, the rise is the first since 2009, in the wake of the global economic crisis, but it follows a different pattern from previous years.

"The coronavirus pandemic forced people into unusual circumstances," a health ministry official told AFP.

"In particular, problems experienced by women have been highlighted, which are thought to have led to suicides."

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-undertake-mass-coronavirus-vaccination-with-eye-on-olympics-357894">&nbsp;Japan to undertake mass coronavirus vaccination with eye on Olympics</a>

Suicides among men actually fell slightly from 2019, but over 14 per cent more suicides were recorded among women.

While determining the causes of rising suicides is complicated, Ueda said likely factors included increasing unemployment for women and extra burdens at home, in a country where household responsibilities are often unevenly shared in families.

The pandemic disproportionately hit industries that employ many women, often on temporary contracts, including hospitality and hotels.

A survey released by public broadcaster NHK in December found 26 per cent of female workers reported employment problems including layoffs since April, compared with 19 per cent of men.

"The coronavirus has highlighted Japan's gender gap," added Yayo Okano, a professor of feminism at Doshisha University in Kyoto.

In a separate NHK poll, 28 per cent of women reported spending more time on housework during the pandemic, compared with 19 per cent of men, with at-home supervision of children -- after schools closed -- falling mostly to mothers.

"Household burdens on women have long been disproportionately heavy in Japan and their burdens have increased because of coronavirus," Okano told AFP.

'They don't know what to do'

Rising suicides among children have also alarmed experts: more than 300 children in elementary, junior high and high school died by suicide in the eight months to November, up nearly 30 per cent from the same month a year earlier. December figures were not yet available.

"Students are feeling anxiety about their future," said Akiko Mura, a counsellor at the Tokyo Suicide Prevention Centre.

"They don't know what to do. They used to be able to release their stress by talking to their friends, but now they can't even go to karaoke."

Experts fear a series of high-profile celebrity suicides in Japan last year may also have triggered vulnerable people to consider taking their lives.

The number of suicides in Japan peaked at around 34,000 in 2003, but efforts since then to tackle the problem -- including addressing deaths linked to overwork and introducing online counselling -- had helped bring the numbers down.

Munetaka Kaneko, a counsellor at suicide prevention NGO Sotto, said the government now needed to make suicide response a key plank of its virus policy, with "prevention measures fit for the pandemic era".

"For some, the risks of suicide are far graver than those posed by the pandemic."

The number of people taking their own lives in Japan rose for the first time in over a decade last year, as the pandemic reversed years of progress combatting a stubbornly high suicide rate.

The number of people taking their own lives in Japan rose for the first time in over a decade last year, as the pandemic reversed years of progress combatting a stubbornly high suicide rate. Japan's health and welfare ministry said Friday that 20,919 people died by suicide in 2020 according to preliminary data, up 3.7 per cent from the previous year. That compares with 3,460 deaths from coronavirus in the same period. It marks the first year-on-year rise in suicides in more than a decade, with women and children, in particular, taking their lives at higher rates. Japan has long had the highest suicide rate among the Group of Seven advanced countries -- though regionally South Korea registers higher figures. But the government has worked in recent years to better support people with mental health needs. Japan has seen a smaller coronavirus outbreak than some countries, avoiding the harsh lockdown measures put in place elsewhere, and a fall in suicides during the first half of 2020 raised hopes that the pandemic's impact might be limited. Also read| Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Japanese government issues clarification But the figures began to rise in July after the first state of emergency was lifted in May, pattern experts say tracks with data showing suicides often drop in the first phase of crises such as conflicts and natural disasters, before rising sharply. "For suicide in Japan, the rise was a major event and I think it was a big turning point," said Michiko Ueda, an associate professor of political science at Waseda University in Tokyo who studies suicide in Japan. "The coronavirus is definitely a major factor," she told AFP, warning "we cannot deny the possibility that figures will rise again this year". Virus 'highlighted gender gap' Mental health experts around the world have warned that suicides could rise during the pandemic, driven by diverse factors including economic hardship, stress and family abuse. In Japan, the rise is the first since 2009, in the wake of the global economic crisis, but it follows a different pattern from previous years. "The coronavirus pandemic forced people into unusual circumstances," a health ministry official told AFP. "In particular, problems experienced by women have been highlighted, which are thought to have led to suicides." Also read| Japan to undertake mass coronavirus vaccination with eye on Olympics Suicides among men actually fell slightly from 2019, but over 14 per cent more suicides were recorded among women. While determining the causes of rising suicides is complicated, Ueda said likely factors included increasing unemployment for women and extra burdens at home, in a country where household responsibilities are often unevenly shared in families. The pandemic disproportionately hit industries that employ many women, often on temporary contracts, including hospitality and hotels. A survey released by public broadcaster NHK in December found 26 per cent of female workers reported employment problems including layoffs since April, compared with 19 per cent of men. "The coronavirus has highlighted Japan's gender gap," added Yayo Okano, a professor of feminism at Doshisha University in Kyoto. In a separate NHK poll, 28 per cent of women reported spending more time on housework during the pandemic, compared with 19 per cent of men, with at-home supervision of children -- after schools closed -- falling mostly to mothers. "Household burdens on women have long been disproportionately heavy in Japan and their burdens have increased because of coronavirus," Okano told AFP. 'They don't know what to do' Rising suicides among children have also alarmed experts: more than 300 children in elementary, junior high and high school died by suicide in the eight months to November, up nearly 30 per cent from the same month a year earlier. December figures were not yet available. "Students are feeling anxiety about their future," said Akiko Mura, a counsellor at the Tokyo Suicide Prevention Centre. "They don't know what to do. They used to be able to release their stress by talking to their friends, but now they can't even go to karaoke." Experts fear a series of high-profile celebrity suicides in Japan last year may also have triggered vulnerable people to consider taking their lives. The number of suicides in Japan peaked at around 34,000 in 2003, but efforts since then to tackle the problem -- including addressing deaths linked to overwork and introducing online counselling -- had helped bring the numbers down. Munetaka Kaneko, a counsellor at suicide prevention NGO Sotto, said the government now needed to make suicide response a key plank of its virus policy, with "prevention measures fit for the pandemic era". "For some, the risks of suicide are far graver than those posed by the pandemic."

Pandemic raises Japan suicide rate after decade of decline

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