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In mind: focus on mental health

Series examining mental health issues around the world in the 21st century

  • Peyo the horse licks the hands of Roger, a patient at the palliative care centre at Calais Hospital.

    ‘Doctor Peyo’: the horse comforting cancer patients in Calais – in pictures

    Peyo and his owner once competed at dressage events. Now they spend their time doing rounds in a French hospital
  • illustration

    An illness in the shadows: life with borderline personality disorder

    BPD is one of the mental illnesses we still know least about, but now there is hope of a treatment
  • Yoni Yehuda, an Israeli psychotherapist, with Jack Daniels.

    Cats, camels and a Jesus lizard: the rise of animal-assisted therapy

    Once considered eccentric, using animals in psychotherapy is becoming popular as research reveals benefits
  • Mental Health Awareness Week Boxers in the Empire Fighting Chance gym in Bristol, a vital mental health service operating in the centre of the city. EFC predominantly works with young men and women aged 8 to 25 who experience significant challenges in their lives, including those excluded from school, involved in antisocial behaviour, almost always as a result of dealing with mental health issues.

    Knocking down barriers through boxing – photo essay

    A gym in Bristol has been transformed into a vital mental health service for young people with a combination of boxing with psychological support and personal development
  • Social distancing has removed more casual contacts from our lives – but they are fundamental to both our career and holistic development.

    Why casual chats with strangers are the thing many of us miss the most

    A brief encounter with a stranger on the bus or at the pub may seem trivial, but in the coronavirus era these ‘weak social ties’ are crucial
  • Amy Tan with fellow members of the Covid-19 Mutual Aid musicians’ group

    How shopping and Sinatra are helping in coronavirus isolation

    People from all walks of life are mobilising to support those coping with isolation
  • A community table is filled with groceries for those in need and impacted by the coronavirus in New Hampshire, US.

    'Happiness is contagious too': caring for each other makes us feel better – experts

    World Happiness Report names Finland the happiest country and shows us how to move forward after the coronavirus outbreak, say experts
  • A therapy dog visiting a young patient in hospital

    ‘Dogs have a magic effect’: how pets can improve our mental health

    Canine companions trigger similar neural pathways to the parent-baby bond, and reduce loneliness and depression. Now new pet therapy trials are reporting dramatic effects
  • Igor in Besançon, France

    'Gayropa': challenges and hopes of Europe's LGBT+ refugees – in pictures

    In his photojournalism series Gayropa, Bradley Secker profiles individuals from around the world who have made the difficult decision to migrate to Europe and claim asylum because of their sexuality
  • The Federal Court of Malaysia in Pahang

    Reform urged in Malaysia after disabled man is jailed for attempted suicide

    Campaign groups unite in condemnation of ‘grossly inhumane and incompassionate’ verdict
  • Women living in Kukuo village in Nanumba, southern Ghana.

    Cast out: the women of Ghana’s ‘witch’ village – in pictures

    As women age in rural Ghana, signs of dementia, mental health issues, or even menopausal symptoms, can result in them being declared ‘witches’ and pushed out of their community
  • Umama Belakob

    Shackling of Ghana's mentally ill – in pictures

    Stigma, misinformation and a dearth of psychiatric resources mean many Ghanaian resort to chaining up their loved ones or patients, sometimes for years on end
  • Umama Belakoba's feet

    'All we can offer is the chain': the scandal of Ghana's shackled sick

    For the families of Ghanaians with mental health or substance abuse issues, shackling their loved ones can seem the only option, as faith healers compete to fill the mental healthcare void
  • Motivational lifestyle reminders on colorful sticky notes

    Lessons in happiness: how a short course can boost your wellbeing

    Research shows that a programme by charity Action for Happiness can help participants adopt a more positive outlook
  • Two women in the ‘group home’ in Eniwa, Hokkaido.

    'I still dream of my husband': life with dementia in Japan – photo essay

    As stigma around the country’s health crisis starts to fade, some care facilities are at the forefront of devising ways to support a super-ageing society
  • Sophie Elwes, a first-time surfer, is instructed by coaches whilst waiting for a wave.

    'Water is my happy place': accessible surf school ignites passion for sport in Bristol

    The Wave artificial surfing lagoon is first in UK carefully crafted with people with disabilities in mind
  • Psychiatrist Melina Rakic

    Why are there so few prisoners in the Netherlands?

    The Dutch justice system is cutting jail populations by offering specialist rehabilitation to people with mental illnesses
  • Mothers and babies at the Breathe Arts Health Research centre in south-east London.

    Singing the blues: how music can help ease postnatal depression

    Melodies for Mums singing class uses songs specially chosen to improve confidence and bonding
  • Josephine Schneider’s House For children In Frederiksberg, Denmark<br>FREDERIKSBERG, DENMARK – NOVEMBER 18:  The  Josephine Schneider’s House for children seen from the garden on November 18, 2019 in Frederiksberg, Denmark. The Josephine Schneider’s House is a children’s home from the age of 8 – 19. They omes from families with severe psychological and social problems The home  has a capacity of up to 12 children.    (Photo by Ole Jensen for The Guardian via Getty Images)

    The Copenhagen house that's probably the best children's home in the world

    In Denmark, children’s homes are places of stability, comfort and support. Now a British entrepreneur is bringing the model to the UK
  • A woman runs past a destoyed building, still in flames, after it was attacked by Israeli warplane missiles, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon Monday Aug. 7, 2006. At daybreak Monday, Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs with eight airstrikes, stepping up bombardment of the Hizbullah stronghold. It was not immediately clear what was targeted. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Hizbullah Lebanon Israel war

    Is trauma handed down through generations?

    Psychologists increasingly think PTSD can be passed down – what does that mean for regions hit by conflict?
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