Date: 16th December 2016
Love is Madness – or is it?

A new study shows that a brain area linked with rewards is smaller in participants who are in love.
Passionate love has always seemed mind-altering to poets and public alike. Now science shows the truth of that statement, at least to some extent. Read more on the Research Digest blog of the BPS.
www.ted.com/playlists/204/slow_down_enjoy_life?utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=playlist&utm_term=social-science
Date: 14th December 2016
Slow Down! Enjoy Life.
This playlist of different TED talks might help you find your way to relax.
In a colourful mix of seven short and longer videos different concepts and practices like meditation, mindfulness, monotasking and much more are explained and explored. Slow down your life in a way that works for you.
Date: 9th December 2016

Working to Live or Living to Work?
Three tips to achieve a satisfying work-life balance.
Read this article on Psychology Today to find out how you can reduce family conflict and improve your emotional stability by finding a better balance between work, love and play.
www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happy-trails/201612/working-live-or-living-work
Date: 7th December 2016
Single Parents and Holiday Stress
The holiday season is stressful for all of us but even more so for single parents trying to manage all by themselves.
Read this Psychology Today article to find out how to reduce holiday stress through self-care and making smart choices.
www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-women-s-work/201612/single-moms-and-holiday-stress
Date: 30th November 2016
What makes a good life?

Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger conducted a 75-year-old study on adult development and presents his findings on true happiness and satisfaction.
TED talk – Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness
Date: 6th August 2015
Understanding schizophrenia and bipolar
Insight into schizophrenia and bipolar – Listen to people who have been diagnosed.
TedTalk: ‘The voices in my head’ by Eleanor Longden. Eleanor tells the moving tale of her years-long journey back to mental health after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Date: 4th August 2015
Am I normal yet?

This new book by Holly Bourne explores mental illness in young adults.
Being aware of mental illness in young adults is of great importance as 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem before the age of 15. And even though many young people recover from their mental illness, do they recover from the trauma of going through this at such a young age?
Have a look at the article in The Guardian and read the first chapter of the book for free.
Date: 31st July 2015
Today was the absolute worst day ever

If you had a bad day try to look at it differently and you might see that you actually had ‘a very good day’.
This poem was written by Chanie Gorkin, an 11th grader at an all girls’ high school in Brooklyn, NY. It was found hanging on a wall in London.
Today was the absolute worst day ever
And don’t try to convince me that
There’s something good in every day
Because, when you take a closer look,
This world is a pretty evil place.
Even if
Some goodness does shine through once in a while
Satisfaction and happiness don’t last.
And it’s not true that
It’s all in the mind and heart
Because
True happiness can be attained
Only if one’s surroundings are good
It’s not true that good exists
I’m sure you can agree that
The reality
Creates
My attitude
It’s all beyond my control
And you’ll never in a million years hear me say
Today was a very good day
Now read it from bottom to top, the other way,
And see what I really feel about my day.
Date: 31st July 2015
How to support someone who feels depressed

It is difficult to know how to support someone who feels low, upset, hopeless or depressed.
This article from Psychology Today suggests some things you could say:
Date: 23rd July 2015
Did you laugh today?

Did you ever think about why we actually laugh – what makes us laugh, what happens in our body etc.
Sophie Scott held an interesting TEDTalk on ‘Why we laugh’.
Date: 23rd July 2015
The effects of social and cultural diversity

Considering the currently prevailing anti-immigration attitude what does research tell us about the effects of social and cultural diversity?
The upcoming EU referendum and recent changes to non-EU immigration policies that make it increasingly difficult for non-EU citizens to immigrate to the UK highlight the UK government’s current anti-immigration attitude.
However, research suggests so many benefits of diversity that are often not mentioned in political debates – Social and cultural diversity is shown to make people more creative, more diligent and harder-working (Scientific American, 2014)
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter/
Date: 23rd 2015
Online cheating site hacked – astonishing 37 million personal records stolen

he most shocking part for most people is probably how many people are unfaithful to their spouse. So why do we cheat, especially if we are actually in a happy relationship and what really is infidelity?
Esther Perel interesting TEDTalk ‘Rethinking infidelity … a talk for anyone who has ever loved’.
Date: 16th July 2015
Don’t wait for your next holiday, start relaxing today!

Don’t be a workaholic, break rituals are essential for your health.
Have a read of the article ‘Why Waiting for Your Vacation to Unwind May Be Hurting You’ at Psychology Today.
Make a change to your life today by sign up for one of our free relaxation sessions at Shrewsbury Psychology Centre.
Date: 16th July 2015
A new survey revealed that more than 8 in 10 doctors are affected by mental health issues.
As clinicians it is our job to promote health and wellbeing. We tell our clients to look after themselves, take breaks, engage in relaxation exercises, be physically active and do more of those things that make them happy…but it seems like we don’t follow our own advice.
Read the whole article on Pulse
Date: 10th July 2015
Help raise awareness for perinatal depression among fathers.

To all dads – if you are concerned about your mental health speak out and get help.
A survey found that 2 in 5 new dads are concerned about mental health problems. Read more on The Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/17/two-in-five-new-dads-concerned-mental-health-problems
Date: 3rd July 2015
Children and young adults (<18) treated in adult mental health wards
Over the last Parliament funding for mental health services dropped by nearly £600 million – one of the consequences is that children and young adults (<18) are treated in adult mental health wards.
Have a look at the recent article on itv news:
Date: 3rd July 2015
Perception of NHS positive with the exception of mental health care
Recent survey finds that even though people are generally satisfied with NHS services, 39% of people think that those with mental health problems are not well cared for.
Have a look at the article which summarizes the findings of the survey (The Guardian):
Date: 18th June 2015
Depression – An allergic reaction to inflammation?!
So what is the cause of depression – serotonin level, personality traits or recent traumatic events? New research suggests that depression might be caused by an allergic reaction to inflammation.
Have a read of the article in FEELguide:
Date: 8th June 2015
People experiencing a mental health crisis are not criminals!
On more than 4,500 occasions police cells last year were used to detain people suffering mental health problems.
Read more at WalesOnline:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/people-experiencing-mental-health-crisis-9406084
Date: 22nd May 2015
Academia: Stress, pressure, immense workload, alcohol consumption and sleep difficulties
A culture of acceptance around mental health problems in academia.
Have a look at this article in The Guardian:
Date: 8th May 2015
Practice emotional first aid!!
Too many of us deal with common mental health issues on our own.
Interesting TedTalk by Guy Winch . Have a look.
Date: 8th May 2015
The bridge between suicide and life
Interesting TedTalk by Kevin Briggs – Have a look.
Date: 8th May 2015
Smartphone app developed to help people maintain their mental health.
University of Liverpool psychologists develop app to help people maintain their mental health.(Mental Health Today)
Read the article:
Date: 8th May 2015
Strugglino get sleep? You are not alone.
5 Ways to improve your sleep.
Read the article (Psychology Today)
8th May 2015
Are children of gay and lesbian parents at risk?
Many who oppose same-sex marriage say having a Mom and Dad is better for kids; however, science does not support this.
Read the article (Psychology Today):
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hive-mind/201505/the-importance-being-wanted
Date 27th April 2015
New Drop-in Café at the HIVE for young people (16-21) in Shropshire
A safe space to share your experiences with others and to seek support and advice from Psychologists and volunteers from Mind Shropshire.
HIVE SHREWSBURY PRESS RELEASE
DATE OF RELEASE: 27/04/2015
The Hive, a creative arts charity in Shrewsbury has formed a partnership with the charity organisation Shropshire Mind and Shrewsbury Psychology Centre to offer a Drop-in Cafe for young people aged 16-21.
The café will be called “Number Five” and provide young people with a safe place where they can find support from peers and where they can also share experiences. They will also be able to meet and seek advice from psychologists and volunteers from Shropshire Mind.
The Number Five cafe will take place once a week starting on Wednesday 13th May at 3:30 pm.
Heather Ireland, Manager of Shropshire Mind said: “We have very many inquiries from parents, teachers and younger people themselves who are looking for support and guidance regarding mental health and what is available for younger people. We have been planning the younger person’s group for some time now and it is fantastic that younger people will finally have a place to go for support, information and help. We are very lucky to have the support of the Hive and the Shrewsbury Psychology Centre.”
There will also be the opportunity for the young people to bring and share their ideas for activities and support groups that they can develop themselves with support.
The Hive’s Company Manager Salla Virman says: “The drop-in sessions will complement perfectly the project work we already do with young people. The Hive currently delivers a number of creative workshops with special emphasis on disadvantaged young people, although the drop-in sessions would be open to anyone aged 16-21. We are passionate about providing the best possible opportunities for every young person and hope to be able to provide more in-house support services in the future.”
Pending funding, The Hive, Shropshire Mind and the Shrewsbury Psychology Centre are hoping to develop the drop in sessions to also include creative workshop activities going forward.
Date: 13th April 2015
Suicide
Did you know that more men in London die of suicide than of assaults and road traffic accidents?
Article from Mental Health Today – Click the link below.
Date: 9th April 2015
Recovery without friends and family?!
Youngsters send to hospitals far from home after closure of local inpatient units.
Have a look at the article in The Guardian (link below).
Date: 7th April 2015
The use of Mindfulness
Use Mindfulness to master your routines and rituals.
Read the article through the link below.
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/routines-and-rituals-mindfulness-as-a-tool-for-mastery-0408154
27th March 2015
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Article highlights five simple ways to a happy and healthy life.
Have a look:
http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/entry/five-ways-to-well-being
Date: 20th March 2015
International Day of Happiness
Shrewsbury Psychology Centre wishes everyone a happy ‘International Day of Happiness’!!!
Music Video of Pharrell Williams – Happy
Date: 9th March 2015
For your start in the working week
A different way to deal with stress – Make stress your friend.
Kelly McGonigal on TED
Date: 1st February 2015
Now on Facebook
Shrewsbury Psychology Centre is now on Facebook – Have a look and ‘Like’ us.
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