A record number of 7,119 teachers in Japan's public schools took leave due to mental health issues in a single year, according to data released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This marks a significant increase from previous years, highlighting growing concerns about teacher burnout and mental well-being in the education sector.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241224/p2a/00m/0na/037000cAccording to Dr. Charlynn Ruan, a clinical psychologist and founder of Thrive Psychology Group, people may experience physical and emotional exhaustion after an intense emotional situation, which she refers to as an "emotional hangover." This can occur when the body's nervous system is flooded with stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in response to conflict or negative interactions. Symptoms of an emotional hangover may include exhaustion, headaches, and brain fog.
https://www.insider.com/family-gatherings-cause-emotional-hangovers-how-to-recover-2024-12Dr. Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Hampshire, has identified several warning signs of fake friendships on TikTok. According to Dr. Smith, one major red flag is when someone's behavior changes after something good happens in your life, indicating they may not be genuinely invested in your well-being.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14186441/Im-psychologist-three-subtle-signs-friend-fake.htmlJewel Topsfield has written an article titled "Inside the psychology of ageing" for The Sydney Morning Herald. In it, she explores the concept of ageing as a state of mind and how it is not solely defined by physical appearance or cosmetics. Topsfield argues that ageism is a significant issue in society, but individuals can take steps to reframe their perception of growing older and focus on the privileges that come with it.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/ageing-well-is-a-state-of-mind-it-doesn-t-require-cosmetics-20241223-p5l0b7.htmlA study conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University found that nearly half of mock jurors who viewed disturbing evidence in a trial showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers, led by the university, observed 180 participants acting as jurors in a fictitious murder trial and found that 44% exhibited PTSD symptoms after viewing graphic autopsy photographs. This is an increase from the initial 11% who showed symptoms before seeing the evidence. As a result, the researchers are advocating for the expansion of a pilot scheme offering free counselling sessions to jurors at 15 crown courts in England and Wales.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14220207/Jurors-risk-trauma-gruesome-evidence-mock-trial.htmlThe Albanian government is taking measures to protect children from potential online threats, including increasing police presence at schools and enhancing cooperation with parents. This move comes amid concerns over social media use by minors in the European Union, where several countries have implemented restrictions on youth social media usage. The EU's incoming Polish presidency has also prioritized addressing mental health issues related to social media among children and adolescents.
https://www.politico.eu/article/teens-murder-drives-albania-ban-tiktok-one-year-edi-rama-stabbing-violence/Tulisa, a singer and contestant on a reality TV show, has spoken about her struggles with mental health during her time on the program. She revealed that she experienced anxiety attacks, including one that left her in tears and struggling to breathe, which was not shown on camera. The incidents occurred both while she was in the jungle and after leaving the show, where she would often be seen mingling with other contestants but was secretly crying in her hotel room.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14218897/Tulisa-reveals-secret-battle-prescription-drug-dependency.htmlIn a personal account, a woman reflects on how societal pressure to conform to beauty standards contributed to her struggles with bulimia. She notes that comments about her appearance, particularly when she was younger, made her feel validated and reinforced the idea that her worth was tied to her body size. This dynamic is linked to a broader issue of patriarchy and mental health, where women's self-worth is often measured by their physical appearance. The woman shares her experience in a 2011 Channel 4 documentary, highlighting the impact of such societal pressures on young women's mental health.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2024/12/21/telling-women-they-look-skinny-isnt-a-complimentA proposed legislation aims to shift the responsibility for handling mental health crises from law enforcement to paramedics. Under the proposal, paramedics would be required to take individuals experiencing a crisis to an inpatient mental health facility or one deemed suitable by the mental health authority, and file a notice of detention explaining their reasoning. This move is supported by both law enforcement and the paramedic community, with officials citing that medics have more advanced training in handling such situations. The proposal would allow police officers to focus on public safety, as Sheriff's Association representative Howard and Austin-Travis County EMS Employees Association President Selena Xie believe that medics are better equipped to handle mental health crises.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-mental-health-detentions-bill-paramedics-police/269-3a6e9c22-4d0f-49a6-b0b9-c02c9dcaf658