James Middleton, the younger brother of Princess Catherine, has spoken publicly about his struggles with depression, revealing that he initially found it difficult to open up to family members but instead confided in his late spaniel Ella. He shared this during an appearance on Loose Women's 25-hour talkathon, which is raising funds for the mental health charity Get Britain Talking. Middleton stated that his mental health issues began when he was at boarding school and has since spoken about how he coped with these struggles.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14161549/james-middleton-depression-ella-family.htmlOxford University has chosen "grief" as its Word of the Year, reflecting how people's lives have become increasingly intertwined with online interactions. The choice was made by a panel at Oxford Dictionaries, which cited the growing awareness and discussion about mental health in the context of social media use. This year's selection is seen as a commentary on the state of modern life, where people are constantly connected but often feel isolated.
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/12/behind-the-brain-rot/680866/Excessive gaming habits have been linked to several negative consequences. A person may spend an inordinate amount of time on gaming sites or at locations where gaming is prevalent, such as online forums or arcades. This behavior can lead to boasting about gaming successes while downplaying losses, indicating a lack of self-awareness and potentially problematic attitudes towards risk-taking. Furthermore, individuals with excessive gaming habits often lose interest in other hobbies and activities, missing social events and gatherings. They may also allocate a significant portion of their free time and finances to gaming, leading to withdrawal from responsibilities such as unexplained absences from work or social engagements. Additionally, mood swings related to gaming activities have been reported, suggesting that excessive gaming can have a profound impact on mental health.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-lottery-spending-limits-option-to-suspend-account-for-up-to-5-years-among-player-control-toolsA lawsuit has been filed against a school district and faculty members on behalf of Kelaia, a student who attempted suicide after being bullied by her peers. The lawsuit seeks compensation for various expenses related to Kelaia's medical treatment, including psychiatric care, special education services, and lost wages for her parents, as well as damages for the emotional trauma she experienced due to the bullying.
https://nypost.com/2024/12/03/us-news/bullies-sneak-into-icu-to-snap-photos-of-12yo-girl-they-drove-to-hang-self-lawsuit/The term "brain rot" has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary with a definition that describes it as the deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state due to excessive consumption of trivial or unchallenging content, particularly online. The concept is not new, having first appeared in Henry David Thoreau's 1854 book "Walden", where he lamented the spread of "brain-rot" among people. However, its current usage is linked to the proliferation of low-quality content on social media and the negative effects it has on individuals who spend excessive time consuming it. According to Oxford Languages, the term's usage grew significantly over the summer and peaked in September.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brain-rot-the-scourge-of-the-chronically-online-becomes-oxfords-2024-word-of-year-180985560/Oxford Dictionaries has announced "brain rot" as its Word of the Year for 2024. The term refers to the decline or degradation of mental abilities, often due to prolonged exposure to social media and technology. This choice reflects growing concerns about the impact of digital technology on cognitive function.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/daily-roundup-oxfords-word-year-2024-brain-rot-and-other-top-stories-todayResearchers are warning that while the Strava fitness-tracking app can be beneficial for tracking progress and connecting with like-minded athletes, it may also have negative effects on mental health. For millions of people, using Strava is a regular part of their exercise routine, alongside essential items such as water bottles and proper shoes.
https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3288995/stravas-great-watch-your-mental-health-warn-researchers?module=post_magazine&pgtype=sectionFollowing a car-ramming attack in Zhuhai on November 11, local governments have been instructed to closely monitor individuals who are considered vulnerable due to their socio-economic circumstances. These "si wu wu shi" individuals, as defined by the Chinese government, lack a spouse, children, stable income or assets, and may be experiencing investment failures, relationship discord, psychological imbalances, and mental health issues. The tight controls on press freedom in China have limited media coverage of the incident, leaving room for speculation and misinformation to spread.
https://channelnewsasia.com/commentary/china-mass-violence-casualty-death-unemployment-inequality-mental-health-4777961In Australia, suicide is a leading cause of death, accounting for over 3,000 lives lost each year. The median age of death by suicide is 45 years, which is significantly lower than the median ages of other prevalent causes of death in the country. Mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, are the primary underlying factors contributing to these deaths, making up 43% of Australian suicides in 2017-18. According to Lifeline Australia, signs that someone may be struggling with suicidal thoughts include restlessness, emotional outbursts, withdrawal from social connections and activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and increased substance use.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/real-life/article-14107667/depression-husband-suicide.html