Matt Jukes, a senior policing figure, has called on the UK to follow Australia's lead in banning social media use by under-16s, citing concerns over online radicalisation and isolation during the pandemic leading to an increase in young people appearing in MI5 and counterterrorism policing casework. He compared the harm caused by social media to the 'cancer' of cigarettes, urging the UK to take swift action to regulate the content driving violence in communities and among young people. This comes as a recent study found that school phone bans do not have any positive effects on students' grades, mental wellbeing or physical health. The UK's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has slammed social media companies for failing to remove violent videos watched by killer Axel Rudakubana ahead of the Southport murders.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14366193/Childrens-social-media-cancer-anti-terror-chief-warns.htmlState Senator John McKeon has introduced a package of bills to address the growing problem of gambling addiction in New Jersey. He notes that young people are being targeted by aggressive advertising campaigns on radio and TV, which can lead them to become deeply entrenched in debt and experience suicidal thoughts as a result of their financial struggles.
https://whyy.org/articles/super-bowl-gambling-new-jersey/The Consulate General of Mexico in Houston is hosting an event featuring Cónsul Juan Carlos Hernández Wocker, who will provide information on legal protections and resources available to the immigrant community. Dr. Carolina Jiménez, a licensed psychologist, will also speak about the mental health impact of human trafficking and the support services available to survivors.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/human-trafficking-prevention-houston-english-spanish/285-ff3990b5-583c-47f1-857b-76dd770ebd97Serrano Amat's paintings, such as "The Idlers", are a commentary on contemporary society, drawing from art historical references like Chaplin's "The Idle Class" and film noir traditions. His works depict crowded scenes of social interaction, where individuals' subjective experiences are thrust upon the viewer through the use of fisheye lens-like perspectives. The paintings often break down at points where bodies come together, revealing a sense of anxiety and chaos. Influenced by artists like Béla Tarr and Dario Argento, Amat's works also touch on themes of social conflagration, gestural action, and the uncertainty of human interaction. His use of bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors creates a distinctly contemporary atmosphere, one that is both American and influenced by Spanish literary movements like Eserpento.
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/guillermo-serrano-amat-the-idlers-harkawik-nyc/Wendy Williams, a media personality, has disputed her initial diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia after speaking with two media outlets. Her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, informed the judge overseeing her case about the interviews, in which Wendy claimed she does not have the condition that led to her being placed in an assisted living facility.
https://www.tmz.com/2025/02/05/wendy-williams-guardian-wants-her-to-have-new-mental-evaluation/A psychiatrist at AIIMS has warned that obesity is linked to mental health risks such as body-image issues, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and self-isolation in individuals. This can lead to emotional eating and make weight management more challenging.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/mental-health-at-risk-aiims-psychiatrist-warns-of-obesity-linked-anxiety-and-depression-a505/A relationship-based therapist notes that true connection requires effort and that embracing friendships means accepting the varying levels of inconvenience they bring. Research has shown that people with close relationships experience higher wellbeing and increased life satisfaction. The therapist suggests that despite the potential challenges, the benefits of friendships are well established, citing a 2023 review of 38 research articles on adult friendship.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-best-six-ways-to-make-your-friendships-easier-and-more-fun-20250203-p5l94r.htmlA study conducted by a team from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital has found a probable link between the intestinal bacteria Morganella morganii and major depressive disorder. The research, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, suggests that this type of bacteria may trigger an autoimmune inflammatory response that contributes to depression. Specifically, the scientists discovered that diethanolamine, a chemical found in some detergents, can alter the molecule produced by Morganella morganii in the gut, potentially leading to the onset of depression.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3297392/feeling-low-how-your-gut-health-bacteria-may-trigger-depression-study-says?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionAccording to a new study published in the BMJ Mental Health journal, nearly 50,000 people who participated in a two-year survey reported feeling their happiest in the morning and worst at midnight. The researchers from University College London analyzed data from the COVID-19 Social Study, which found that Mondays and Fridays were happier days than Sundays, while Tuesdays also showed improved moods. The study's findings suggest that time of day is associated with depression, anxiety, wellbeing, and loneliness, and can inform the planning and provision of public health services.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-05/happiness-research-mornings-feel-better-than-night-study-finds/104893922