Anders Breivik: Violence is not a common symptom of mental illness

Today marks the last scheduled day in the trial of Anders Behring Breivik, who, on the 22nd July 2011, killed 77 young Norweigians and injured 242 others. What we do know is that he is a self confessed Islamaphobic militant killer, what we don’t know is whether he has a psychiatric illness.

By Nicky Clark | Notebook, Opinion | Friday, 22 June 2012 at 1:24 pm

Force-feeding: There was a time when I would rather die than eat the food in front of me

There was a time when I would rather die than live with the guilt that came after drinking the nutrition substitute that replaced the contents of that plate.

By Ilona Burton | Health, Notebook, Opinion | Thursday, 21 June 2012 at 12:19 pm

Are there mental tools that can help alleviate mental illness?

What could trigger the Twitter tribute “Unbelievably brave. Kevan Jones MP is a hero!” from a rival Conservative MP? Tory Louise Mensch was praising the Labour MP’s courageous decision to share his experience of depression in last week’s House of Commons debate on mental illness.

By Tony Lobl | Health, Notebook, Opinion | Thursday, 21 June 2012 at 3:00 am

We have physical health and we have mental health – it’s time we saw them as equal

Members of parliament gathered in the House of Commons today to discuss something which has, for far too many years, been sidelined, overlooked and if acknowledged at all, treated with a certain level of complacency; mental health.

By Ilona Burton | Health, Notebook, Opinion | Friday, 15 June 2012 at 11:06 am

The Hidden Side of Sport (and beyond)

Freddie Flintoff’s documentary, ‘The Hidden Side of Sport’ shown on BBC1 last night did far more than shed some light on what goes on beneath the helmets of sportsmen on top of their game as they go out to bat. By unveiling those cracks and speaking candidly with others who have shared the sleepless nights and shameful drunken binges, Flintoff took a massive step forwards in fighting against the belief that depression is something that should be kept in the shadows.

By Ilona Burton | Notebook, Sport | Thursday, 12 January 2012 at 1:48 am

Volunteering: Appreciating how bittersweet life can be

Many of us like the idea of volunteering but find plenty of excuses not to.

Steve Watkins talks about how his personal experience of dementia helped him take the plunge.

By Steve Watkins | Health, Notebook, Opinion | Tuesday, 10 January 2012 at 12:01 am

“But you don’t LOOK anorexic”

‘Anorexia is so much more of as bitch when you don’t look anorexic.’
I tweeted this remark in amongst a rare splurge of personal eating disorder related rantage. Within minutes, I had a stream of comments in response, sharing my outrage that to anybody on the outside is so incomprehensible. It didn’t calm the anxieties I [...]

By Ilona Burton | Health, Notebook | Sunday, 27 November 2011 at 1:01 am

Religion, HIV and mental health

This week, Nina Lakhani reported on the disturbing case of the Evangelical Christian Church which has been encouraging members of its congregation to cease taking medication altogether in favour of prayer alone.

By Dr Sima Barmania | Health, Notebook | Friday, 21 October 2011 at 10:24 am

I’m Mental, How Are You?

It’s World Mental Health Day.
You’ll no doubt be bombarded with lots of facts and figures, statistics and if you haven’t heard already, you’ll be made aware that the Government Department of Health and Comic Relief have kindly secured funding for the ‘Time to Change’ campaign – which aims to put an end to stigma and [...]

By Ilona Burton | Notebook | Monday, 10 October 2011 at 12:09 am

Star Wards: may the force be with you

Marion Janner provides a patient’s view of life in a mental hospital and how listening to what patients want is bringing unexpected benefits for both service users and staff.

By Mariana Ashley | Health, Notebook | Tuesday, 4 October 2011 at 6:00 am