Tag: mental health
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Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is a time when we can come together annually to raise awareness around brain injuries. World Brain Injury Month allows us the opportunity to understand the prevalence, impact and challenges faced by individuals affected by brain injuries worldwide. Brain injuries are commonly caused by falls, sport-related incidents, accidents and medical conditions (National Institute of…
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Self-Harm: A Teenager’s Secret
Few things can be as scary and disconcerting for a parent as finding out that your beloved child is deliberately self-harming. And yet, self-harm is a common experience for adolescents around the world and many parents find themselves grappling with it. As a parent of a teenager, I often find myself worrying about self-harm –…
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How to Overcome Emotional Overeating?
Eating disorders (ED) and disordered eating have a long history. Historical descriptions of overeating date back to 700 BC during Caesar’s time, where rich ancient Romans would stuff themselves at lavish banquets, then purge to return to the feast. This was labelled as an eating disorder, “Bulimia Nervosa” (BN), by British psychiatrist Gerald Russell in…
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How a random act of kindness can light up your day!
I remember getting a small anonymous gift in the post during the COVID-19 lockdown, and for days, I tried to deduce who had sent it to me. It turns out a friend had won something for being a loyal customer and had decided to give it to me. This random act of kindness made me…
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VALENTINES DAY: BEYOND THE GIFT
The origin of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Roman and Christian traditions. The association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love began to gain prominence in the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day gradually evolved into a day dedicated to expressing love and affection to one’s romantic partner, as well as to…
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Chinese New Year: A Festival for Reunion or Disunion? Part 2: The CNY Survival Guide for Fellow Jaded Chinese Comrades
Coping with the Lunar Reds and Oranges With that, here are some ways to help you handle, even embrace the Lunar reds and oranges, like a Chinese dragon in calm control over turbulent waters: 1. Make room for all colours of emotions (even the greys, blacks and whites) Conventional wisdom, especially in Chinese culture, is…
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Chinese New Year: A Festival for Reunion or Disunion? Part 1: The Lunar Reds and Oranges
Chinese New Year (CNY), also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most prominent events in Chinese culture, being celebrated widely across countries and ethnic groups. It signifies the beginning of a brand new year on the Chinese calendar, as well as the blooming of spring. Despite its marking…
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Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week 5-11th February 2024
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week, recognised on the 5-12th February 2024, provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of acknowledging the voices of survivors to foster understanding, empathy, and support for them. The week is also a reminder of the urgent collective need to address the issues of sexual abuse and…
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Embracing Life After Cancer: Navigating Uncertainty with Resilience
Surviving cancer is a life changing journey marked by resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit. However, for many survivors, the elation of overcoming this formidable foe is tempered by the persistent nagging feeling of uncertainty. This article explores the unique challenges faced by some cancer survivors, as they find themselves on the perpetual edge…
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Boosting self-esteem in children
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is our assessment of our self-worth and value; basically, what we think about ourselves. Our self-esteem lies along a continuum, ranging from low to high, and is based on beliefs that we develop about ourselves, usually from our early life experiences. Why is it important? Self-esteem is crucial to children’s well-being.…