Did you survive “Divorce Day”?
Monday was supposedly “Divorce Day.” Subjected to the stress test of Christmas, relationships that were already shaky came apart at the seams. At the first opportunity—the first Monday after the holidays—one or both parties call the lawyers to start the long goodbye.
A selection of some of the stories:
• It's divorce day – let's bust some marriage myths
If you’re married, there is a one in five chance you’re considering a split (according to a survey by legal firm Irwin Mitchell); it sounds improbably large, but there it is. If it’s not you, it’s probably him; check his phone, that’s how all the best divorces start. (The Guardian)
• Today's the most popular day for women to file for divorce, so . . . why can’t husbands see when wives stop loving them?
In my 30 years as a marital therapist, I’ve found men aren’t only reluctant to call it a day, but rarely even recognise there’s a problem. That’s not to say that any woman takes the decision to ask for a divorce lightly. Even after years of unhappiness, it’s always the last resort.
So, when they do finally pluck up the courage to say 'I don’t love you', they don’t expect it to come as a surprise . . . But it almost always does. (Dailymail.co.uk)
• 'Divorce Day' blues? Counselling can help
Many couples will have made a conscious decision in the New Year to seek the help and support of counsellor, having realised over the festive period that something is not right in their relationship. Others will have decided that they want to end their relationship and will begin the difficult process of separation and possibly divorce. (Scotsman)
• Couples you meet in counseling: The wife who wants more and her annoyingly satisfied husband
Although I thought I was done after Mr. Perfect and His Crazy Wife, The Ice Queen and the Martyr, and Mr. and Mrs. Just not Feeling it, I have realized that I have neglected the most common couple that I see in counseling: The Wife Who Wants More and Her Annoyingly Satisfied Husband. (PsychCentral)
Nominate your heroes here
Deputy Prime Minister launches search for “Mental Health Heroes”
One in four people will experience a mental health problem this year but for many the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental health will make it harder for them to speak out and seek the support they need. That’s why the Deputy Prime Minister is calling for nominations for local Mental Health Heroes to celebrate those from every region - from healthcare professionals to next door neighbours - who have gone above and beyond to help, support or inspire people with mental health conditions.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “It could be the woman sitting next to you on the bus, the dad picking his child up at the school gates or a colleague from work - everyone knows someone living with a mental health problem.
“I want to celebrate those who have gone that extra mile, whose passion and commitment have helped someone get through their darkest days and helped challenge the taboo around mental health which has existed for far too long.
“It is my ambition to bring mental health out of the shadows and create a fairer society where people can speak up about how they feel and get the support and treatment they need to live the life that they choose.”
To nominate someone complete and return the nomination form. (Gov.uk)
Other news
• Children's mental health services ’cut by £50m’
NHS spending on children's mental health services in England has fallen by more than 6% in real terms since 2010, according to official figures.
The cut, equivalent to nearly £50m, was revealed by NHS England in a parliamentary answer. Labour, which had asked for the figures, accused the government of breaking its promise to make mental health a priority. (BBC News)
• Online counselling: easier for students to seek help
The case for using online counselling services as an additional fixture is strong. Considering the fact that Generation Y are digital natives, offering an online counselling service that enables students to get help as and when they want it is an appealing option. (The Independent)
• One woman's fight for mental healthcare in China
According to a 2009 study published in British medical journal The Lancet, around 173 million Chinese suffer from a mental disorder. However there are only 20,000 psychiatrists, equaling 1.5 for each 100,000 people, or a tenth of the ratio in the United States. Last year saw the introduction of China's first mental health legislation, which took a reported 27 years. (CNN)
• Good diet, good mind? What you need to know
Obviously, a good balanced diet is important for everyone, but for people who might be prone to mental health problems, it’s often advised that, in addition to exercise, we try to manage our diets especially carefully so as to ensure optimum health.
In terms of scientific evidence, it’s only relatively recently that scientists have started looking into how diet might affect mental health. However, what they’ve seen so far is that the link is, to quote one researcher, “unusually consistent.” (Care2.com)
Monday was supposedly “Divorce Day.” Subjected to the stress test of Christmas, relationships that were already shaky came apart at the seams. At the first opportunity—the first Monday after the holidays—one or both parties call the lawyers to start the long goodbye.
A selection of some of the stories:
• It's divorce day – let's bust some marriage myths
If you’re married, there is a one in five chance you’re considering a split (according to a survey by legal firm Irwin Mitchell); it sounds improbably large, but there it is. If it’s not you, it’s probably him; check his phone, that’s how all the best divorces start. (The Guardian)
• Today's the most popular day for women to file for divorce, so . . . why can’t husbands see when wives stop loving them?
In my 30 years as a marital therapist, I’ve found men aren’t only reluctant to call it a day, but rarely even recognise there’s a problem. That’s not to say that any woman takes the decision to ask for a divorce lightly. Even after years of unhappiness, it’s always the last resort.
So, when they do finally pluck up the courage to say 'I don’t love you', they don’t expect it to come as a surprise . . . But it almost always does. (Dailymail.co.uk)
• 'Divorce Day' blues? Counselling can help
Many couples will have made a conscious decision in the New Year to seek the help and support of counsellor, having realised over the festive period that something is not right in their relationship. Others will have decided that they want to end their relationship and will begin the difficult process of separation and possibly divorce. (Scotsman)
• Couples you meet in counseling: The wife who wants more and her annoyingly satisfied husband
Although I thought I was done after Mr. Perfect and His Crazy Wife, The Ice Queen and the Martyr, and Mr. and Mrs. Just not Feeling it, I have realized that I have neglected the most common couple that I see in counseling: The Wife Who Wants More and Her Annoyingly Satisfied Husband. (PsychCentral)
Nominate your heroes here
Deputy Prime Minister launches search for “Mental Health Heroes”
One in four people will experience a mental health problem this year but for many the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental health will make it harder for them to speak out and seek the support they need. That’s why the Deputy Prime Minister is calling for nominations for local Mental Health Heroes to celebrate those from every region - from healthcare professionals to next door neighbours - who have gone above and beyond to help, support or inspire people with mental health conditions.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “It could be the woman sitting next to you on the bus, the dad picking his child up at the school gates or a colleague from work - everyone knows someone living with a mental health problem.
“I want to celebrate those who have gone that extra mile, whose passion and commitment have helped someone get through their darkest days and helped challenge the taboo around mental health which has existed for far too long.
“It is my ambition to bring mental health out of the shadows and create a fairer society where people can speak up about how they feel and get the support and treatment they need to live the life that they choose.”
To nominate someone complete and return the nomination form. (Gov.uk)
Other news
• Children's mental health services ’cut by £50m’
NHS spending on children's mental health services in England has fallen by more than 6% in real terms since 2010, according to official figures.
The cut, equivalent to nearly £50m, was revealed by NHS England in a parliamentary answer. Labour, which had asked for the figures, accused the government of breaking its promise to make mental health a priority. (BBC News)
• Online counselling: easier for students to seek help
The case for using online counselling services as an additional fixture is strong. Considering the fact that Generation Y are digital natives, offering an online counselling service that enables students to get help as and when they want it is an appealing option. (The Independent)
• One woman's fight for mental healthcare in China
According to a 2009 study published in British medical journal The Lancet, around 173 million Chinese suffer from a mental disorder. However there are only 20,000 psychiatrists, equaling 1.5 for each 100,000 people, or a tenth of the ratio in the United States. Last year saw the introduction of China's first mental health legislation, which took a reported 27 years. (CNN)
• Good diet, good mind? What you need to know
Obviously, a good balanced diet is important for everyone, but for people who might be prone to mental health problems, it’s often advised that, in addition to exercise, we try to manage our diets especially carefully so as to ensure optimum health.
In terms of scientific evidence, it’s only relatively recently that scientists have started looking into how diet might affect mental health. However, what they’ve seen so far is that the link is, to quote one researcher, “unusually consistent.” (Care2.com)
