HelpGuide November Newsletter

[View in browser]( Dear Friend of HelpGuide,  As we approach the holiday season, many people are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends. For some of us, though, this period of celebration can be a very lonely experience. Loneliness affects most of us at some point in our lives. It can follow a major upheaval, such as a bereavement, the end of a relationship, retirement, moving to a new area, or otherwise being separated from loved ones. In some cases, loneliness isn't even about physical proximity to others. You can still feel isolated and alone in the midst of a crowded party, surrounded by people. Human beings are social creatures, so feeling lonely or disconnected can take a huge toll of your health and well-being. As well as the psychological distress, research suggests that loneliness can cause physical changes including inflammation and elevated stress hormones that tighten blood vessels and increase your blood pressure. In fact, loneliness can be as bad for your physical health as smoking or obesity.  If you feel lonely this holiday season, HelpGuide [offers ways to reach out to others and feel more connected](. And if you’re fortunate enough to be spending the holidays with loved ones, take a moment to consider those around you who may be feeling lonely.  Of course, loneliness isn’t always easy to recognize in others. Some people can appear outgoing and cheerful—both in person and on social media—yet beneath the surface, they may be struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness. The only way to be certain is to ask. An invitation for a coffee, a quick phone call, or even just a few kind words to a neighbor or coworker who’s feeling lonely this holiday season could make all the difference. Yours in health,  Melinda Smith Executive Director, HelpGuide ­ Some of our latest content I Feel Lonely: 8 Easy Ways to Deal with Loneliness Feeling isolated and alone? This toolkit offers simple ways to cope with loneliness and strengthen your connections—and most of them you can do right now. [Read more]( Parenting a Child with a Disability Raising a child with a disability can be extremely challenging. But these caregiving tips can help you overcome obstacles, cope with difficult emotions, and foster a healthy, rewarding relationship with your child. [Read more]( Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): How it Works and What to Expect Conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia may benefit from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). By learning about its effectiveness, risks, and how it works, you can decide if it’s right for you. [Read more]( Mental health news from around the web New Studies of Brain Activity Explain Benefits of Electroconvulsive Therapy (UC San Diego) Researchers have shed new light on why electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has such a high success rate, a mystery that has puzzled doctors and scientists for almost a century. Findings could help improve this controversial treatment. [READ MORE →]( Genetic testing could greatly benefit patients with depression (University of British Columbia) A special kind of genetic test that helps determine the best antidepressant for patients with moderate-to-severe depression could greatly improve patient outcomes, according to new research. [READ MORE →]( US men die 6 years before women, as life expectancy gap widens (UC San Francisco) We've known for more than a century that women outlive men. But new research shows that, at least in the United States, the gap has been widening for more than a decade due to COVID-19 and ‘deaths of despair.’ [READ MORE →]( 5 who survived cardiac arrest describe what they saw and heard before reviving (NBC News) What a near-death experience is has never really been defined. Researchers have been trying to explore what’s happening when a patient’s heart stops to see if there are themes or patterns of consciousness. [READ MORE →](  Gambling addiction may increase the risk of long-term sick leave (Karolinska Institutet) Gambling addiction can increase the risk of long-term sick leave for several years, according to a new study. The researchers behind the study point to the need to detect people with gambling addiction in time to avoid financial and health problems. [READ MORE →]( ­ Mental health helplines In the U.S.: [NAMI Helpline]( at 1-800-950-6264 UK: [Mind Infoline](: 0300 123 3393 Australia: [Sane Australia](: 1800 187 263 Canada: [Wellness Together Canada](: 1-866-585-0445 In other countries: Visit HelpGuide's [Directory of International Mental Health Helplines]( Follow Us: ­ ­ ­ ­ JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Mental health and wellness tips, our latest articles, resources and more. [Subscribe]( ­ HelpGuide.org International, 515 S. Flower St. Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90071 This email was sent to {EMAIL} You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter. If you would no longer like to receive these, please update your email preferences by visiting the link below. [Unsubscribe](  [Privacy Policy](     |      [Terms of Use](