Nicci Gerrard: ‘Dementia is more scary when you try not to think about it’

The Observer journalist on her father’s dementia, caring for campaigners, and facing her fears in her new book

Marketing medication as his and hers? This is ‘anxiety economy’ at its worst

Highly gendered, Insta-friendly and sold online – pills are being peddled for things like first-date nerves and public speaking, says author Emily Reynolds

‘Our goal is to halve the male suicide rate’: why no-frills therapy works for men

Every week, around the country, groups of men meet for some straight-talking therapy. Could this be the answer to the male mental health crisis?

Mentally ill people pay higher bills – and banks are partly to blame

Bad debt and mental health problems can be a vicious circle. Only by forcing banks to provide more help can this be addressed, says author Emily Reynolds

Seven ways to help someone through a panic attack

More than 13% of people are susceptible to panic attacks, which can be very intense and distressing. So what are the symptoms and how best can you respond?

Moving the body, boosting the mind: running your way to better mental health

As little as 10 minutes of regular exercise can help alleviate depression. But even professionals don’t always make the link between mental and physical health. One convert explains how it helped her

Meet Jimmy Chipolata, every stressed-out student’s four-legged friend

Nottingham Trent University’s first therapy dog is paid in cheese for his work, but not everyone believes in his healing powers

Are we having fun yet? How I found joy in the most unlikely of places

I was vacillating between overwork and overindulgence – and then I took my car to a mechanic

With councils and the NHS at loggerheads, vital services are at risk

As with Brexit negotiations, some people prefer to walk away or refuse to budge, rather than work together to find solutions

A 4.30am start and three-minute toilet breaks: are you ready for microscheduling?

It’s easy to feel swamped by work and succumb to stress, so some people have decided the answer lies in scheduling their day, minute by minute

Yes, I do give a sh*t about these sweary book covers

It used to feel like a cheeky trend. But now these titles seem more like evidence of our descent into hell, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes

Heart racing, palms sweaty – what does stress do to the body?

Extreme stress is linked to heart disease, diabetes and depression. But small doses are crucial for developing resilience

Dermatillomania: meet the people who can’t stop skin picking

The disorder can be physically and mentally damaging, but it is widely misunderstood – and underreported by embarrassed patients

‘You will have an emotional reboot’: the ultimate guide to stress at every age

Every life stage brings its own pressures, from worrying about exams to juggling the needs of family. Here are the best coping tactics for each generation

The truth about anxiety – without it we wouldn’t have hope

In a world so full of uncertainty it’s little wonder so many of us feel stressed. But understanding it can change how you feel