Depression
Chasing monsters: New book aims to help kids with anxiety
Author Mark Stevenson watched his daughter wrestle with anxiety from the tender age of three. He says what his daughter went through, and his own experience of feeling helpless as a parent, was the… Audio
Irregular sleep patterns linked to bad moods, depression
The more variation in our wake up and sleep time, the worse mood and more chances of depression symptoms we're likely to experience. That's the finding from a study conducted by a team from the… Audio
Director Samantha Stark on 'Framing Britney Spears'
Britney Spears remains stuck in a court-sanctioned conservatorship, unable to control her fortune. The New York Times documentary, Framing Britney Spears follows the pop star's court battle with her… Audio
How rap music is helping to reduce mental health stigma
Rappers are at the forefront of opening up the mental health conversation, with a new study showing that over the past 20 years, the lyrics of the most popular rap songs have been increasingly hitting… Video, Audio
Sarb Johal - Keeping calm in a world gone viral
With the threat of Covid hanging over the New Zealand summer, clinical psychologist Dr Sarb Johal's new book looks at how to keep mentally well during a crisis. Audio
Horsing around: ketamine and me
When University of Otago student Asia King got the call to take part in a study using ketamine to treat depression, she said yes - and made a podcast about the experience. Audio
Excessive phone time not bad for mental health
Contrary to popular belief, new research shows that the amount of time we spend on smartphones is not related to poor mental health. In fact, general smartphone usage is a poor predictor of anxiety… Audio
Is running or walking better for you?
We all know the benefits of exercise — but do we need to run to get the best returns, or can we get a sufficient dose just from walking? Sports engineer Steve Haake pits running against walking and… Audio
Covid-19: One in five patients diagnosed with a mental illness
Research out of Oxford University shows than one in five Covid-19 patients have gone on to be diagnosed with a mental illness within three months of testing positive, with anxiety, insomnia, and… Audio
Kiwi journalist Linda Collins on breaking the suicide taboo
New Zealander Linda Collins has lived every parent's worst nightmare - the death by suicide of her 17-year-old daughter. Her life was shattered when she woke one Monday morning to find her daughter… Audio
Top tips to have fewer regrets by the end of the week
Many of us have regrets at the end of the week about things we did or things we wish we would have done. But there is good news. Psychotherapist Amy Morin has compiled a list of ways you can have… Audio
Struggling with pandemic uncertainty? Try these tips
Many people have had trouble handling pandemic uncertainty throughout Covid-19. Psychologist Bethany Teachman from the University of Virginia offers up a few research-based coping strategies for… Audio
My Current Song: Haddon, 'Remember'
Haddon is a Hawke's Bay artist who has been creating music with international beat makers and producers. The 19-year-old is a prolific songwriter with over 150 songs already under his belt. He joins… Audio
Combatting the dark thoughts in our brains
What's going on in our brains when we experience dark or negative thoughts, and how can we combat them? Lance Burdett spent 22 years in the police, and was the National Advisor for all police… Audio
Danielle Cormack: directing 'Every Brilliant Thing'
A seven-year-old begins a list when their mum hurts herself as she battles depression. It's a list on Post-it notes. A list of every brilliant thing in the world. Years pass, decades disappear, and… Audio
More millennials moving back in with mum and dad
In the US, data shows that for the first time ever, the majority of 18-34 year olds live at home with their parents. Dr Kate Prickett joins the show to discuss what her lockdown data says about Kiwi… Audio
How to make your memories more powerful
The memories we often remember most are the ones that are highly charged. However, it's also possible, and important, to encode happy memories in your brain with similar intensity. Dr Natalie Dattilo… Audio
Breastfeeding hormone makes new fathers better dads
A major new study out of the University of Otago shows that fathers of newborn babies can be forgiven for feeling a little hormonal. It turns out that they are being flooded by the same chemical as a… Audio
The global pandemic is depleting your 'surge capacity'
Humans can draw on their 'surge capacity' for short-term survival in stressful situations. But when the disaster stretches out indefinitely - like the Covid-19 pandemic - your surge capacity can get… Audio
The benefits of improving your mental fitness 1% a day
Motivational speaker and author Jimi Hunt says mental illness is an epidemic that we can no longer ignore. The formerly Mexico-based Kiwi says improving your mental fitness just one percent every day… Audio