I don’t conceive of counselling as a navel gazing activity, nor as one which encourages the individual to take either the blame or the responsibility for their circumstances. It is not my intention to imply this when I state that although we did not create this structural, institutional power imbalance under which we live, the only way we can change it is by empowering ourselves to take action.

What should we be asking about the social, cultural, historical and evolutionary contexts in which compromised mental health arises and how it is compounded? Has humanity lost its way somewhere? Is it heading for its own imminent destruction via anthropogenic climate change, exhaustion of planetary resources and geopolitical conflict? Professor Colin Feltham is taking the dark view seriously. Here, he shares a precis of his new book, “What’s Wrong With us? The Anthropathology Thesis”.

JK Rowling’s revelations about the sexuality of the most powerful wizard in the Harry Potter series have made headlines around the world. I have read comments from disappointed parents, complaining that the books ‘promote homosexuality’ — maybe they also promote the ability to fly and the sporting of long grey beards? Others feel forced by the author to discuss sexuality with their children ‘too soon’. But is the fact that Dumbledore is gay really relevant?

It’s election time here in Poland. There is always a tragi-comic side to the spectacle. Looking at it all from a slight distance, it seems absurd, slightly scary. The election circus seems to bring out all aspects of human behaviour larger than life, except, possibly, for integrity and respect. But then again, if I were back in the UK, would I really be able to vote with conviction either?

For weeks now the news has been full of the burgundy robed monks in Burma struggling against a military dictatorship which has showed itself to be increasingly brutal. During the democracy protests of 1988, 600 monks were among the 10,000 people killed. If the monks are acting as the conscience of the nation (as they also did under British rule), why does the regime not close them down altogether?

So, stress before and during pregnancy affects not only the gender of the baby but their future health and, so we are told, their intelligence. Not too much pressure, then!

Being diagnosed with a serious mental illness and being diagnosed with cancer are as bad as each other, according to just over half of British adults. A similar proportion describes people with mental illness as dangerous or scary.