British MPs today begin debating what some have described as a truly draconian Mental Health Bill. Once hailed for its potential to pave the way for a more modern approach to mental health in the United Kingdom, the bill — some 9 years in the making — is now strongly opposed by the Mental Health Alliance, a coalition of 80 organisations representing doctors, nurses, social workers, people with mental illness and their families.

On Monday 9 April, G4 star Ben Thapa will begin an online auction of sports, music and showbiz goodies to raise money for charity. Prizes include VIP tickets to meet the team at any Bolton Wanderers premiership match, tickets to meet G4 on their forthcoming tour, and a signed Manchester United football. Ben has organised the auction, which is being held on eBay to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation.

Not enough is known about the potential dangers associated with antidepressant medications, according to the UK’s Mental Health Foundation. The group has responded to the controversy about the GlaxoSmithKline Seroxat case covered in an expose by the Panorama programme.

Is your phobia destroying your life, ruining your relationships or getting in the way of your happiness? If YES, then fear not! The BBC is looking for people to take part in a brand new groundbreaking programme which aims to help people overcome their worst phobias and alter their lives for the better. Leading experts will guide you through the latest treatments and using new, highly successful techniques, they will aim to train your mind to overcome your phobia and dramatically change your life forever.

While unemployment rates are monitored regularly and play a crucial role in shaping government monetary policy, the hidden economic impact of depression and anxiety may be just as significant: it turns out that more people receive government benefits as a result of severe depression and anxiety than receive benefits for being unemployed. Experts are urging the government to fund 200 new treatment centres to offer psychological therapy to those affected.

Individuals with bipolar I or II major depression are often misdiagnosed as having unipolar major depression. But a new screening method, testing just three factors, promises to help distinguish between those suffering from bipolar disorder and unipolar major depression.

The BBC’s Radio 4 Saturday morning reported on NHS plans for a pilot project in Staffordshire which would allow patients engaging in self-harm to continue to do so under medical supervision. With the radio interviewers seemingly intent on ferreting out whatever controversy they could discover, it seemed to me that important points were missed about the role of self-harming as a coping mechanism.