MSN.com has an article on premarital counseling, what to expect, and how it can help you.

Hill Counseling offers premarital counseling as one of it’s services.  The sessions also count towards a marriage license discount of $60 in Tennessee.  Call 901-624-8448 of you would like to set up a session.

The FDA has approved a device that sends MRI-like magnetic pulses to the parts of the brain affected by depression.  The treatment is prescription only and is only for patients who have shown no changes due to other methods such as medication and psychotherapy.  The cost?  $200-$300 per session with daily sessions for 4-6 weeks.

* from Medical News Today

In a recent article in the Archives of General Psychiatry, a study found that the perccentage of psychiatrists who perform psychotherapy (versus just prescribing medication and doing med management) has fallen dramatically over the past 10 years- from 44.4 percent in 1996-1997 to 28.9 percent in 2004-2005.  Reasons cited included changes in managed care and more psychotropic medication available for a variety of issues.

* from Medical News Today

Foresight, a UK government think-tank, has released a Mental Capital and Wellbeing report.  Compiled with data from over 400 scientists, the report lists the five things people can do everyday to reduce stress in their lives:

Steps to happiness

Connect 
Developing relationships with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours will enrich your life and bring you support

Be active 
Sports, hobbies such as gardening or dancing, or just a daily stroll will make you feel good and maintain mobility and fitness

Be curious 
Noting the beauty of everyday moments as well as the unusual and reflecting on them helps you to appreciate what matters to you

Learn 
Fixing a bike, learning an instrument, cooking – the challenge and satisfaction brings fun and confidence

Give 
Helping friends and strangers links your happiness to a wider community and is very rewarding

*from The Times Online

The Chicago Tribune had a good article on the mental factors of economic recession and the different issues that people go through.

1) I’VE TAKEN A HUGE HIT, AND IT FEELS LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD

2) MY FINANCES ARE OK BUT I CAN SENSE RUIN APPROACHING

3) I’M MARRIED, AND MY SPOUSE IS GOING TO BANKRUPT US

4) I HAVE TO POSTPONE RETIREMENT, AND I FEEL BETRAYED

Any of this sound familiar?  You are not alone!