*Warning for Spoilers if you haven’t watched Season 4 of Stranger Things and Trigger Warning for Death, Depression & Suicide Ideation

This season of Netflix’s fan-favourite original brings more than just viral memes but a fresh new take on looking at mental illness, using monsters and horror as an allegory. Although the connection between horror and mental illness is hardly novel, Stranger Things manages to walk the fine line of drawing empathy for the characters with mental illness while portraying their struggles in a way that is both terrifying and not in a stereotypical way.

There are three realms people tend to dwell in: the past, the present, and the future. Somehow, being ‘in the now’ might be the most difficult of them all. Whether it’s for a midday anxiety relief exercise or an abiding commitment to treasure life, Mika talks about a three-step guide on how to live in the present moment.

As the old adage goes, “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” We build safe spaces in our friendships, to not only share our woes but also our dreams and secrets too. But what happens when these friends become the very source of your crisis?

The idea of ‘dating’ ourselves, is quite similar to how we generally do it in an actual relationship: getting to know ourselves better, spending intentional time to experience and enjoy the moments. In this article, Ming Hui shares his rewards and takeaways from his solo dates.

So, you’ve taken that brave step out of your comfort zone. You’ve stepped up for your mental health. You’ve made positive changes that you should be proud of. But, how do you know if you are recovering? What are some signs?

While mental health is a global phenomenon, the stigma surrounding it is undoubtedly more prevalent among Asians. The slightest hint pointing to a mental health irregularity may trigger a sense of shame, especially in households where honour takes utmost precedence. Through her mental health journey, Mika discovered that mental health tips and hacks growing in popularity are actually rooted in our very own culture.