New Zealand is among the 20 happiest countries in the world, with a new index ranking us alongside Canada, Australia and the UAE.

Mental health problems including anorexia and recurrent depression are as deadly as smoking, research suggests.

A survey has found Google now beats talking to friends for young Kiwis wanting to know about sex, drugs, alcohol, depression, stress or their health.

A luxury homeware line that Charlotte Dawson was working on before she took her life has been launched in Australia with proceeds to go to her favourite charities.

here are clearly a lot of arachnophobes. But do they know why they fear spiders? Can they do something to control those fears?

Modern living has made us become "supremely arrogant" in the way we ignore the importance of sleep, leading scientists warn.

Researchers in Germany have developed a way of enabling sleepers to control their dreams by applying electric current to the brain which prompts lucid dreams, involving a state of heightened awareness.

An author has examined the inquest files of 11,000 Kiwis between 1900 and 2000 and found a common link between those who have died by their own hands.

It may not seem likely because it's not widely discussed, but a majority of people will be affected by symptoms of depression, anxiety and sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives.

Sadness is important, and allowing ourselves to acknowledge we feel sad because we have lost something is important.

Celebrity nightclub owner John Ibrahim has revealed his ongoing regrets over the death of his close friend Charlotte Dawson.

Best-selling author Matt Haig, 38, is about to have two more books published. Here, he explains how he only started writing to cope with his sudden, life-threatening depression.

Many people dream of driving fast cars, drinking champagne and taking luxury holidays, but it might not be all its cracked up to be.

Leonie Roderick suffers from such severe night terrors that she once tried to climb out of her bedroom window while asleep. She set out to learn more about this frightening condition.

Chemistry expert Nial Wheate explains the details and dangers of powdered alcohol.

PM John Key says leaving some synthetic drugs on the market was “a mistake” and Government should have banned all products until a rigorous testing regime was in place.

New Zealanders whose lives have been blighted by the dangers of legal highs are thrilled by plans to pull them from sale within a fortnight.

When I woke up Friday morning at 6:15 and got out of bed, the world was whirling counterclockwise.

Bob McCoskrie of Family First, writing under the heading "A child's desire to change sex can be a symptom of other disorders that can be treated", clearly positions his stand, but not the issue.

Peaches Geldof's father, Sir Bob Geldof, is to lead the tributes to the late star at her funeral on Easter Monday.

A counselling client of mine "Allie" had just been promoted at her law firm. I asked if she was excited.

Watching Pistorius be cross-examine reminds us that in the courtroom, detailed, complete, and reliable recall is demanded. But is it too much to expect?

The ascent of social media has produced a type of hyper-experience of mortality, Rosemary Overell writes, following the death of Peaches Geldof.

Gamblers mistakenly believe they can always beat the odds in a game of chance because they have developed a different pattern of brain activity to non-gamblers.

We think of them as killers, outside society. But, says the scientist who has spent his life studying psychopaths, you could have one for a colleague, a friend - or a spouse.

John was first referred to sexual violence services aged 12. His mother was schizophrenic and his father, a gang member with a violent history, was in prison.

A "young, talented, intelligent" woman who moved from New Zealand to Britain to pursue her promising chemistry career committed suicide.

When media report the method in which somebody ends their own life, it can result in copycat suicide, the Law Commission says.

A mother who described herself as a "hermit" until a year ago is the central figure in a grassroots nationwide protest against synthetic cannabis