World of Psychology has an account of how living in a shared house helped improve one person's mental health. Shared living, the author says, helps tackle isolation and excessive rumination. Got to get the right flat mates of course - the Young Ones anyone?

On a related note, peer support shows promise as a treatment for depression, a survey suggests.

And finally, preliminary research suggests behavioural activation therapy, delivered by non-therapists, could be an effective treatment for depression. According to the researchers, mental health nurses could be trained up to deliver the therapy in just five days potentially opening up the therapy to far more people.

(Pic: Sheila Rock/Rex Features)

Read the complete post at http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/mental-health/2011/02/peer-support-group-living-and.html