Helen Brooks recently led a mental health study that interviewed people struggling with long-term mental illnesses.  The researcher from the University of Manchester (in the UK) came to the conclusion that those who struggle with mental illness are able to manage the symptoms better when they have a pet.  Most of us think that our pets make our lives better (otherwise why bother having them?) and many of us agree that when we're feeling down, they can be a source of joy.  Pets don't judge or ask questions.  They love you unconditionally and will love you completely through the ups and downs in life.

What's interesting to note in this study is, further than saying that pets help people struggling with various mental conditions, most people said that they consider their pets to be in their immediate social circle-right up there with family and close friends.  Pets may not be able to talk back, or ask what's up, but they do provide a form of interaction that someone with, say, depression or social anxiety may not get when it's acting up, since going out and interacting becomes a Herculean feat.  One of the people interviewed also pointed out that, particularly if you have a dog, it needs to be walked, and lots of people ask if they can pet your dog or start a small conversation, which is also great for increasing the level of social interaction.

While most of us were aware that pets are pretty great through the ups and downs in life, with an actual study on the subject, there's a chance that pets may become a part of mental health regimens, and help far more people manage something that can be quite difficult.