The importance of being kind

After the horrible news that the TV presenter Caroline Flack had taken her own life, her friend Laura Whitmore said something very important: she asked people to be kinder to each other, especially when using social media. She knew the pressure her friend had been under, from trolling and from intrusive media coverage.

Laura is right. The only antidote to the sneering, bullying, heartless treatment that drives people to despair is kindness. Kindness to others - and sometimes, kindness to ourselves.

"Love your neighbour as yourself". Straightforward kindness is a big part of that.