The Links Between Diet & Behaviour: The influence of nutrition on Mental Health

        The links between diet and behaviour: The influence of nutrition on mental health , from Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum (FHF)
An all-party independent forum for the exchange of views and information on food policy in the UK Parliament.
The report makes the following 19 recommendations:

The Government – principally the Department of Health, the Department [...]

Cochrane Review – Aripiprazole versus typicals for Schizophrenia

     Aripiprazole versus typicals for schizophrenia (Review), 23rd January 2008
Bhattacharjee J, El-Sayeh HGG. Aripiprazole versus typicals for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1.Art. No.: CD006617
Background
Aripiprazole is a relatively new antipsychotic drug, said to be the prototype of a new third generation of antipsychotics; the so-called dopamine-serotonin system stabilisers. In this review we [...]

Harmless – User Led Organisation for Self-Harm

      Harmless is a user led organisation that provides support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals.
For professionals click on this links for training modules/packages
Abstract from site: We hope that you find the site a useful source of support and information. We welcome your thoughts and feedback [...]

May the Force Be With You – Star Wards Combats Mental Health

     Star Wards is a project which works with mental health trusts to enhance mental health inpatients’ daily experiences and treatment outcomes.
We discover, celebrate, share, publicise and inspire excellence in acute care, and there is plenty of that all round the country. Our members use and adapt our resources to stimulate and structure therapeutic and [...]

Mental Health Videos To Watch from your Computer

  Todays presentation is brought to you by NHS Choices, 30th January 2008

It couldn’t be simpler, no getting in the car to Blockbuster, just click on the links below and you can watch the videos from your PC.  So pop the kettle on and make yourself comfy the film starts in 2 minutes. ..

Alcohol: Do you [...]

The State of Social Care in England 2006-07

      The State of Social Care in England 2006-07, January 2008
The state of social care in England 2006-07
This third report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection
Inspection:
􀁕􀃊 Describes trends in the range, quality and availability of social care services in 2006-07 across public, voluntary and private sectors.
􀁕􀃊 Reports on what is happening to people seeking [...]

The New Mental Health Act Commission Eleventh Biennial Report

The New Mental Health Act Commission Eleventh Biennial Report   (In place of fear)
questions whether all inpatient mental health services provide their patients with acceptable levels of security, care, or a sense of being treated as  someone who matters. It welcome the Government’s announced refocus on inpatient services and call for it to concentrate on building [...]

Really Useful Book of Learning & Earning

      Really Useful Book of Learning & Earning, January 2008, published by NIACE in colloboration with NSIP
The Really Useful Book of Learning and Earning (2008) has been published by National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and is the result of close collaboration between NIACE, NSIP and other partners. The book is aimed at providing [...]

From Segregation to Inclusion: Where are we Now?

      From segregation to inclusion: Where are we now? ,  a review of progress towards the implementation of the mental health day services commissioning guidance,   24th January 2008, Department of Health
A review of mental health day services in England was published by the Department of Health and the National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) on 24th [...]

2 Articles from the Journal – Health & Social Care in the Community

Health & Social Care in the Community, January 2008, Vol 16 (1)
To access the full text of this journal you’ll need an Athens password if you would like to apply for an Athens this link will let you apply for one.
Effects of housing circumstances on health, quality of life and healthcare use for people with [...]

Sensitivity & Suicide

        Sensitive Coverage Saves Lives: Improving Media Portrayal of Suicidal Behaviour, 2007, NIMHE
Abstract from the report: – The brief for the study was prepared in January 2006, during which a particularly significant example of problematic press coverage of suicide hit the headlines. On 4 January three newspapers – the Evening Standard (London), The Times, and [...]

The Corston Report Calls for Better Mental Health Care for Women in Prison

       Women need more alternatives to prison, says Sainsbury Centre,  29th January 2008         

There are currently over 4,400 women in 17 prisons in England.  Four out of five women prisoners have mental health problems, most commonly depression and anxiety.  Almost half have been subject to abuse, while one in three has a child under five.

The Corston [...]

Forget the Face Cream take up Exercise to beat Aging

      Sedentary life ’speeds up ageing’ , BBC, 29th January 2008
 Leading a sedentary lifestyle may make us genetically old before our time, a study suggests.
A study of twins found those who were physically active during their leisure time appeared biologically younger than their sedentary peers.
The researchers found key pieces of DNA called telomeres [...]

Cognitive-behavioural therapies: Achievements and challenges

       Cognitive-behavioural therapies: achievements and challenges, January 2008, Brandon A Gaudiano, Evidence-Based Mental Health
Abstract: Cognitive-behavioural therapy has become increasingly popular with clinicians and the general public alike over recent years. Surveys of therapists indicate that CBT is fast becoming the majority orientation of practicing psychologists. Partly because of its commonsense and clear principles, self-help books [...]

Cochrane Review – Infection Control (MRSA) & Nursing Homes

      Infection control strategies for preventing the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes for older people,   Hughes CM, Smith MBH, Tunney MM. Infection control strategies for preventing the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes for older people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008,
Background
Nursing homes for older people provide an [...]

Cochrane Review – Music Therapy for Depression

        Music Therapy for Depression,  Maratos AS, Gold C, Wang X, Crawford MJ. Music therapy for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004517.
A B S T R A C T
Background Depression is a highly prevalent disorder associated with reduced social functioning, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Music therapy [...]

Urgent Care Pathways for Older People with Complex Needs

       Urgent Care Pathways for Older People with Complex Needs   Best Practice Guidance, Department of Health,  November 2007,
Change Agent Team
Older people comprise a large proportion of urgent care responses involving ambulance services and A&E departments. There are over three million A&E attendances in England for older people each year (or an estimated 18% of all A&E [...]

Economic Consequences of Autism in the UK Report

     Economic Consequences of Autism in the UK Report, November 2007, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
There are approximately 540,000 people with autism in the UK – 433,000 adults and 107,000 children. The findings in this report reveal that children with autism cost £2.7 billion a year, yet for adults the figure is £25 billion [...]

Disability Poverty in the UK

         Disability Poverty in the UK,  January 2008, Leonard Cheshire Disability
Disability Review, 2007 Disabled peoples views and experiences from around the UK.

Disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people1. Yet while the profile of issues such as child poverty and older people’s poverty have risen considerably in recent years, and the [...]

Occupational Therapy & Dementia

      Community occupational therapy for older patients with dementia and their care givers: cost effectiveness study, January 2008, BMJ
Abstract

Objective To assess the cost effectiveness of community based occupational therapy compared with usual care in older patients with dementia and their care givers from a societal viewpoint.
Design Cost effectiveness study alongside a single blind [...]

What Kind of Future? Supporting Young People with Downs Syndrome

    What kind of future: Supporting young people with downs syndrome to lead full lives after they leave school,
December 2007, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
This booklet was produced by the Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties. It is for young people and their families, friends and supporters to read and talk about together. [...]

The LGBT Patient – What Health Care Professionals Need to Know

    The LGBT Patient – What Health Care Professionals Need to Know, Mar/April 2007, CMA Today, Canada,  Author: McCormack, J
You will need an Athens username and password to access the full-text of this article, if you would like the full-text of this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
Short summary from this interesting and thought provoking article.
Many hospitals [...]

Reducing the Risk of Student Suicides

    Reducing the risks of student suicides: Issues and responses for Higher Education Institutions, UK, 2002 
This Guideline –  has been published by Universities UK and the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP) in order to raise sector-wide awareness of the risk of suicide and attempted suicide amongst the student population and help institutions to take appropriate [...]

The RaPSS Study – Responses & Prevention in Student Suicide

   Responses and Prevention in Student Suicide: The RaPSS Study 
RaPPS Study website
Student suicide creates a profound sense of loss for both those close to the event and for the wider community. This study identified ways in which suicides can be prevented and the distress caused by such losses reduced. Universities and colleges are encouraged to [...]

Publications from Papyrus – Suicide, Prevention, Students Mental Health & More ..

    UK resources and support for those dealing with suicide, depression or emotional distress – particularly teenagers and young adults.  PAPYRUS is a voluntary UK organisation committed to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
 
The following documents can be downloaded in pdf form by clicking on the appropriate link. [...]

Dementia – Report from the House of Commons 2008

Improving Services and Support for People with Dementia: Sixth report of session 2007-08, 14th January 2008, House of Commons
Contents
Report Page
Summary
Conclusions and Recommendations
1 The prevalence and cost of dementia and the development of a
Departmental strategy diagnosis and early intervention
2 Diagnosis and early intervention
3 Access to and quality of support services
4 [...]

Physical Activity & Environment from NICE

Guidance offering evidence-based recommendations on how to improve the physical environment to encourage physical activity. It demonstrates the importance of such improvements and the need to evaluate how they impact on the public’s health

PH008 Physical activity and environment: Quick reference guide
PH008 Physical activity and environment: Guidance
2008/004 New NICE public health guidance on creating environments to [...]

Suicide, Schizophrenia & Severe Mental Illness in the UK

     Suicide and severe mental illnesses. Cohort study within the UK general practice research database, 26th December 2007, Schizophrenia Research
If you have any problems accessing this link and would like the full-text of this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
We aimed to evaluate suicide risk across the life-course in severe mental illnesses (SMI) including schizophrenia. Using survival [...]

Schizophrenia & Suicide

   What is specific to suicide in Schizophrenia disorder? Demographic, clinical and behavioural dimensions  January, 2008, Schizophrenia Research
If you are having any problems accessing this article and would like the full-text of this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
Background: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are diagnostic categories that are particularly at risk for suicide. A number of risk factors [...]

Schizophrenia and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Five-Years On

      A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavior therapy for persistent symptoms in schizophrenia: A five-year follow-up   January 2008, Schizophrenia Research
Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials support the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of symptoms of schizophrenia refractory to antipsychotic medication. This article addresses the issue of medium term durability. A five-year follow-up [...]