Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A strategy for England

     Healthy weight, healthy lives: a cross-government strategy for England., 23rd January 2008, Department of Health
This cross-government strategy is the first step in a sustained programme to support people to maintain a healthy weight. It will be followed by a public annual report that assesses progress, looks at the latest evidence and trends, and makes recommendations [...]

Doctors Health - Mental Health and Ill Health in Doctors -

   Mental health and ill health in doctors, 20th February 2008, Department of Health
This publication sets out the findings and recommendations of the working group set up to consider what steps might make it less likely that doctors would suffer from mental ill health and easier for them to seek help early.
We know that many [...]

Therapy Works - The Impact of Arts and Health - The Evidence Base

    The Impact of Arts and Health - The Evidence Base
Abstract: There is a considerable evidence base, from both the UK and internationally, with hundreds of research studies and evaluated projects that clearly demonstrate the benefits of using the arts in health. These are just some of the examples:
• Dr Rosalia Staricoff’s review in 2004 [...]

Keep On Running - GPs Turn to Exercise to Beat Depression

   GPs turn to exercise for treating depression, By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor, The Telegraphy, 8 February 2008

Abstract One in five GPs prescribes exercise to treat depression as an alternative to drugs, a survey has disclosed.
This represents a four-fold rise in three years. However, two thirds of doctors who would like to offer exercise as [...]

The Lancet - Cannabis Use and the Risk of Psychotic or Affective Mental Health

    ‘Cannabis use and risk of psychotic or affective mental health outcomes: a systematic review’ The Lancet (2007); 370:319-328. Authors: Theresa H M Moore, Stanley Zammit, Anne Lingford-Hughes, Thomas R E Barnes, Peter B Jones, Margaret Burke, Glyn Lewis

Summary
Background Whether cannabis can cause psychotic or aff ective symptoms that persist beyond transient intoxication is [...]

Educating Reefer - Cannabis & Psychosis Link

  Educating Reefer: effective health education and warnings on cannabis, February 2008, Rethink
A Rethink Campaigns report on cannabis research and the links to psychosis, recommending better education for the general public.
The evidence of a link between cannabis and psychosis has become increasingly well established in recent years, yet still almost one in four people believe [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives

    Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: a Cross-Government Strategy for England, January 2008, Department of Health
This cross-government strategy is the first step in a sustained programme to support people to maintain a healthy weight. It will be followed by a public annual report that assesses progress, looks at the latest evidence and trends, and makes recommendations [...]

Wake up Britain!

Mental Health and Work  December 2007
 Britain’s bosses are unaware of the scale of mental ill health in their workplaces or the enormous financial toll it can take, according to a new Position Statement issued by the Faculty of Public Health (FPH). The Faculty of Public Health recognises that mental health is a major public health [...]

An Apple a Day

Healthy Eating & Depression Following on the theme for the last few days, this is a good guide which could be adapted for patient information aswell as staff. Gives examples of menu ideas and is generally an interesting read.

Bottoms Up!

  Cheers! (2006) Now we are on the subject of healthy living lets look at how drink affects Mental Health.  Here is one example from the report which highlights the UKs relation with alcohol.
‘‘I was a carer for my mother and an elderly relative. I found I was not able to deal with all the [...]

It’s Official Diet is Linked to Healthy Minds

Feeding Minds (2007) Changes to our diet in the last fifty years or so are thought to be an important factor behind recent trends in mental health and mental illness.  This report lays out the evidence linking trends in food consumption with mental ill-health.