National framework to improve mental health and wellbeing published

The government has published the Mental health implementation framework, which sets out what organisations can do to make the 6 high-level objectives of the mental health strategy No Health without Mental Health a reality.

The framework has been coproduced with 5 leading mental health organisations, Centre for Mental Health, Mind, NHS Confederation Mental Health Network, Rethink Mental Illness and Turning Point. It highlights useful guidance and sources of information to help local organisations use their existing powers and resources to improve mental health and wellbeing.

See the full statement from the Department of Health here. 

24th July 2012

Awe therapy could 'improve our mental health and make us nicer'

A jaw-dropping moment really can make time appear to stand still - or at least slow down, new research suggests.

Regular "awesome" experiences may also improve our mental health and make us nicer people, claim psychologists.

The findings raise the prospect of "awe therapy" to overcome the stressful effects of fast-paced modern life, writes John Von Radowitz with The Independent.

23rd July 2012

Mental ill-health costs in England alone cost £105.2 billion annually, reports London Mental Health and Employment Partnership

Health experts in London have warned people suffering with mental illness are in danger of moving out of the world of work forever, unless organisations recognise the business benefits of supporting their workers going through tough times.

It is estimated that mental ill-health in England costs the economy over £105.2 billion a year, with lost economic output costing £30.3 billion and health and social care costs £21.3 billion. With 900,000 working-age Londoners (one in six of the current 18-64 year old population of 5.4 million) experiencing mental health problems every year, according to London Health Programmes, investment in health and support services is "more crucial than ever"

At a House of Lords event hosted by Baroness Julia Cumberledge this week, the London Mental Health and Employment Partnership launched Work, Mental Health and Welfare, which sets out the case for coordinated action between the NHS, councils, work programme providers and private business – of all sizes, says David Woods

19th July 2012

New Ofcom study supports PsychologyOnline's text based CBT

As the Ofcom study today announced, people in the UK are using text based communication increasingly. This shift, according to the Ofcom, is partly down to the rising ownership of internet connected devices.

This increase in text communication is easy to see in most peoples day-to-day life and supports the evidence behind PsychologyOnline's online CBT - text can be just as good as talking. Unlike face-to-face and telephone, communication by text removes pressure from conversations, giving the respondent time to reflect on the question posed and formulate an answer in their own time. The act of writing an answer also forces a structure into the process, ensuring that thoughts are developed before they are communicated.

See more on the Ofcom study here (links to a BBC website).

18th July 2012

New Children and Young People's IAPT sites announced

Health Minister Paul Burstow announced today that the ambitious Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) programme will extend to a further two new Learning Collaboratives and announced further sites to join the existing three Learning Collaboratives.

The Children and Young People's IAPT project will extend the geographical reach achieved in year one by offering the service transformation, parenting for 3 - 10 year olds and CBT training and support package through two new CYP IAPT Learning Collaboratives.

The new sites are:
North East, Yorkshire and Humber. The University providing the training is Northumbria University working with CAMHS partnerships in Tees, County Durham, North Yorkshire , Darlington, Rotherham, Doncaster and North Lincolnshire.
South West. The University providing the training is Exeter, working with CAMHS partnerships in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

The CAMHS Partnerships joining the three existing collaboratives for 2012-13 are:
London and the South East: Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Islington,Camden, Bromley, Croydon, Richmond
Oxford/Reading: Berkshire, Kensington and Chelsea, Bedfordshire and Luton
Salford: Central Lancashire, North Lancashire and Bolton

Read more here.

16th July 2012

Depression rates fall among silver surfers as research shows internet use could beat the blues in the over-50s

Internet use has been blamed for mental health problems and social isolation among young people – but new research suggests that ‘silver surfers’ are less likely to suffer depression.

The study, based on a survey of almost 8,000 men and women aged over 50, shows that regular users of social-networking sites are almost a third less likely to be diagnosed with depression compared with non-users.

It is known that rates of depression increase with age. Research from the University of Illinois found the incidence of depression was at its lowest around the age of 45, and highest among the over-80s.

To read more click here.

16th July 2012

"PsychologyOnline: Using the Technology to Tackle Depression and Anxiety"

George Freeman recently featured PsychologyOnline in a blog aiming to provide information on innovative use of science and technology. Freeman says "[PsychologyOnline] is a truly fabulous example of how we can use the power of technology to tackle deep social and healthcare problems".

See the rest of the blog here.
12th July 2012

Mental health concern over crime victims

More should be done to support the mental health needs of victims of violence, new guidance by a health expert has said.

Professor Jonathan Shepherd from Cardiff University said victims of crime are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and substance misuse.

The guidance was published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on Wednesday.

It has been backed by the Victim Support charity, according to BBC News.

11th July 2012

Loneliness is 'major health issue' associated with poor mental health

Some people seek isolation, but few choose to be lonely, primarily because it isn't good for us.

Loneliness doesn't just make people unhappy, research shows that it has an effect on mortality too.

It is also associated with poor mental health and, more surprisingly, with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and dementia - writes BBC Health reporter Philippa Roxby

10th July 2012

Infertility may increase risk of mental disorders

Not being able to have children when you desperately want them can be understandably stressful. It is known that this experience can lead to anxiety and depression. Yet we may only be beginning to understand the magnitude of the problem for women who struggle with infertility but never go on to have children, according to Tiffany O'Callaghan at New Scientist

6th July 2012

'Cat ladies' more likely to commit suicide, scientists claim

Women who own cats are more likely to have mental health problems and commit suicide because they can be infected by a common parasite that can be caught from cat litter, a study has found. Researchers found women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite, which is spread through contact with cat faeces or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide, according to The Telegraph.

4th July 2012

A chance for the Welsh Government to adopt a joined-up approach to mental health issues

Over the past few months we have seen the Welsh Government begin to deliver on its legislative agenda, with the publication of white papers and the formal introduction of a number of bills, according to the Western Mail.

2nd July 2012