RCPsych eNewsletter July 2018

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Discuss religion, spirituality when treating young adults with severe mental illness

A majority of young adults with severe mental illness -- bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or major depression -- consider religion and spirituality relevant to their mental health, according to a new study. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Just 10 Minutes of Daily Chat Can Aid Well-Being of Dementia Patients

The average person with dementia in a nursing home experiences only two minutes of social interaction each day. A new e-learning program that trains caregivers to engage in meaningful social interaction with dementia patients shows great promise for improving the well-being of the patient, according to a new UK study. Read PsychCentral article here

Centre for Mental Health welcomes plans by the government for a new mental health workforce in schools

Today the Government shared plans to introduce and pilot a new mental health workforce in schools. These plans follow on from the green paper consultation ‘Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health’, which Centre for Mental Health responded to and fed into. See response here 

People with hidden disabilities to benefit from Blue Badges

Blue Badge scheme to be extended to hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions. Click here to go to government news website

Neural inflammation plays critical role in stress-induced depression

A group of researchers has discovered that neural inflammation caused by our innate immune system plays an unexpectedly important role in stress-induced depression. This insight could potentially lead to the development of new antidepressants targeting innate immune molecules.  Click here to read full article.

Mental health education to be made compulsory in English schools

Health education is to be made compulsory in all schools in England under new government plans following growing concerns about mental health problems among young people. Children will be taught how to build mental resilience – as well as how to recognise when their peers are struggling with mental health issues  – as part of statutory lessons, the government says. Read newspaper article here

App, brief intervention may be lifesaver for suicidal teens

A preliminary study shows an intervention program that includes a personalized app could make a difference: Researchers found the rate of attempted suicides by teenagers who received the intervention was halved compared to those who received the standard care during their hospitalization. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Prison health: health and justice annual report

Public Health England (PHE) annual report on health trends in prisons and other prescribed places of detention (PPDs). Click here to go to government website to view report

Incarceration of parents impacts health of their children into adulthood

A new study found that young adults who had a parent incarcerated during their childhood are more likely to skip needed healthcare, smoke cigarettes, engage in risky sexual behaviors, and abuse alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs. Read ScienceDaily article here

Scars of Partner Violence Can Hinder New Relationships

The damaging effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) often continue long after the abusive relationship is over, yet few resources exist to help victims move on to form new, healthy relationships, according to a new study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Caring For Carers: The Lives Of Family Carers In The UK

This report focuses on the demographics and experiences of those who provide family care. The current social care system is putting pressure on families to step in and provide care for relatives where the state does not. Click here to view Kings Fund blog

Multi-million pound fund to help tackle the disability employment gap launched

A £4.2 million challenge fund to support people with mental health or musculoskeletal conditions to stay in work has been launched by the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton, and the Minister for Mental Health and Inequalities, Jackie Doyle-Price. Click here to view DOH press release

Vitamin D May Not Protect from Dementia, Alzheimer’s After All

Australian scientists have failed to find evidence that vitamin D can act as a protective neurological agent. The findings are contrary to suggestions that higher levels of vitamin D can provide protection from brain disorders. Read PsychCentral article here

New NICE guideline [NG99] Brain tumours (primary) and brain metastases in adults

New NICE guideline [NG99] Brain tumours (primary) and brain metastases in adults


Published date: July 2018    


This guideline covers diagnosing, monitoring and managing any type of primary brain tumour or brain metastases in people aged 16 or over. It aims to improve diagnosis and care, including standardising the care people have, how information and support are provided, and palliative care.


For full guidance
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng99           

New NICE guideline [NG98] Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management

New NICE guideline [NG98] Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management


Published date: June 2018                


This guideline covers some aspects of assessing and managing hearing loss in primary, community and secondary care. It aims to improve the quality of life for adults with hearing loss by advising healthcare staff on assessing hearing difficulties, managing earwax and referring people for audiological or specialist assessment and management.


For full guidance
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98

New NICE Diagnostics guidance [DG33] Biomarker tests to help diagnose preterm labour in women with intact membranes

New NICE Diagnostics guidance [DG33] Biomarker tests to help diagnose preterm labour in women with intact membranes


Published date: July 2018  Next review: July 2021


Evidence-based recommendations on biomarker tests to help diagnose preterm labour in women with intact membranes. The tests are Actim Partus, PartoSure and the Rapid fetal fibronectin (fFN) 10Q Cassette Kit (at thresholds other than 50 nanograms/millilitre).


For full guidance
 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/dg33

Investigation Into The Transition From Child And Adolescent Mental Health Services To Adult Mental Health Services

Healthcare Safety Investigation Bureau -
This investigation report reviewed the transition from children and adolescent mental health services to understand how variations in the transition impacts the safe and effective care of young people. It makes a number of recommendations to national NHS organisations to make the transition smoother and safer for young people. Read King's Fund blog here

South Asian mental health: 'It's like a taboo...what will the neighbours say?'

Neelam and Dinesh are trying to tackle what they see as the stigma surrounding mental health in Britain's South Asian community. Click here to see BBC video

Many Ex-Smokers Crave Lost Social Identity

Many ex-smokers begin smoking again because they want to recapture a sense of lost social identity, according to new British research published in the Journal of Substance Use. In fact, according to the findings, many smokers experience quitting as a “loss." Click here for PsychCentral article

Mental Health Policy Commission: Investing in a Resilient Generation

Looking beyond treatment to promoting mental health and well-being, the Commission has examined evidence from people with experience of mental distress, families, practitioners, communities, academics, and policy makers to form ground-breaking recommendations that will support a truly different approach and provide a strategic framework for mental health for the 21st Century. Click here to view report

Grads4Nottm Work Placement with the Occupational Therapy Department at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham

Myself (Anusha Panchal) and Zakir Hossain are two students at The Nottingham Trent University who were given an opportunity by our employability team to undertake a two week placement with the HCOP/Occupational Therapy team at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham. Read blog here from fabnhsstuff

Birmingham's Mental Health Services Are Failing Young People

Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe - but as demand for help rises funding is being cut. Read Huffington Post article here

When Adult Mentors Value Teens, It Can Curb Delinquency

When non-family adult mentors, such as teachers and coaches, make adolescents feel like they matter, it has the power to reduce delinquency and destructive behavior, according to a new study published in the journal Children and Youth Services Review. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Capitalism and mental health treatment

A review of Iain Ferguson, Politics of the Mind: Marxism and Mental Distress (Bookmarks, 2017). The current crisis in the National Health Service is at its worst in the field of mental health. Click here to read review

Mental Health Professionals Share What It's Like Trying To Look After Their Own Mental Health

'No matter how well we try to look after our mental health, things happen in our personal lives.' Click here to read Huffington Post article

The NHS at 70

Historical occupational therapy leaflets available to RCOT members To support the NHS70 celebrations this week, RCOT has published a collection of front covers from historical occupational therapy leaflets. Click here to go to link - you do need RCOT membership

Open Relationships Can Be As Happy as Those in Monogamous Ones

A new study has revealed that people in open relationships are as happy as those in monogamous relationships. Read PsychCentral article here

Little Difference Seen in Mental Health of Kids of Same-Sex Vs. Hetero Parents

Children of same-sex parents show similar levels of mental health as children of heterosexual parents, according to a new Italian study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. Read PsychCentral article here

People undergoing voluntary and involuntary ECT treatment have similar outcomes

People who have involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression have similar outcomes to those who have voluntary treatment, according to a ground-breaking new study conducted by researchers from Trinity College Dublin's Department of Psychiatry. Click here to read ScienceDaily article