Unhealthy Diet Linked to Poor Mental Health

A new study adds to the mounting evidence that an unhealthy diet is tied to poor mental health, regardless of personal characteristics such as gender, education, age, marital status and income level.  Click here to read further.

Virtual Reality Holds Promise for Reducing Phobias in Autism

In a new pilot study, adults with autism showed real-life, functional improvements following a virtual reality (VR) treatment approach in which they were gradually exposed to their fears. The VR treatment was coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Click here to read further.

Panel Urges Counseling to Prevent Perinatal Depression in High-Risk Women

The first review of evidence by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on ways to prevent perinatal depression has led the researchers to recommend counseling for pregnant and postpartum women at increased risk for the disorder.  Click here to read further.

Positive Well-Being May Buffer Against Depression in Newly Employed Adults with Autism

A new study shows that positive well-being — a sense of happiness and life satisfaction — is linked to a lower risk of developing depression in newly employed adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 12 months follow-up.  Click here to read further.

HEE report ‘shines a welcome light’ on importance of staff wellbeing, says Mental Health Network

Read NHS Confederation news here

Stourport shop assistant launches male mental health support group

A STOURPORT shop assistant has set up a support group for men dealing with mental health issues.
Sainsbury's shop worker and student Lewis Anson has launched the 'Mindful About Men' group, working alongside the Rethink Mental Illness charity. Click here to read news article

Manager Support, Positive Attitude Aid in Return to Work After Sick Leave

Support from managers and coworkers, as well as a positive attitude, can help employees have a smoother return to work after an absence due to mental or physical health issues, according to a new review of research published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. Click here to read PsychCentral

CQC response to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act

Responding to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act published today Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (lead for mental health) at the CQC has said...read here to find out

Caring Texts May Help Reduce Suicide Attempts in Active Service Members

A new study found that when active-duty service members received caring texts from health clinicians intermittently over the course of a year, the risk of suicide attempts dropped from 15 percent to 9 percent.Click here to read PsychCentral article

Training to Boost Wise Behavior Can Help Those with Schizophrenia

Emerging research suggests training to enhance positive psychological traits, such as wisdom, may promote health and well-being in persons with schizophrenia. Read PsychCentral article here

Setting Realistic Goals Linked to Higher Level of Well-Being

A new study shows that people who set realistic goals can hope for  better well-being. The key for later satisfaction is whether the life goals are seen as attainable, according to psychologists at the University of Basel in Switzerland. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Mindfulness Training via Smartphone Can Improve Social Skills

While smartphones are often criticized for issues ranging from addictive properties, community seclusion and sleep disturbances, research shows that used in the right way, smartphones may be a vehicle to deliver mindfulness-based training. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Extra Support for Suicidal Teens Can Cut Risk of Dying Young

Providing a suicidal teen with extra support from a few caring adults during vulnerable times appears to reduce the risk of dying young. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Birmingham coroner's ‘serious concerns’ over lack of mental health beds after man commits suicide

The Birmingham Coroner has expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the availability of mental health beds after a man committed suicide after being sent home from Good Hope Hospital. Read newspaper article here

Older patients spared dementia and falls by NHS tech roll-out

Digital checks that can prevent dementia and falls in older people, and save lives through diagnosis of sepsis, are among a range of tools being made available in hospitals across the country, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Read NHS England news here

Suicide prevention: cross-government plan

The government has published the first cross-government suicide prevention plan. The plan has a focus on how social media and the latest technology – such as predictive analytics and artificial intelligence – can identify those at risk of suicide. Click here for link

‘Can, not can’t’ – delivering personalised care on the frontline

Effective personalised care must focus on individual strengths, daily activities and social connections, new report finds. Read report here

The Topol Review: Preparing The Healthcare Workforce To Deliver The Digital Future

The Topol Review, led by cardiologist, geneticist, and digital medicine researcher Dr Eric Topol, explores how to prepare the healthcare workforce, through education and training, to deliver the digital future. Read King's Fund blog here

Organised crime update: Dangerous Diazepam diversion down by 73%

10mg Diazepam trading is down by 73% as analysis indicates efforts to stop illegal diversion of medicines to the black market are working. Read government press release here

Being kind to yourself has mental and physical benefits

Taking time to think kind thoughts about yourself and loved ones has psychological and physical benefits, new research suggests. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Depression increases risk of early death in older adults

A research team designed a study to investigate the role depression symptoms play in an increased risk of death over time. The team also examined the role heart disease and stroke play in the link between depression symptoms and increased risk of death. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Exercise Could Postpone or Even Prevent Onset of Dementia

A new study has shown that exercise alters brain blood flow and improves cognitive performance in older adults — but not in the way you might think. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Origins of depression brought into focus in large-scale genetic study

Hundreds of genes have been newly linked to depression, shedding light on the origins of the condition and highlighting personality types that could be at risk. The international study, involving more than two million people, is the largest of its kind. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

A gut feeling for mental health

The first population-level study on the link between gut bacteria and mental health identifies specific gut bacteria linked to depression and provides evidence that a wide range of gut bacteria can produce neuroactive compounds. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Does Hospital Competition Reduce Rates Of Patient Harm In The English NHS?

Previous hospital mergers have reduced the number of distinct organisations offering publicly funded and provided care in the NHS, reducing choice and between-hospital competition in some areas. Read King's Blog here

One of the largest mental health trials launches in schools

Up to 370 schools to join one of the largest trials in the world to boost the evidence about what works to support mental health and wellbeing. Read DOH news item here

Early Assessment of Online CBT May Improve Care Delivery

New research suggests the efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy can be determined within a few weeks of the intervention. Click here to read PsychCentral article

RCOT welcomes NHS England vision for personalised care

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) welcome the publication today of NHS England’s vision and model for personalised care: Universal Personalised Care: Implementing the Personalised Care Model. Click here to read response.