Untreated Diabetes Tied to Faster Dementia Progression

In a new study, psychologists from the University of Southern California (USC) found that patients with untreated diabetes developed signs of Alzheimer’s disease 1.6 times faster than people without diabetes. Read PsychCentral article here

Mental Health Matters: At your own risk

HSJ’s fortnightly briefing covering safety, quality, performance and finances in the mental health sector. Click here for briefing. If you have difficulty accessing the page please contact the library service - 01905 760601

Consider non-surgical brain stimulation for severe depression, say experts

Findings provide further clarification about the benefits of non-surgical brain stimulation. Read ScienceDaily report here Please note we have access to the BMJ via our www.wkp.nhs.uk

Outcomes for mental health services: what really matters?

There has been an increasing interest in the concept of value-based health care and how resources are allocated to improve outcomes. However, measuring outcomes in mental health services is often complex and fraught with difficulty, with professionals and service users often having very different perspectives on the nature of mental illness and the role of services in addressing it. Read Kings Fund publication here

NICEimpact Mental Health

One in 4 adults experiences a mental health condition in any given year, and mental health conditions are the largest single cause of disability in the UK. This report considers how NICE’s evidence-based guidance can contribute to improvements in the care of people with mental health conditions. Read report here

Psychotropic drugs and people with learning disabilities or autism

Describes a system to track prescribing of antipsychotics, antidepressants and other psychotropics for people with learning disabilities, autism or both. Read government guidance here

Man detained under the Mental Health Act for Birmingham mosque attacks

The man, from Perry Barr, handed himself into police following the attacks in Aston and Erdington. Read newspaper article here

Millions have felt ‘powerless’, ’angry’ or ’worried’ because of Brexit – results of our new poll

Millions of people in the UK have felt powerless, angry or worried over the last year because of Brexit, according to calculations from our new poll. Read Mental Health Foundation report here

Funding awarded to 23 projects to help those affected by alcohol

Local authorities across the country will use £6 million funding to increase access to alcohol treatments, with a focus on helping parents and rough sleepers. Read government press release here

Mental health services: addressing the care deficit

This report outlines the growing concerns amongst NHS mental health leaders about a substantial care deficit resulting from the impact of social and economic hardship. Click here for link to report

African-Americans more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, Rutgers study finds

The study suggests a bias in misdiagnosing blacks with major depression and schizophrenia. Read ScienceDaily report here

For older adults, sense of control tied to feeling younger

A recent study finds that older adults feel younger when they feel that they have more control over their daily lives, regardless of stress or health concerns. However, stress and health -- not a sense of control -- play a significant role in how old younger adults feel. Click here to read further.

Mental health issues increased significantly in young adults over last decade

The percentage of young Americans experiencing certain types of mental health disorders has risen significantly over the past decade, with no corresponding increase in older adults, according to new research. Click here to read further.

Review of the National Autism Strategy 'Think Autism': call for evidence

In April 2014 the government published ‘Think Autism’, a strategy for meeting the needs of autistic adults in England. The strategy supports the Autism Act 2009. This year the Department of Health and Social Care, working with the Department for Education, will review the strategy and extend it to cover children as well as adults  Click here to read further.

NHS population screening: improving access for people with severe mental illness

This document provides information on how to improve access to screening, for people with severe mental illness residing in mental healthcare settings. It was designed to be used by screening providers and commissioners.  Click here to read further.

Using digital technology to design and deliver better mental health services: perspectives from Australia and the USA

Across the world, people experiencing mental health problems face challenges accessing care and support. The purpose of this project is to explore what we in the UK might learn from colleagues in the USA and Australia engaged in work relating to making better use of digital technology in the mental health sector.  Click here to read further.

Gratitude in Workplace Can Hike Mental, Physical Health

Expressing gratitude at work is associated with better mental and physical health for everyone involved, according to a new study led by Portland State University in Oregon. Read PsychCentral article here

Mental health trusts reporting high levels of violence

Mental health trusts are continuing to experience higher than average incidences of violence against staff, the NHS staff survey has shown. Click here to read HSJ article - any problems logging in please contact library staff

Assaults on north Wales NHS mental health staff halve

Attacks by mental health patients on NHS staff at Wales' largest health board have halved in five years. Read news item here

Monitoring the Mental Health Act report

This annual report on the use of the Mental Health Act (MHA) looks at how providers are caring for patients, and whether patient’s rights are being protected. Click here for link to report

CQC to review the use of restraint, prolonged seclusion and segregation for people with mental health problems, a learning disability and/or autism

We will review and make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide inpatient and residential care for people with mental health problems, a learning disability and/or autism. Read CQC news piece here

Mental health campaigner spreading positivity in 'Vibe Van'

Read local newspaper report here

Public Satisfaction With The NHS And Social Care In 2018: Results From The British Social Attitudes Survey

This report, written with Nuffield Trust, shows that public satisfaction with the NHS overall continued to fall in 2018. The four main reasons people gave for being satisfied with the NHS overall were: the quality of care; the fact that the NHS is free at the point of use; the range of services and treatments available; and the attitudes and behaviour of NHS staff. The four main reasons people gave for being dissatisfied with the NHS overall were: long waiting times; staff shortages; a lack of funding; and money being wasted. Read full report here

Drop in public satisfaction in the NHS is inevitable consequence of decade of austerity, says NHS Confederation

Responding to the findings of the 2018 British Social Attitudes survey, published by The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust, Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the health sector, said...click here to read

Daily intake of nutritional supplements cannot prevent depression

The largest randomized clinical trial to study the effects of nutritional strategies on the prevention of major depressive disorder concludes that daily intake of nutritional supplements cannot prevent depression. Read ScienceDaily article here

Government creates new student mental health taskforce

A new group has been set up to help students manage the challenges in university which can affect mental health. Read government news piece here

Growing up near green space is good for your mental health as an adult - World Economic Forum

Being denied the sights, sounds and smells of nature during childhood is associated with an increased risk of mental health problems later in life, according to a new study. Read article here

Keira Knightley on how the phrase ‘man up’ has led to a ‘mental health crisis’ - The Independent

Read newspaper article here

Integrated therapy treating obesity and depression is effective

An intervention combining behavioral weight loss treatment and problem-solving therapy with as-needed antidepressant medication for participants with co-occurring obesity and depression improved weight loss and depressive symptoms compared with routine physician care. read ScienceDaily article here

Sleeping In on Weekends Doesn’t Reduce Risks of Chronic Sleep Loss

After a full week of getting up early and losing sleep, many people try to catch up on the weekends. But can we ever truly catch up on insufficient sleep? Click here to read article

Mental health and wellbeing support for NHS staff: government pledges overhaul

Click here to see plan

Mental Health Act review recommendations must be implemented, says Mental Health Network in response to CQC report

Responding to the CQC’s Monitoring the Mental Health Act report, Sean Duggan, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, which is part of the NHS Confederation, said...click here to find out