NHS ‘sleep clinic’ programme boosts children and parents’ mental health

A pioneering NHS pilot scheme to help vulnerable children improve their sleep patterns has delivered significant improvements to families’ health and wellbeing. Read NHS England news here

NICE launches online resource to help development and adoption of new health technologies

HealthTech Connect, a new online resource provided by NICE to help identify and support new health technologies as they move from inception to adoption in the UK health and care system was formally launched today (29 April). read NICE news here

Building better: the role of transport infrastructure and services in improving mental health

According to this report, mental illness is costing the country £66.5 billion every year and better transport journeys can help. The report uses NHS Digital data to assess the prevalence and cost of mental health disorders in different English regions and finds that improving the way people travel and their experience. Click here to read the report

Healthcare professionals issue consensus statement on the importance of health and wellbeing in work

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) along with the Allied Health Professions Federation, Royal College of Nursing and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have launched a consensus statement that outlines how healthcare professionals should promote the benefits of good work and help support workers to look after their own health and wellbeing. Click here to read news piece

Caring Alone: Why Black, Asian And Minority Ethnic Young Carers Continue To Struggle To Access Support

This report reveals that young Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children who care for ill or disabled relatives are more likely than other young carers to be isolated from support services. Read King's Fund blog here

Spiritual Experiences Can Improve Long-Term Mental Health

In a new survey of thousands of people who reported a personal encounter with “ultimate reality” or God, a majority say the experience led to lasting positive changes in their psychological health, life satisfaction, purpose and meaning even decades after the initial encounter. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Participation in Sports Linked to Less Depression in Boys

New research suggests a male child is less apt to have symptoms of depression if they participate in team sports. Furthermore, participation in non-sport activities was found to have no effect on a child’s mood. The association was found only for boys. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Growing up in poverty increases diagnoses of psychosis-spectrum mental illnesses

Growing up in impoverished urban neighborhoods more than doubles your chances over the average person of developing a psychosis-spectrum disorder by the time you reach middle adulthood, according to a new study of nearly 4,000 families who were monitored over 30 years. Read ScienceDaily article here

Caring For The Mental Health Of The Medical Workforce

This report provides a summary of findings from a large-scale survey into doctors’ and medical students’ mental health. The survey, which was open to BMA members and non-members across the UK received over 4,300 responses. Read King's Fund blog here

Repeated Exposure to Media Coverage of Traumas Can Fuel Distress

Repeated exposure to media coverage of collective traumas, such as mass shootings or natural disasters, can fuel a cycle of distress, according to a new study. Read Psych Central article here

Thousands more set to get help as NHS rolls out mental health job coaches

NHS England has announced a major expansion of a landmark scheme designed to help tens of thousands of patients with serious mental health problems who want to work, to find employment.Read NHS England news piece here

Study suggests overdiagnosis of schizophrenia

Reported symptoms of anxiety and hearing voices most common reasons for misdiagnosis by non-specialty physicians. Read ScienceDaily article here

The Global Mental Health Assessment Tool (GMHAT) pilot evaluation: Final report

Evaluation findings of the Global Mental Health Assessment Tool (GMHAT) pilot, tested with refugees resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Read government report here

Four-fifths of teachers say pupils’ mental health is getting worse

Teachers have warned of a growing “crisis” in pupil mental health, with over 80 per cent saying the problems have got worse in the last two years. Read news piece here

Greater Life Satisfaction Derived From Feeling of Oneness

People who believe in oneness — the idea that everything in the world is connected and interdependent — are more satisfied with their lives, according to new research from Germany. read PsychCentral article here

Therapeutic Vacations Help People Confront Feelings and Worries

A new study shows that people are increasing turning to vacations and leisure activities as an outlet for their emotions, confronting problems, grief, and feelings. Read PsychCentral article here

Study: Severely Depressed Patients Should Consider Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Adults with severe forms of depression should consider non-surgical brain stimulation as an alternative or add-on treatment, according to a new study published in The BMJ. Read PsychCentral article here

For busy medical students, two-hour meditation study may be as beneficial as longer course

For time-crunched medical students, taking a two-hour introductory class on mindfulness may be just as beneficial for reducing stress and depression as taking an eight-week meditation course, a study finds. Read ScienceDaily article here

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Have Antidepressant Effects

Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as those prescribed for arthritis, could potentially be effective in the treatment of depression, according to a new meta-analysis conducted by researchers at iPSYCH, a Danish research project focused on finding the causes of major mental disorders.  Click here to read further.

Psychiatry: Multigene test predicts depression risk

An international team has found a genetic score that reliably predicts the risk, severity and age of onset of depression in young people. The study also confirms a history of childhood abuse as a risk factor. Click here to read further.

Childhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depression

A study found that childhood trauma is linked to abnormal connectivity in the brain in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). The paper shows symptom-specific, system-level changes in brain network connectivity in MDD.  Click here to read further.

More sleep may help teens with ADHD focus and organize

Teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may benefit from more sleep to help them focus, plan and control their emotions. Study is first to find executive functioning skills deteriorate with lack of sleep.  Click here to read further.

Specialist mental health support for new mums available in every part of England

New and expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live, NHS England announced today.  Click here to read further.

NICE impact mental health

This report from NICE considers how evidence-based guidance can contribute to improvements in the care of people with mental health conditions. The report reviews how NICE recommendations for cost-effective care are being used in priority areas of the health and care system.  Click here to read further.

Outcomes for mental health services: what really matters?

This report examines the pursuit of outcomes by mental health services and highlights how frameworks for measuring outcomes are often too narrowly focused on clinical outcomes.  The report challenges mental health services to adopt a broader perspective on outcomes as a basis for collaborating with service users and a foundation for delivering more humane and effective care.  Click here to read further.