Towards mental health equality: a manifesto for the next Prime Minister

This manifesto focuses on five key asks of the new Prime Minister: take action to prevent mental illness; create a cross-government plan for mental health and establish a ‘mental health in all policies’ approach across government; reform the Mental Health Act; ensure everyone can access the right mental health support, in the right place, at the right time; and build a mental health workforce fit for the future.  Click here to read further.

Potential biomarker of psychological stress

Stress affects both mental and physical health. Although stress is known as one of the major risk factors of health disorders in modern society, a biomarker of stress has not yet been well established. In a study published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine, researchers from Osaka University reported a unique association between stress and serum levels of α-Klotho (αKl).  Click here to read further.

In a new survey of 3,425 university students, one in five respondents said they engaged in problematic smartphone use which in turn was tied to lower grades, mental health problems and a higher number of sexual partners.  Click here to read further.

Adults With Family History of Alzheimer’s Show Reduced Scores in Memory Test

In a new study of more than 59,000 people who completed an online memory test, researchers found that adults with a first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s disease performed worse than participants without a family history of the disease.  Click here to read further.

Study: Spread of Abnormal Proteins Explain Gender Difference in Alzheimer’s

New research suggests the way in which abnormal proteins spread throughout the brain may help explain why the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is higher in women than in men. If the results are confirmed, a need for sex-specific approaches for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease may be indicated.  Click here to read further.

Learning Several New Things Simultaneously Boosts Older Adults’ Cognitive Abilities

A new study finds that learning multiple things at the same time increases cognitive abilities in older adults. One important way to avoid cognitive decline as we age is to learn new skills as a child would, according to University of California Riverside psychologist Rachel Wu.  Click here to read further.

Study: Too Many Kids With ADHD Given Antipsychotic Drugs

A new study finds that many antipsychotic drug prescriptions given to children and teens with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not appear to be clinically warranted. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, show that fewer than half of the youth in the study who were prescribed antipsychotic drugs had first been treated with stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, the recommended medication treatments for ADHD. Click here to read further.

Testing Cortisol Levels in Hair May Aid Depression Diagnosis

Testing for cortisol in hair samples may one day aid in the diagnosis of depression and in efforts to monitor the effects of treatment, according to a new study published online in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology. Read PsychCentral article here

Manifesto for Better Mental Health

The Mental Health Policy Group - a coalition of six organisations working together for better mental health, launches the Manifesto for Better Mental Health as the new Prime Minister takes up post. Read NHS Confederation latest news here

Genes underscore five psychiatric disorders

A group of international doctors has uncovered the genes that contribute to the development of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia. Read ScienceDaily article here

Simply the Bestie - mental health app scoops top award for health trust

A GROUND-breaking new app to transform mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people in Worcestershire has been awarded the MidTECH Award for Best NHS-Developed Innovation. Read newspaper article here

Obstructive sleep apnea may be one reason depression treatment doesn't work

When someone is depressed and having suicidal thoughts or their depression treatment just isn't working, their caregivers might want to check to see if they have obstructive sleep apnea, investigators say. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Hot Bath 90 Minutes Before Bed May Help Improve Sleep

Taking a very hot bath or shower (104 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit) around 90 minutes before bedtime can help you fall asleep more quickly and even improve your sleep quality, according to a new analysis of thousands of studies. As a comparison, the average hot tub is set around 100 to 102 degrees F. Click here to read PsychCentral article

How to help your mental health by creating a home that’s a safe haven

HOME is where the heart is – but could it also be crucial to mental health? Read newspaper piece here

People with dementia spend almost £15bn of their own money waiting for Government care reforms, Alzheimer's Society reveals

Since the promise of the Green Paper on social care reform in March 2017, the dementia care crisis has reached absolute breaking point, says the Alzheimer’s Society. New analysis published by Alzheimer’s Society reveals people living with dementia have had to spend almost £15bn of their own money on social care since Government reforms were first promised in March 2017. Read news piece here

Suicide prevention profile: September 2019 update

The Suicide prevention profile has been produced to help develop understanding at a local level and support an intelligence driven approach to suicide prevention. It collates and presents a range of publicly available data on suicide, associated prevalence, risk factors, and service contact among groups at increased risk. It provides planners, providers and stakeholders with the means to profile their area and benchmark against similar populations. To be released 3rd September - click here for notice

Perinatal Depression Screening May Miss Suicidal Thoughts

A new study of 736 low-income pregnant women in Illinois finds that more than one-third of those who reported having thoughts of self-harm in a commonly used health questionnaire did not have elevated levels of depression. Read PsychCentral article here

Body and mind need care in mental illness

The 18-year life expectancy gap between people with mental illness and the general population can only be bridged by protecting patients' physical and mental health. Read ScienceDaily article herehttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190718085321.htm

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES: USING DATA-DRIVEN TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM MENTAL HEALTHCARE

This report examines the current landscape of data-driven technologies and their applications in mental healthcare, highlighting areas where these tools offer the most potential for the NHS and its patients. Read reform report here

Stress reduction benefits from petting dogs, cats

Just 10 minutes of interacting with cats and dogs produced a significant reduction in students' cortisol, a major stress hormone. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Eating disorders in young people

Trends in hospital admissions as a result of eating disorders in young people, by single year of age, England. Read government report here

Just Seeing Green Space May Ease Cravings for Alcohol, Cigarettes, Junk Food

A new study shows a link between being able to see green spaces from your home and reduced cravings for alcohol, cigarettes, and harmful foods. Read PsychCentral article here

Coping strategy therapy for family dementia carers works long-term

A program of therapy and coping strategies for people who care for family members with dementia successfully improves the carers' mental health for at least a six-year follow-up, finds a new study.Read ScienceDaily article here

Odd Eating Habits May Aid Early Detection of Autism

A new study finds that atypical eating behaviors were present in 70 percent of children with autism, 15 times more common than in neurotypical children. Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine believe the association suggests a child with unusual eating behaviors should be screened for autism. Read PsychCentral article here

New eating disorder guidance urges better support for families and carers

The UK’s eating disorder charity Beat has today launched new guidance encouraging healthcare providers to ensure better support for families of people with eating disorders, including by offering an assessment of their own mental health needs and offering access to peer-to-peer support programmes.Click here to go to website

Participating in Local Food Projects Linked to Improved Mental Health

A new study U.K. study suggests that participating in local food projects may have a positive effect on well-being and psychological health. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Left to their own devices: children's social media and mental health

The aim of this report is to both understand what children, young people and practitioners have to say about the impact of social media on mental health and wellbeing and to shed light on the social media experiences of vulnerable children. Click here to get link to article

Psychiatric diagnosis 'scientifically meaningless'

A new study, published in Psychiatry Research, has concluded that psychiatric diagnoses are scientifically worthless as tools to identify discrete mental health disorders. Read ScienceDaily article here

What Do Kids in The Hospital Really Want?

What matters most to children staying in the hospital? A new study finds that the two strongest desires of hospitalized kids are feeling safe and being able to get to sleep at night. read PsychCentral article here

Physical activity helps children to deal with life’s challenges

Read Government press release here

UK Study Identifies Early Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

A new large-scale data study in the UK provides clarity on early warning signs associated with an eating disorder. Swansea University researchers believe their findings will help primary care physicians detect eating disorders earlier in the course of care. To read PsychCentral article click here

Self-harming girl was told she did not have mental health disorder, inquest told

A teenager who took her own life in her secure accommodation following a history of self-harm was initially told she did not have mental health disorders, an inquest heard. Read newspaper article here

Study Explores End-of-Life Clarity in Dementia Patients

An interdisciplinary research team is investigating cases of paradoxical lucidity, a phenomenon in which a person with severe dementia suddenly “wakes up” and exhibits surprisingly normal behaviors, only to pass away shortly thereafter. Click here for PsychCentral article

Dementia National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) - update

Click here for update

Dementia profile: August 2019 data update

The estimated dementia diagnosis rate is a PHOF indicator contained in the Dementia profile. This profile tool provides health and social care professionals with the data to help them improve services and outcomes for people with dementia and their carers. Click here to go to government website