Aerobic Exercise, Heart-Healthy Diet May Ward Off Memory Issues

A new study suggests that a six-month aerobic exercise regimen and heart-healthy diet improves one’s ability to think, remember and make decisions, and may ward off mild cognitive impairment, or cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND). Read PsychCentral article here

Estimating Need In Older People: Findings For England

This report outlines how ill health, poverty, unmet needs for care and support, poor housing, loneliness and social isolation are profound challenges for many older people. It estimates the numbers and percentages of people aged 65 and over in England with these disadvantages, and collates insights from older people’s own voices about the experience of living with them. Click here to read King's Fund blog report

We can all help to prevent suicide - charity says on World Mental Health Day

Click here for link to Mental Health Foundation website

Prevention and mental health paper

This resource provides information on the scale of mental health problems in society, what shapes our mental health, an integrated model of mental health, how life events can affect mental health, the relationship between physical and mental health, the meaning of prevention and how society must change to put prevention front and centre.  It is aimed at policymakers, health professionals, mental health advocates and their families and friends. Click here for report

Daily Cannabis Can Cut Illicit Opioid Use For Those With Chronic Pain

For people in chronic pain who are tempted to use illicit opioids, a new study reveals that cannabis can act as an effective and much less dangerous alternative to help manage pain. Click here for PsychCentral article

Concussions in high school athletes may be a risk factor for suicide

Concussion, the most common form of traumatic brain injury, has been linked to an increased risk of depression and suicide in adults. Now new research suggests high school students with a history of sports-related concussions might be at an increased risk for suicide completion.Read ScienceDaily article here

“Struggle is normal” - managing your mental health at university

With 25 years’ experience of working with students, Sarah Littlejohn offers her thoughts on how universities, staff and peers can help manage students’ mental health. Read article here

Harnessing the Power of Technology for Mental Health

In this Director’s Message, Dr. Gordon discusses the potential that technology holds for expanding the reach of mental health care. Read NIMH blog here

Mental health and your heart

Looking after yourself can be tough when you’re living with a mental health problem. By taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle you can improve your overall health and feel better.  Click here to read British Heart Foundation article

Profiting from the bed shortage

HSJ’s fortnightly briefing covering safety, quality, performance and finances in the mental health sector. Click here to read briefing

Side effects mild, brief with single antidepressant dose of intravenous ketamine

Researchers found that a single, low-dose ketamine infusion was relatively free of side effects for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Read ScienceDaily article here

Just what the doctor ordered: Take a yoga class and depression, anxiety improve

Scientific studies already support yoga practice as a means to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Now a new study provides evidence that yoga and breathing exercises can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in both the short term -- with each session as well as cumulatively in the longer term, over three months. Read ScienceDaily article here

Royal College of Occupational Therapists outlines new Research and Development Strategy

Click here for details

Mum's fight to have son's inquest verdict overruled in hope of holding mental health services to account

A grieving mum is hoping to overturn her son’s inquest verdict, which ruled he had taken his own life, as part of her fight to have Worcestershire mental health services ‘held to account’. Read local newspaper article here

Millions of men in the UK affected by body image issues – Mental Health Foundation survey

Millions of men in the UK have struggled with body image issues according to findings published by the Mental Health Foundation. Click here to read article

What Is The Evidence On The Role Of The Arts In Improving Health And Well-Being? A Scoping Review

This comprehensive review of evidence on arts and health concludes that engaging with the arts can be beneficial for both mental and physical health. Click here to for WHO report from the King's Fund blog

Alcohol and drug misuse and treatment statistics

Statistics to support improvements in decision making when planning alcohol and drug misuse treatment services. Click here for latest government statistics

How education shapes young people’s mental health

Good mental health is vital in allowing young people to learn, build resilience and develop the skills they need to grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. But how can we ensure that schools, colleges and universities are nurturing environments which promote their wellbeing? Read Centre for Mental Health report here

Study examines depression in the last year of life

Depression impacts quality of life at all life stages, but little is known about the factors related to depression in the last year of life. A recent study found that 59.3% of individuals had depression in the last month before death. Read ScienceDaily article here

Exploring Mental Health Inpatient Capacity

This report says that hundreds more NHS mental health beds are needed in England to help end the practice, known as out-of-area placements (OAPs), of sending severely ill patients far from home for treatment. Click here to access King's Fund blog