PHE launches new Psychological First Aid training

 The online training, developed by PHE, is now available for those supporting children and young people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Click here to access training

NHS expands mental health support for staff after toughest year in health service history

 The NHS is supporting staff who have pushed their minds and bodies to the limit over the last year to look after their mental health, as 40 dedicated support hubs are set to open across the country.

Read NHS England news piece here

COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

 Read government guidance here

Roman Kemp to front young male mental health and suicide documentary

 Read news piece here

Farmer mental health during Covid focus of new research

 Read Farming UK article here

Mental health-related workplace absenteeism cost soared to £14bn in 2020

 Read The HR Director Magazine article here

Mental health and debt: how it affects us and how to recover

Don’t let debt impact your mental health - this practical guide to financial support can help you get control over your money issues

Read Big Issue article here

A tale of two Acts: the Mental Health Act, the Mental Capacity Act, and their interface

 In January the Department of Health and Social Care published its response to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act and a consultation on its proposed changes. As you might expect with legislation that has been around since 1983 – the reforms extend to many areas of care.

Read King's Fund blog here

Study Identifies Risk Factors for Elevated Anxiety in Young Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic

 A new study has identified early risk factors that predicted heightened anxiety in young adults during the coronavirus pandemic.

Click here for National Institute for Mental Health news piece

Click here for full text article

British Psychological Society briefing: Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing

 This briefing outlines the British Psychological Society’s response to recent analysis and reports regarding the decline of children and young people’s mental health and to the further development of MHSTs in response to this. 

Click here for full brief

Sleep keeps teens on track for good mental health

As families settle back into a new school year, sleep experts are reminding parents about the importance of teenagers getting enough sleep, cautioning them that insufficient sleep can negatively affect their mental health.

Click here for ScienceDaily article

We Can’t Prevent Childhood Obesity By Education Alone: Lessons From The Evidence Base

 This briefing examines randomised control trials across a range of countries and settings. It analyses the focus of the trials through a wider determinants of health lens, and compares the focus of interventions against previously-mapped causes of obesity - which show that approximately 60 per cent of the causes come from living and working conditions, such as housing or transport, or wider conditions, such as income equality or land-use.

Click here to access King's fund blog

HIV in the United Kingdom

 Reports by Public Health England about testing, diagnosis and care HIV in the UK.

Read government research and analysis here

Supporting The Mental Health Of NHS Staff: The Role Of NHS Leaders In Reducing Mental Health Stigma And Creating Mentally Healthy Cultures

 This guide, funded by the British Medical Association and posted on the Mental Health at Work website, aims to provide practical advice, hints and tips to help NHS leaders and line managers to create mentally healthy cultures and support better mental health. It includes information about mental health stigmas, and how to break them down. 

Read guide here

Support For Domestic Abuse Victims: Housing, Health, Education, Social Services And Social Security

 This briefing outlines support for victims of domestic violence and abuse. It considers social services, housing, social security benefits, health services and preventative actions in education settings.

Read link to government briefing here

Happy childhood? That's no guarantee for good mental health

 It's well understood that a difficult childhood can increase the likelihood of mental illness, but according to new research, a happy and secure childhood does not always protect a child from developing a mental illness later in life.

Click here for ScienceDaily article

Nominate a hero for Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards 2021

 Read local news piece here

The Healthy Homes Bill – why is it important?

 The Town and Country Planning Association launched the Healthy Homes Bill in September 2020, and is calling upon the UK government to adopt the bill as legislation. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is pleased to support the Healthy Homes Act campaign and the eleven key principles on which it is founded.

Read RCOT news piece here

COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing

 Advice and information on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Read government advice here

Dementia profile

Publicly available data on dementia, broken down by geographical area.

 Click here for government collection