The Links Between Diet & Behaviour: The influence of nutrition on Mental Health

Posted on January 31, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

  chips.jpg      The links between diet and behaviour: The influence of nutrition on mental health , from Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum (FHF)

An all-party independent forum for the exchange of views and information on food policy in the UK Parliament.

The report makes the following 19 recommendations:

  • The Government – principally the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice, working with the FSA and the Medical Research Council – commission and support further research in the areas highlighted in this report.
  • The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) should be asked to define further the optimum intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in different stages of life, especially for pregnant women and children.
  • The FSA should reconsider its advice to pregnant women about fish consumption, with a view to encouraging them to eat two portions of oily fish, or the equivalent in omega-3 PUFAs, a week.
  • The FSA continues to monitor closely levels of mercury, dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in the different species of oily fish available in the UK.
  • The Royal Medical Colleges and the GMC consider upgrading the role of nutrition in the medical curriculum.
  • Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) should increase the number of posts for dietitians working in the community and that GP practices should be fully reimbursed if  they employ a dietitian to whom patients can be referred for nutritional advice.
  • The Government should take further action to raise public awareness of the significance of good nutrition in pregnancy and to tackle the incidence of low birth-weight in the UK.
  • More research to test the effect of selected essential fatty acids on the cognitive skills, mood and behaviour of both “healthy” children (that is, children suffering from no known disorders), as well as children suffering from a range of behavioural disorders should be undertaken.
  • Regulations should be introduced to prohibit all artificial colours and on-essential preservatives in food products and soft drinks.
  • The Government should include financial support to School Breakfast Clubs as part of the package set up to improve school meals. We strongly recommend that all children entitled to free school lunches should be entitled also to a free school breakfast whose content, like school lunches, should be subject to quantified nutritional standards.
  • The Department of Health encourages NHS Trusts to adopt an approach similar to that pursued by the Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust which undertakes a nutritional assessment of patients suffering from depression and patients with early symptoms of psychosis and provides dietary advice to them.
  • Consideration of the outcome of the next trial of nutritional supplements in Young Offender Institutes should be a priority for the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) given that our prisons are overcrowded and there is continuing concern about the mental health of prisoners, particularly young offenders at risk of self-harm and suicide.
  • Aany dietary intervention that can be used to improve the behaviour and mental well-being of offenders held in custody should be given serious consideration by the NOMS.
  • NOMS should look positively at the case for introducing nutrient-based standards for meals in prisons, similar to those introduced for schools, but based on recommended daily intakes for adults.
  • Effective measures should be taken in all prisons to inform prisoners about the benefits of a good diet and to enable them to make healthy choices both while they are in custody and after their release.
  • In all women’s prisons national nutritional standards should be introduced to ensure that the basic dietary needs of pregnant women prisoners are achieved.
  • More research is urgently needed in the area of nutrition and behaviour because of the major potential benefit for the fields of education, crime, health and the well-being of vulnerable sections of society and we recommend that the Government devotes more resources to this, especially in corrective institutions and care homes.
  • Department of Health messages on a healthy diet should emphasise the importance of a balanced diet for optimum mental as well as physical health.
  • While research continues to identify and produce alternative sources of omega-3 PUFAs, the report recommends that all people in the UK should be encouraged to eat more fish, some of which should be oily fish, or its equivalent in omega-3 PUFAs.

Thanks again Kieran at Fade, getting towards a crate now! 

Filed under: grey literature, mental health, Mental Health & Healthy Lifestyles, statistics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Cochrane Review – Aripiprazole versus typicals for Schizophrenia

Posted on January 31, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

coch.jpg     Aripiprazole versus typicals for schizophrenia (Review), 23rd January 2008

Bhattacharjee J, El-Sayeh HGG. Aripiprazole versus typicals for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1.Art. No.: CD006617
Background

Aripiprazole is a relatively new antipsychotic drug, said to be the prototype of a new third generation of antipsychotics; the so-called dopamine-serotonin system stabilisers. In this review we examine how the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole differs from that of typical antipsychotics.

Filed under: cochrane, Forensic Mental Healthcare, mental health, Schizophrenia | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Harmless – User Led Organisation for Self-Harm

Posted on January 31, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

 self-harm.jpg     Harmless is a user led organisation that provides support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals.

For professionals click on this links for training modules/packages

Abstract from site: We hope that you find the site a useful source of support and information. We welcome your thoughts and feedback about our site and services.

We would also encourage everyone who feels able to complete our questionnaire and polls as this will help us develop a better awareness of who is accessing Harmless and the kind of difficulties they face.

Contact details:

Harmless, PO BOX 9325, Nottingham, NG8 9FB

info@harmless.org.uk

Filed under: Forensic Mental Healthcare, grey literature, medium secure, mental health, OT - Occupational Therapy, Self Harm, Self Harm Men, suicide, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

May the Force Be With You – Star Wards Combats Mental Health

Posted on January 31, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

star-wards.jpg     Star Wards is a project which works with mental health trusts to enhance mental health inpatients’ daily experiences and treatment outcomes.

We discover, celebrate, share, publicise and inspire excellence in acute care, and there is plenty of that all round the country. Our members use and adapt our resources to stimulate and structure therapeutic and enjoyable daily programmes for inpatients.

The full Star Wards Handbook is available to download, which is crammed full of practical ideas for improving the daily experiences and treatment outcomes of acute mental health in-patients.  Be warned OT’s and Therapists you are guaranteed to find new ideas and ways of working!

Don’t just take my word, look at the comments:

‘This is a recipe book for doing things right, rather than another list of what is wrong.” Louis Appleby

‘People talk to people now; it’s so bloody basic, isn’t it?’ Service manager, Search for Acute Solutions

On the Website you will find:

  • the Library, with it’s huge collection of Star Wards information and resources
  • the Star Wards blog with all the latest Star Wards news, reports of what members are doing around the country and other items of interest
  • information on how to join Star Wards
  • Resources page with documents to download
  • Benchmarking Tools

Get (and contribute to!) the regular e-newsletter, the Star Wards’ website and our regional and national networking events. Healthcare assistants are eligible for the Star Awards achievement scheme and wards who have got all relevant 75 ideas in place win the Full Monty Award. Make the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission happy. Make your finance people happy – it’s free to join!

Read the article that was published in the Guardian newspaper today, 30th January 2008

  star-wards-star.jpg  Star helps bring an end to negativity, David Brindle   [Full-text]

  • Abstact: Hurrah, then, for Star Wards. This grassroots initiative, set up by the dynamic and irrepressible Marion Janner, has in just over a year succeeded in doing more for positive thinking and self-respect in the acute mental health sector than any number of official schemes and makeovers that preceded it. The impact has been extraordinary.

Filed under: CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Equality & Diversity, grey literature, mental health, Mental Health & Healthy Lifestyles, nursing, OT - Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Mental Health Videos To Watch from your Computer

Posted on January 31, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog
  • popcorn.jpg  Todays presentation is brought to you by NHS Choices, 30th January 2008
  • It couldn’t be simpler, no getting in the car to Blockbuster, just click on the links below and you can watch the videos from your PC.  So pop the kettle on and make yourself comfy the film starts in 2 minutes. ..
  • Alcohol: Do you know your limits
  • Attitudes to Mental Health (includes clips of an interview with the MHSL Clinical Lead, Dr Hugh Griffiths)
  • Autism: real story
  • Be happy at work
  • Bipolar Disorder (interview with the ex-MHSL clinical lead, Professor John Geddes)
  • Cannabis: real stories
  • Depression (interview with Dr Cosmo Hallstrom)
  • Depression: real story
  • Exercise and disability
  • Get support to quit smoking
  • Mental Health at 60-plus
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Postnatal depression
  • Stop smoking

    • Filed under: alcohol, Autism, bipolar, CAMHS, CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, depression, Drugs & Substance Misuse, grey literature, Learning Disabilities, mental health, Mental Health & Healthy Lifestyles, nursing, Older People, Self Harm, Therapy, Videos | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    The State of Social Care in England 2006-07

    Posted on January 30, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    old-lady.jpg      The State of Social Care in England 2006-07, January 2008

    The state of social care in England 2006-07

    This third report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection
    Inspection:
    􀁕􀃊 Describes trends in the range, quality and availability of social care services in 2006-07 across public, voluntary and private sectors.
    􀁕􀃊 Reports on what is happening to people seeking support who are not eligible for council-arranged care or who fund their own care.

    It follows concerns raised by the Commission last year, and explores the experiences of people not deemed eligible for state-supported social care. It shows that many younger disabled people and frail older people are being ‘signposted’ to voluntary services. Many are forced to rely on help from family and informal arrangements which can break down at short notice. People unable to rely on families or friends and unable to pay for care services themselves are simply left to cope with everyday life, while some become virtually trapped in their own home.Local authorities are increasingly only helping those with ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ needs. This despite the use of a national set of rules (called Fair Access to Care Services – FACS ) to decide who is eligible for support. However who does or doesn’t get help varies not only between but also within the same council. In practice the criteria can be interpreted in different ways by local staff.

    The full report can be downloaded using the links below along with the evidence that informed it.

    State of social care – foreword & overview

    State of social care – context and focus

    State of social care – part 1

    State of social care – part 2

    State of social care – appendices

    Lost to the System? The Impact of Fair Access to Care

    Self-funded social care for older people: an analysis of eligibility, variations and future projections

    Thanks again to Kieran at Fade up to 2 pints now thanks sue

    Filed under: carers, Equality & Diversity, grey literature, mental health, Older People, statistics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    The New Mental Health Act Commission Eleventh Biennial Report

    Posted on January 30, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    The New Mental Health Act Commission Eleventh Biennial Report   (In place of fear)

    questions whether all inpatient mental health services provide their patients with acceptable levels of security, care, or a sense of being treated as  someone who matters. It welcome the Government’s announced refocus on inpatient services and call for it to concentrate on building up these aspects, in place of the fear that many patients have of services and that many people have of mentally disordered people.  The importance of breaking such ‘circles of fear’ for Black and minority ethnic patients are particularly welcomed.

    There is evidence that inpatient services are losing staff and resources to community services, but that pressures on inpatient beds remain high. Over half of all wards are full or have more patients than beds, with staffing shortages and unpleasant ward environments undermining the therapeutic purpose of inpatient admission.

    Act Commission Eleventh Biennial Report (In Place Of Fear) questions whether all inpatient mental health services provide their patients with acceptable levels of security, care, or a sense of being treated as  someone who matters. It welcome the Government’s announced refocus on inpatient services and call for it to concentrate on building up these aspects, in place of the fear that many patients have of services and that many people have of mentally disordered people. 

    The report highlights the dangers inherent in devolved service commissioning for ensuring adequate levels of specialist provision, and note the vulnerability of mental health services as Trusts face financial crises.

    The extension of patient ‘choice’ across health service provision should not be allowed further to disadvantage or ostracise patients who are unable to exercise choice because of their mental incapacity or because of legal powers of compulsion held over their treatment.

    Boundaries of current mental health law under stress, with discussion of about forty cases in court, and a more general observation of legal powers being used in ways that may not have been intended by Parliament, often for pragmatic reasons where professionals are keen to intervene in what they perceive to be a person’s best interest or as measures of social order.

    It also discusses aspects of the use of present mental health powers in relation to civil detention and police powers, including an extended discussion on the detention of mentally disordered offenders.We provide analysis of deaths of detained patients; seclusion incidents notified to the Commission; and Second Opinion activity during this period.

    The report has a strong focus on measures to encourage and support the empowerment of all patients, including those without mental capacity to make certain decisions about their care.

    It finally reviews the proposed future arrangements for monitoring detention of mentally disordered persons and suggest ways in which the forthcoming Mental Health Bill might be improved to ensure acceptability to mentally disordered persons and the effective protection of their rights.

    Thanks again to Kieran for the phone call, cheers owe you a pint

    Filed under: Acts - Mental Health, Equality & Diversity, grey literature, mental health | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Really Useful Book of Learning & Earning

    Posted on January 30, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    disability1.gif      Really Useful Book of Learning & Earning, January 2008, published by NIACE in colloboration with NSIP

    The Really Useful Book of Learning and Earning (2008) has been published by National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and is the result of close collaboration between NIACE, NSIP and other partners. The book is aimed at providing useful information for disabled people looking for work but is of particular interest to people with mental health problems and those who support them.   This could include Occupational Therapists, Carers, Therapists and Nursing Staff.

    What is its purpose: - It was written to offer information, advice and guidance to support disabled people into work. Many people, not only disabled people, need to retrain or learn a new skill to get a job. This book offers real stories, from real people about how they managed to get back to work. Some of them used learning as a way of returning to paid work.

    Filed under: Equality & Diversity, grey literature, Learning Disabilities, mental health, OT - Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    From Segregation to Inclusion: Where are we Now?

    Posted on January 30, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    socia-inc.jpg      From segregation to inclusion: Where are we now? ,  a review of progress towards the implementation of the mental health day services commissioning guidance,   24th January 2008, Department of Health

    A review of mental health day services in England was published by the Department of Health and the National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) on 24th January.

    The modernisation of day services has proven challenging in many areas since commissioning guidance was published in February 2006 . The review, entitled From segregation to inclusion: Where are we now? , looks at how things have progressed since then and identifies lessons that can be learnt from those areas where services have undergone change.

    “Over £123 million a year is spent on mental health day services” said Ben Taylor, National Day Services Lead at NSIP. “As a result it is important that they appeal to a wider range of people and are more effective at supporting them to fulfil their aspirations and take opportunities than they often have been in the past”.

    The review found that the process for day services modernisation is one in which necessary challenges need to be addressed with care and it is intended that the document will help people to manage the changes. “This isn’t about throwing the baby out with the bathwater” emphasised Ben Taylor. “Day services have a vital role to play in the support and social inclusion of many people with mental health problems, but they must be supported to do it as well as possible”.

    Filed under: Depatment of Health 2008, Equality & Diversity, grey literature, mental health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    2 Articles from the Journal – Health & Social Care in the Community

    Posted on January 29, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    Health & Social Care in the Community, January 2008, Vol 16 (1)

    To access the full text of this journal you’ll need an Athens password if you would like to apply for an Athens this link will let you apply for one.

    Tania Kyle BscOT MSc and James R. Dunn BartsSc (Hon) MA PhD
    pages 1–15

    Systematic review of the perceptions and experiences of accessing health services by adult victims of domestic violence

    Louise Robinson RGN RHV BSc (Hons) MSc and Karen Spilsbury RN BA (Hons) PhD
    pages 16–30

    Any problems please contact susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    Big thanks to Kieran at Fade Library for this link

    Filed under: Current Awareness, depression, Journals, mental health | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Sensitivity & Suicide

    Posted on January 29, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

        suicide-and-senisitve.jpg    Sensitive Coverage Saves Lives: Improving Media Portrayal of Suicidal Behaviour, 2007, NIMHE

    Abstract from the report: – The brief for the study was prepared in January 2006, during which a particularly significant example of problematic press coverage of suicide hit the headlines. On 4 January three newspapers – the Evening Standard (London), The Times, and The Sun – all published pictures of a woman leaping to her death from the ledge of a London hotel. Their decision to publish was criticised by mental health agencies and a series of complaints were made to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). Although the complaints were not upheld by the PCC, eventually the Editor’s Code of Practice it polices was modified to require special care in reporting of suicide.

    The complex question of whether media portrayal might influence suicidal behaviour has been a matter of debate for a long time. As far back as 1841 doctor and statistician William Farr considered that: “no fact is better established in science than that suicide (and murder may perhaps be added) is often committed from imitation . . . Do the advantages of publicity counterbalance the evils attendant on one such death? Why should cases of suicide be recorded at length in the papers any more than cases of fever?”

  • Mary O’Hara The Guardian, Monday January 28 2008

    • Extensive coverage last week of the suspected “copycat” suicides of seven young people in Bridgend, south Wales – and the publication in one paper earlier this month of the picture of a young City banker as he leapt to his death from a hotel window – have reignited concerns about how suicide is reported.

    A new report, Sensitive Coverage Saves Lives, published by the MediaWise Trust, concludes that while progress has been made, many journalists and editors remain unaware of either general or in-house reporting guidelines. Next month the government’s anti-stigma mental health body, Shift, will publish its own guidance on the reporting of suicide, a handbook that will be distributed to editors.

    Filed under: grey literature, mental health, statistics, suicide | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    The Corston Report Calls for Better Mental Health Care for Women in Prison

    Posted on January 29, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    sainsbury1.jpg       Women need more alternatives to prison, says Sainsbury Centre,  29th January 2008         

    • There are currently over 4,400 women in 17 prisons in England.  Four out of five women prisoners have mental health problems, most commonly depression and anxiety.  Almost half have been subject to abuse, while one in three has a child under five.

    The Corston Report and the Government’s Response, by Max Rutherford, calls for more women to be given community sentences instead of being imprisoned.  It also supports the Report’s recommendation that women’s prisons should be replaced by smaller, local units.

    The Corston Report and the Government’s Response shows that short spells in prison, even on remand, damage women’s mental health and family life yet do little or nothing to stop them offending again.  The damage is made much worse when women are imprisoned long distances from home and receive inadequate health care during and after their time in prison.

    The Corston Report was published in March 2007 and made far-reaching recommendations about the future of women’s prisons in England and Wales.  The Government published its response in December 2007, accepting many of the recommendations.  The Sainsbury Centre is currently conducting research into the care and support prisoners with mental health problems receive before and after release.  The findings of that work will be published later in 2008.  Today’s analysis is based on the early findings of that research among 27 women prisoners.

    Filed under: Forensic Mental Healthcare, grey literature, medium secure, mental health, prisons, psychiatric, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, statistics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Forget the Face Cream take up Exercise to beat Aging

    Posted on January 29, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog
    running.jpg      Sedentary life ‘speeds up ageing’ , BBC, 29th January 2008
     Leading a sedentary lifestyle may make us genetically old before our time, a study suggests.

    A study of twins found those who were physically active during their leisure time appeared biologically younger than their sedentary peers.

    The researchers found key pieces of DNA called telomeres shortened more quickly in inactive people. It is thought that could signify faster cellular ageing.

    Impact of stress

    The researchers suggest that physically inactive people may be more vulnerable to the damage caused to cells by exposure to oxygen, and to inflammation.

    Stress is also thought to have an impact on telomere length, and the researchers suggest people who exercise regularly may help to reduce their stress levels.

    Writing in the journal, the researchers said: “Our results show that adults who partake in regular physical activity are biologically younger than sedentary individuals.

    The King’s College London study appears in Archives of Internal Medicine. 

    The association between physical activity in leisure time and leukocyte telomere lenght, January 2008, Vol168 (2)

    You can access the full-text of this journal article by logging on to Athens, if you have any problems please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    Filed under: Journals, mental health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Cognitive-behavioural therapies: Achievements and challenges

    Posted on January 29, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

     therapy.jpg      Cognitive-behavioural therapies: achievements and challenges, January 2008, Brandon A Gaudiano, Evidence-Based Mental Health

    Abstract: Cognitive-behavioural therapy has become increasingly popular with clinicians and the general public alike over recent years. Surveys of therapists indicate that CBT is fast becoming the majority orientation of practicing psychologists. Partly because of its commonsense and clear principles, self-help books based on CBT approaches have also come to dominate the market. Even media articles frequently extol the virtues of this form of psychotherapy.

    You can access this journal article by logging in via Athens when you click on the link, any problems don’t hesitate to contact myself.

    If you have problems accessing this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    Filed under: CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, grey literature, mental health, OT - Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Cochrane Review – Infection Control (MRSA) & Nursing Homes

    Posted on January 28, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

     oldie4.jpg     Infection control strategies for preventing the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes for older people,   Hughes CM, Smith MBH, Tunney MM. Infection control strategies for preventing the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes for older people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008,

    Background
    Nursing homes for older people provide an environment likely to promote the acquisition and spread ofmeticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), putting residents at increased risk of colonisation and infection. It is recognised that infection control strategies are important in preventing and controlling MRSA transmission.

    Filed under: cochrane, grey literature, MRSA, OCD | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Cochrane Review – Music Therapy for Depression

    Posted on January 28, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

     music.jpg       Music Therapy for Depression,  Maratos AS, Gold C, Wang X, Crawford MJ. Music therapy for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004517.

    A B S T R A C T
    Background     Depression is a highly prevalent disorder associated with reduced social functioning, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Music therapy has been used in the treatment of a variety of mental disorders, but its impact on those with depression is unclear.
    Objectives
    To examine the efficacy of music therapy with standard care compared to standard care alone among people with depression and to compare the effects of music therapy for people with depression against other psychological or pharmacological therapies.
    Search strategy
    CCDANCTR-Studies andCCDANCTR-References were searched on 7/11/2007,MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, PsycLit, PSYin- dex, and other relevant sites were searched inNovember 2006. Reference lists of retrieved articles were hand searched, as well as specialist
    music and arts therapies journals.
    Selection criteria
    All randomised controlled trials comparing music therapy with standard care or other interventions for depression.      Data collection and analysis
    Data on participants, interventions and outcomes were extracted and entered onto a database independently by two review authors. The methodological quality of each study was also assessed independently by two review authors. The primary outcome was reduction in symptoms of depression, based on a continuous scale.
    Main results
    Five studies met the inclusion criteria of the review. Marked variations in the interventions offered and the populations studied meant that meta-analysis was not appropriate. Four of the five studies individually reported greater reduction in symptoms of depression among those randomised to music therapy than to those in standard care conditions. The fifth study, in which music therapy was used as an active control treatment, reported no significant change in mental state for music therapy compared with standard care. Dropout rates from music therapy conditions appeared to be low in all studies.
    Authors’ conclusions
    Findings from individual randomised trials suggest that music therapy is accepted by people with depression and is associated with improvements in mood. However, the small number and low methodological quality of studies mean that it is not possible to be confident about its effectiveness. High quality trials evaluating the effects of music therapy on depression are required.

    Filed under: CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, cochrane, depression, Finding the Evidence, grey literature, mental health, OT - Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Urgent Care Pathways for Older People with Complex Needs

    Posted on January 28, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    old-people-in-a-group.jpg       Urgent Care Pathways for Older People with Complex Needs   Best Practice Guidance, Department of Health,  November 2007,

    Change Agent Team

    Older people comprise a large proportion of urgent care responses involving ambulance services and A&E departments. There are over three million A&E attendances in England for older people each year (or an estimated 18% of all A&E attendances (1)). Many of these patients will be older people with complex needs – that is older people with multiple chronic conditions such as visual, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairment. For both these front line services, an in-depth assessment of physical, mental and social issues is unrealistic. Increasingly, ambulance service and A&E practitioners are able to commence the assessment of an older person and act as a conduit to ensure that selected older people are referred on for more detailed, comprehensive assessment. To do so effectively these staff need to be supported by well designed care systems that link readily to specialist comprehensive assessment for older people.

    Filed under: 1, alzheimers, dementia, Department of Health Documents 2007, grey literature, mental health, Older People | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Economic Consequences of Autism in the UK Report

    Posted on January 28, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    autism.jpg     Economic Consequences of Autism in the UK Report, November 2007, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

    There are approximately 540,000 people with autism in the UK – 433,000 adults and 107,000 children. The findings in this report reveal that children with autism cost £2.7 billion a year, yet for adults the figure is £25 billion – more than eight times as much.
    Funded by the Shirley Foundation and led by Professor Martin Knapp at the London School of Economics and King’s College London, the research shows that for adults with autism the highest costs are those generated by health and social care provision (59%), followed by lost employment (36%) and family expenses (5%).

    Filed under: Audit, Autism, CAMHS, dementia, grey literature, mental health, statistics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Disability Poverty in the UK

    Posted on January 28, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

     peg-the-hedgehog.png        Disability Poverty in the UK,  January 2008, Leonard Cheshire Disability

    Disability Review, 2007 Disabled peoples views and experiences from around the UK.

    Disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people1. Yet while the profile of issues such as child poverty and older people’s poverty have risen considerably in recent years, and the UK has quite rightly adopted a strategy that aims to try to end child poverty, little has been done to specifically tackle disability poverty. But the links between disability and poverty remain so strong that unless specific action is taken to tackle disability poverty, the goal of ending child poverty will simply not be met – more than one third of children living with a disabled adult live in low income households. Disability poverty is the missing link in efforts to tackle relative poverty in the UK, and we believe that action must be taken to address it.

    The primary recommendations of this report are that the government commits to:

    slim-the-stick.png      1. End disability poverty, by developing and implementing a specific strategy for tackling the issue;

    2. Measure disability poverty as a unique form of poverty, through the use of a series of indicators.

    Thanks for the images from the site, Peg the Hedgehog, Slim the Stick

    All logos and images are the property of Leonard Cheshire Disability , except where stated otherwise. Images should be reproduced with the credit © Leonard Cheshire Disability.

    Filed under: Equality & Diversity, grey literature, mental health, statistics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Occupational Therapy & Dementia

    Posted on January 28, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

     hands.jpg     Community occupational therapy for older patients with dementia and their care givers: cost effectiveness study, January 2008, BMJ

    Abstract

    Objective To assess the cost effectiveness of community based occupational therapy compared with usual care in older patients with dementia and their care givers from a societal viewpoint.

    Design Cost effectiveness study alongside a single blind randomised controlled trial.

    Setting Memory clinic, day clinic of a geriatrics department, and participants’ homes.

    Patients 135 patients aged 65 with mild to moderate dementia living in the community and their primary care givers.

    Intervention 10 sessions of occupational therapy over five weeks, including cognitive and behavioural interventions, to train patients in the use of aids to compensate for cognitive decline and care givers in coping behaviours and supervision.

    Main outcome measures Incremental cost effectiveness ratio expressed as the difference in mean total care costs per successful treatment (that is, a combined patient and care giver outcome measure of clinically relevant improvement on process, performance, and competence scales) at three months after randomisation. Bootstrap methods used to determine confidence intervals for these measures.

    Conclusion: Community occupational therapy intervention for patients with dementia and their care givers is successful and cost effective, especially in terms of informal care giving.

    Filed under: alzheimers, CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, dementia, Journals, mental health, OT - Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    What Kind of Future? Supporting Young People with Downs Syndrome

    Posted on January 27, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    downs.gif    What kind of future: Supporting young people with downs syndrome to lead full lives after they leave school,

    December 2007, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

    This booklet was produced by the Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties. It is for young people and their families, friends and supporters to read and talk about together. The booklet is written in plain English and there is an easy read summary. At the end of each section there are ideas for young people and information about some easy read websites and booklets. There is a final section on useful addresses and information for families.

    Filed under: CAMHS, Equality & Diversity, grey literature, Learning Disabilities, mental health | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    The LGBT Patient – What Health Care Professionals Need to Know

    Posted on January 26, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    lgnt.jpg    The LGBT Patient – What Health Care Professionals Need to Know, Mar/April 2007, CMA Today, Canada,  Author: McCormack, J

    You will need an Athens username and password to access the full-text of this article, if you would like the full-text of this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    Short summary from this interesting and thought provoking article.

    Many hospitals allow only family members to visit patients in the emergency department or critical care units, thereby excluding partners and other members of a LGBT person’s support system, says Ellen Kahn, director of the Human Rights Campaign Family Project, Washington, D.C. “There have been many cases where persons are brought into the emergency room or critical care unit and their same sex partner is not allowed to accompany them,” Kahn says. Health care providers should pay especially close attention to mental health concerns with the young adult population, which faces an increased risk of suicide due to some of the stress associated with establishing identities.\n As a medical assistant, you can take an active role in making the medical office more welcoming.

    If you have any problems accessing the full-text of this article please email susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    Filed under: Equality & Diversity, Journals, LGB, mental health, suicide, Transgender | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Reducing the Risk of Student Suicides

    Posted on January 26, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    univer-uki.jpg    Reducing the risks of student suicides: Issues and responses for Higher Education Institutions, UK, 2002 

    This Guideline –  has been published by Universities UK and the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP) in order to raise sector-wide awareness of the risk of suicide and attempted suicide amongst the student population and help institutions to take appropriate steps to minimise those risks.

    It has been estimated that in England and Wales over 5,000 people a year take their own lives; in the four years from April 1996, the annual suicide rate was 10 per 100,000 people. In Scotland the annual suicide rate in the three years from April 1997 was 17.3 per 100,000 (Department of Health 2001a). In all parts of the UK suicide rates are particularly high amongst young males, and they have been rising in this group over the last 20 years.

    Suicide, particularly that of a young person at the start of their adult life, represents a devastating loss to family and friends and also a significant loss to society. This document has been published in order to raise sector-wide awareness of the risk of suicide amongst the student population and to provide guidance to higher education institutions in developing policies to minimize that risk. It also seeks to inform and guide institutional policies and practices in responding to student suicide and attempted suicide.

    Filed under: grey literature, mental health, statistics, suicide | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    The RaPSS Study – Responses & Prevention in Student Suicide

    Posted on January 26, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    pap1.jpg   Responses and Prevention in Student Suicide: The RaPSS Study 

    RaPPS Study website

    Student suicide creates a profound sense of loss for both those close to the event and for the wider community. This study identified ways in which suicides can be prevented and the distress caused by such losses reduced. Universities and colleges are encouraged to use the recommendations to examine their policies and ways of working and develop services which contribute to the health and well-being of the whole institution.
    About this study: This is the first in-depth UK study of student suicide. The study was undertaken by researchers from the University of Central Lancashire and King’s College London between 2004 and 2006. Twenty case studies of student suicide which occurred between May 2000 and June 2005 were studied in depth. Information about each student who died was taken from a range of sources, including interviews with family members, students’ friends, academic and/or student support staff and from Coroners’ records or those of the Procurators Fiscal.

    Filed under: depression, grey literature, mental health, suicide | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Publications from Papyrus – Suicide, Prevention, Students Mental Health & More ..

    Posted on January 26, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    pap.jpg    UK resources and support for those dealing with suicide, depression or emotional distress – particularly teenagers and young adults.  PAPYRUS is a voluntary UK organisation committed to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
     

    The following documents can be downloaded in pdf form by clicking on the appropriate link.

    • Not Just A Cry For Help – a small booklet for those who know someone who has made an attempt to take their own life. Single copies free of charge.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2000
    • Thinking of Ending It All? is for you if you are thinking of taking your own life, or have already tried to do so. Single copies free of charge.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2002
    • Don’t Die of Embarrassment – a resource pack for secondary schools which includes a video/DVD, teachers’ notes and worksheets. It is intended to be used as part of a comprehensive programme of emotional development with young people over 13 years of age. It can be sent to Schools, Colleges and other institutions on invoice on receipt of an official order form.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2001
    • Making Use of Hindsight is a short report produced in conjunction with researchers at the University of Hull based on responses of PAPYRUS members to a questionnaire. Their views provide a unique insight into suicide prevention and the impact of suicide on families.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2001
    • Coping with Exams Available as a folded leaflet or as a printed card which can be used as a bookmark. Can be photocopied.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 1999
    • Students’ Mental Health Needs Edited by University of Hull researchers, Nicky Stanley and Jill Manthorpe this book contains a chapter, written by Margaret Harvey and based on interviews with members of PAPYRUS and TCF. This chapter can be seen in pdf by clicking on the link.
      Copyright © Jessica Kingsley Publications Ltd 2001
    • Concern and Confidentiality: (2004) – a study which explored how GPs would manage the difficult task of responding both to a distressed young person who might be at risk of suicide and their parents. Produced in conjuction with researchers at the University of Hull, it is based on responses of GPs to a vignette describing a mother who is concerned about her 20 year old son.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2004
    • Listen To Me – a leaflet written by young people to help parents communicate with their children.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2005
    • ACTion for Safety on the Internet offers basic advice and sources of help for anyone who is interested in taking a safe and responsible approach to the cyber world. You can download a pdf of the leaflet by clicking the title above, if you would like a printed version, please email the office or send an order form click here.
      Copyright © PAPYRUS 2006

    Filed under: depression, grey literature, mental health, suicide | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Dementia – Report from the House of Commons 2008

    Posted on January 25, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    Improving Services and Support for People with Dementia: Sixth report of session 2007-08, 14th January 2008, House of Commons

    Contents

  • Report Page
  • Summary
  • Conclusions and Recommendations
  • 1 The prevalence and cost of dementia and the development of a
    Departmental strategy diagnosis and early intervention
  • 2 Diagnosis and early intervention
  • 3 Access to and quality of support services
  • 4 Acute hospital admission and care home experiences
  • Formal Minutes
  • Witnesses
  • List of written evidence
  • List of Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts 2007–08

    • On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), the Committee of Public Accounts examined the prevalence and costs of dementia, diagnosis and early intervention, access to and quality of support services, and experiences of people with dementia in hospital and care homes. They took evidence from witnesses from the Department of Health and the NHS.

    Filed under: alzheimers, dementia, grey literature, mental health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Physical Activity & Environment from NICE

    Posted on January 25, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    Guidance offering evidence-based recommendations on how to improve the physical environment to encourage physical activity. It demonstrates the importance of such improvements and the need to evaluate how they impact on the public’s health

    Thanks to Kieran at Fade for this healthy link.

    Filed under: grey literature, NICE Guidelines, OT - Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Suicide, Schizophrenia & Severe Mental Illness in the UK

    Posted on January 25, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog
    mind2.jpg     Suicide and severe mental illnesses. Cohort study within the UK general practice research database, 26th December 2007, Schizophrenia Research

    If you have any problems accessing this link and would like the full-text of this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    We aimed to evaluate suicide risk across the life-course in severe mental illnesses (SMI) including schizophrenia. Using survival analysis, we compared suicide risk in cohorts of 46,136 people with SMI and 300,426 without. The overall unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for suicide in SMI was 12.97 (95% CI: 9.75–17.25). The unadjusted HRs differed by age band: 18–30 years: 19.56 (9.76–39.17); 30–50 years: 13.14 (8.64–19.99); 50–70 years: 16.39 (9.15–29.37); 70+: 3.25 (1.33–7.94). In schizophrenia, risk was significantly higher when young but marked risk persisted until age 70. Greatest risk was associated with: increased consultation rates; antidepressant prescriptions and living in less deprived areas.

    Filed under: bipolar, depression, Journals, medium secure, mental health, Schizophrenia, suicide | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Schizophrenia & Suicide

    Posted on January 25, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

    mind1.jpg   What is specific to suicide in Schizophrenia disorder? Demographic, clinical and behavioural dimensions  January, 2008, Schizophrenia Research

    If you are having any problems accessing this article and would like the full-text of this article please email: susan.jennings@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

    Background: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are diagnostic categories that are particularly at risk for suicide. A number of risk factors have been proposed to play a role in vulnerability to suicide, but it is unclear whether these are specific to certain diagnostic groups at risk for suicide or generalizable across disorders. It remains to be better understood what differentiates schizophrenic from non-schizophrenic suicides and whether or not these two groups share a common suicide liability.

    Methods: Five hundred and twenty seven consecutive suicides, 43 of whom met criteria for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, were investigated by means of proxy-based interviews using structured diagnostic instruments and personality trait assessments.
    Results: Compared to other suicides, we found that schizophrenic and schizoaffective suicides presented comparably elevated levels of impulsive aggressive traits. They also had comparable levels of family history of suicidal behaviour among first degree relatives. Overall, schizophrenics and schizoaffective suicides met criteria for fewer psychiatric disorders, and were less likely to meet criteria for more than one disorder. Compared to suicides without schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders, lower levels depressive disorders, of current and lifetime comorbid alcohol abuse, and personality disorders were found within those suicides who met criteria schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.
    Conclusions: Elevated levels of impulsive–aggressive personality traits, considered as indicative of an elevated risk for suicide in other diagnostic categories, are also found among schizophrenic and schizoaffective suicide completers. Elevated levels of impulsive aggressive behaviours may serve as a common liability to suicide across major psychopathological categories, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

    Filed under: medium secure, mental health, Schizophrenia, suicide | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off

    Schizophrenia and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Five-Years On

    Posted on January 24, 2008 by lancashirecarelibraryblog

     schizop-colour-pictur.gif     A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavior therapy for persistent symptoms in schizophrenia: A five-year follow-up   January 2008, Schizophrenia Research

    Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials support the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of symptoms of schizophrenia refractory to antipsychotic medication. This article addresses the issue of medium term durability. A five-year follow-up was undertaken of a sample of 90 subjects who participated in a randomized controlled trial of CBT and befriending (BF).

    Filed under: 1, CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Journals, mental health, OT - Occupational Therapy, Schizophrenia, Therapy | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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