‘Public Health’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 6

While I was out of the office last week, two notes came through from the Mental Health Foundation — one commenting on the UK government’s scheme to promote mental well-being at work, and one commenting on a television expose on the poor state of some English psychiatric wards.

Patients with mental health problems are being denied a basic level of care, according to the Mental Health Foundation. The claim is included in a highly critical response to a report from the UK’s Healthcare Commission into Community Mental Health Services.

From the 1st November to 3rd January, visitors to the Mental Health Foundation’s website will be able to get free access to Depression Relief — an online self-help program that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques.

Is your phobia destroying your life, ruining your relationships or getting in the way of your happiness? If YES, then fear not! The BBC is looking for people to take part in a brand new groundbreaking programme which aims to help people overcome their worst phobias and alter their lives for the better. Leading experts will guide you through the latest treatments and using new, highly successful techniques, they will aim to train your mind to overcome your phobia and dramatically change your life forever.

Interesting developments in mental health news last week include the first skin patch for treating Alzheimer’s disease, an FDA public health warning about serotonin syndrome from combining certain anti-depressants with certain headache medications, and word of apparently serious conflicts of interest at two major medical journals publishing studies about vagus nerve stimulation and about the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.