Daily Psychology and Mental Health News Feeds: At a Glance

News From NHS Mental Health Specialist Library

• Guidelines for the psychosocially Assisted Pharmacological Treatment of Opioid Dependence PDF
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009These guidelines were developed in response to a resolution from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which invited the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), “to develop and publish minimum requirements and international guidelines on psychosocially assisted pharmacological treatment of persons dependent on opioids”[1].
• Attitudes to mental illness 2009 Research Report
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009The latest national statistics on Attitudes to Mental Illness produced by the Department of Health were released on 12 June 2009 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
• Guidance on IMHAs' access to records
  Fri, 29 May 2009The Department of Health has been asked for advice on whether section 130B of the Mental Health Act 1983 allows independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) to see information in patients’ records which would not be disclosed directly to the patient and, if so, whether IMHAs may share that information with patients.
• New online resource pack for commissioners of mental health services
  Mon, 11 May 2009The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has launched a new website aimed at commissioners of mental health services. It contains practical tools, guidance, case studies, templates and links to support and useful web sites. It integrates commercial and procurement elements with clinical aspects to help PCTs to get the most from the provider market enabling quality, improved service needs and value for money in delivering improved outcomes.
• NHS Choices Behind the Headlines story on new alzheimer's drug tested
  Mon, 11 May 2009A recent drug study “offers hope for Alzheimer’s treatment” according to The Times. The newspaper reports that after three months’ treatment with a new drug called CPHPC, all of the SAP protein linked to Alzheimer’s had been cleared from the brains of patients with milder forms of the disease.
• NHS Choices Behind the Headlines story on poor sleep 'causes ADHD'
  Mon, 11 May 2009"Too little sleep 'can make children hyperactive'" according to The Daily Telegraph. The newspaper says that a new study suggests that a lack of sleep makes it more likely that children will "develop behavioural problems and become hyperactive".
• New 2009 Schizophrenia Annual Evidence Update
  Thu, 09 Apr 2009“Unable to keep up-to-date with schizophrenia guidance and research? Then look no further…” The Schizophrenia Annual Evidence Update (AEU) for 2009 has been launched today by NHS Evidence - mental health. The AEU contains the best available evidence published on schizophrenia since January 2008. NHS Evidence - mental health team have comprehensively searched and sifted evidence from a number of databases, including Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Cinahl and the National Library for Health, to find over 100 references relating to schizophrenia.

News From Psychology Today

• Plants Make You Feel Better
  Sat, 04 Jul 2009

  The positive impact of nature.
• The Healing Power of Nature
  Sat, 04 Jul 2009

  Green grass helps kids cope with stress.
• Nature-Deficit Disorder
  Sat, 04 Jul 2009

  The "No Child Left Inside" movement.
• Natural Element: Think Outside the Block
  Sat, 04 Jul 2009

  How greenery helps us think.
• What's Your Vacationing Style?
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009

  Taking enough time to vacation? Take the quiz.
• July 4th: Meaningful Holiday or Excuse to Drink?
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009

  Heavy drinking during the summertime.
• Natural Element: The Extended Vacation
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009

  How to hang on to paradise.

News From Medical News Today

• FDA: Boxed Warning On Serious Mental Health Events To Be Required For Chantix And Zyban
  Sun, 05 Jul 2009The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is requiring manufacturers to put a Boxed Warning on the prescribing information for the smoking cessation drugs Chantix (varenicline) and Zyban (bupropion). The warning will highlight the risk of serious mental health events including changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility, and suicidal thoughts when taking these drugs.
• Regulation Must Be Extended To Help Stamp Out Abuse, UK
  Sun, 05 Jul 2009Patients will continue to be unprotected if statutory independent regulation is not extended to counsellors and psychotherapists, according to leading national charities Mind and WITNESS. On the day that psychologists are to be regulated by the Health Professions Council (HPC), the charities welcome the advancement and urge counsellors and psychotherapists to follow suit.
• National Alliance On Mental Illness Observes Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
  Sun, 05 Jul 2009The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reminds Americans that July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time for public education about serious mental illness in diverse communities. In 2008, the U.S.
• What Is Psychotherapy? What Are The Benefits Of Psychotherapy?
  Sat, 04 Jul 2009Psychotherapy consists of a series of techniques for treating mental health, emotional and some psychiatric disorders. Psychotherapy helps the patient understand what helps them feel positive or anxious, as well as accepting their strong and weak points. If people can identify their feelings and ways of thinking they become better at coping with difficult situations. According to Medilexicon's
• FDA Adds Strong Warnings To Anti-Smoking Drug Labels
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009"The Food and Drug Administration announced (Wednesday) that it is requiring the smoking-cessation drugs Chantix and Zyban to carry the strongest type of safety warning possible to alert patients that the medications can cause serious mental health problems, including depression and suicide," the Washington Post reports (Stein, 7/1).
• What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? What Is PTSD? What Causes PTSD?
  Fri, 03 Jul 2009PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is triggered by a traumatic event - it is a kind of anxiety. The sufferer of PTSD may have experienced or seen an event that caused extreme fear, shock and/or a feeling of helplessness. Most of us experience a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping with traumatic events. However, we gradually get better with time and healthy coping methods.
• Mental Health America Establishes Regional Policy Council To Strengthen State Advocacy Work
  Thu, 02 Jul 2009Mental Health America announced the establishment of a Regional Policy Council made up of 10 affiliate policy leaders from around the country to strengthen its state advocacy work.