Objectives We studied the impact of a Housing First (HF) intervention on housing, contact with the justice system, healthcare usage and health outcomes among At Home/Chez Soi randomised trial participants in Toronto, a city with an extensive service network for social and health services for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and mental illness. Open Access Article
Head injuries in childhood and adolescence are strongly linked with a range of outcomes including psychiatric disorders, low educational attainment, increased risk of disability, and early death, a study of Swedish health and census data has shown. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Background Neighbourhood segregation has been described as a fundamental determinant of physical health, but literature on its effect on mental health is less clear. While most previous research has relied on conceptualised measures of segregation, Northern Ireland is unique as it contains physical manifestations of segregation in the form of segregation barriers (or ‘peacelines’) which can be used to accurately identify residential segregation.
Methods We used population-wide health record data on over 1.3 million individuals, to analyse the effect of residential segregation, measured by both the formal Dissimilarity Index and by proximity to a segregation barrier, on the likelihood of poor mental health. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
The aim of this study was to examine the association of volunteering with mental well-being among the British population across the life course. Open Access Article
Mind, the mental health charity, has released a new wellbeing index for workplace health. The Workplace Wellbeing Index is designed to help employers work out what they are doing well and identify gaps where they could support their employees more with mental health issues.
The study's main limitation is that this can't prove cause and effect, or tell the direction of the relationship. People who volunteer may have better health scores because those who feel healthy, active and in a good state of wellbeing are more likely to go out and volunteer to help others than those who feel in poor health. It's not necessarily the case that the reverse is true; that volunteering has caused the good health state.
It could be that the association works both ways – better wellbeing probably makes you more inclined to help others, and helping others probably boosts your sense of wellbeing.
Many studies have suggested exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a risk factor for various somatic diseases, but only few studies based on small sample size or specific groups have explored the association between passive smoking and mental distress. Open Access Article
Slower processing speed may be a risk factor for the development of psychological distress. Future studies should explore the extent to which slower processing speed explains previously demonstrated associations between lower intelligence and poorer mental health. Open Access Article
An inability to focus is the hallmark of attention de cit hyperactivity disorder and other behavioural disorders, which have been linked to maternal smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Social support is associated with better health. However, only a limited number of studies have examined the association of social support with health from the adult life course perspective and whether this association is bidirectional. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Unemployment has consistently been linked to negative mental health outcomes, emphasising the need to characterise the underlying mechanisms. The current study aimed at testing whether compared with other employment groups, fewer leisure activities observed in unemployment may contribute to elevated risk for negative mental health via loss of time structure. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
The use of antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has been questioned due to poor efficacy and safety. We examined whether young violent offenders were more likely antidepressant users prior to their first violent offence than other young persons. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
This document is about creating person-centred, community-focussed approaches to health, wellbeing and care. It builds on the proposed new relationship with patients and communities set out in the NHS Five Year Forward View.
This document is not a checklist or official guidance. It aims to complement a wider suite of products to be produced by national bodies for the health and care system as it moves forward with the implementation of innovations in care delivery. It will be received by people working at full tilt in a system under great pressure. We hope that in this document you will find inspiration, reassurance and practical support.
The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is today [Wednesday 15 June] publishing a ground-breaking report about public mental health, which makes the case for improving mental health for everyone and preventing mental health problems.
News Article: A new review of research into anxiety disorders has reported that women and adults under the age of 35 are more likely to experience anxiety than other groups.
In particular, the researchers state that women are almost twice as likely to be affected as men. This difference did not change over time.
There is robust epidemiological and clinical evidence of the harmful effects of unemployment on psychological well-being, but the mechanisms through which this occurs is still strongly debated. In addition, there is even less evidence on the impact of underemployment on mental health. Using longitudinal data collected from a cohort of 20–24 years old, the present study examines a range of employed states and investigates the role of mastery, financial hardship and social support in the relationship between labour status and depression. Open Access Article
Commentary on:
Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, et al. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA 2015;314:2373–83.
Context
Residents and medical students experience long hours, challenging training schedules and sometimes difficult work environments. Similar to other professions, such as law,1 nursing and dentistry, there is a high prevalence of depression and symptoms of depression2 in medicine. Although depression is common in the general population, depression in healthcare workers is potentially more concerning in terms of effect on decision-making and patient safety.3 This study aims to estimate rates of depression or depressive symptoms in physicians in training, also known as resident physicians. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details