Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

NHS chief execs paid seven times more than nurses reveals report

According to newly revealed figures the managers of NHS trusts have received a pay rise of 6.9% in 2008-09 compared to less than 3% among the nurses. This data came forth in an ‘Incomes Data Services’ report that was based on data from more than 380 NHS trusts in England, including primary care, mental health and ambulance trusts. The report showed that the NHS Chief Executives earn seven times more than nurses. The top managers now make £147,500 according to the report which is £10,000 more than average workers. The NHS Confederation in reply said that these top managers were needed to bail them out from financial setbacks.

12 Apr 2010

Terrible tragedy for Alzheimer's suffering mother and family

In an bizarre situation a 31 year old Australian woman called Rebecca Doig, who gave birth to a healthy girl last week does not even remember giving birth to the child. The little girl called Emily has never been taken into her mother’s arms and it seems never will.

12 Apr 2010

Mental health respite center for women and children to close next month

New Zealand - Newell House (opened in 1995) is a small five bed unit that cares for mentally ill women and children. However due to shortage of funds, the Trustees from Oxford Terrace Baptist Church have announced that the unit may close down permanently by the end of May this year.

12 Apr 2010

Scientists discover and block pathway responsible for link between stress, anxiety and depression

Scientists at The University of Western Ontario have discovered the biological link between stress, anxiety and depression. By identifying the connecting mechanism in the brain, this high impact research led by Stephen Ferguson of Robarts Research Institute shows exactly how stress and anxiety could lead to depression.

12 Apr 2010

Secrets to happiness, depression in centenarians identified

Researchers from Iowa State University's gerontology program have helped identify what predicts happiness and long life in centenarians, as well as what causes depression in 80-somethings and above.

9 Apr 2010

Latest advancement in the development of lab tests for bipolar disorder

Genetic testing may rise to a new level with the findings of Indiana University School of Medicine researchers whose "prototype" for laboratory testing for bipolar disorder appears today in the online edition of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics.

9 Apr 2010

RNAO announces winners of 2010 Awards for Excellence in Health-Care Reporting

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Awards for Excellence in Health-Care Reporting.

9 Apr 2010

Investment report on Somaxon Pharmaceuticals

StockPreacher.com announces an investment report featuring Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.

9 Apr 2010

McKesson Asia Pacific to be sold to Medibank Private

McKesson Corporation, the world's leading healthcare services company, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its McKesson Asia Pacific business to Medibank Private Ltd., the largest private health services and insurer in Australia. The acquisition is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2010, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory review in Australia.

9 Apr 2010

State Roundup: Mass. insurer standoff eases, Wis. preps for federal overhaul

The Boston Globe: "Seeking to tone down their dispute with state regulators, two Massachusetts health insurers yesterday said they will, as ordered, resume making new policies available for individuals and small businesses — using last year's base rates, not the requested double-digit increases rejected by the state last week" (Weisman, 4/8).

9 Apr 2010

Dealing with emotional impacts of bullying before it's too late

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) encourages parents to talk with teens about bullying before it's too late. A conversation can be an important first step in identifying a bullying problem and stopping the abuse before it goes too far.

8 Apr 2010

Adolescent inhalant misuse can lead to deadly consequences

Approximately 143,000 young people aged 12 to 17 used inhalants in the past year while dealing with a condition like pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, or sinusitis, according to a new study sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The study determined that the rate of use was 4.4 percent among adolescents who had at least one of the aforementioned respiratory conditions, similar to the rate among adolescents overall (4.1 percent).

8 Apr 2010

Cities, leaders worldwide mark World Health Day

Cities throughout the world are marking World Health Day today by promoting urban health, as part of the WHO's "1,000 cities, 1,000 lives" campaign, CNN reports (Shaikh, 4/7).

8 Apr 2010

Transcendental Meditation may reduce symptoms of depression

The Transcendental Meditation- technique may be an effective approach to reduce symptoms of depression, according to two new studies to be presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in Seattle, Washington April 9th, 2010.

8 Apr 2010

Jazzercise, Back in the Swing USA partner to promote breast cancer survivorship programs

Jazzercise, the world's leading dance fitness program, is proud to announce its partnership with Back in the Swing USA®, a grassroots nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to providing awareness, access and financial support for breast cancer survivorship programs and academic medical research in the field of breast cancer survivorship.

7 Apr 2010

CBOs implement proven HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention with adolescents

An approach designed to reduce HIV/STDs previously used exclusively by academic researchers has successfully been implemented by community-based organizations (CBOs), an important component in national strategies to curtail the spread of HIV, meaning far more "at risk" youths can be reached.

7 Apr 2010

WHO launches campaign to highlight urban planning to improve public health

Urban settings have a direct impact on the health of the people who live there. On World Health Day WHO is launching a campaign to highlight urban planning as a crucial link to building a healthy 21st century. In particular, the Organization calls upon municipal authorities, concerned residents, advocates for healthy living and others to take a close look at health inequities in cities and take action.

7 Apr 2010

Parents fail to warn children about sexual abuse perpetrated by relatives and known individuals

Despite evidence to the contrary, parents who talk to their children about sexual abuse incorrectly identify strangers as the most likely source of abuse, according to a team of researchers led by Esther Deblinger, PhD, co-director of the CARES (Child Abuse Research Education and Services) Institute at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey(UMDNJ)-School of Osteopathic Medicine.

7 Apr 2010

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior awarded $14.9M to establish IPCN facility

The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA has been awarded $14.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to establish a center dedicated to interdisciplinary research on the role of genetic and environmental factors in neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders.

7 Apr 2010

Stimulant medication normalizes brain function in children with ADHD: Study

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting children and adolescents. Children with ADHD are excessively restless, impulsive, and distractible and experience difficulties at home and in school. Problems inhibiting behavior are a common theme for ADHD symptoms.

7 Apr 2010