Get running to keep Aware running!
Fancy taking on a
marathon running challenge around the beautiful Georgian city of
Dublin? Aware Defeat
Depression is looking for people to raise money through sponsorship in this
tough event! Nicknamed the ‘friendly marathon’, you’ll have the luck of the
Irish wishing you well as thousands of supporters turn out to cheer you on as
you pound the pavements on the 25th October!
Aware Defeat
Depression is the only charity in
Northern Ireland who is dedicated
to helping the one in four people who will experience depression throughout
their lifetime. Offering a broad range of support and education services to
people all across the province, Aware aim to reduce the stigma surrounding
depression and help people learn how to spot the signs of depression and know
where to find help.
Aware Defeat
Depression runs twenty support groups, with one close to each of the major
towns in
Northern Ireland.
The free service is proven to help people to recover from depression, offering
a confidential place to discuss your thoughts and feelings with a trained
facilitator, while getting support during recovery from other group members who
are experiencing the same thing. Aware also operate a telephone helpline for
people who are in crisis or need information.
In order to keep
this vital service operating, Aware Defeat Depression needs your help to raise
money for us. Each support group costs around £100 per week and is potentially
life saving but without donations, we wouldn’t be able to keep running it. So why
don’t you get running to keep us up and running?
To register for
the
Dublin marathon visit www.dublinmarathon.ie and if you wish
to run in aid of Aware Defeat Depression, contact
Lorraine on 028 9032 1734 or email lorraine@aware-ni.org to arrange
running vests and sponsorship packs.
If you are in distress, our helpline number
is 08451 20 29 61.
New study shows people with mental health problems receive inadequate medical care
New research led by the University of Leicester and published this week in the British Journal of Psychiatry reveals that people with mental health problems are receiving inferior care for their medical needs.
The study by a team of researchers led by Dr Alex Mitchell from the University of Leicester Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, warns that medical care delivered across most branches of medicine to those with a mental health or substance abuse diagnosis is of inferior quality to the usual standard of care. This important systematic review showed widespread inequalities of care in those with mental health problems.
Dr Mitchell said: "We wished to investigate whether the quality of medical care received by people with mental health conditions, including substance misuse, differs from the care received by people who have no comparable mental disorder.
"We found that despite similar or actually more frequent medical contacts, there are often disparities in the physical healthcare delivered to those with psychiatric illness with frankly poorer care offered to (or accepted by) those with pre-existing mental health problems."
The research was based on analysing 31 valid studies (see notes to editors). Dr Mitchell said: "I work in liaison psychiatry and regularly see people who have received what they report as poor treatment by virtue of their mental illness. Often there is a temptation for clinicians to attribute any physical symptom to the psychiatric diagnosis without necessarily assessing the person thoroughly."
"Perhaps most surprising, our study found that inferior quality medical care did not depend on the presence of current psychiatric symptoms but rather was delivered to anyone with a previous or current mental health diagnosis."
"If poor quality of care is associated with a mental health diagnosis it could be because poor care is delivered by medical staff or perhaps that reduced care is taken up by those patients themselves. In fact we found in general more care was taken up (the quantity was the same or higher) but its nature was insufficient (poor quality)."
Dr Mitchell, who is also part of the Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital, carried out the study with Darren Malone of Lakes District Health Board, New Zealand, and Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester and Caroline Carney Doebbeling, of the Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis.
Dr Mitchell said that the research raised important questions: "We need to understand if doctors working in medical specialties treat those with mental health problems differently just because of their mental health labels. We also need to know more about whether poor quality of care effects outcomes such as mortality. Mortality has been linked with several mental health problems and inferior care could be one explanation for this.
"The key message of the research is that people with mental health diagnoses should receive comprehensive medical care of at least equal quality to the current standard. Indeed there is a case for believing that those with previous mental health problems might be at high risk of medical complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular and lipid disorders therefore medical care might be appropriately enhanced in this group."
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There is a campaign from the Royal college of Psychiatrists linked with this paper
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/campaigns/fairdeal/whatisfairdeal/linkingphysicalandmh.aspx andhttp://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/Fair%20Deal%20Manifesto%20-%20Linking%20mental%20and%20physical%20healthx.pdf
The paper is available at: http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/194/6/491
Notes to editors:
Abstract:
We wished to investigate whether the quality of medical care received by people with mental health conditions, including substance misuse, differs from the care received by people who have no comparable mental disorder. We identified 31 valid studies, 27 examined receipt of medical care in those with and without mental illness and 10 examined medical care in those with and without substance use disorder (or dual diagnosis). Nineteen of 27 and 10 of 10, respectively, suggested inferior quality of care in at least one domain. Twelve studies found no appreciable differences in care or failed to detect a difference in at least one key area, several studies showed an increase in healthcare utilisation but without any increase in quality and only three studies found superior care for individuals with mental illness in specific subdomains. Thus despite similar or actually more frequent medical contacts, there are often disparities in the physical healthcare delivered to those with psychiatric illness with frankly poorer care offered to (or accepted by) those with pre-existing mental health problems.
Source Eurekalert
CountryUnited Kingdom
Cognitive behavioral intervention helps prevent depression among at-risk teens
Adolescent-onset depression is strongly associated with chronic and recurrent depression in adulthood, and despite substantial progress in treatments, only about 25 percent of depressed youth receive treatment and at least 20 percent develop recurrent, persistent, and chronic depression that is very difficult to treat, according to background information in the article. "The serious developmental consequences of adolescent depression and the associated treatment challenges once it has developed underscore the need for programs aimed at prevention," the authors write. They add that one of the most potent risk factors for the development of depression in youth is a parent who experiences depression, which increases the risk for adolescent depression by 2- to 3-fold. Although some smaller trials have found that depression risk can be reduced in this population, these results have yet to be replicated in larger studies.
Dr. Garber and colleagues examined the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral (CB) program for preventing depression in at-risk adolescents. This multicenter trial included 316 adolescent (age, 13-17 years) offspring of parents with current or prior depressive disorders. Adolescents had a past history of depression, current elevated but subdiagnostic depressive symptoms, or both. Assessments were conducted at the beginning of the study, after the 8-week intervention and after a 6-month continuation phase, with symptoms and disorders being measured with questionnaires and clinical interviews, respectively.
Adolescents were randomly assigned to the CB prevention program (n = 159) or to usual care (n = 157). The intervention consisted of eight weekly 90-minute group sessions (followed by six monthly continuation sessions), led by a therapist, in which adolescents were taught problem-solving skills and cognitive restructuring techniques to identify and challenge unrealistic and overly negative thoughts.
The researchers found that the rate for new depressive episodes was lower for those in the CB prevention program than for those in usual care through the postcontinuation follow-up (21.4 percent vs. 32.7 percent). Self-reported change in the symptoms of depression declined at a significantly greater rate for youth in the CB prevention program than for those in usual care.
Having a parent with depression at the beginning of the study significantly moderated the effect of the CB prevention program, with analyses indicating that the CB program was significantly better than usual care in preventing depressive episodes if a parent did not have a current depressive episode (11.7 percent vs. 40.5 percent). When parents were actively depressed at the start of the study, rates of youth depression did not differ significantly between the CB program and usual care (31.2 percent vs. 24.3 percent).
Comparisons within the CB prevention program condition indicated that offspring of currently depressed parents had a significantly higher rate of incident depression than adolescents of currently nondepressed parents. Within the usual care group, rates of depression did not differ significantly between offspring of currently depressed vs. nondepressed parents.
"… these positive findings support the clinical utility of this CB prevention program as a preventive intervention to reduce or delay the incidence of depression in offspring of depressed parents. Most youth in the current study had a history of depression and thus the CB prevention program prevented recurrence. Therefore, this program may be useful as a continuation or maintenance intervention," the authors write.
Nurses are assessing mothers with mental health issues despite lack of guidance and formal training
Researchers have raised serious concerns about the lack of guidance and training provided for nurses involved in assessing the parenting capacity of mothers with serious mental illnesses.
Writing in the May issue of the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, the team have highlighted the need for an audit of current UK services and greater links between health and social care professionals.
But they point out that the basic issues they explored are pertinent to health care systems worldwide.
"There is evidence that social workers responsible for child protection rely heavily on mental health parenting assessments if the mother is receiving psychiatric care" explains Sarah Rutherford from the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
"These assessments have major implications as they can lead to mothers being separated from their children. Despite this, mental health nurses receive no formal training for this difficult role and there is little information available about how these assessments are being carried out and to what standard.
"Guidance issued by the UK Department of Health on assessing children in need stresses that mental health professionals have a key role to play in determining whether adults are able to care for their children. However, there is no specific guidance on how these assessments should be carried out."
Ms Rutherford, who is a registered mental health nurse and now works as a Practice Trainer adds: "Although our research focused on the situation in the UK, the issues that our paper raises are global concerns as changes in the care and treatment of those with mental illness have led to more women demanding the right to raise their children."
The team's review of current policies and almost 30 social work, medical and nursing studies shows that women with serious mental illness are increasingly involved in parenting as a result of improved medication, enhanced community care and human rights reforms. Studies suggest that as many as 80 per cent are involved in the care of at least one child.
Research also indicates that social workers feel that assessments carried out by mental health nurses are very important when it comes to making decisions about a child's best interests.
But there has been little research to show how mental health nurses are influenced by their own opinions and instincts or whether they take into account how ethnicity, culture, race, religion and socio-economic status can affect how mothers care for their children.
"There are no national UK guidelines or validated tools for assessing the parenting capacity of mothers with a mental illness and no available evidence about how assessments are currently being conducted in psychiatric units" states Ms Rutherford.
"Where local assessment tools are employed, they tend to be used inconsistently and are open to the interpretation of the individual nurse using them. This raises real questions about the quality and objectiveness of the information being gathered."
The situation is being compounded by a lack of formalised training for mental health nurses involved in parenting assessments. And there are no shared professional learning forums with child social workers to ensure that multidisciplinary guidelines can be developed to support families.
As a result of their study, the researchers say the following are vital:
An audit to show how parenting capacity is currently being assessed in psychiatric units, including how the results are being reported and what staff training is being provided.
A qualitative study to establish the training needs of mental health nurses carrying out parenting assessments, in order to develop a standardised assessment tool.
Further follow-up studies of mothers who have undergone parenting assessments, to establish whether the assessments meet the appropriate needs and outcomes.
Joint training between mental health nurses, child protection nurses and child and family social workers to develop effective multidisciplinary working and optimise outcomes.
Appropriate and adequate clinical supervision of mental health nurses carrying out parenting assessments, to tackle issues such as the conflict between protecting the child and caring for the mother.
"Each healthcare system has its own policies and requirements when it comes to assessing a parent's ability to look after their child" concludes Ms Rutherford. "But the concerns about who should determine their capacity, and the training, support and assessment tools they need to help them carry out that role, are pertinent to any system."
Source Eurekalert
CountryEngland & Wales
Mental health stigma hits relationships
A partner is four times more likely to leave you because of a mental health condition like depression than because of a physical disability.
That's just one of the findings in new research for Time to Change, the nationwide campaign - led by Mental Health Media, Mind and Rethink - to end the stigma faced by people with mental health problems.
The survey shows that people's lack of acceptance of mental health problems extends well beyond the boardroom - and into the bedroom.
And attitudes to severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are even worse. The YouGov survey asked people about issues that would make them break off a romantic relationship and found that 20% of British women wouldn't stay with someone if they were diagnosed with schizophrenia, yet only 1% would break up with someone who became disabled and needed to use a wheelchair.
Such results indicate that mental health conditions are still very stigmatised - and the stigma isn't just in the workplace, but in the closest relationships. A separate survey of almost 4,000 people affected by mental health problems found that stigma is often very close to home - with nearly 30% saying they had experienced prejudice about their mental health from friends and family.
Luckily it isn't that way for everyone. Many do stick by a partner who has a mental health condition and wouldn't dream of leaving them because of it.
Dave Stocks, who had a breakdown and gets depression, said: "I think people do feel awkward when they know you have a mental, rather than physical illness. They're embarrassed, don't know what to say to you.
"Some of my mates reacted like that. But Jools, my girlfriend, she's been great. We've been through some tough times together, but even in my darkest days she stood by me. It can be hard though - I told her it might be easier for her if she didn't tell her friends about my problems, just to make life easier.
"We both know that mental health conditions are stigmatised, but it hasn't stopped us. Being able to be open about it has actually helped my recovery. We're strong and happier now than ever, having been through this together".
Stuart Baker Brown, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia said: "I have been well for a few years now and made a good recovery, but the stigma attached to having a schizophrenia diagnosis still follows me around.
"Dating can be hard at the best of times, but it can be even harder when you're facing outdated attitudes about mental health conditions. I met one woman, and everything was going well, we planned to meet up for a date.
"Then she found out about my diagnosis before I had a chance to tell her and that was it - she just didn't turn up. I later discovered she was worried about her children. She'd assumed I might be dangerous.
"She was wrong, the idea that someone is going to be a danger just because they have had schizophrenia is a myth. It was really hurtful. I've met somebody new now, and she sees the real me, not just the label.
"Thankfully some people can see through the stigma and see the person".
Time to Change is an ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation's wellbeing. The campaign has a string of celebrity supporters, such as Alastair Campbell, Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax and Patsy Palmer - all of whom have experienced mental health problems, as well as the backing of Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk.
Source Press Association
CountryUnited Kingdom
Genetic link found between anxiety, depression and insomnia
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – The genes that play a role in adolescent insomnia are the same as those involved in depression and anxiety, according to a research abstract that will be presented on Monday, June 8, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.
Results of the study indicate that insomnia as a diagnosis has a moderate heritability in 8 to 16 year olds, which is consistent with past studies of insomnia symptoms in adults. Significant genetic effects shared between insomnia, depression and anxiety suggests that overlapping genetic mechanisms exist to link the disorders.
According to lead author Phillip Gehrman, PhD, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, researchers involved in the study were surprised that they did not find sleep-specific genetic effects.
"Monozygotic twins did not have higher rates of insomnia. However, if one monozygotic twin had insomnia, their twin was more likely to have insomnia than if they were dizygotic twins."
The sequential cohort study included data from 749 monozygotic twin pairs and 687 dizygotic twin pairs between the age of 8 and 17 and their parents. Mean age was 11.9. Twins and their parents completed the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA), and DSM-III-R criteria was used to assess insomnia, depression and anxiety. Criteria for insomnia were met by 19.5 percent of the sample.
Findings of the study suggest that adolescents who are suffering from anxiety and depression should also be screened for insomnia.
More information about children and sleep is available from the AASM at http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=8.
Source Eurekalert
Country United States of America
Study suggests mental illness link to parents
Children of bipolar parents have a 13-fold increased chance of suffering the same problem or other psychiatric disorders themselves, a study has shown.
A team of psychiatrists assessed two groups of children aged six to 18 for signs of bipolar disorder - formally known as manic depression - or other problems such as mood or anxiety disorders.
One group of 388 children had mothers or fathers with bipolar disorder. The other group of 251 had parents with no mental health problems.
A total of 10.6% of children with bipolar parents were positively tested for bipolar disorder or mood and anxiety disorders. In comparison, just 0.8% of children of mentally healthy parents had psychiatric conditions.
Children in families where both parents had bipolar disorder were more likely to develop the illness than those with just one bipolar parent.
The study, reported in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, found that bipolar parents recognised early symptoms in their children.
Dr Boris Birmaher, from the University of Pittsburgh, US, and colleagues wrote: "Consistent with the literature, most parents with bipolar disorder recollected that their illness started before age 20 years and about 20% had illness that started before age 13 years.
"In contrast, most of their children developed their first bipolar disorder episode before age 12 years, suggesting the possibility that parents were more perceptive of their children's symptoms early in life or perhaps that bipolar disorder has more penetrance and manifests earlier in new generations."
They added: "Clinicians who treat adults with bipolar disorder should question those who are parents about their children's psychopathology to offer prompt identification and early interventions for any psychiatric problems that may be affecting the children's functioning, particularly early-onset bipolar disorder."
Source Press Association
Country United Kingdom
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