The vexing challenge of suicide prevention: a research informed perspective on a recent systematic review

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Stanley Kutcher and Yifeng Wei provide an in-depth analysis of a recent systematic review of suicide prevention strategies.

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Alcohol use disorder and increased mortality

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Matt Field summarises a recent Swedish longitudinal cohort study of alcohol use disorder and mortality across the lifespan. This study quantifies the environmental and genetic risk factors that contribute to increased mortality in people with alcohol use disorder.

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Jonny Benjamin: Social media and schizophrenia – my story

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Jonny Benjamin shares his personal story of using social media to manage his own mental health.

The award-winning mental health campaigner has been an inspiration to many, through his frank and hugely informative YouTube channel. His films cover everything from recovery to poetry.

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of social media interventions in schizophrenia: too good to be true?

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Chris O’Sullivan explores a recent systematic review that looks at the effectiveness of social media interventions for people with schizophrenia.

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Psychotherapy for depression: enhancing positive and reducing negative affect?

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Carla McEnery publishes her debut Mental Elf blog on a recent systematic review, which looks at the effect of psychotherapies on positive affect and negative affect in depression.

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Acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment: rubbish in, rubbish out

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Edzard Ernst shines a light on the unfounded claims presented in a meta-analysis published today on acupuncture for amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

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Guided or misguided? New advice on young people and drugs (SBIRT)

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Ian Hamilton considers a recent report from the American Academy of Paediatrics Committee on Substance Use and Prevention, which focuses on SBIRT (Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment)

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Internet-based problem-solving guided self-help for depression whilst waiting for therapy

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Alastair Canaway summarises a trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of internet-based problem-solving guided self-help intervention, in comparison with enhanced usual care, for outpatients on a waiting list for face-to-face treatment for major depression.

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Mobile app for reducing binge drinking in young adults: better evidence needed

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Sally Adams appraises a naturalistic study about the D-ARIANNA mobile app, which aims to reduce levels of binge drinking in young people.

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Locked wards vs open wards: does control = safety?

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André Tomlin summarises a 15 year observational study published today in The Lancet Psychiatry, which provides fascinating insight into suicide risk and absconding in psychiatric inpatient units with locked wards and open door policies.

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