Trauma and homelessness: Can we address the impacts of trauma without ensuring the home?

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This co-produced systematic review of 27 studies found that homelessness involves traumatic experiences affecting mental health, substance use, and leading to desensitisation. However, lived experience reviewers question whether the findings are new knowledge and critique the limited scope, inadequate explanation of co-production processes, and failure to address housing policy as the root cause of homelessness.

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Consensus reached on the meaning of relapse in schizophrenia, or is it?

Variability in relapse definition make comparison across studies harder

A systematic review and Delphi study creates a new consensus statement on the meaning and measurement of relapse in schizophrenia, but until voices of lived experience are more fully engaged, there remains some way to go in reaching a valid consensus.

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Is depression a cause or consequence? Using genetics to untangle causal relationships

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This study used Mendelian randomisation to test potential causal relationships between depression and 137 traits. Depression liability was linked to somatic diseases, inflammation, suicide risk, insomnia, lower cognitive function and functional impairments, though findings require validation.

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Mental health impacts of sexual violence in older adults: a qualitative study

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This qualitative study interviewed 15 older adults (aged 70+) who had experienced sexual violence during their lifetimes. Participants reported anxiety, guilt, shame, disrupted identity and interpersonal distrust, yet most did not associate mental health difficulties with their trauma.

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Headbanging as self-injury in secure mental health settings: who is most affected?

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This descriptive study analysed five years of incident data from a private mental health provider, finding that headbanging incidents were most common among younger female patients with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder in low secure and CAMHS wards. However, the study only describes patterns without exploring why headbanging occurs or differentiating between self-harm, sensory regulation and communication.

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What lies beneath hair-pulling and skin-picking behaviours? The role of early maladaptive schemas

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Are hair-pulling and skin-picking disorders linked to deeper beliefs formed in childhood? This study found that early maladaptive schemas were common across trichotillomania, skin-picking and OCD, with stronger associations to focused (emotionally-driven) behaviours.

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ADHD and behavioural addictions: exploring impulsivity, compulsivity and internet use

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Do people with ADHD have higher rates of behavioural addictions? This study compared 209 adults with ADHD to 137 healthy controls, finding increased impulsivity, compulsivity and problematic internet use in the ADHD groups.

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Who’s got the obs sheets? Can QI methods reduce violence and restrictive practices on inpatient mental health wards?

Spotlights light up a dark setting

This large-scale quality improvement project across 55 mental health wards tested Board Relay, Zonal Observations, and Life Skills activities to improve therapeutic engagement. Results showed promising reductions in aggression, restrictive practices, and staff sickness.

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How much does family history increase your mental health risk? New study provides answers

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This Danish study of over 3 million people found that having a first-degree relative with depression increased risk 2.35-times, resulting in 15% lifetime risk (compared to 7.8% in the general population). However, 60% of depression cases occurred in people with no affected close relatives, highlighting that family history is only part of the story.

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Fatal drug overdose in healthcare workers: occupational hazards and systemic factors

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Healthcare workers have twice the risk of fatal drug overdose compared to other workers. This study of 58 coroner reports found that occupational hazards (workplace access to drugs, clinical knowledge, prescribing power) combined with mental health problems and work stress contributed to these deaths, highlighting the need for systemic workplace interventions.

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