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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Alcohol causes 2.6 million premature deaths each year, yet remains the world’s favourite drug. This new global analysis exposes how weak policy, powerful industry lobbying and slow action are undermining WHO’s efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm.
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A new study claims hobbies reduce substance misuse in adolescents, but are we mistaking correlation for causation? Before we start fiddling with interventions, this blog explores the risks of jumping to conclusions.
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Vaping is helping millions quit smoking, but concerns about teen uptake remain. A new blog explores whether the ‘gateway hypothesis’ stands up to scrutiny in the latest umbrella review of vaping harms in young people.
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Depression, anxiety, and suicidality are higher among LGBTQ+ workers, especially in hostile or unsupportive workplaces. But are research and policy keeping up? This new review sets out the case for change.
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People with severe mental illness often face years of poor health before diagnosis. A new study uses machine learning and clinical notes to map the early warning networks of symptoms that could help us intervene earlier.
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Effective treatment for mental health disorders remains the exception rather than the rule. A new 21-country study reveals where in the treatment cascade people are most likely to drop out and which factors improve the odds of getting the care they need.
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Ian Hamilton unpacks a new study revealing how teenage substance use can pave the way to serious mental health struggles later in life. A clear warning: early use today could mean bigger problems tomorrow.
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Rena Gatzounis blogs about a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality treatments for mental health disorders.
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Clare Gerada and Ruby Wiltshire summarise a new scoping review of UK-based research on the treatment of harmful gambling, which finds a complete lack of high quality intervention studies to support decision making.
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