MDMA-assisted therapy for depression: a promising but early first step

feat

A small proof-of-principle trial suggests MDMA-assisted therapy may be feasible and effective for depression, but open-label design and a highly pre-treated sample urge caution.

[read the full story...]

Can we predict and prevent weight gain in early psychosis?

Background,Of,Paper,Calendar,Page

New research suggests that weight gained in the first 12 weeks of antipsychotic treatment is the biggest driver of long-term obesity in psychosis.

[read the full story...]

Midlife women: self-harm and suicide are not interchangeable

Thoughtful,Senior,Indian,Woman,In,Casual,Sitting,On,Home,Couch,

Women aged 55-59 present far less often with self-harm than women aged 40-44, yet experience twice the suicide mortality. Different expressions of distress require different responses.

[read the full story...]

Coercive control and intimidation: stronger links to adult mental health than physical violence

Featured

Non-physical domestic violence (intimidation, control, property damage) in childhood showed stronger associations with adult mental health disorders than physical violence in large Australian study.

[read the full story...]

Prevention, screening and treatment of peripartum depression for women: new clinical guidelines

Featured

International group developed 44 evidence-based recommendations for peripartum depression, supporting psychological interventions and universal screening with clear referral pathways.

[read the full story...]

A cancer diagnosis brings a suicide risk: The sooner after diagnosis, and the more aggressive the cancer, the higher the risk

Featured

Does a first cancer diagnosis increase a person’s risk of suicide? This national study from Denmark offers rare clarity, tracking 30 cancer types across two decades to uncover patterns that clinicians and policymakers cannot afford to ignore.

[read the full story...]

Genes, brains and self-harm: New study links adolescent risk to biology and disadvantage

feat

Self-harm is common among adolescents and a strong predictor of suicide risk. A major new cohort study in the British Journal of Psychiatry explores how genetic risk and brain differences might explain who’s most at risk, and why.

[read the full story...]

Peer support has UPSIDES for global mental health

Group,Of,Modern,Immigrants,Sitting,At,Table,Having,Fun,Laughing

The UPSIDES trial demonstrates that peer support is effective across diverse global contexts, from high-income to low-income countries. While overall social inclusion scores didn’t reach significance, participants showed reduced isolation and increased empowerment and hope. This landmark study proves peer support can be successfully adapted to different cultural settings while maintaining core recovery-oriented principles.

[read the full story...]

“It’s not just for attention”: New research highlights the increased risk of PMDD in women with ADHD

With better public and clinician education,  timely assessment and intervention could bypass several years of diagnostic and interventional delay, for women with ADHD and PMDD.

Women with ADHD are up to 4 times more likely to experience severe premenstrual mood symptoms than those without ADHD, especially if they also live with depression or anxiety. This new UK study shines a light on a neglected area of research, and calls for better awareness, assessment, and support.

[read the full story...]

Continuing antipsychotic medication during pregnancy associated with reduced risk of schizophrenia relapse

A pregnant woman

Shuichi Suetani and Sarah Thomas highlight new research from Korea which suggests that antipsychotic medications do seem to help reduce the relapse of schizophrenia in pregnant women.

[read the full story...]