Medical cannabinoids as a treatment for mental health: helpful or hazardous?

3d green cannabis leaf and magnifying glass. Pharmacology, cannabinoid research, alternative medicine, drug development, biotechnology, cbd products, hemp industry concept. Low poly wireframe. Vector.

Systematic review of 54 RCTs found limited evidence for cannabinoids treating mental health conditions. Most robust findings for cannabis use disorder, but overall quality low.

[read the full story...]

Closing the care gap: Why so few people with mental disorders receive effective treatment worldwide

alyssia-wilson-8O0_aFy72KY-unsplash

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.

[read the full story...]

Not just about cost: person-centred digital care for mental health-related sick leave

Welcome,Back,To,The,Office,On,A,Black,City-center,Sign

Can a nurse-led, digital mental health intervention for common mental disorders reduce sick leave and save money? This RCT from Sweden looked at cost, care, and what matters to patients.

[read the full story...]

Beyond the Binary: Understanding the mental health toll of gender non-conformity

marvin-kuhn-KkOqbMChPAU-unsplash

KCL MSc student, Jingyi Zhang, considers a recent meta-analysis on gender non-conformity and common mental health problems, which suggests that governments should prioritise inclusive laws and gender-affirmative care to protect mental health.

[read the full story...]

Can we prevent major depression before it starts? A global review of psychological interventions

nick-fewings-zngPpvABB4E-unsplash

Alexis An Yee Low considers a systematic review published in The Lancet Psychiatry which highlights the effectiveness of preventive psychological interventions for subthreshold depressive symptoms.

[read the full story...]

If you’ve got a mental health problem, who you gonna call?

Call,Center,,Online,Customer,Support.,Contact,Us,Customer,Service,For

In her debut blog, Cara McErlain summarises a recent qualitative systematic review exploring patients’ perspectives on barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health support through primary care services in England.

[read the full story...]

Common mental health inequalities across racialised groups: the gaps are getting bigger

pablo-arenas-SUUvsLyEZjo-unsplash

Lucy Barrass reviews a study on the prevalence of common mental disorders and treatment receipt for people from ethnic minority backgrounds in England.

[read the full story...]

Depression and anxiety among doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic: yet more collateral damage?

cezar-sampaio-cFVuUj7Da20-unsplash

Eleana Frisira summarises a systematic review that presents recent global prevalence data about the rates of depression and anxiety among doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[read the full story...]

Extreme ambient heat linked to increased mental health emergencies, according to new US nationwide study

jeremy-bezanger-7kXgOQGhtWE-unsplash

Trish Darcy and Peter Coventry consider a novel US research study on climate change, ambient heat, and the links to increased mental health-related emergency visits.

[read the full story...]

Stratified care versus stepped care for depression: which is more effective?

3d,Rendering:,A,Large,Group,Of,People,Gathered,Together,As

Sarah Watts reviews a cluster randomised clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of stratified care compared to stepped care for depression, which has implications for IAPT services.

[read the full story...]