Meta-analysis of 13 studies found school-based interventions reduced PTSD, depression and anxiety after natural disasters, with effects strongest immediately post-intervention.
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Mental health admissions to acute medical wards rose 65% for young people in England (2012-2022), with eating disorder admissions up 515% and anxiety admissions doubling in 10 years. Self-harm admissions accounted for more than half of the total. Adolescent girls by far the biggest group affected.
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This Finnish study of 5,834 healthcare records found therapist-guided internet CBT showed similar depression improvements to face-to-face therapy, providing real-world evidence beyond selective RCT populations.
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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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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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This twin study of nearly 14,000 UK adolescents found that body dissatisfaction at age 16 was linked to eating disorder symptoms at 21 and depression at 26. Comparing twins helped researchers show these were likely causal relationships, not just correlations, though genetics also played a substantial role.
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This network meta-analysis of 76 trials found that slow tapering (over 4 weeks) combined with psychological support was most effective for preventing relapse when stopping antidepressants. Abrupt discontinuation and fast tapering substantially increased relapse risk and should be avoided.
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Although a flu vaccine activated the immune system and raised cytokine levels in this randomised trial, participants didn’t feel substantially different from the placebo group. Vaccine models can help study subtle inflammation effects.
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Researchers pulled together evidence from more than half a million people to test a simple but important idea: if childhood maltreatment raises the risk of adult depression, could reducing maltreatment help prevent it? The answer, as always, is more complicated than it first appears.
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Mindfulness-based approaches show early promise for people with Parkinson’s, but the evidence is small, scattered, and underpowered. This systematic review maps what we know, what we don’t, and why psychological care needs far more attention in Parkinson’s services.
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