Body clocks and mental health: patients set the research agenda

feat

For the first time, people with lived experience, carers and clinicians have identified the top 10 research priorities for body clocks and mental health.

[read the full story...]

When the treatment doesn’t work: what predicts difficult-to-treat postpartum depression?

feat

Swedish nationwide study of 58,618 women found 6% experienced treatment-resistant postpartum depression. Risk factors included lower socioeconomic status, smoking, pre-existing health conditions, caesarean or preterm birth.

[read the full story...]

People in prison face disproportionate mental and physical illness

Featured

Umbrella review of global prison populations finds 40% with antisocial personality disorder, 39% with drug use disorder, 24% with alcohol use disorder, 18% with hepatitis C, and 11% with major depression. Healthcare provision inadequate.

[read the full story...]

Only a swipe away: App-based support for reducing distress in university students

An abstract scene in blue and black

This innovative Australian trial suggests that different mental health app interventions worked better depending on students’ distress severity. One size doesn’t fit all, but which apps should students choose?

[read the full story...]

Anti-inflammatories for depression: targeting the right patients matters

feat

Decades of disappointing anti-inflammatory trials for depression may have failed because they weren’t targeting the right patients. New meta-analysis shows promising results when they do.

[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...]

Supporting student mental health after natural disasters: What role can schools play?

jonathan-ford-6ZgTEtvD16I-unsplash

Meta-analysis of 13 studies found school-based interventions reduced PTSD, depression and anxiety after natural disasters, with effects strongest immediately post-intervention.

[read the full story...]

Mental health admissions to medical wards: 65% increase in a decade for young people

mpho-mojapelo-s6Vv9u2qZyc-unsplash

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.

[read the full story...]

Internet-delivered CBT for depression: real-world evidence shows similar benefits to face-to-face therapy

Two people on a Zoom call

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.

[read the full story...]

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

feat

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.

[read the full story...]