Weighing the risks: new review ranks antidepressants by their physical health side effects

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Antidepressants can help millions of people recover from depression and anxiety, but how do they affect physical health? Out today, a review in The Lancet compared 30 antidepressants to see which ones are most (and least) likely to increase our risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes etc.

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Out at work? A systematic review of LGBTQ+ mental health in the workplace

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

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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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GLP-1 receptor agonists and the brain: could these medications boost more than metabolism?

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GLP1 drugs are already used to treat diabetes and support weight loss, but do they have any impact on mental health? This new meta-analysis looks at the evidence from 80 clinical trials.

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

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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.

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Are circadian rhythms the key to understanding our physical and mental health?

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Amy Ferguson discusses the latest research exploring the role of our circadian rhythms on our health, looking at different variants in the BMAL1 gene.

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Psychological distress over 30 years in Great Britain: the times they are a changin’ (or are they?)

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Niamh Dooley summarises a 2023 paper that investigated trends in psychological distress in the UK across a 28-year period, using data from three representative surveys.

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The other side of postnatal depression: what about Dads?

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Demetra Christodoulou reviews a new randomised controlled trial from Pakistan testing “Learning Through Play Plus Dads”: a group parenting programme designed to support fathers with postnatal depression.

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Nature’s healing benefits: breaking down barriers for South Asian communities in the UK

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Jingni Ma considers a systematic review on the barriers that South Asian people living in the UK can face when trying to access natural green spaces, and the psychological benefits that nature can provide.

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Treatment of harmful gambling in the UK: new review highlights worrying lack of evidence

Developing evidence-based interventions for gambling-related harms would help improve the effectiveness of care across under-recognised populations. 

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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