The Challenge of VR for voices in psychosis

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We’ve been talking about VR for voices for more than a decade. Are the results finally catching up with the hype? A new multi-site RCT from Denmark tests a refined, immersive version of AVATAR therapy for people with schizophrenia who continue to hear distressing voices despite medication.

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Targeting distressing mental imagery in psychosis: a neglected but promising area for intervention

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What if therapy focused not on thoughts or voices, but on the vivid images that often accompany them? The iMAPS-2 trial tested a novel imagery-focused therapy for psychosis, showing it’s safe, acceptable, and ready for a full-scale trial.

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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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Silencing the voices? Landmark German study finds rTMS modestly effective for auditory hallucinations

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A large multicentre trial from Germany found that repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) significantly reduced auditory hallucinations compared to sham treatment. Could this safe and well-tolerated therapy finally offer new hope for people with persistent voices?

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Circle of Security under scrutiny: NHS trial finds no added benefit for perinatal mental health

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A large NHS trial found that the Circle of Security parenting programme did not outperform treatment-as-usual for parents experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties. But does this mean we should stop offering it?

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Peer support has UPSIDES for global mental health

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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.

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Who gets included in psychedelics research? A systematic review of ethnoracial representation

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Despite psychedelics’ roots in Indigenous and minoritised communities, clinical trials overwhelmingly centre White participants. This review highlights the consequences and asks how research can change.

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Psychedelics and Queerness: Do we have a meaningful voice?

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Despite psychedelics’ deep ties with queer culture, research often excludes queer voices. This recent scoping review highlights gaps and shows how inclusive, intersectional methods can transform the field.

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Putting oil on the fire: Do people with high inflammation react differently to immune stress?

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Inflammation is a key factor in depression for many people. This new RCT used an experimental immune challenge to explore how individuals with high inflammation respond differently—shedding light on a distinct biological subtype of depression.

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Collaborative care for depression: what are the key components?

Collaborative care is a complex intervention for chronic disease that has been shown to be significantly more effective for depression than usual care. Yet, implementation in routine practice is rare.

Despite strong evidence, collaborative care remains underused in the NHS. This blog explores new findings that highlight which components of the model are most effective in reducing depression symptoms.

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