Will the COVID-19 pandemic lead to a mental health pandemic?

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In his debut blog, KCL student George Bougas explores a recent longitudinal study looking at mental health outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

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Social security? Evidence about benefits and mental health

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Andy Bell summarises a collection of recent academic research papers that have sought to understand the impact of a range of changes to the UK benefits system on people’s mental health.

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Who do we help after an opiate overdose?

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Ian Hamilton reviews a recent US study exploring the incidence of treatment for opioid use disorder in people following a non-fatal opiate overdose.

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Mental health and benefits insecurity

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Consultant psychiatrist Dr Dieneke Hubbeling critically analyses a recent study looking at mental health benefits insecurity, and concludes that it is important for clinicians to realise that there is probably no such thing as benefits security.

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Poverty causes mental illness and vice versa: how can we end this vicious cycle?

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Andy Bell summarises a new international report that presents the causal links and mechanisms of action between poverty, anxiety and depression.

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Alcohol: a drug in a class of its own

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Ian Hamilton summarises a systematic review published last week, which explores the role of alcohol use and drinking patterns in socioeconomic inequalities in mortality.

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Universal Credit increases mental health problems, but not employment

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Alan Simpson summarises a recent longitudinal study that explores the impact that UK welfare reform, specifically Universal Credit, has had on the mental health of people across England, Scotland and Wales.

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Determinants of mental health: a briefing from the Commission for Equality in Mental Health

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Noortje Uphoff summarises a briefing from the Commission for Equality in Mental Health, which outlines how people from disadvantaged groups are more likely to be exposed to the factors that have a negative impact on our mental health.

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Population-based approaches to improving mental health: a view from the USA

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David Gunnell writes his debut elf blog on a recent review of population-based approaches to mental health. He calls for joined-up strategies across Government Departments to prevent mental illness and improve population mental health.

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Measuring pupil progress: are we measuring the wrong things?

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Rachel Symons summarises the Progress 8 accountability measure and why it’s important to consider school and pupil background when interpreting exam results.

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