LATEST NEWS

Brain Volume Change versus “Brain Damage” (28/03/2011)

 

A letter from Robert Miller, B.A., B.Sc. (Oxon), PhD. (Glasgow), ONZM giving a detailed response concerning the paper, in Archives of General Psychiatry. Read full letter

 

Urgent support plea for people and families with mental health illness in wake of earthquake (9/3/2011)

 

Urgent support needs to go out to Christchurch people with a mental health illness in the wake of last month’s devastating earthquake, Supporting Families in Mental Illness New Zealand (SFNZ) spokesman Jim Crowe said today.Read full press release

 

Consumer and Carer Representative Appointed to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

 

The College’s newly appointed community member representative, and SFNZ National Committee Member, Mr Jim Crowe said, “Having a community member representative on the College’s General Council enables consumers and carers to bring their lived experience to the council table, providing an alternative perspective. It is very important that mental health professionals and the College listen to the opinion of community members as the consumer and carer experience can be very different to that of the clinician,” Read full press release

 

Treatment of Schizophrenia - Why we need Drugs.

 

Interview with Professor Henry Nasrallah M.D “Why we need drugs to treat schizophrenia and why we need big pharmaceutical companies to make them.” How to recognise and assess research that has been funded through pharmaceutical companies when making treatment decisions for mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Interview with Professor Henry Nasrallah M.D.  Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, on Radio New Zealand, National, 27 October 2010 (20m 17s). Listen to interview.

 

 

Breakthrough Preventative Care Programme for People living with Bipolar Disorder

A major breakthrough in mental health has been developed - a preventative care program called "Safe 'til Stable." It provides vital medical information to emergency responders in time of need through a 24 hour emergency response service. In a medical emergency, this can help reduce the trauma experienced by individuals impacted with bipolar disorder. Read more.

 

 

Minimal Relationship Between Cannabis And Schizophrenia Or Psychosis Suggested By New Study

Last year the UK government reclassified cannabis from a class C to a class B drug, partly out of concerns that cannabis, especially the more potent varieties, may increase the risk of schizophrenia in young people. But the evidence for the relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia or psychosis remains controversial. A new study has determined that it may be necessary to stop thousands of cannabis users in order to prevent a single case of schizophrenia. Read More

 

 

First Mental Health Courts Begin Pilot - UK

The UK Ministry of Justice formally launched new courts for offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities on 2 July 2009. The introduction of mental health courts should help the judiciary and magistrates better respond to offenders with mental health problems.
Read more

 

 

Bradley Report on Mental Health in the Criminal Justice
System Published - UK

On 30 April 2009 ‘The Bradley Report: Lord Bradley’s review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system’ was published. This report follows an independent review which was commissioned to examine the extent to which offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities could, in appropriate cases, be diverted from prison to other services and the barriers to such diversion.


The Bradley Report broadly recommends better assessment at the earliest possible opportunity, and improved continuity of care for people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system. There are 82 recommendations in the report, the overwhelming majority of which the government either fully accepts, or accepts in principle. However, the report itself recognises many recommendations are longer term and will need further work to ensure that all implications are considered. Read the full report

 

Family Support Mitigates Suicidal Behaviour

Adolescents and young adults typically consider their circle of friends to be all important.

However, according to new research, it appears that strong family support, not peer support, is more protective in reducing future suicidal behavior among young adults when they have experienced depression or have attempted suicide. Read more