Happiness is infectious

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Female soldiers and mental health problems

Figures published by The Ministry of Defence in the UK show that female soldiers are twice as likely as males to be treated for mental health problems.

Self Harm

I found this wonderful piece of work on Jules Findley's site, here. I hope she doesn't mind me reproducing it. It's well worth checking out her other creations.

A study in Scotland highlights the prevalence of self harm and the factors that may lead to young people starting to self harm. You can read more here.

Alcohol and shrinking brains

According to researchers in the USA, the more alcohol you drink the smaller your brain volume. This is more pronounced in women.

Archives of Neurology (2008) 65: 1363-1367

St John's Wort

A recent Cochrane review indicated that St John's Wort is as effective in treating mild to moderate depression as anti depressents, with the advantage of fewer side effects. The researchers looked at 29 clinical trials.

Chocrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2008) 4

'Psychiatry is a bit like happy hour at the pub. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it dosen't'

Well put by Mark Radcliffe in the Nursing Times this week, read more here.

Mobile phones effect your sleep

An interesting article on the BBC Health website, which you can find here, details the problems encountered when using mobile phones before trying to sleep. Sensible advice methinks.

Did the picture make you yawn?!

The Anti Depressant Debate

The debate continues - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7263494.stm

Any thoughts?

Schizophrenia triggered by pre birth maternal stress?

An interesting story here.

Sensible advice

Good to hear Ian Higgins' advice at The School and Public Health Nurses' Association Conference. He said that school nurses needed to advise parents that experimenting with alcohol or feeling sad did not mean that their child was an alcoholic or clinically depressed but was part of their natural development which, of course, involves much testing of boundaries. Whilst it is important to be aware of behaviour that could lead to ongoing problems, it can be far too easy to apportion mental health labels to behaviours and emotions that are natural and common to us all.

Ian Higgins is Nurse Consultant for South West London and St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust.