Do you have my back? Perceived social support, loneliness, and its impact on mental health outcomes

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In the lead up to our Loneliness Mental Health Question Time on 3rd Dec 2018, Dr Michelle Lim summarises a recent systematic review on the associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems.

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Mental health stigma in schools: helping young people access support

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Lucinda Powell considers a recent systematic review of qualitative evidence on stigma related to targeted school-based mental health interventions. The review provides some interesting findings and useful strategies, given the recent UK government announcement that they are backing plans to make specialist mental health provision available in schools.

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Sense of coherence and mental health of caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Martin Webber looks at a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on the association between informal carers’ sense of coherence, caregiver burden and mental health outcomes.

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Is third-wave CBT good value?

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Chris Sampson summarises a systematic review on the economic impact of third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, extended behavioural activation, dialectical behaviour therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

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The impact of facial scarring: routinely assess for affective distress

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Andrew Thompson writes his debut blog on a recent systematic review that explores the associations linking facial scarring (largely caused by assaults or burn injuries) to depression and anxiety.

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Smoking bans and violence on mental health wards: what’s the link?

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John Baker isn’t convinced by the findings of a systematic review on smoking bans and violence in mental health settings, which concludes that the introduction of smoke-free policies generally do not lead to an increase in violence.

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Improving antidepressant outcomes: what works for whom and why?

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Thalia Eley and Gerome Breen explore a new systematic meta-review of predictors of antidepressant treatment outcome in depression, which looks at clinical and demographic variables, but also biomarkers including both genetic and neuroimaging data.

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The benefits and challenges of involving older people in health and social care research: a systematic review

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Caroline Struthers considers a systematic review about the impacts of older people’s patient and public involvement in health and social care research.

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Antidepressant withdrawal: reviewing the paper behind the headlines

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Joseph Hayes and Sameer Jauhar set the record straight on antidepressant withdrawal. They show how the recent review by Davies and Read is seriously flawed and does not accurately portray the data. They conclude that we urgently need clearer evidence on the incidence, severity and duration of any symptoms related to antidepressant withdrawal.

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Treating depression with physical activity in young people

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Simon Brett summarises a robust systematic review that looks at the effectiveness of physical activity as a treatment for depression in adolescents and young adults.

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