Global Initiative in Psychiatry: new online community

Global Initiative in Psychiatry recently launched an Online Mental Health Community. The aim of the web-platform is to establish a community that connects people working on mental health issues worldwide, in order to improve mental health care in low- and middle-income countries. 

Public support for alternatives to prison

The results of a YouGov poll, released by Together, a leading mental health charity, has found that six out of ten (64%) people in Great Britain believe that people with mental health issues (who pose no threat to the public, but have committed a crime for which they could receive a short-term prison sentence of less than 12 months) should be punished outside of prison, whilst at the same time receiving help with their mental health problems.

Liz Felton, the charity's chief executive, said working with offenders in the community was a "viable, cost-effective and humane alternative that turns people's lives around, and benefits both the offender and society as a whole. We need to see a commitment from the Government to ensure that liaison and diversion schemes are properly resourced and widely available across the UK.

Drug charities criticise plans to withdraw benefits from addicts

Drugs charities have criticised Government plans to withdraw welfare benefits from addicts who refuse treatment. They said there was no evidence it would work and the idea could breach medical principles. The Home Office is considering the prospect of some form of "financial benefit sanction" for claimants who fail to address their drug or alcohol dependency. The idea was raised in a Home Office consultation paper on the Government's drug strategy for England, Wales and Scotland.

More people asking for help over ill-health benefits

Citizens Advice has reported a steep increase in the number of people contacting it for help with sickness and disability benefits. The charity said enquiries about the Employment and Support Allowance had soared by 77% during the second quarter of the year, compared with the same period of 2009. It said 45,257 people contacted it about the benefit during the three months, and warned that it was bracing itself for a further increase this autumn, when more people will start receiving it.

Debt collectors’ ‘mind games’ devastate mental health

Mind games used by aggressive debt collectors can cause suicidal feelings and have a "devastating" effect on mental health, according to a report from Mind. Reports of bailiffs forcing their way into peoples' homes and intimidating their children have raised serious concerns. Mind is calling on the Government to step up public protection and introduce more robust regulation of the industry.

Student Committee promotes mental well-being on UK campuses

A committee of students from across the UK has been formed to promote understanding around mental health and well-being issues on university campuses. The launch of the committee is part of The Mental Wealth Project, a campaign that aims to establish a national network of student mental health champions. Committee members will act as ambassadors for student mental health in their region, and will meet each term to discuss concerns and develop campaigns.

Mixed-sex accommodation – inconsistency in recording data

Tens of thousands of patients are still being placed in mixed-sex accommodation every year without clinical justification, according to new data released by the Department of Health. The figures suggest inconsistent capture or recording of data across the country. Although NHS organisations’ estates seem compliant with ‘virtual elimination’ of mixed-sex accommodation, hospitals continued to place patients in mixed-sex accommodation for ‘operational reasons’.

World Mental Health Day fast approaching: 10 October

The theme for this year this year’s World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a continuation of the integration of physical and mental health from last year, with a specific focus on the relationship of mental health with chronic physical illnesses.