Introducing WHO MiNDbank

If you haven't already seen it, do have a browse over at the World Health Organization's MiNDbank, an online repository with loads of data about mental health, disability, substance abuse and human rights.  It contains resources at international and country level and is a really great information source.  You can find it here.

National Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework published

Last week the government published the UK Mental Health and Wellbeing Implementation Framework, which sets out organisational targets to achieve the six objectives in the 'No Health without Mental Health' strategy.  Read more here.

DSM V panel rejects two new diagnoses

A new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)  - the US standard text for classification of mental illness - is being prepared for publication.  The new edition, DSM V, included two new diagnoses: 'attenuated psychosis syndrome' and 'mixed anxiety depressive disorder'.  However, consultants for the manual have now decided to reject these two new conditions due to fears that the number of people diagnosed with mental illness would skyrocket.  The entry in the manual for depression has also been revised to distinguish the condition from 'normal' sadness and unhappiness.  The proposed new edition of the Manual has caused much controversy so far, and you can read more about it in this article from the New York Times.

The Mental Elf

Many thanks to my colleague Melsina for letting me know about The Mental Elf, a great website designed to keep you up-to-date with mental health research, guidelines and policy updates.  The site is run by Andre Tomlin, a librarian based in Oxfordshire, who also runs:

The Dental Elf

The Diabetes Elf  and...

The Learning Disabilities Elf

Take a look, they are really great resources!

Introducing PsycARTICLES

Welcome back! I hope everyone has had a fab summer. Over the summer we have acquired a brand new, full-text database that I think is going to be really useful, especially if you are focussing on mental health issues.

The database is called PsycARTICLES - it is produced by the American Psychological Association (APA) and contains 78 full-text journals, including all of the APA titles such as Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, and Psychological Bulletin.

Have a look and tell me what you think. You can access it here.

Mental Capacity Act Resource

The Social Care Institute for Excellence has developed an excellent resource with loads of information about the Mental Capacity Act. If you haven't seen it already, take a look here.

New mental health strategy launched

Earlier this week the Government launched 'No health without mental health', a new mental health strategy for the UK. The strategy outlines six objectives to improve outcomes for people with mental health issues. The six objectives are:

1. More people will have good mental health

2. More people with mental health problems will recover

3. More people with mental health problems will have good physical health

4. More people will have a positive experience of care and support

5. Fewer people will suffer avoidable harm

6. Fewer people will experience stigma and discrimination

The strategy outlines assessment criteria and responsibilities of the various stakeholder groups. If you are a mental health nurse, you need to know about this strategy.