During a recent Skills for Care work project, a research team asked over 500 managers and staff in various adult social care services about their digital capabilities, experiences and attitudes.
The results show that over 95% of those questioned use digital technology in their work, and the great majority are strongly positive about the potential of digital technology to improve efficiency and quality of care services.
New research conducted by the University of Bristol, alongside the University of Oxford and University College London, has shown that those who self-harm as teenagers are more at risk of developing mental health and substance misuse problems as adults.
Data was collected from almost 5000 adolescents as part of Children of the 90s – one of the world’s largest population studies – to examine the outcomes of self-harm for the first time. The research is being called the biggest study of its kind in the UK.
The research paper, funded by the Medical Research Council and published online in the BMJ, reveals that almost 20% of 16-year-olds who took part in the study had a history of self-harm and most had not sought help from health professionals.
Examining their progress over the following five years showed that even those who self-harmed without suicidal intent had an increased risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, compared with adolescents who had not self-harmed.
They were also more likely to self-harm in the future and to have substance misuse problems, such as smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and using illegal drugs.
Those who self-harmed with suicidal intent were also more at risk of poorer GCSE and A-level results and were less likely to be in further education, training or employment three years later.
Although risks were generally stronger in those who had self-harmed with suicidal intent, outcomes were also poor amongst those who had self-harmed without suicidal intent.
Dr Becky Mars, from the research team at the University of Bristol said: “We’ve shown for the first time that adolescents who self-harm are more vulnerable to a range of adverse conditions in early adulthood. While we cannot say that self-harm directly causes such problems, it’s certainly a sign that all is not well and professionals need to be aware of such behaviour and identify it early.”
“There is widespread lack of understanding amongst health and teaching professionals about those who self-harm without intending to take their lives. It should not be dismissed or viewed as trivial, as it could be a warning sign for suicidal behaviour or other problems later in life. These new findings highlight the importance of self-harm and the need for better understanding among professionals likely to come across youngsters who self-harm.”
Stepping Out has always been prepared to help lighten the load on the UK mental health services and provide support to those who suffer from suicidal thoughts and self-harm issues.
For years, Stepping Out has been providing semi-independent accommodation throughout North London & Hertfordshire to local authorities. Our facilities are staffed up to 24 hours a day offering a supervised group living arrangement focused on producing positive outcomes.
Assistance and help can be provided for those who suffer from a number of mental health issues. For more information on our semi-independent living services, please contact us.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has announced that treatment for mental health conditions will be brought into line with other NHS services with the introduction of the first ever waiting time standards. There will also be £120 million to improve mental health services.
From April 2015 onwards, most patients needing talking therapies – for conditions like depression – will be guaranteed the treatment they need in as little as 6 weeks, with a maximum wait of 18 weeks.
For many patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis, the NHS will start to provide treatment within 2 weeks of referral – bringing it into line with consultations for cancer. Evidence shows that treating psychosis rapidly can dramatically improve patients’ chances of recovery and potentially save £44 million each year in hospital admissions.
Nick Clegg said “At least 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in our lives. Whilst I have nothing but praise for the tremendous work of NHS staff, the system is still letting patients down.”
“It’s wrong that relatives and friends needing a hip operation can expect treatment within a clear time frame but someone with a debilitating mental health condition has no clarity about when they will get help.”
The announcement is part of a radical 5-year plan to end years of imbalance between mental and physical healthcare services, backed by £120 million of funding over the next 2 years.
Norman Lamb, Care and Support Minister said “I want to build a fairer society and that means mental health has got to be a priority for everyone. As well as being potentially devastating for people affected, mental illness has an enormous impact on our economy.”
“That’s why, through these plans, I am absolutely determined to make sure anyone with a mental health condition can expect the same standards of care as they would for a physical health problem.”
Currently, most people who are referred for treatment for a physical health problem can expect to start their care within 6 weeks, with an absolute maximum of 18 weeks. The plans announced today will mean that people referred for talking therapies will benefit from the same standards.
This fantastic news will no doubt please those who suffer with or care for someone who suffers with a mental health disorder, plus the level of support and intent shown by the government in this initiative makes is seem like they are really in for the long haul when it comes to supporting mental health treatments that are and will be available on the NHS.
Do you feel that the government have made the right choice in this recent announcement and how should this funding be distributed?
Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
According to an investigation by the We Need to Talk coalition, mental health services are unable to cope with demand for psychological therapies.
The coalition of mental health charities, professional organisations, Royal Colleges and service providers says that huge variations in referral rates and waiting times around the country are unacceptable and are making people more unwell. It is calling on the next government to make access to talking therapies an immediate priority after the election.
While some CCGs, such as NHS Oxfordshire, say the majority of people are assessed for treatment within 28 days of referral, others report that over 90% have to wait longer.
The survey reveals that almost 10% are waiting over a year between referral and assessment, while almost 50% wait more than three months. Once assessed, most people start therapy within three months, yet a third wait longer.
While waiting, almost 70% feel they have become more mentally unwell. 40% have harmed themselves, almost 70% have experienced suicidal thoughts and almost 20% have attempted suicide.
The survey also revealed the toll on other services; 6% of people waiting for therapy have been voluntarily admitted to hospital, 3% admitted compulsorily under the Mental Health Act and 7% have come into contact with the police as a result of their mental health.
Paul Farmer, Chair of the We Need to Talk coalition and Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, said: “Our investigation shows that providers, frontline staff and those who use services are all united in the view that mental health services aren’t currently set up to cope with demand.
“Far too many are facing unacceptably long waits or are struggling to even get a referral. This simply isn’t good enough.”
“All three main political parties have been in power in the time we have had IAPT, so we know the commitment is there but we have yet to see the ambitions of the programme made a reality on the ground. Whoever forms our next government must redouble their efforts and make this a priority, ensuring fair access and establishing waiting times targets so that no matter where you live, you can get the help you need when you need it.“
David Pink, chief executive of UK Council for Psychotherapy, said: “Demand for therapy is higher than ever but the NHS is not delivering.”
“Many NHS psychotherapy posts have been cut, clients are forced into long waits and thousands more are simply turned away. At the same, antidepressant prescriptions continue to rise and rise. This is a national scandal.”
“The next government must consider how to use this highly trained therapy workforce to ensure the NHS meets its founding commitment: that all can access support based on clinical need and not on the ability to pay.”
Stepping Out has always been prepared to help lighten the load on the UK mental health services.
For years, Stepping Out has been providing semi-independent living services throughout North London & Hertfordshire to local authorities. Our facilities are staffed up to 24 hours a day offering a supervised group living arrangement focused on producing positive outcomes.
Assistance and help can be provided for those who suffer from a number of mental health issues, For more information on our semi-independent living services, please contact us.
An innovative website promoting brain health has been launched in Trinity College Dublin as part of a new EU Commission initiative to increase the societal impact of brain research.
The Hello Brain campaign, which is the public face of the ASAPS project (A Sharing Approach to Promoting Science), received €1 million funding from the EU Commission under its Seventh Framework Programme.
