Assaults on mental health staff up 25% in four years

Assaults on mental health staff up 25% in four years

Mental health staff in the UK are working in a “powder keg” environment, as assaults by patients soar, a BBC investigation has revealed.
Figures obtained by 5 live Investigates show there were more than 42,000 reported attacks on staff in 2016-17 in the mental health trusts who responded.

Heavy alcohol use alters brain functioning differently in young men and women

Heavy alcohol use alters brain functioning differently in young men and women

Scientists have found that brain functions in young men and women are changed by long-term alcohol use, but that these changes are significantly different in men and women. This indicates not only that young people might be at increased risk of long-term harm from alcohol use, but also that the risks are probably different in men and in women, with men possibly more at risk. This work is presented today at the ECNP meeting in Paris.

Who pays the penalty when mental health services fail?

Moira Tombs will be speaking at Community Care Live London in September about how the mental health system let her down. Her shocking story will make you re-evaluate what you know about safeguarding

Who pays the penalty when mental health services fail?

I have personal experience of being the subject of a safeguarding alert. My story highlights why the six guiding principles of safeguarding (empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability) matter and how failing to put them into practice can be so costly.

Tory deputy mayor: Best thing for disabled children is the guillotine

The retired GP made his sick suggestion to fellow councillors as they discussed sending the youngsters to a £3,000-a-week care home

Tory deputy mayor: Best thing for disabled children is the guillotine

The retired GP made his sick suggestion to fellow councillors as they discussed sending the youngsters to a £3,000-a-week care home

People with mental health problems made more unwell by benefits system

Mental health charity Mind has today revealed that a high proportion of people with mental health problems are being made more unwell by the benefits system. In particular, the process of being ‘sanctioned’ – having financial support cut or stopped altogether – is worsening people’s mental health.

People with mental health problems made more unwell by benefits system

Mental health charity Mind has today revealed that a high proportion of people with mental health problems are being made more unwell by the benefits system. In particular, the process of being ‘sanctioned’ – having financial support cut or stopped altogether – is worsening people’s mental health.

Appeal to find mental health patient John Piggott who has been missing for three months

John Piggott has not been seen since January after going on leave from hospital to Prestwich in Bury

Appeal to find mental health patient John Piggott who has been missing for three months

John Piggott has not been seen since January after going on leave from hospital to Prestwich in Bury

Scandal of the mental health patients being sent more than 125 miles away for care

“We recognise that this is not ideal."

Scandal of the mental health patients being sent more than 125 miles away for care

People with mental health issues from Greater Manchester have been put in care up to 180 miles away as pressure on services mounts, the M.E.N. can reveal.
NHS figures show five patients from the region were placed between 125 and 185 miles away as of December by Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust.

The Mental Patients Union, 1973

The Mental Patients Union, 1973

The Mental Patients Union (MPU), in the early 1970s, could probably be seen as the first service user involvement movement. Founder member Andrew Roberts described the Union’s genesis:

Mental health campaigner Tom McAlpine, the father of Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, dies

Tributes have already poured in for the Coronation Street star's father, who was chair of the mental health charity Moodswings

Mental health campaigner Tom McAlpine, the father of Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, dies

Tributes have already poured in for the Coronation Street star’s father, who was chair of the mental health charity Moodswings