Depression Alliance Scotland Email Announcement March 2006
News from Depression Alliance Scotland (DAS)
Get Walking!
Ilena Day, National Co-ordinator of Depression Alliance Scotland and her 6 six year old son are doing the Great Wee Scottish Walk to raise funds for DAS on Easter Sunday 16th April 2006 . Ilena states "On Easter Sunday we will walk to raise awareness of depression as a common and treatable illness and to raise funds for the Depression Alliance Scotland at the same time. My son is looking forward to it". Why not support Ilena in raising funds for Depression Alliance Scotland by donating securely online or by cheque to Depression Alliance Scotland, FREEPOST NAT 19086, Edinburgh, EH12 5BR?
We are also looking for people to take part in the Great Scottish Walk on 18 June 2006 in Edinburgh. As well as raising funds for DAS, it is a great day out. There are three walks of 1, 6 and 12 miles. All finishers receive a commemorative medal and certificate upon completion and there is plenty of entertainment along the route and it's a fun day out for all the family. For more information please contact us at info@dascot.org or 0131 467 3050. You can also find more information about the Great Wee Scottish Walk and the Great Scottish Walk at www.greatscottishwalk.com. If you would like to set up a secure online sponsor form for this or any other event go to http://dascot.workwithus.org/Management/Fundraising/CreatePage.aspx
Join the Board of Directors
DAS are currently looking to recruit non-executive Directors to join the current Board of Directors of DAS. We are looking for people with particular experience in marketing, working with the media, fundraising, working in the health service and in other statutory services and of working within the voluntary sector. Meetings are currently six weekly. Applications should be made in the form of a short CV to ilenad@dascot.org. Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be fully re-imbursed.
DAS Expert Group of People with Personal Experience of Depression
People who affected by depression or who support a friend or family member with depression are the most important people in our organisation and we want to make sure your voice is heard in Scotland. To do this, DAS are developing an expert group of people with personal experience of depression. If you have experienced depression or have supported a friend or family member with depression and are prepared to share your experiences, anonymously or otherwise please contact info@dascot.org for more information about how to become involved. All reasonable out of pocket expenses will be fully re-imbursed.
Events
National Depression Week
17 - 24 April 2006
Mother Father Son Daughter Brother Sister Lover Friend You
National Depression Week is coming soon. Our theme this year will be "Depression Affects Us All " and we wish to use it to challenge misconceptions surrounding the illness and to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression and the various treatment options. . We will be sending out packs end of March. If you would like a pack please contact us at info@dascot.org. If you are having an event for National Depression Week you would like us to promote in the April email newsletter, please let us know.
Edinburgh - The Future for Charities in Scotland Conference
Mon 24th April 2006 The Corn Exchange Edinburgh
From the commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, OSCR will assume its full regulatory powers and become established as a Non-Ministerial Department, independent from Scottish Ministers. This one day conference will mark the new regulatory landscape for Scottish charities and to outline key aspects of the legislation. For further information and a booking form, please contact Diane Tsuji, Conference Administrator at Holyrood Events on 0131 272 2138 or e-mail charities@holyrood.com
Edinburgh - Out of the Dark Theatre Company
More Voices from Out of the Dark
12 May Traverse Theatre
Out of the Dark Theatre Company is a drama and mental health project for adults in West Fife aged 50 plus who have mental health problems. The project includes drama workshops, performances, and script-writing workshops. The Community and Writers' Group is made up of patients who have moved on from hospital and may now only return periodically or as day patients. The group has grown from strength to strength and since 2001 they have created seven theatre pieces with acclaimed Scottish playwright, John Harvey.
More Voices from Out Of The Dark at 7.30pm Traverse Theatre 12th May
Tickets: £4.00/£2.00
Box Office: 0131 228 1404
For more information about the group contact Wendy Niblock T: 0141 649 4844 M: 07961 814834 E: wendyniblock@metronet.co.uk
Depression in the News
Anti-depressant prescription call
A rise in prescribing anti-depressants in the Borders over the past five years has prompted a call to look at alternative treatments. Scottish Executive figures between 2000 and 2005 show a 44% rise in anti-depressants prescribed in the Borders compared to a national average of 24%.
Christine Graham of the SNP questioned why the figures were so high and what alternative treatments were being used. She expressed concern that the majority of people seeking psychological help were still waiting for an appointment after 13 weeks. "This waiting list situation will simply compound the growing issue of prescribing anti-depressants to people in the Borders," she said.
NHS Borders said the rise in rates was down to prescriptions being issued for 28 rather than 56-day periods. It said that meant twice as many prescriptions for the same amount of drugs. That is because GPs want to monitor patients' reactions over a shorter time.
BBC News 23/03/06
Government scraps mental health bill
The government abandoned its plans to introduce a comprehensive mental health bill for England and Wales but retained proposals to extend the forcible treatment of people with personality disorders.
Guardian 23/03/06
SSRIs face next-generation replacement
An American study released in early March predicted that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) anti-depressants such as Prozac, Seroxat and Lustral could be replaced by a new type of anti-depressants, triple reuptake inhibitors (TRIs) by 2009. Triple reuptake inhibitors block the uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. The study was The study was presented by Duke University researchers at the American Psychosomatic Society meeting in Denver.
MonstersandCritics.com 5/03/06
Omega 3 fatty acids influence mood, impulsivity and personality, study indicates
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may influence mood, personality and behaviour, according to results of a study by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers In a study of 106 healthy volunteers, researchers found that participants who had lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more likely to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression, a more negative outlook and be more impulsive. Conversely, those with higher blood levels of omega-3s were found to be more agreeable.
"A number of previous studies have linked low levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention deficit disorder," said Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar with the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "However, few studies have shown that these relationships also occur in healthy adults. This study opens the door for future research looking at what effect increasing omega-3 intake, whether by eating omega-3 rich foods like salmon, or taking fish-oil supplements, has on people's mood."
Press release 03/03/06
Smoking tied to risk of depression
The likelihood of developing major depression seems to be increased among smokers, especially those who smoke heavily, study findings suggest. Researchers from the University of Oslo, Norway who followed a population-based group of adults for 11 years found that those who smoked were more likely than non-smokers to become depressed and heavy smokers -- who smoked over 20 cigarettes a day -- were four times more likely than people who'd never smoked to develop depression.
A number of factors the researchers considered -- including physical health, exercise and stressful life events -- failed to explain the link between smoking and later depression. This suggests, they say, that smoking may directly contribute to the development of the mood disorder. Nicotine may over time change brain levels of the emotion-related chemical serotonin, which appears to be reduced in people with depression, said the study's lead author, Dr. Ole Klungsoyr. However he conceded that it's possible that other factors the study could not consider -- like personality traits that make a person prone to both depression and smoking -- are responsible. More studies are needed to replicate the current findings, he added. The findings are reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Reuters 01/03/06
Prescribing self help to deal with depression
Doctors in Renfewshire have dramatically reduced the number of patients taking antidepressants as part of a project, which could help transform the way the illness is treated in Scotland. Amid growing concern about the soaring number of Scots prescribed drugs such as Prozac, clinicians involved in Doing Well in Renfrewshire, which involves 13 GP practices have adapted a system to deal with depression where those with milder illness are offered cognitive behaviour therapy instead of drugs.
Under the project, GPs use 10 standard questions to calculate the level of patients' depression. Those with low scores are referred to a psychology assistant who will help them embark on a programme of self-help. Patients with higher scores will receive an appointment with a more highly experienced psychologist. The proportion of people involved in the scheme who are on antidepressants is half the level of those in conventional NHS care. This, alongside the selection of cheap but effective drugs for those who do need them, has cut the bill for antidepressants to less than a quarter of comparable doctors' practices.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health has pointed out that drugs alone are not the most effective way of tackling depression, but unless more resources are invested in alternatives and talking therapies the trend of anti-depressant prescribing will continue to rise.
The Herald 03/03/06
BBC News 02/03/06
FDA approves Somerset depression patch
The American drugs regulation body the FDA has approved a skin patch, Emsam, made by Somerset Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Emsam is the first transdermal patch for the treatment of major depressive disorder to be given approval.
The efficacy of Emsam in relieving depressive symptoms was established in two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of six and eight week durations that included adult outpatients ages 18 to 70 years old with single and recurrent episodes of major depressive disorder. Emsam is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that has been shown to relieve depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder.
Phamaceutical Business Review Online 01/03/06
Gene found to increase depression risk
The age-old question about whether depression is caused by genes or your environment has been answered: it is both. Scientists at the University of New South Wales have found a particular gene can increase your risk of depression. But they also say it is what happens to you during life that ultimately determines your mood. Scientists from the University of New South Wales have followed a group of teachers for 25 years. Those who had particular genetic changes and who suffered three traumatic life events were twice as likely to become depressed. Gender differences did not matter
"This is a risk gene. It's not a disease gene," Professor Philip Mitchell, from the brain sciences unit of the University of New South Wales, said."What it does it is increases your risk of depression if you are exposed to a series of stressful life events.
The gene in question regulates serotonin, or the feel-good hormone, which is present in the brain. Researchers say it is too early to offer a genetic test for depression.
The paper has been published in the British Journal of Psychiatry
ABC News Australia 01/03/06
Schools in Front Line for Mental Health
Schools must tackle the growing problem of poor mental health among pupils, according to a new Aberdeen University report.
The report - which emerged from the £100,000 Scottish Executive project, Investigating the Links between Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools - explored how schools are dealing with a new tide of challenging behaviour thought to be triggered by poor mental health.
One in four young people is estimated to suffer from poor mental health, with problems like self-harming and depression becoming increasingly common among teenagers and even younger children.
Professor Janet Shucksmith, leader of the project, said: "If we don't want problems to stack up into later life, we have to start spotting young people's distress at an earlier age and acting to remedy it.
This is North Scotland 22/02/06
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