Depression Alliance Scotland Email Announcement July 2005
Information
Breathing Space Evaluation
Have you used the Breathing Space advice line and would be prepared to take part in a telephone interview to help them improve their service? The interview will last about 15 minutes and you won’t need to pay for the call. It will also be confidential. For more information contact Irene on 01382 540155 or Christine on 0131 228 8250 or email c.sheehy@scotcen.org.uk. Breathing Space helps people who feel low and depressed. The advice line number is 0800 83 85 87 (open 6pm – 2am) and their website is www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk.
Events
Tidal Model Seminar
The Tidal Model is a ‘is a philosophical approach to the discovery of mental health, focused on helping people recover the personal story of their distress, as a first step towards reclaiming control over their lives.' The seminar, run by the Scottish Recovery Network and chaired by Dr Steve Tilley, Senior Lecturer in Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh, will include two talks on the Tidal Model of nursing practice.a chance to ask questions about the model and the experience of applying it. It is free but you must register. For more information visit the Scottish Recovery Network website at http://www.scottishrecovery.net/content/default.asp?page=s7_1&newsid=282&back=s7
Visions and Voices – Fixed Thinking, Changing Minds
A conference hosted by the Edinburgh Hearing Voices Network on the 19th and 20th September 2005 at Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. The conference will bring together voice-hearers with carers and health professionals to explore the experience of hearing voices. For further information or to book, contact the Conference Co-ordinator, 213 Hilltown, Dundee, DD3 7AG on (01382) 223023 or visit the website at www.hearingvoicesnetwork.com
In the News
Babies born underweight face depression later
Evening News 1st July 2005
BABIES that are born underweight are more likely to suffer from depression later in life, a study revealed today.
Researchers found that babies born weighing less than 5.5lbs had a 50 per cent increased chance of suffering from or developing forms of psychological distress such as depression or anxiety when they get older. They found that smaller babies were still prone to suffer from psychological distress irrespective of factors such as their parents' social class, the maternal age of their mothers and their parent's marital status.
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=724942005
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Study reveals post-natal depression among one in 25 men
Dave Higgens – The Scotsman 24th June 2005
A study published in the Lancet has found that up to one in 25 fathers show symptoms of post natal depression. This was found to have a measurable effect on their children particularly boys. The study examined parents taking part in the Children of the Nineties project in Bristol, which is following the fortunes of thousands of families. It examined more than 8,000 fathers and found that eight weeks after the birth of their child, 3.6 per cent appeared to have symptoms of depression. Post-natal depression in men is an issue that receives scant attention.
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=695122005
Pacemakers to treat depression
Ian Sample, The Guardian Tuesday June 28, 2005
Scientists have succeeded in treating severe depression by fitting patients with brain pacemakers which shock neural circuits in the brain . Of six patients with treatment resistent depression four experienced a dramatic improvement. The technique, called deep brain stimulation, was developed to treat tremors in people with Parkinson's disease.
Dr Helen Mayberg a neurolgist at Emory University, Atlanta said that when the electrodes were in the right spot, patients often experienced a sudden improvement in their mood.
"Patients would say 'what did you just do? I suddenly have a sense of intense calm'," she said. "We had no reason to suspect there was a switch for depression we could turn off."
Dr Mayberg said no detrimental side effects had been detected but the patients would have to be monitored for years to rule out any long term effects, such as whether the continuous pulses eventually damaged brain cells. David Nutt, the head of psychopharmacology at Bristol University said the technique could be used to treat about 5,000 of the most severely depressed people in Britain. "It is the most exciting new development in terms of the treatment of depression in 10 years," he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1516118,00.html
Highland suicide toll is revealed
BBC News 11 July 2005
More than 50 people took their own lives in the Highlands last year, according to new research. These figures have prompted volunteers to set up a support group to try to tackle the problem. The Hilton At Risk Project (HARP) based in Inverness helps individuals considered at risk of taking their own lives by providing confidential support and advice. It was prompted by a tragedy where three young Highland men killed themselves just under a year ago. The organisation backed by experts on suicide, target young and old people alike and are trying to boost services available in the area.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4670869.stm
Websites
Living Life To The Full
This website an offers elearning with practical tips in overcoming anxiety and depression. To access the free course you need to register.
http://www.livinglifetothefull.co.uk/
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This email announcement is published by Depression Alliance Scotland
Website: www.depressionalliancescotland.org Email: info@dascot.org
Tel 0131 467 3050 (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 10am – 2pm)
Fax 0131 467 7701
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