Depression Alliance Scotland Email Newsletter - Issue 22, March 2007
News from Depression Alliance Scotland (DAS)
National Depression Week Scotland
Scottish National Depression Week is the 4th - 10th June 2007. The theme is Depression and Young Adults. If you would like an information pack, please contact us.
Your chance to influence policy on depression
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) are writing a new guideline on treatments for depression other than medication. They are looking for people with personal experience of depression and carers, family and friends who are prepared to share their experience of treatment(s). More information on the SIGN guideline.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used for the treatment of a number of conditions, including severe depression. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is looking for people with experience of TMS to comment on draft guidelines which will affect Scotland. Have you had experience of TMS to treat severe depression?
Events
10K Run for Men
The 10K For Men run is taking place on Father's Day, Sunday June 17th, in Glasgow and you can sign up now at: www.mhfs.org.uk/mhfs/jogging_groups.php or for more information about this, and about men's jogging groups, get in touch with Sarah McMillan, 10K for Men Project Development Worker, at Men's Heath Forum Scotland - sarah@mhfs.org.uk or 0141 550 7515
Great Scottish Walk - Walk for Us!
We are a named charity for the Great Scottish Walk on 10th June 2007. You can do either one, six or twelve miles through Edinburgh and have a lot of fun on the way. This year is the 10th anniversary of the walk, so there will be even more entertainment laid on for walkers. Children can take part in Wee Scottish Walks in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth,
Dumfries, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen. For more information,
contact DAS on 0845 123 23 20 or visit www.greatscottishwalk.com to sign up online.
Research
The mental health benefits of being outdoors
A pilot study has shown that walking in natural settings can improve mood, self-esteem and thinking about life tasks amongst people with depression, anxiety and bi-polar disorder. Groups undertaking activities outdoors are being invited to participate in a
study from
now until October 2007. This research is funded by the ESRC and Forestry Commission and will make recommendations to guide social and
recreational policy for people with mental health problems. If you can
help please contact Jenny Roe, PhD Researcher, OPENspace, Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot Watt University, Tel: 0131 221 6292, Mobile: 0794 1798171, j.roe@eca.ac.uk.
Attitudes about Depression
This research is being undertaken as part of an MSc in Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University. The aim of the study is to compare the views of social workers, community psychiatric nurses and service users with depression. It consists of a short questionnaire to fill in which can be downloaded from www.dascot.org/research.html
Quality of Life
What constitutes quality of life for people affected by depression? Add your opinions to a worldwide study on what constitutes patients' quality of life.. The results of this survey will help patients from across the world determine the key characteristics behind an improved quality of life. Quality of Life Survey
Depression in the News
Army cuts psychiatrists as mental health problems soar
The Army has fewer than half of the psychiatrists it needs to cope with psychiatric casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Herald newspaper found. The Ministry of Defence admits that 2,123 troops have been treated for various mental health conditions related to their service since 2003, including 320 for full post-traumatic stress disorder. Combat Stress, a military mental welfare charity, the Royal British Legion and the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association all claim that at least 10 times that number are seeking help for various psychological traumas.
I was there in the hour of need
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) teaches someone to look out for signs of distress in others. Caroline Farquhar, Head of Implementation at Choose Life, Scotland's anti-suicide strategy, received ASIST training and in this article she tells of how it helped her to save lives. She helped a woman she found taking pills on a train and a man who was planning to jump off a cliff.
Scotland's suicide rate on the rise
A major study analysing data from 1989 to 2004 has revealed that the suicide rate in men has increased by 22 per cent, while in women it is up 6 per cent. The rates of suicide in Scotland are the highest in the UK, almost double those in England. However, it is important to note that recent figures suggest suicide rates are dropping.
The reasons for Scotland's suicide record remain unclear, although high levels of deprivation, alcohol and drug abuse and large numbers of people living in remote areas are possible risk factors. The 270-page report, published this month, also reveals details of those who are most at risk of suicide in Scotland - showing variations between rich and poor. The study, carried out by researchers in Edinburgh, Dundee and St Andrews, identifies suicide rates in some parts of Scotland as double those in other areas.
One in four people in deprived areas struck down by depression
The GoWell survey tracking the lives of more than 6000 people in Glasgow living in 14 deprived areas of the city over 10 years has released its first findings which show that Across the study, 22% of those interviewed had seen their doctor about anxiety, depression and stress in the past year. This rose to one-third and above in Shawbridge, Drumchapel and St Andrews Drive, on the south side.
Lennon's 'pride' over depression
Celtic captain Neil Lennon has revealed that the hardest part of facing up to his depression was breaking the news to his family. Speaking as a contributor to the two-part documentary Demons, Going Around My Head, recorded for the Colin Murray show on Radio 1, Lennon admitted too many people still fail to understand mental health problems.He said: "The greatest quote is pull yourself together' or shake yourself out of it'. That can be the worst thing that anyone can say to you, because you are fighting it yourself and the last thing you need is somebody putting you down - you are feeling bad enough as it is."
A useful exercise to beat blues
Exercise can help people with depression. Increased circulation to the brain stimulates the release of mood enhancing chemicals known as endorphins. Other chemicals such as norepinephrin and serotonin, known to be reduced during bouts of depression, are also released during exercise. Exercise is a ritualistic activity that gives people a sense of control over their body, increasing self confidence and self esteem.
In 2005 a survey of 200 GPs found that only five per cent prescribe exercise as one of their three most common treatments for depression. This compared to 92 per cent who would prescribe anti-depressants. However, in a recent report by the Mental Health Foundation, up to 85 per cent of people who were prescribed exercise as a treatment for depression said it helped.
Edinburgh Evening News 09/02/07
Living with Depression
An estimated one in five Scots experience depression at some point in their lives, and the World Health Organisation predicts it will soon be the second-biggest cause of illness worldwide. But depression varies in severity and can present itself in different forms- postnatal depression, bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) and seasonal affective disorder are just a few. While a number of celebrities have admitted having the condition (Stephen Fry recently spoke candidly about living with bipolar disorder), incredibly there is still some stigma attached to it. Ruth Lang who works for DAS, was a student midwife when she first started experiencing feelings of depression. That was 16 years ago, and she explains in this article how she copes with the condition.
Panorama: Secrets of the Drug Trials
This BBC programme alleged that Glaxo Smith Kline, the makers of Seroxat, covered up evidence that the anti-depressant increased the risk of suicide and self-harm in under-18s. The allegations suggest the company privately questioned the safety and efficacy of Seroxat among children under 18, but nevertheless promoted the drug to doctors for use in that age category. The drug company labelled the programme as "defamatory".
The Guardian 30/01/07
Panorama Website
Note: Current UK government guidelines state that under 18s should not be given SSRI anti-depressants including Seroxat. If you have concerns about your medication contact your GP.
Doctors told fish oil can help patients to overcome depression
More GPs should be handing out fish oil supplements to depressed patients instead of turning to drugs, a nutrition expert urged yesterday.
Dr Tom Gilhooly, a GP in Glasgow, said his practice now prescribed omega 3 supplements to people with mild to moderate depression, with as many as 60 per cent seeing a major improvement without antidepressants. Dr Gilhooly, director of the Centre for Nutritional Studies in Glasgow, said there was a lack of knowledge about the benefits among GPs. He also said the higher cost of supplements over antidepressants made health boards loath to let doctors prescribe them.
Scots are most optimistic in UK
A psychological study, commissioned to mark the fourth Monday in January as the most depressing day of the year, showed Scots are, in fact, the most positive in the UK about the future.
The Freestyle Happiness Index, commissioned by Standard Life Bank, found that some 85% of Brits are optimistic about the year ahead. It also found that, in order to maintain this optimism, work has become less of a focus for 2007, with people choosing instead to concentrate on spending more time with their friends and family.
Shift work linked to depression
Shift workers are more likely to be depressed as they are impacted by a number of job-related factors, including shift work, hours of work, work stress and occupation were associated with depression according to a Canadian study.
Daily Commercial News (Canada) 22/01/07
Mental health 'helped by birdsong'
Birdsong has a powerful healing effect which can improve mental health and benefit hospital patients, according to a health expert. Dr William Bird, GP, who is a health adviser for the countryside agency, Natural England, said tests had proven the effect. Research has found that "ultra waves" increase in the brain when subjects are shown a natural scene, and Dr Bird said the same effect occured with birdsong.
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