News | Mental health

News

Draft NICE quality standard says adults stopping antidepressants should be supported to taper the dose slowly

The draft guidance says tapering antidepressants will help to reduce withdrawal effects and long-term dependence.…

Published: 18 January 2023

News

Nearly three-quarters of pharmacy staff considered leaving profession in the past year, finds RPS survey

The proportion of pharmacy staff who have thought about leaving their role or the profession has significantly increased over the past year, from 32% in 2021 to 73% in 2022.…

Published: 12 January 2023

News

Quarter of hospitalised patients taking clozapine admitted with infection, study finds

Researchers found 25% of patients hospitalised while taking clozapine had an infection, and highlighted that safety protocols around the drug tend to focus on other side effects.…

Published: 6 January 2023

Feature

Infographic: 2022 unwrapped

What a year — there’s certainly been no shortage of health-related news, from a merry-go-round of health secretaries (and, of course, prime ministers), to COVID-19, mpox, medicines shortages, strike action and much more. Here, we guide you through the year in pharmacy.…

Published: 21 December 2022

Feature

Psilocybin: a psychedelic alternative to antidepressants?

Decades on from its widespread use as a recreational drug during the 1960s, research shows that psilocybin could be a credible treatment for symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders.…

Published: 15 December 2022

Feature

Insomnia: the great melatonin delusion

Increasingly prescribed in young people with sleep problems, experts are worried that melatonin, a supposedly ‘natural’ treatment for insomnia, is providing nothing more than false hope.…

Published: 24 November 2022

News

All pharmacists working in primary care in England can now self-refer to NHS Practitioner Health

Previously, the free mental health and addiction service was only available to doctors, dentists and staff grade 8D or above in England.…

Published: 21 November 2022

News

Researchers claim to have first direct evidence serotonin release is reduced in depression

After patients received d-amphetamine, which stimulates serotonin release, researchers found that those with major depressive disorder or depression linked to Parkinson's disease released significantly less serotonin than non-depressed patients.…

Published: 7 November 2022

News

Psilocybin may be effective for treatment-resistant depression

Participants in a phase II study, who received 25mg of psilocybin alongside psychological support, reported lower levels of depression than participants who received lower doses of the psychedelic drug.…

Published: 7 November 2022

News

NICE recommends CBT on tablets and mobile phones for young people with anxiety

Five technologies have been put forward as potential first-line treatment options for mild to moderate anxiety in young people.…

Published: 4 November 2022