Trauma-informed health care in the UK needs support from the government and NHS
While a trauma-informed approach in health care is being endorsed in government and NHS policies, its implementation has been driven by trauma experts at the level of organisations and local authorities, finds a new study led by the University of Bristol’s TAP CARE team. A coordinated, evidence-informed government- and NHS-…
Majority of countries see no increase in suicide rates during first months of COVID-19 pandemic
Overall suicide rates did not increase in the majority of countries during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. An international team of researchers, including some from the Bristol BRC, looked at data from 33 countries to get a better picture of how the pandemic was impacting the mental…
COVID-19 pandemic reduced number of people using health services after self-harming, systematic review suggests
The number of people presenting to health services after self-harming reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in many high-income countries, according to a systematic review of 51 studies carried out by researchers at the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (Bristol BRC), the University…
Award win for video about social media and young people's mental health
A video created by Lizzy Winstone and members of ARC West and Bristol BRC’s Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) about social media and young people’s mental health has won a best use of social media for involvement award. The accolade was given at the inaugural Young People’s Involvement in Digital…
Developing good practice indicators to help mental health professionals talk to young people about their life online
Good practice indicators guiding mental health professionals on how to engage young people in conversations about their online activities have been developed by researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), the University of Bristol and NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (Bristol BRC). Researchers found that young people…
Video gives young people top tips to support mental health when using social media
A new animation aims to give young people five evidence-based top tips to help them support their mental health when using social media. The video was the brainchild of University of Bristol researcher Lizzy Winstone. She co-wrote the script with members of the NIHR ARC West Young People’s Advisory Group, who…
Tracking the rise in prescribing for anxiety in UK primary care
An increase in medication prescriptions for anxiety between 2003-2018 has been uncovered by new research from the University of Bristol. This increase is thought to be a result of new patients starting treatment, rather than increases in long-term use. Better detection of anxiety and patients being more accepting of medication…
How can involvement in research support survivors of domestic abuse?
Hard Evidence is a theatre piece written and performed by Shass Blake and Alison Prince. It follows the story of two friends, Jan and Christine, who both have experience of domestic abuse, but are at different points in their journey to finding support. It shines light on how involvement in…
Assessing whether levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids alter risk of schizophrenia
Research funded by the National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR Bristol BRC) aims to determine whether levels of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids affect risk of schizophrenia in some people. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that places a substantial burden on patients, their families,…