Epigenetics and the Brain

The possible power of discovering more about the link between epigenetics and mental illness is huge - take a look at this!
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/brain/

Reblogging a blog

This blog is brilliant. This man tells the truth like many others wouldn't dare. It is simply inspiring.
I want to see his show so badly.
http://www.mysonsnotrainman.com/blog.html

Quick updates on mental wealth stuff:

Hi all!

I've been gone for forever, but I promised info about mental health week here in Cambridge -

Well here you go, published on the Cambridge Student Psychology Journal:
http://cambridgepsychologyjournal.wordpress.com/article/mental-health-week-just-the-beginning/

And here's the video summarising the week:
http://cutv.soc.srcf.net/mental-health-week/

Look after your mental health!
xx

The Invictus Trust

Today I signed an amazing e-petition to help the Invictus Trust - a mental health charity based in Cornwall. Set up by the amazing family of a popular teenager who sadly took his life as a consequence of his battle with mental health problems, the trust has huge aims. Cornwall's suicide rate has been higher than the national average since 1993, and yet the mental health care, especially for young people, is shockingly low-key. The nearest centre for people with acute mental health problems who need specialist care is in Plymouth. Plymouth is in Devon. Instead, young people are put into wings of hospitals where the care is focused on adults. Whether psychiatry and anti-depressants are ever the answer is an utterly separate debate, but the fact that young people, and especially teenagers must be treated differently is just plain obvious. The Invictus Trust is campaigning to have a centre built in Cornwall, for young people ages 13-24, who need specialist care for mental health issues. The centre will have special equipment, facilities, trained psychologists, access to a range of talking therapies, art therapy and music therapy. Unlike the centres families are currently forced to use, the new centre will focus on positivity, recovery and health not illness. It's an incredible cause, and though the plans have been drawn up by the local authorities - funding is needed from the NHS trust. Please sign up and make a difference, for this family and for families across Cornwall.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44415

and find out more:
http://www.invictustrust.co.uk/project-invictus-e-petition/

Zingy the Keepon Pro

The world fell in love with EDF's 'Zingy' mascot - with calls for official toys to be released and the adverts being played and replayed all over youtube. 

But who is 'Zingy'? Turns out he is based on the 'Keepon Pro' - a robot designed to help social interaction in children with autism and other developmental disorders. 

I don't know if it's really lovely or really sad that the adorable blob is being used as marketing for an energy company, but I know that I just fell more in love with that little flame!

Epigenetics in autism

From the heading 'the third component' down, this article tackles epigenetics in autism. Surprisingly, not something I'd come across before, but amazing and fascinating. I wonder if I've just found my calling?


http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/01/twins/miller-text

Mental Health on the BBC - the DSM comes back again!

The BBC published an article a few days ago, on the forthcoming release of the DSM-5 and the controversy that surrounds this. Only seven whole long months after I wrote this article, the BBC has displayed the same issues, but with only one side of the argument. A Professor of Clinical Psychology speaks with knowledge and interest as he argues that by making new categories for mental illness to fall into, the 'over-diagnosis' of conditions such as grief and anxiety will cause increased stigma and unnecessary labelling. There is certainly some truth in this, but I find it incredibly frustrating when articles such as these neglect to mention that so many people suffer in silence. Seeing as we define health categories fairly subjectively anyway, and then attempt to apply psychological and brain sciences to these definitions, new categories will help to stop people falling through the gap and stimulate inclusion. Mental illness is so often a sliding scale, and issues such as depression after death of a loved one have attracted significant attention in the run-up to the publishing on the DSM, but it is so incredibly important to remember that just because something doesn't fit neatly into a category doesn't mean the people affected don't need help, support or advice. With new treatments becoming available under the remit of the NHS and psychology, like books for depression and Mindfulness practice, the arguments found in the comments saying this is a debate over drug use are simply unwarranted. Stigma is an issue. Over-diagnosis could potentially be an issue. But under-diagnosis and lack of awareness/concern for mental illness are the things that really make me angry. We see articles like this one everywhere at the moment. It's great to get people talking and thinking about mental illness, but please everyone who reads the BBC's article - consider the flip-side!


You'll be hearing much more about mental health in the next few weeks/months as I tackle a new journey with Mental Wealth Cambridge a part of Mental Wealth UK - watch this space!

Books for Depression

The NHS could start prescribing books to patients suffering with depression, due to the findings of a new study. An interesting approach, and probably one I (and the ever modernising world of psychology) would welcome. Watch this space.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21083458

Updates:

Check out the Cambridge student psychology journal (recognise any articles on there?)
An awesome project to be a part of, especially as it's in partnership with Mental Wealth - raising awareness for mental health issues.
http://cambridgepsychologyjournal.wordpress.com/

Something has to change...

Something has to change.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20975608

You cannot defend your family from gun crime with guns.
You cannot defend a right to have arms when they are used against innocent, civilian, children.
Come on Obama, step up and make a change.
It will be the most important thing you ever do.