News: Domestic abuse to include non-violent control - BBC

Legal definitions of domestic abuse in the UK will now include psychological and emotional abuse as well as physical violence, the BBC reports (19th September 2012) as the Home Office announces changes that will take effect from March 2013.

The article quotes one victim: "There were several incidents of violence over the six years that I suffered. However, there were many more incidents of psychological and emotional abuse that went on even if there was no violence. These were about control and power and diminishing my self-esteem to the point of not being able to see what was going on or trust my own instincts. Because there were fewer incidents of violence, I didn't consider myself a victim of domestic violence.

"Only after when the violence escalated, when divorce proceedings were started and my ex-husband started losing control over me, and the children witnessed the abuse, did I realise I was a victim and I must do something. If I had been more aware that I was suffering the psychological abuse and emotional abuse, I may have been more able to see what was going on and get the help I needed for me and the children much sooner."

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News: Well-being and education "go together" - BBC News

Could happiness be related to life-long learning? This BBC News (5th July 2012) story suggests a correlation, reporting on research from the Office of National Statistics. People who are better educated are more likely to say they are satisfied with their lives.

News: Suicide rates in Europe 'linked' to financial crisis - BBC News

Suicide rates have increased following the global banking crisis, according to research published in The Lancet (9 July 2011).

The BBC (8 July 2011) reports that there has been an increase in suicides of between 5% and 17% in nine countries.

Researchers compared data of 10 countries with only Austria recording a drop in suicide rates between 2007-2009. The UK saw a 10% rise, with 6.75 suicides per 100,000 people. Greece had the worst record.

Dr David Stuckler of the research team comments: "There was a complete turnaround. Suicides were falling before the recession, then started rising in nearly all European countries studied. Almost certainly these rises are linked to the financial crisis."

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News: Money woes 'linked to rise in depression' - BBC News

Money worries and concerns about the economy are taking their toll on the nation's mental health, according to a BBC News report in the UK (7 April 2011).

Prescriptions for anti-depressants have increased by more than 40% over the past four years. During the same time period, there has been a four-fold increase in referrals to talking therapies, according to Department of Health figures.

Marjorie Wallace of mental health charity Sane comments: "It is impossible to say for sure that economic problems are leading to a rise in depression. But we are certainly hearing more from people who are worried where the next meal is coming from, job security and cuts in benefits - many who are getting in touch with us for the first time. It is a toxic combination, especially for those who already have darker thoughts and other problems."

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News: One in five Britons has consulted a counsellor or a psychotherapist - The Observer

Has there been a 'therapy revolution' in the UK? A survey conducted by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) suggests there has. Their survey, featured in an article in The Observer (1 August 2010), says one in five Britons has consulted a psychotherapist or counsellor.

The stigma of talking about problems with a therapist appears to be diminishing. The present findings of the BACP research found that 94% of people in the UK consider it acceptable to have therapy for anxiety and depression, a marked jump from 67% back in 2004. There has also been a jump in figures for the acceptability of seeking therapy for divorce and relationship breakdowns.

Cary Cooper, BACP President, comments: "This survey represents a significant shift in people's attitudes towards therapy – practically a revolution – at a time when mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are far more common than was realised. Mental health conditions currently affect one in six of the population at an annual cost to England alone of £77bn. It's no accident that the growth of the problem has encouraged mass support for more effective treatments," said Cooper.

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News: Post-natal depression clues found - Telegraph

Researchers in Leipzig may have discovered why many new mothers feel down after giving birth, according to a report in the Telegraph (19 June 2010).

Oestrogen levels drop dramatically for women when they give birth, which coincides with the blocking of certain feel-good chemicals in the brain, they found.

The report from the MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences is published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Dr Julia Sacher, who led the research, comments: "Our results have the exciting potential for prevention for severe postpartum blues. This could have an impact on prevention and treatment of postpartum depression in the future."

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News: Younger people 'worry about loneliness' - The Guardian

Young people between the ages of 18-34 are particularly susceptible to worrying about loneliness, according to a report published by the Mental Health Foundation. One in 10 adults in the UK feel lonely, and four in 10 have experienced depression as a result, reports Guardian (25 May 2010).

Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, commented: "Changes to the way we live are putting an increasing number of people at risk of loneliness, which can lead to health problems if chronic. People who find themselves feeling lonely should not have to feel uncomfortable talking about it or asking for help. By raising awareness of the subject we hope to tackle the stigma attached to loneliness and help individuals who are feeling lonely to connect with others."

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