World Autism Acceptance Week

World Autism Acceptance Week serves as a poignant reminder to embrace the beautiful spectrum of human diversity, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Libraries like ours play a crucial role in fostering understanding and acceptance by providing books with up-to-date information on autism. We invite you to visit the library to update your knowledge on autism and participate in discussions on topics surrounding ASD. Let’s celebrate the strengths and contributions of individuals with autism while striving for a more inclusive and accepting society.

Eating Disorders Bulletin

March 2024

The latest Eating Disorders bulletin is now avaialble to view and download. Some articles are freely accessible however others may require an Open Athens account. If you are having issues accessing the articles, please get in touch with the library team: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

Public Health

Current Awareness Updates

Source: KnowledgeShare

We’ve only just begun: Action to improve young people’s mental health, education and employment.
Resolution Foundation; 2024.

(This report is the culmination of a three-year research programme exploring the relationship between the mental health and work outcomes of young people. The research was funded by the Health Foundation and is part of their broader Young people’s future health inquiry. It finds that more than 1 in 3 (34%) of young people aged 18–24 reported symptoms that indicated they were experiencing a common mental health disorder like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.)

Cold at home: How winter cost of living pressures continue to impact older people and what more needs to happen to support them.
Age UK; 2024.

(This report highlights concerns about the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis on older people who are not receiving support from the benefits system. Many of these people are likely to be eligible for support but will still be missing out for a variety of reasons. Government figures show that an estimated 800,000 pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but are missing out on this much-needed support.)

Reducing the harm from illegal drugs.
House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts; 2024.

(In response to Dame Carol Black’s review in December 2021, the From Harm to Hope strategy was launched. Two years on from when this strategy’s implementation began, overall progress has been mixed. This report outlines progress made and gives recommendations on next steps for the cross-departmental Joint Combating Drugs Unit in implementing this strategy.)

What patients want: a vision for the NHS in 2030.
Healthwatch England; 2024.

(Using experiences of care from more than 10 million people collected over the past 10 years, Healthwatch sets out where they think the NHS should be in six years and how it can get there.)

Smoking profile: March 2024 update.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID); 2024.

(An overview of the extent of smoking, smoking-related harm and the measures being taken to reduce this harm at a local level in England.)

Health hubs: A community-centred prevention initiative to address health inequalities.
NHS Providers; 2024.

(Prevention is a crucial part of the NHS’s approach to improving population health and tackling health inequalities. One community-centred prevention initiative to address health inequalities is the creation of health hubs. This long read explores what health hubs are, how they can improve access for groups facing health inequalities, their broader social and economic benefits, and the role of trust leaders in their development.)

If you would like to receive personalised updates regarding your own interests, please complete the following form and send it to our team: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

Older people missing out on benefits support

A report from Age UK has highlighted concerns about the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis on older people who are not receiving support from the benefits system. Many of these people are likely to be eligible for support but will still be missing out for a variety of reasons. Government figures show that an estimated 800,000 pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but are missing out on this much-needed support.

cold-at-home-energy-and-col-report.pdf (ageuk.org.uk)

Manifesto for a mentally healthy nation published by charities

A coalition of more than 60 charities (including the Centre for Mental Health, Mind, the NSPCC and Marie Curie) has published a manifesto for a mentally healthy nation and is calling on political parties to make a major commitment to mental health ahead of the forthcoming general election.

A mentally healthier nation – Centre for Mental Health