Category: Mental Health & Healthy Lifestyles

Latest Community Health Bulletin

Dear all,

The latest Community Health Bulletin is ready for you to view at  https://www.evidentlybetter.org/community-bulletin/2026/05/19-may-2026/

In this edition:

  • Drug use in ethnic minority groups: a review and recommendations
  • Maternity experience survey 2025: national qualitative report
  • Reducing waiting times from referral to assessment for routine community CYP mental health services
  • Psychology Matters: “When you work in community-based health and social care, you see very quickly that people’s wellbeing is shaped by their circumstances”
  • Government to transform mental health care with new strategy
  • UK using harmful habits to manage mental health
  • Plus much more

please let us know if there are other people who you think might benefit from receiving this bulletin.


Thank you

Latest Research

Dear all,

Please see the link below for the latest Research.

Neighbourhood health framework.
Department of Health and Social Care & NHS England; 2026.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neighbourhood-health-framework
[How ICBs, local authorities, health and wellbeing boards and other partners should create and deliver neighbourhood health services.]
Freely available online

The Economic Case for Preventing Mental Ill Health.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); 2026.
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-economic-case-for-preventing-mental-ill-health_16668f16-en.html
[Focusing on depression and anxiety, this report sets out the strong economic case for investing in better mental health policies. It shows how evidence‑based interventions in primary care, schools, and workplaces can improve health outcomes and boost economic growth through improved productivity and labour market participation. Many of these interventions are cost‑effective and some cost‑saving. However the overall impact of these interventions remains low due to lack of implementation at scale.]
Freely available online

NHS England messaging user engagement: findings from group interviews with VCSE practitioner and lived experience partners.
National Voices; 2026.
https://www.nationalvoices.org.uk/publication/nhs-england-messaging-understanding-inclusive-digital-communication/
[National Voices was commissioned by NHS England to strengthen the evidence base on how NHS messages can be designed and delivered in ways that prompt action while remaining inclusive for groups most at risk of exclusion. The work focused on four target groups: older people, parents and carers, digitally excluded people, and people facing language barriers. Findings show how NHS England can design inclusive messaging.]
Freely available online

Mental Health Report

Dear all,

Spiralling cost of mental health patients stuck in acute hospitals revealed.
HSJ: Health Service Journal 2026;(27 April):7041548.
[Hospital trusts are spending millions of pounds a year on expensive temporary staff to look after mental health patients stranded in emergency departments and acute wards, HSJ has learnt. Figures released to HSJ by 70 acute trusts showed several trusts in cities spent more than £1m each during 2025 on additional agency staffing to care for patients waiting for mental health treatment, and with no physical care need.]
Available with appropriate registration or membership

Prison leavers in substance misuse treatment: 4-week outcomes.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID); 2026.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/prison-leavers-in-substance-misuse-treatment-4-week-outcomes

[Analysis of mortality and re-incarceration rates within 4 weeks of release for prison leavers receiving substance misuse treatment in England.

The main report and accompanying data tables present information and findings from this analysis, including demographic and offending characteristics and mortality and re-incarceration rates for prison leavers receiving substance misuse treatment.]


Spirituality and Mental Health Bulletin  

Dear all,

Please click on the below link for the latest edition of this current awareness bulletin on the Trust Library webpage. The links to abstracts have been activated in this bulletin and if you click on the title, it will take you to either the abstract or a full text version.  

Spirituality and Mental Health Bulletin March 2026

Some of the articles contained in the bulletin may be an Open Access article, which will be available for you download and some may be available to download via a GMMH Athens Account login. Some of the articles may be an abstract only, and the full text will have to be requested directly from the library.  

For faster, one-click access to articles you can link our resources to your device browser using LibKey-Nomad www.libkeynomad.com and following the onscreen instructions.

The Curve Library (Prestwich site) is open 8.30am-4.00pm Monday to Friday.

Please email all library enquires to library@gmmh.nhs.uk

Making Every Contact Count

The most recent Make Every Contact count public heath bulletin looking at latest evidence around smoking cessation, alcohol, healthy weight, healthy eating and physical exercise is now available. The bulletin is produced by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT Library staff. If you cannot access any of the articles included in the bulletin please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Cessation Jan 2026Download

Alcohol

Alcohol Jan 2026Download

Healthy Weight

Healthy Weight Jan 2026Download

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating Jan 2026Download

Physical Activity


Physical Activity Jan 2026Download

A healthier future for reducing alcohol harm in the UK

The Institute of Alcohol Studies has published a new vision for tackling alcohol harm across the country. Created by a wide group of experts in policy, research and treatment, the document sets out a clear and hopeful path for long term progress.

The vision looks at how the UK can create safer communities, strengthen prevention, improve treatment pathways, and reduce the serious health impacts linked to alcohol use. It brings together evidence, lived experience and practical recommendations that can help guide national and local action in the years ahead.

For anyone working in public health, mental health, community safety or addiction services, the report offers valuable insight into the changes that could support a healthier and more resilient future.

Read more: IAS-Long-term-vision-for-alcohol-harm.pdf

Healthcare partnership trials quit smoking app to support mental health

A new pilot programme in the North East and Yorkshire is offering patients at acute and mental health trusts access to a digital app designed to help people quit smoking.

Participants receive free access to the Smoke Free app, which provides tools, guidance and personalised encouragement to support people on their stop smoking journey. The pilot is being delivered through a collaboration involving Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, and NHS England for the region.

Smoking rates remain higher among people living with mental health conditions, and digital support tools like this may offer an accessible way to improve long term health and wellbeing.

Read more: Healthcare partnership trials use of quit smoking app | UKAuthority

Making Every Contact Count

The most recent Make Every Contact count public heath bulletin looking at latest evidence around smoking cessation, alcohol, healthy weight, healthy eating and physical exercise is now available. The bulletin is produced by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT Library staff. If you cannot access any of the articles included in the bulletin please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Cessation Sep 2025Download

Alcohol

Alcohol Sep 2025Download

Healthy Weight

Healthy Weight Sep 2025Download

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating Sep 2025Download

Physical Activity

Physical Activity Sep 2025Download

Core beliefs in psychosis: new insights from a systematic review

A new systematic review has explored how core beliefs — the deep, often negative ideas we hold about ourselves and the world — play a role in psychosis.

The findings suggest that these beliefs can shape symptoms, recovery, and response to therapy. For clinicians, this highlights the importance of addressing core beliefs in treatment, not just the symptoms themselves.

This research adds weight to approaches that look at the whole person and their lived experience, making care more personal and effective.

Read the review on The Mental Elf: Core beliefs in psychosis: new insights from a systematic review – National Elf Service

Government launches new neighbourhood health services

The government has announced new neighbourhood health services in 43 communities across England, supported by £10 million funding.

These services will bring together GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social care staff, and voluntary organisations to provide joined-up support closer to where people live.

For mental health, this means earlier help, less time waiting, and care that looks at the whole person – not just individual conditions. By connecting physical and mental health support, the aim is to reduce avoidable hospital visits and make it easier for people to get the help they need in their own communities.

Read more here: Government launches new neighbourhood health services | UK Healthcare News