Category: Mental Health

How Accurate Is HADS-A for Detecting Anxiety Disorders?

A new Cochrane review (Issue 7, 2025) examines the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale—Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) as a screening tool for anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder) in adults. Based on research published between 1990 and July 2024, the review highlights high variability across studies, methodological weaknesses, and insufficient details about participants’ prior mental health status.

Takeaway: Although HADS-A is widely used due to its convenience, current evidence on its accuracy remains inconclusive—underscoring the need for higher-quality, rigorous studies before using it confidently in isolation.

Read the full review here: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Anxiety subscale (HADS‐A) for detecting anxiety disorders in adults – Fomenko, A – 2025 | Cochrane Library

Digital Front Door Technologies for NHS Talking Therapies (NICE HTE30)

Published 24 July 2025, NICE’s EVA guidance (HTE30) evaluates two promising “digital front door” tools—Limbic Access and Wysa Digital Referral Assistant—that help gather service-user information in advance of NHS Talking Therapies assessments for anxiety and depression. These tools can be used during a three-year evidence-generation period if they have the required approvals. NICE emphasises that more evidence on effectiveness, accuracy, equality, and system impact is needed, with future recommendations contingent on the outcomes of this data collection.

Read more on the NICE website: Overview | Digital front door technologies to gather service user information for NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression assessments: early value assessment | Guidance | NICE

digital-front-door-technologies-to-gather-service-user-information-for-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression-assessments-early-value-assessment-pdf-50262085491397Download

Forensic Psychiatry Bulletin August 2025

With thanks to our colleagues at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation trust the latest Forensic Psychiatry bulletin is now available to view and download. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account.

Please get in touch for support with this: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

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Creative Arts for Dementia – Insights from NIHR ARCs Webinar

A recent NIHR ARCs webinar on 9 July 2025 highlighted the impact of creative arts on dementia care. Over three concise 10-minute talks, researchers covered music therapy, singing and dancing interventions, and how creative arts can involve people living with dementia in research. The event was chaired by Dr Stephen Lim (ARC Wessex) and featured Dr Ming-Hung Hsu (East of England), Dr Megan Polden (North West Coast), and Prof Linda Clare (South West Peninsula)

Read more: NIHR ARCs national webinar (#ARCseminar): Creative arts for dementia | NIHR ARC Wessex

Perinatal Mental Health August 2025

With thanks to our colleagues at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation trust the latest Perinatal Mental Health bulletin is now available to view and download. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account.

Please get in touch for support with this: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

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Collaborative Care for Depression – What Works Best?

A new National Elf Service article explores which parts of collaborative care make the biggest difference for people with depression.

Research shows that while collaborative care involves teamwork, structured plans, and regular follow-up, the most effective elements are manual-based psychotherapy and involving family or carers.

Despite strong evidence, collaborative care is still underused in practice, often due to limited resources and uncertainty about what really works. This study highlights where efforts should be focused to improve outcomes for patients.

Read more: Collaborative care for depression: what are the key components?

Community Health Bulletin

The latest Community health Bulletin produced by the Evidently Better team at Mersey Care NHS FT is now available.

In this edition:

  • Exercising our rights: Improving access to physical activity for people living with severe mental illness
  • PAGB launch new 2025 Self-Care Census Report
  • Black maternal mental health – interconnected issues at the heart
  • How to Talk to a Friend About Their Mental Health: A Helpful Guide
  • NHS launches first ever review to tackle LGBT+ health inequalities
  • Moving care out of hospital: what can England learn from other countries?

If you are unable to access any of the included articles please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

CB-12Aug25Download

Learning Disabilities & Autism Bulletin

The latest Learning Disabilities and Autism bulletin from the Evidently Better team at Mersey Care NHS FT is now available.

In this edition:

  • Reducing incidents of violence and aggression and self-harm on a secure mental health inpatient ward for women with learning disabilities
  • Identifying challenges in meeting the unmet health care needs of children with intellectual disabilities: a scoping review
  • Unseen and Invisible? Issues of Recognition for Parents With Intellectual Disabilities Accessing Social Work and Social Care Services for Adults in England
  • The dynamic trajectory of autistic life and its changing challenges: a scoping review
  • Share for Better Care: What we learnt
  • Upcoming webinar – Book Clubs: An Innovative and Powerful Approach to Conversations

If you are unable to access any of the included articles please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

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Supporting Perinatal Mental Health and Breastfeeding Awareness

The perinatal period is a vital time for both mental health and infant feeding support. Our library offers a wide range of resources focused on perinatal mental health and breastfeeding awareness to help healthcare professionals and families navigate these important areas.

Whether you’re seeking practical guidance, evidence-based approaches, or supportive materials, our collection is designed to empower staff and parents alike.

Explore our resources by visiting the library or checking the catalogue online.

North West Knowledge and Library Services catalogue

ICD-11 Personality Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide

We’re pleased to announce that ICD-11 Personality Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide is now available in our library collection. This essential resource offers clear guidance on the ICD-11 classification of personality disorders, practical tools for assessment, and evidence-based approaches to treatment. Perfect for clinicians, mental health professionals, and students seeking to deepen their understanding of this updated diagnostic framework.

Please note: This book is available for LSCFT staff only. Visit the library to borrow your copy or reserve it online.