Dear all,
Please find attached April’s edition of the Education Bulletin. I hope you find it interesting!
Category: Patients Wellbeing
Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey
Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England 2023/4
NHS Digital
The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) series provides data on the prevalence of both treated and untreated psychiatric disorder in the English adult population (aged 16 and over). This survey is the fifth in a series and was conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, in collaboration with the University of Leicester and City St George’s, University of London, for NHS England.
Highlights included:
Increased prevalence across a range of indicators of poor mental health-The proportion of 16 to 64 year olds, identified with a common mental health condition, increased from 17.6% in 2007 and 18.9% in 2014, to 22.6% in 2023/4. The proportion was higher in women than men at each point. Lifetime non-suicidal self-harm was reported by 3.8% of 16 to 74 year olds in 2007, rising to 6.4% in 2014 and 10.3% in 2023/4 – Similarly, the proportion of adults screening positive for ADHD rose from 8.2% in 2007 and 9.7% in 2014, to 13.9% in 2023/4.
Young adults remain a key group– The proportion of young adults (aged 16 to 24), with a common mental health condition, rose from 17.5% in 2007 to 25.8% in 2023/4. Younger adults were also more likely to report lifetime non-suicidal self-harm and to screen positive for PTSD and ADHD than older age groups.
Socioeconomic inequalities in mental health persist– Adults with problem debt and those who were not in employment were more likely to have a common mental health condition, report lifetime non-suicidal self-harm and to screen positive for PTSD. Living in the most deprived fifth of areas was associated with increased prevalence of common mental health conditions, suicide attempts and PTSD.
Physical and mental health were strongly related– People with a doctor diagnosed physical health condition, that limited their activities, were more likely to have a common mental health condition, report non-suicidal self-harm and screen positive for PTSD.
Mental health treatment use increased in prevalence– The proportion of 16 to 74 year olds, with common mental health condition symptoms (CIS-R 12+), reporting receipt of treatment rose from 24.4% in 2007 and 39.4% in 2014, to 47.7% in 2023/4. Receipt of psychological therapies, among those with symptoms (CIS-R 12+), rose from 10.4% in 2007 to 17.9% in 2023/4; and receipt of medication rose from 19.6% in 2007 to 38.4% in 2023/4.
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Cochrane Review: Music-Based Interventions for Dementia Show Modest Benefits
A recent Cochrane review evaluated the effects of music-based therapeutic interventions on individuals with dementia. Analysing data from 30 studies involving 1,720 participants, the review found that, compared to usual care, music-based interventions probably lead to slight improvements in depressive symptoms and may reduce overall behavioural problems. However, evidence regarding benefits for agitation, emotional well-being, cognition, and long-term effects remains limited or uncertain.
These findings suggest that while music therapy can offer some benefits for people with dementia, further high-quality research is needed to fully understand its impact.
Read the full review: Cochrane Library – Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions for People with Dementia
New ONS Report Reveals Elevated Self-Harm and Suicide Rates Among LGB+ Adults
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released a ground breaking analysis linking 2021 Census data with NHS records, revealing that adults identifying as LGB+ in England and Wales face significantly higher rates of self-harm and suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
Key Findings:
- The age-standardised rate of intentional self-harm for LGB+ individuals was 1,508.9 per 100,000 people between March 2021 and December 2023, compared to 598.4 per 100,000 for heterosexual individuals.
- The suicide rate among LGB+ adults stood at 50.3 per 100,000 people, more than double the rate of 23.1 per 100,000 observed in heterosexual adults.
- Bisexual individuals exhibited the highest self-harm rates within the LGB+ group, at 1,669.5 per 100,000 people.
- The risk of self-harm was notably higher among LGB+ females, with a rate 2.8 times greater than that of heterosexual females.
- Young adults aged 16 to 24 identifying as LGB+ had a self-harm rate 2.8 times higher than their heterosexual peers.
These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health support and suicide prevention strategies within the LGB+ community.
Read the full report: ONS – Self-harm and suicide by sexual orientation, England and Wales
Health Information Week 2025
Health Information Week 2025 is here, taking place from 20th to 26th January 2025. This national, multi-sector campaign promotes high-quality information for patients and the public.
This year’s themes are:
- Monday, 20 January – Winter Health
- Tuesday, 21 January – Mental Health
- Wednesday, 22 January – Wellbeing
- Thursday, 23 January – Health Literacy and Misinformation
- Friday, 24 January – Digital Literacy
Let’s work together to promote accessible, reliable health information for all!
Always Events Toolkit
Always Events are aspects of the patient experience that are so important to patients, their care partners, and service users that health care providers must aim to perform them consistently for every individual, every time. The toolkit supports providers in partnering with patients and family members to co-design, reliably implement, and sustain and spread Always Events to dramatically improve the care experience.
Public Health and Population Health: Leading Together – The King’s Fund
This report, supported by The Health Foundation, examines the increased need for strong, effective leadership in public health and population health, and how the two remits can work cohesively together for the health of their populations. It offers key recommendations for national leaders, including the need for a clearer framework for population health and public health leaders to operate in, and a number of principles for local systems drawn from our findings from local good practice and wider insight.
Public Health And Population Health: Leading Together | The King’s Fund (kingsfund.org.uk)
Enhancing Lives Through Knowledge: Our New Dementia Collection
We are thrilled to announce the addition of a comprehensive Dementia Collection to our library! This new resource is designed to support individuals, families, and caregivers who are navigating the challenges of dementia.
What You Can Find in Our Dementia Collection:
Educational Books and Guides: Learn about the latest research, treatment options, and caregiving strategies from leading experts in the field.
Personal Stories and Memoirs: Gain insight and empathy through the experiences of those living with dementia and their loved ones.
Activity Resources: Discover activities and programs tailored to engage and support cognitive function for individuals with dementia.
Support Resources for Caregivers: Find practical advice and emotional support to help caregivers manage their responsibilities and well-being.
Visit our library today and start discovering these vital resources. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those touched by dementia.
The King’s Fund Bulletin
The King’s Fund has released their latest Health and Wellbeing bulletin, packed with essential updates on healthcare trends, policies, and research. This bulletin is a must-read for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest in health and wellbeing.
Make sure you subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date with current awareness.
Improving patient wellbeing
Creating spaces for community and patient wellbeing
Source: The King’s Fund
NHSPS (NHS Property Service) wants to enable more patients and communities to have the opportunity to use NHS spaces to create health in ways that work for them. This report, commissioned from the Health Creation Alliance, sheds light on what matters most to ten different communities when accessing and using repurposed NHS community spaces. The communities that participated are some of those disproportionately affected by health inequalities across the UK.