Mental Health & Social care Bulletin No. 379

Depression and other mental health problems continue to take their toll. The official figures for the rates of suicide in the United Kingdom in 2011 have been published this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS figures show that the number of suicides rose last year; 437 more than 2010. There was a particular increase in male suicides with the rate for middle aged men high. The government's pledge of £1.5 million and a new prevention strategy last year have yet to yield results. You can read about this and more in Bulletin 379

Mental Health & Social Care Bulletin No. 378

Once again Dementia is at the forefront of the news. In Bulletin No. 378 you can access the Alzheimer's Society's news statement that everyone is discussing; from national to local level. The gap between the number of people being officially diagnosed and the actual number of sufferers is wide throughout the country. Furthermore the Alzheimer's Society's Prevalence and Diagnosis map indicates vast variations throughout the country. The government has indicated that this is an unacceptable situation.

Mental Health & Social Care Current Bulletin No. 377

A new year and the debate on the future of social care provision continues. In Bulletin No. 377 in the publications section there is a report from the London Councils collaboration: A Case for Sustainable Adult Social Care which outlines the way forward when it is predicted there will be a £907 million shortfall for services in London in the years 2017/18. Meanwhile back at Westminster the coalition government has caused consternation due to the perceived lack of clarity in its review on the social cap costs likely to be introduced.

Mental Health & Social Care Bulletin No. 376

Dementia is in at the forefront again in Bulletin No. 376. Warwickshire Council has a new portal to help dementia sufferers and their carers. A company in Bognor Regis is providing dementia sufferers with practical skills and there is a new study on music therapy for dementia