Emotional health news
These news stories relating to emotional health issues are
presented here for information purposes only, and do not constitute
official Samaritans policy. All stories are © Adfero. Material is intended for
general reference only. No liability is accepted for any errors, or
for any losses that may be incurred if any material is relied
on.
Mother loses
third daughter after two die by suicide
Published: 23/08/10
A mother who lost two daughters to suicide in
2007 is experiencing the bereavement of losing a third child, the
Daily Mail has reported.
Police investigate
possible suicide pact
Published: 18/08/10
Police are investigating the deaths by suicide
of two young men in Cramlington, Northumberland.
Home Office policy on
asylum seekers ruled "unlawful"
Published: 5/08/10
A Home Office policy designed to speed up the
deportation process for some asylum seekers has been overruled by
the High Court.
Report highlights
increase in self-harm
Published: 20/07/10
A new report on the provision of care for
those who self-harm has just been released by the Royal College of
Psychiatrists (RCPsych). More than 1,500 mental health
professionals were interviewed for the report, which is entitled
Self-Harm, Suicide and Risk: Helping People who
Self-Harm.
Suicide rate increases
by nearly one quarter in ROI
Published: 13/07/10
The number of suicides in the Republic of
Ireland (ROI) has increased by 24.3 per cent, representing the
highest annual rise in a decade, according to the country's Central
Statistics Office (CSO).
Friends claim
teenager's suicide 'related to bullying'
Published: 1/07/10
Tom Mullaney, a teenager from Bourneville,
Birmingham, died by suicide in May this year. Since the young man's
death, it has been suggested by some of the teenager's bereaved
family members and friends that bullying could have been among the
contributing factors which led him to take his own life.
British women help bring alleged
'suicide voyeur' to justice
Published: 29/06/10
Three British women have assisted US police
with their investigations of an apparent 'suicide voyeur', who
allegedly used internet chat-rooms to encourage emotionally
vulnerable people to take their own lives, the Telegraph
reports.
Modern life
'leaving one in ten lonely'
Published: 25/06/10
The demands of modern life are leaving people
feeling increasingly isolated, recent research by the Mental Health
Foundation has concluded.
Young male Army
recruits identified as more likely to die by suicide
Published: 04/05/10
Young male soldiers are much more likely to
take their own lives than men of the same age in the general
population, new Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures have
revealed.
Study reveals vets
more likely to die by
suicide
Published: 20/04/10
Researchers from the University of Southampton have
concluded that employees in the veterinarian profession are at a
higher risk of suicide than the average person, the Telegraph has
reported.
Loneliness 'can lead
children to contemplate
suicide'
Published: 20/04/10
A new report from children's charity ChildLine has
noted that the organisation is receiving an increasing number of
calls from young people experiencing emotional distress as a result
of loneliness.
Suicide of teenager
places spotlight on school
bullies
Published: 20/04/10
Poppy Bracey, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, has
been described by friends as a beautiful young girl with everything
to live for, according to the Telegraph.
Emotive documentary
sparks mental health
debate
Published: 16/03/10
Family tragedy prompts moving film by British
documentary-maker Julian Hendy who had received a devastating
telephone call on Sunday 29th April, 2007.
Production aims to
raise awareness of impact of
suicide
Published: 05/03/10
The real-life experiences of people affected by a
loved one's decision to take their own life have been brought
together in a play designed to raise awareness of the impact of
suicide on those left behind, the Derry Journal reports.
McQueen death prompts
warning for UK media
Published: 23/02/10
The untimely death of Alexander McQueen has
featured heavily in news reports worldwide since he elected to take
his own life on February 11th, 2010.
Study reopens debate
on 'suicide gene'
Published: 15/02/10
A new scientific study has reopened the debate
about whether suicide can be linked to physical conditions as much
as external factors, the UK Press Association has reported.
Marital breakdown
'could have been a factor' in novelist's
suicide
Published: 15/02/10
A Gloucestershire coroner has recorded a verdict of
suicide in the case of British novelist Susan Morgan, who died in
October 2009 during a vacation on the Isle of Man.
ONS research
reveals "worrying" suicide rise
Published: 04/02/10
Newly released figures from the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) have revealed the first overall rise in UK suicide
rates since 2004.
Best-selling
author reveals depression battle
Published: 22/01/10
One of the UK's top-selling authors has gone public
with the revelation that she is battling a "crippling depression"
that has affected her ability to write.
Colonel
questions Government approach to PTSD
Published: 05/11/09
The former Commander of the first battle group sent
to Helmand, Afghanistan in 2006 has questioned the Government's
provision of support for returning soldiers displaying symptoms of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Who's caring
for the carers?
Published: 05/11/09
Government funding designed to allow those caring
for spouses, family members or loved ones respite breaks is not
getting through to those who need it most, the Mirror has
reported.
Prime
Minister apologises to UK hero 'driven to suicide' over
sexuality
Published: 05/11/09
The UK Prime Minister has issued a posthumous
apology to the inventor of the Enigma machine that many claim won
World War II for Britain and its allies.
Cocaine use
linked to higher suicide risk?
Published: 05/11/09
Cocaine users are at a higher risk of taking their
own lives than non-drug users, according to Andrew M Brown in an
article for the Telegraph.
Proposals to
change the law on assisted suicide
Published: 13/07/09
An amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill
was defeated in Parliament this month (July 2009), designed to
protect from criminal prosecution those who assist their loved ones
in travelling abroad to end their lives.
Foetal
alcohol spectrum disorder 'leaving suicide
legacy'
Published: 13/07/09
Thousands of children across the UK may be
suffering from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which
leaves them vulnerable to mental health problems and at an
increased risk of suicide, according to the Times Educational
Supplement (TES).
Youth
suicide rates 'not lowered by restricting
antidepressants'
Published: 17/06/09
Suicide rates have not been affected by a
restriction on antidepressant use among young people, a study has
shown.
Soldier suicide highlights
need for veteran support
Published: 21/05/09
The death by suicide of former soldier Chanice Ward
has led to calls from her grieving family for greater emotional
support and mental health facilities for veterans leaving the armed
forces.
The "epidemic" of self
harm
Published: 15/05/2009
Binge-drinking and drug taking among young people
are rarely out of the headlines, but one issue remains a taboo
subject: self-harming.
Facebook rescue highlights
need to talk about suicide
Published: 15/05/2009
A young boy from Oxford was saved taking his own
life recently after talking to an American friend about his
feelings via Facebook, according to the Telegraph.
Worried sick? Back-to-work
support revealed
Published: 02/04/2009
Measures to help unemployed people who are
experiencing depression or anxiety to get back to work have
recently been announced by government ministers, including better
access to counselling and a new network of employment support
workers.
Mental
health on the front line
Published: 23/03/2009
The government has been criticised for failing to
help ex-servicemen and women suffering from mental health problems,
following a report in the Independent.
Taking a
gamble
Published: 11/03/2009
Recent figures show that gambling in the UK is on
the rise, but for many the occasional "flutter" can turn into a
full blown addiction with serious consequences.
Dementia: Caring for the
carers
Published: 03/03/2009
According to NHS statistics, one in 20 people over
the age of 65 will develop a form of dementia in later life, a
figure which rises to one in six for those over 85.
Adoption: the emotional
impact for potential parents
Published: 03/03/2009
Adoption is an issue that has been in the spotlight
recently, following a recent ruling in the case of Nicky and Mark
Webster from Cromer in Norfolk.
The rise of male eating
disorders
Published: 25/02/2009
Eating disorders among men are on the rise, with
recent NHS findings showing that as many as a quarter of people who
suffer from eating disorders are male.
Feeling the winter
blues
Published: 25/02/2009
As much of the UK has recently been covered in snow
and experiencing freezing temperatures, the mild winters of recent
years seem a distant memory. But while many people are merely
concerned about the weather during a cold and lacklustre winter,
there are those that face the winter months with dread and struggle
to get through this time of year, every year.
The emotional costs
of redundancy
Published: 12/02/2009
The economic downturn in the UK has led to an
increasing number of people fearing their jobs may be at risk,
according to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
Depression and
anxiety posing a "major public health challenge"
Published: 12/02/2009
Reducing the prevalence of common mental disorders
(CMD), such as depression and anxiety, is a "major public health
challenge", according to a recently published NHS information
survey.
Judge urges
regulation of surrogacy support services
Published: 12/02/2009
For any couple who want a baby but are unable to
conceive, the road to realising their dream of parentage represents
a long, complex and emotionally draining struggle, according to the
BBC
Improving close
relationships: Stress and family life
Published: 03/02/2009
Couples can experience a range of factors that can
cause their marriage or partnership to struggle or even end.
Drug and alcohol
support programmes 'working'
Published: 30/01/2009
The National Treatment Agency (NTA), which was
established by the government in 2001 to increase the availability
of treatment for young people, has released figures today which it
claims demonstrate "positive signs" in the fight against drug and
alcohol abuse among young people in England, the BBC reports.
Employees aim to
beat the work-stress trap
Published: 29/01/2009
A new study has shown that employees permitted to
exercise at their place of work have lower levels of stress and are
more productive and efficient in their jobs, according to the
BBC.
New study to examine
self-harming prevention
Published: 22/01/2009
Researchers at the University of Leeds have been
awarded £4.5 million to lead a new scientific study which will
attempt to uncover the reasons behind self-harming in young people,
according to Children and Young People Now.
Assisted suicide and
the call for legal clarity
Published: 21/01/2009
The recent decision not to prosecute the family of
young rugby player Daniel James, who chose to end his life in a
euthanasia clinic in Switzerland, has placed the issue of assisted
suicide under the public and legal spotlight.
Divorce: the true
cost of the festive season?
Published: 19/01/2009
Traditionally, new year is a time for making
resolutions – some of which will be kept, most not – and looking
forward to the future. However, a new study by InsideDivorce.com
has revealed that for an increasing number of UK couples this means
reflecting on the state of their marriage and resolving to face the
future alone.
Emotional health
issues: the "forgotten face" of the recession?
Published: 19/01/2008
With a grim financial outlook for the year ahead
and increasing numbers feeling the full force of the forecasted
recession through house repossession and job losses, new research
into the state of Britain's younger generation has revealed that
one in ten do not perceive life as worth living.
Homelessness 'set to
increase in 2009'
Published: 14/01/2009
A new study conducted on behalf of homeless charity
Crisis has predicted that an increasing number of people will face
homelessness in the New Year.
Fall in prison
suicides 'highlights success' of Samaritans'
scheme
Published: 02/01/2009
The number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons
across England and Wales has fallen to its lowest rate since 1996,
thanks in part to the Samaritans in-prison Listener support scheme,
the BBC has reported.
Cannabis psychosis
'relatively rare', says Frank
Published: 19/12/2008
Cases of psychosis arising from sustained use of
high potency strains of cannabis are still relatively rare, Dr Ken
Cechinksi, FRANK spokesperson and Royal College of Psychiatrists
member, has noted.
Christmas 'a
difficult time' for victims of domestic violence
Christmas can be a difficult time for women who are
victims of domestic violence, the support charity Women's Aid has
recognised.
New work reforms
will help employees stay in work
Published: 19/12/2008
New governmental proposals governing the
administration of assistance to those who are out of work will have
a substantial positive effect on people with emotional health
difficulties looking to return to employment or in need in of
support to stay in their job, the Sainsbury's Centre for Mental
Health (SCMH) has assured.
Living with post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Published: 20/11/2008
Traumatic events can take time to get over and
people vary in how long it can take to come to terms with something
that has shocked them.
More than a million
elderly Britons are lonely, warns Help the Aged
Published: 20/11/2008
More than a million people aged 65 or older say
they are often or always lonely, Help the Aged has warned.
Patients 'waiting
too long' for psychological treatment
Published: 20/11/2008
Scottish residents with emotional health problems
are waiting as long as four years for treatment, new government
figures published by Scotland on Sunday have shown, leading some
commentators to condemn governmental efforts to provide adequate
support for difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
"Alarmist headlines"
overstate impact of gambling on young people
Published: 31/10/2008
Recent reports about the number of young people
with gambling habits and addictions in the UK have served to
overstate the extent of the problem, according to the
Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT).
City workers advised
to talk through the credit crunch
Published: 21/10/2008
As the credit crunch hits home, a September Daily
Mirror survey exposed the true debt the UK is paying.
Testing times for
teachers
Published: 21/10/2008
A House of Lords committee recently revealed that
the Department of Children, Schools and Families introduced 100 new
regulations in the year 2006-07 - more than any other government
department.
Bouncing back from
the baby blues
Published: 21/10/2008
While for many the months after giving birth to a
baby count among the happiest times of their life, for thousands of
mothers this is not the case.