February 2009 Archives

Reading University social work course closure - parties unite

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 27, 2009 12:45 PM | No Comments

For those following the proposed closure of Reading's social work course, there has been a positive development.

Continue reading Reading University social work course closure - parties unite.

Sun social work petition reaches 4,000 signatures

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 27, 2009 11:45 AM | 2 Comments

I'm very pleased to say that our petition calling on The Sun to offer more balanced coverage of social work issues has now reached 4,000 signatures.

Continue reading Sun social work petition reaches 4,000 signatures.

New blog on anxiety and OCD and why do people Tweet?

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 26, 2009 4:32 PM | No Comments

Back to mental health issues. There's a new blog out there focusing on anxiety and OCD which I'm sure it will be worth a look.

Continue reading New blog on anxiety and OCD and why do people Tweet?.

Sun shortlisted for Baby P campaign award: our response

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 26, 2009 9:33 AM | 3 Comments

We discovered yesterday that The Sun had been shortlisted for a Press Gazette journalism award for its Baby P campaign.

Continue reading Sun shortlisted for Baby P campaign award: our response.

Sun shortlisted for award for Baby P campaign

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 25, 2009 11:07 PM | 2 Comments

We've just learned that the Sun has been shortlisted for campaign of the year at the Press Gazette annual journalism awards, for its Baby P coverage.

Continue reading Sun shortlisted for award for Baby P campaign.

Facebook can be good for your mental health

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 25, 2009 2:55 PM | No Comments

There has been much coverage in the media this week about the potential mental health dangers of spending too much time on Facebook or other social media, instead of interacting with people in the physical world.

Continue reading Facebook can be good for your mental health.

Social work novel alert

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 25, 2009 12:23 PM | No Comments

Ok - it seems to me there aren't that many novels featuring social workers as primary characters, so when I find one I like to highlight it. Especially one that has had a good review.

Continue reading Social work novel alert.

Tomatoes, gardening and farmers... oh and mental health

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 24, 2009 2:05 PM | No Comments

Here are some uncharacteristically earthy things I've noticed on the web today.

First up, on the excellently named Tomatoes for Health blog, check out article number 2 citing research which found that bacteria found in soil may act in a similar way to serotonin in the brain.

Continue reading Tomatoes, gardening and farmers... oh and mental health.

Nottingham baby case: the truth emerges at last

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 24, 2009 12:13 PM | 1 Comment

Those with long memories might recall the media storm that accompanied the story of the Nottingham baby taken from her mother by social services without the proper legal authority.

Continue reading Nottingham baby case: the truth emerges at last.

Mental health and childhood abuse

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 23, 2009 3:03 PM | No Comments

The argument about the origins of schizophrenia and other mental health conditions is a topic of much debate, which I've mentioned before. Do they originate in childhood trauma, genes or a combination of both?

Continue reading Mental health and childhood abuse.

Liquorice, cocaine and Yoda

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 20, 2009 4:00 PM | No Comments

An ingredient in licourice could one day form the basis of treating cocaine addiction.

Continue reading Liquorice, cocaine and Yoda.

Hilton Dawson takes over at BASW: now he's got to take on The Sun

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 20, 2009 2:52 PM | No Comments

Former MP and social worker Hilton Dawson was unveiled as the new chief exec of the British Association of Social Workers today. I think he's got a fair bit on his plate.

Continue reading Hilton Dawson takes over at BASW: now he's got to take on The Sun.

Is British binge drinking a good thing?

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 19, 2009 3:54 PM | No Comments

This is the unlikely subject of a study by a Dutch-born academic. And it's not as silly as it sounds.

Continue reading Is British binge drinking a good thing?.

Footballers, perfect bodies and curvy women

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 19, 2009 2:12 PM | No Comments

Football players are not necessarily happy with their physique, according to new research.

Continue reading Footballers, perfect bodies and curvy women.

Anti-phobia pills and loneliness

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 16, 2009 4:57 PM | No Comments

Pretty amazing story today in New Scientist about a treatment which can apparently break the link between a memory and feelings of anxiety about it.

Continue reading Anti-phobia pills and loneliness.

Reading University set to close social work department

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 13, 2009 4:03 PM | No Comments

It seems the University of Reading is recommending that its department of health and social care, which trains social workers, should close in September 2011.

Continue reading Reading University set to close social work department.

New drug for annoyingly happy people approved

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 13, 2009 3:57 PM | No Comments

Here's something from The Onion, which I like but is not as good as The Day Today, the original and best news spoof.

Continue reading New drug for annoyingly happy people approved.

How competent is your boss? Are they faking it?

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 12, 2009 2:06 PM | No Comments

Social care workers often complain about the quality of management and there's an interesting article in Time which might shed some light on management and leadership in general.

Continue reading How competent is your boss? Are they faking it?.

Screening for schizophrenia

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 12, 2009 11:24 AM | No Comments

Scientists have come up with a new way to potentially detect markers for schizophrenia in the brain before symptoms manifest themselves.

Continue reading Screening for schizophrenia.

Alastair Campbell and Time to Change

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 10, 2009 11:51 AM | No Comments

Here is a video of Alastair Campbell talking about great figures from history who have had mental health problems as part of the Time to Change campaign.

Continue reading Alastair Campbell and Time to Change.

Is schizophrenia the modern leprosy?

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 10, 2009 11:03 AM | 2 Comments

There is an opinion piece in The Times written by the relative of someone who has schizophrenia, who criticises the Time to Change campaign for suggesting that all mental health conditions are the same.

Continue reading Is schizophrenia the modern leprosy?.

States of Mind on Radio 4

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 9, 2009 4:31 PM | No Comments

Thanks to Mind Hacks for pointing out a series of programmes on Radio 4 about the history of psychiatry.

Continue reading States of Mind on Radio 4.

Mindfulness and how to spend your hard-earned

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 9, 2009 2:28 PM | No Comments

Ok, this isn't exactly rocket science but I thought I'd hit you with it anyway. Spending your hard earned pesos on experiences rather than items will make you happier, research suggests.

Continue reading Mindfulness and how to spend your hard-earned.

Brain training and the biochemistry of the brain

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 6, 2009 4:39 PM | No Comments

Cognitive training can change the biochemistry of the brain, researchers have found.

Continue reading Brain training and the biochemistry of the brain.

Back social work by signing our petition

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 6, 2009 11:16 AM | 3 Comments

Community Care has launched an e-petition calling on The Sun newspaper to stop scapegoating social workers and use its significant resources to back them instead and improve the quality of child protection as a result.

Continue reading Back social work by signing our petition.

Rapid thinking can make you happy

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 5, 2009 4:37 PM | No Comments

This appears to be the finding of a new study reported in Scientific American.

Continue reading Rapid thinking can make you happy.

Horizon on cannabis

By Keith Sellick on February 5, 2009 12:49 PM | No Comments

By Keith Sellick

Horizon took a toke on the great cannabis debate recently.

And it came out in favour of its medicinal properties but for keeping it out of the way of the young

Continue reading Horizon on cannabis.

Picture of iPhone cake

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 4, 2009 2:27 PM | 4 Comments

I found this picture of an iPhone cake at Munch cafe in Sutton, Surrey.

Continue reading Picture of iPhone cake.

Link between watching TV in adolescence and depression

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 3, 2009 10:48 AM | 1 Comment

The Archives of General Psychiatry report a link between media use in adolescence and later depression.

Continue reading Link between watching TV in adolescence and depression.

People with mental illness no more violent than anyone else

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 3, 2009 10:28 AM | No Comments

A new study challenges the oft-held view that mental illness alone is predictor of violence.

Continue reading People with mental illness no more violent than anyone else.

Smoking, binge drinking and internet therapy

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on February 2, 2009 1:26 PM | No Comments

On the day sno-mageddon hit the UK (well some of it at least) here are some research bits that have nothing to do with snow.

Researchers have found a link between adolescent smoking and adult depressions in rats and believe it may also apply to humans.

Continue reading Smoking, binge drinking and internet therapy.

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Mad World highlights the latest research, policy and debate about all things mental health along with some social work stuff and the odd piece of random nonsense, just to keep you on your toes.

It is written by community editor Simeon Brody.

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