August 2011 - Mad World

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Cigarettes, zinc and men in sheds

I'm very excited to be once again writing about sheds. I wrote back in January about an Australian project to help men "interact and unburden" in the familiar and comforting surroundings of a shed. But it seems the Aussie shed movement has...

Published 31 Aug 2011 6:01 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, social care, smoking, older people, adults, sheds
Probiotics and positive psychology in practice

Two quick nuggets today: (can you have a "quick nugget"? Anyway...) Probiotic bacteria may help ease depression and anxiety, research suggests . And, here are some tips for incorporating positive psychology in your practice. Read More...

Published 30 Aug 2011 5:18 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, depression, positive psychology, anxiety, probiotic
Poverty and decision fatigue and biscuits

Fascinating article in the New York Times suggesting we have only a finite amount of mental energy available to make difficult decisions or exert willpower. This issue may be particularly relevant to those living in poverty as they have to devote a lot...

Published 23 Aug 2011 4:55 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, Human Brain, workforce, poverty
Happiness, crime and the "architecture of fear"

Young people who are happy are less likely to be involved in crime, a new report suggests . "Our results suggest that the emphasis placed on happiness and well-being by positive psychologists and others is warranted," McCarthy said. "In...

Published 22 Aug 2011 5:12 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, happiness, children, adults, crime, urban design
Gail Porter on being sectioned: 'There was no treatment programme and nothing to do'

TV presenter Gail Porter has spoken to the Daily Mail about her experience of being sectioned and being an involuntary in-patient earlier in the year. And it's hardly an encouraging but sadly not surprising account of life in a psychiatric ward. 'The...

Published 15 Aug 2011 1:14 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, media, adults
A reflection on England's riots and their impact on social care

I have just finished editing Community Care's latest podcast, which is a reflection on this week's riots in England. You can listen to it using the player below, or go to our podcast page . My colleagues and I enjoyed an unusually wide-ranging...

Published 12 Aug 2011 4:35 PM by Mad World

Filed under: media, social care, social work, Politics, workforce, crime, riots
I've got a caseload that's bigger than yours

An anonymous Community Care reader and social worker has sent in this rather splendid poem: I've got a caseload that's bigger than yours It's so large it won't fit in my drawers! All day long I struggle and sweat I'm a super-doopa...

Published 10 Aug 2011 4:56 PM by Mad World

Filed under: stress, social work, caseloads, workforce, poetry
Do social workers need iPads?

They may well be very nicely designed but I'm usually rather sceptical about people saying they "need" the latest shiny consumer gadget, such as the iPad. However, in an article in Bizgene , a social worker says it has really helped with...

Published 10 Aug 2011 2:38 PM by Mad World

Filed under: social work, technology, ipad
Therapy dog helps girl testify in US court

Here is an interesting story about a dog that helped a girl testify at a US rape trial and the ensuing legal debate. Read More...

Published 9 Aug 2011 3:21 PM by Mad World

Filed under: law, dogs
Living with schizophrenia and award for campaigning student

There is a very readable piece in the New York Times about how a man learned to cope with his schizophrenia. Also, worth a look is the commentary by Shrink Rap , which I think may prompt a debate about diagnosis and recovery. Meanwhile, here in the UK...

Published 8 Aug 2011 5:04 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, schizophrenia, recovery, students
What does a mental health social worker do?

If you ever wondered then head down to Fighting Monsters who breaks it down in a very informative way. I'll certainly never complain of being busy again! (Actually, I'm sure I will but not for the next couple of hours anyway). Read More...

Published 2 Aug 2011 12:19 PM by Mad World

Filed under: Mental Health, social work, workforce
Does social work have confidence in its degree?

More than two-thirds of the people who voted in our online poll believe the social work degree is out of touch with practice (see below). Ok, so it wasn't a particularly scientific survey and respondents were self selecting but it's an interesting...

Published 1 Aug 2011 4:38 PM by Mad World

Filed under: social work, training, students, workforce

August 2011 - Mad World

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Cigarettes, zinc and men in sheds

Probiotics and positive psychology in practice

Poverty and decision fatigue and biscuits

Happiness, crime and the "architecture of fear"

Gail Porter on being sectioned: 'There was no treatment programme and nothing to do'

A reflection on England's riots and their impact on social care

I've got a caseload that's bigger than yours

Do social workers need iPads?

Therapy dog helps girl testify in US court

Living with schizophrenia and award for campaigning student

What does a mental health social worker do?

Does social work have confidence in its degree?