Dementia is the seventh leading cause of global mortality, with cases increasing. Psychosocial interventions might help prevent dementia and improve quality of life. Although it is cost-effective for non-clinically trained staff to deliver these, concerns are raised and little is known about the resulting impact on staff, especially for remote interventions.

To explore how non-clinically trained facilitators experienced delivering remote, one-to-one and group-based psychosocial interventions with older adults with memory loss and their family carers, under training and supervision.

We conducted a secondary thematic analysis of interviews with non-clinically trained facilitators, employed by universities, the National Health Service and third-sector organisations, who facilitated either of two manualised interventions: the APPLE-Tree group dementia prevention for people with mild memory loss or the NIDUS-Family one-to-one dyadic intervention for people living with dementia and their family carers.

The overarching theme of building confidence in developing therapeutic relationships was explained with subthemes that described the roles of positioning expertise (subtheme 1), developing clinical skills (subtheme 2), peer support (subtheme 3) in enabling this process and remote delivery as a potential barrier to it (subtheme 4).

Non-clinically trained facilitators can have positive experiences delivering remote psychosocial interventions with older adults. Differences in life experience could compound initial fears of being ‘in at the deep end’ and ‘exposed’ as lacking expertise. Fears were allayed by experiencing positive therapeutic relationships and outcomes, and by growing confidence. For this to happen, appropriate training and supervision is needed, alongside accounting for the challenges of remote delivery.

Situational judgement test (SJT) scores have been observed to predict actual workplace performance. They are commonly used to assess non-academic attributes as part of selection into many healthcare roles. However, no validated SJT yet exists for recruiting into mental health services.

To develop and validate an SJT that can evaluate procedural knowledge of professionalism in applicants to clinical roles in mental health services.

SJT item content was generated through interviews and focus groups with 56 professionals, patients and carers related to a large National Health Service mental health trust in England. These subject matter experts informed the content of the final items for the SJT. The SJT was completed by 73 registered nurses and 36 allied health professionals (AHPs). The primary outcome measure was supervisor ratings of professionalism and effectiveness on a relative percentile rating scale and was present for 69 of the participating nurses and AHPs. Personality assessment scores were reported as a secondary outcome.

SJT scores statistically significantly predicted ratings of professionalism (β = 0.31, P = 0.01) and effectiveness (β = 0.32, P = 0.01). The scores demonstrated statistically significant incremental predictive validity over the personality assessment scores for predicting supervisor ratings of professionalism (β = 0.26, P = 0.03).

These findings demonstrate that a carefully designed SJT can validly assess important personal attributes in clinicians working in mental health services. Such assessments are likely to represent evidence based, cost-effective tools that can support values-based recruitment to mental health service roles.

Early-life adverse experiences can elevate the magnitude of the risk of developmental psychopathology, but the potential synergistic effects of multiple factors have not been well studied.

To determine whether prenatal exposures to maternal stress (Superstorm Sandy) and maternal cannabis use synergistically alter the risk of developmental psychopathology.

The study included 163 children (53.4% girls), longitudinally tracked (ages 2–5 years) in relation to the effects of two early-life adverse exposures (Superstorm Sandy and maternal cannabis use). Offspring were grouped by exposure status (neither, only maternal cannabis use, only Superstorm Sandy or both). DSM-IV disorders for offspring were derived from structured clinical interviews; caregiver-reported ratings of family stress and social support were also assessed.

A total of 40.5% had been exposed to Superstorm Sandy and 24.5% to maternal cannabis use. Offspring exposed to both (n = 13, 8.0%), relative to those exposed to neither, had a 31-fold increased risk of disruptive behavioural disorders (DBDs) and a seven-fold increased risk of anxiety disorders. The synergy index demonstrated that offspring with two exposures had synergistic elevation in risk of DBDs (synergy index, 2.06, P = 0.03) and anxiety disorders (synergy index, 2.60, P = 0.004), compared with the sum of single risks. Offspring with two exposures had the highest parenting stress and lowest social support.

Our findings are consistent with the double-hit model suggesting that offspring with multiple early-life adverse exposures (Superstorm Sandy and maternal cannabis use) have synergistically increased risks of mental health problems. Given the increasing frequency of major natural disasters and cannabis use, especially among women under stress, these findings have significant public health implications.

There is a common perception that creativity is associated with psychopathology. Previous studies have shown that members of creative groups such as comedians, artists and scientists scores higher than the norm on psychotic traits, and scientists in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields score highly on autistic traits.

To test whether magicians, a creative group that has not been studied before, also score highly on psychopathological traits and autism, and to test the associations of creative self-efficacy and creative identity with schizotypal and autistic traits among magicians.

A sample of 195 magicians and 233 people from the general population completed measures of schizotypal traits (Oxford–Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences) and autism (Abridged Version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient), as well as the Short Scale of Creative Self. Magicians were also compared with other creative groups with respect to schizotypal traits, based on previously published data.

Magicians scored lower than the general population sample on three of the four schizophrenia measures (cognitive disorganisation, introvertive anhedonia and impulsive nonconformity) but did not differ with respect to unusual experiences or autism scores. Magicians scored higher on creative self-efficacy and creative personal identity than the general sample. Magicians’ scores on schizotypal traits were largely lower than those of other creative groups. Originality of magic was positively correlated with unusual experiences (r = 0.208), creative self-efficacy (r = 0.251) and creative identity (r = 0.362).

This is the first study to show a creative group with lower scores than norms on psychotic traits. The results highlight the unique characteristics of magicians and the possible myriad associations between creativity and mental disorders among creative groups.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected the mental health of health and social care workers (HSCWs), with many experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological interventions have been offered via mental health services and in-house psychology teams, but their effectiveness in this context is not well documented.

To evaluate a stepped-care psychological support pathway for HSCWs from Homerton Healthcare Foundation Trust in London, which offered psychological first aid, evidence-based psychological therapies and group-based well-being workshops.

The service evaluation used a pre–post approach to assess depression, anxiety, functional impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder symptom change for those who attended sessions of psychological first aid, low- or high-intensity cognitive–behavioural therapy or a combination of these. In addition, the acceptability of the psychological first aid sessions and well-being workshops was explored via feedback data.

Across all interventions, statistically significant reductions of depression (d = 1.33), anxiety (d = 1.37) and functional impairment (d = 0.93) were observed, and these reductions were equivalent between the interventions, as well as the demographic and occupational differences between the HSCWs (ethnicity, staff group and redeployment status). HSCWs were highly satisfied with the psychological first aid and well-being workshops.

The evaluation supports the utility of evidence-based interventions delivered as part of a stepped-care pathway for HSCWs with common mental health problems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the novel integration of psychological first aid within the stepped-care model as a step one intervention, replication and further testing in larger-scale studies is warranted.

Improve staff confidence in responding to and managing ward based medical emergencies

The deputy borough lead nurse, a clinical nurse manager and a core trainee met to discuss how to build confidence across all staff in responding to ward-based medical emergencies following a number of recent SI.

Initially, weekly ward-based simulations were conducted. Scenarios were SI focused and included choking, drug overdose, head injury and hanging. Whilst it was clear there was an appetite for learning and upskilling, unannounced simulations did not appear to foster a relaxed, productive learning environment conducive to building confidence.

Following four weeks of simulation, the approach was altered. Instead of unannounced simulations, sessions were broken down into three parts. Firstly, each session began with a brainstorm of ‘key roles for any medical emergency’ (call for help, vital signs, scribe…), this was followed by a skills session on key topics. Areas for learning were identified following an MDT discussion and staff feedback focus group. These were; 1. Grab bag orientation, 2. Oxygen delivery, 3. SBAR handover, 4. Operating the suction machine, 5. A-E assessment. Finally, all sessions ended with practicing CPR on first aid training manikins. Sessions ran once or twice a week, depending on availability, rotating through the seven inpatient wards. Each session lasted approximately 20 minutes and two sessions were run back-to-back in order to ensure where possible every staff member working that shift was able to attend. These sessions have been running since mid-September. To date we have run a total of twelve sessions conducted both in and out-of-hours. After each session participants were asked to fill out feedback.

A ‘flash card’ aid providing quick action prompts applicable to all medical emergencies was drafted and reviewed by the trust's resuscitation lead for inclusion in ward emergency grab bags.

In addition to ward based teaching, grab-bag orientation sessions were run during doctor's induction.

Ward based learning:

Sessions were attended by nurses, social therapists, occupational therapists and doctors of all grades. Approximately sixty people have attended the bite-sized teaching to date. All participants across all sessions found the teaching useful and relevant.

Junior doctor induction:

All attendees at the inductions strongly agreed the session was useful. 100% agreed that the session helped to increase their confidence around responding to medical emergencies with 78% strongly agreeing. All participants strongly agreed the session improved confidence in utilising the emergency grab bag.

People with severe mental illness are at greater risk of poor physical health and have higher premature mortality than the general population. Responding to medical emergencies in the psychiatric inpatient setting is a source of anxiety for most staff. Currently, nursing staff in psychiatric settings are required to have ILS training, many feel this annual course is insufficient. The majority of the emergency response team have BLS or no physical health training at all. Lone doctors, unfamiliar with available emergency equipment and psychiatric settings lack confidence to act optimally.

There is a great appetite for regular emergency physical health training. Our weekly sessions were well received, useful and relevant.

The boundary between services for children and adolescents and adults has been identified as problematic for young people with mental health problems.

To examine the use and cost of healthcare for young people engaged in mental healthcare before and after the child/adolescent and adult service boundary.

Data from 772 young people in seven European countries participating in the MILESTONE trial were analysed. We analysed and costed healthcare resources used in the 6-month period before and after the service boundary.

The proportion of young people engaging with healthcare services fell substantially after crossing the service boundary (associated costs €7761 pre-boundary v. €3376 post-boundary). Pre-boundary, the main cost driver was in-patient care (approximately 50%), whereas post-boundary costs were more evenly spread between services; cost reductions were correlated with pre-boundary in-patient care. Severity was associated with substantially higher costs pre- and post-boundary, and those who were engaged specifically with mental health services after the service boundary accrued the greatest healthcare costs post-service boundary.

Costs of healthcare are large in this population, but fall considerably after transition, particularly for those who were most severely ill. In part, this is likely to reflect improvement in the mental health of young people. However, qualitative evidence from the MILESTONE study suggests that lack of capacity in adult services and young people's disengagement with formal mental health services post-transition are contributing factors. Long-term data are needed to assess the adverse long-term effects on costs and health of this unmet need and disengagement.

There is limited literature regarding medical students’ expectations of psychiatry placements, although studies focussing on nursing students reveal fear and anticipation of aggression and violence to be prominent factors. Anecdotally, authors have been aware of medical students having reported impressions of psychiatric wards which were at odds with the reality. This study aims to explore what medical students specifically imagine and expect from psychiatric wards and psychiatric intensive care units prior to their placement. Psychiatric intensive care, arguably the most intense experience students will have in psychiatry, was used as a specific focus to highlight the full extent of their preconceptions.

Students undertaking their psychiatry attachment between July and December 2021 were invited to complete a semi-structured questionnaire, deemed to be more preferable to interviews as it was thought that anonymity would encourage more students to participate, provide open and honest responses, thereby exposing the full scope of presumptions. Question content was designed by 2 psychiatrists, with modifications after consultation with 2 student advisors. Questions explored student emotions regarding their visits to psychiatric wards and psychiatric intensive care, as well as expectations of the ward atmosphere, layout, activities, where patients would be, what they would be doing and how they would be managed. 37 responses were received. Analysis followed the well-recognised six stages of thematic analysis. Two authors read and coded all text independently, before discussing any discrepancies and then defining and refining themes with involvement from all authors, in a process of several reviews.

Five themes emerged from the data: 1) Mixed feelings about the placement (with anxiety being prominent), 2) Mixed views about patient behaviour with many assumed to be violent, 3) Caring and holistic-minded staff, 4) A restrictive and locked environment, 5) Assumed similarities to acute general hospital care. Some of the expectations of students were markedly different to the realities of psychiatric inpatient and intensive settings, with students reporting ideas of patients in locked rooms, physically restrained, sedated and attached to ventilators.

This study offers a unique insight into what medical students expect from their psychiatry placement, a key issue of which all educators and clinicians who supervise students should be aware. Results can inform better student preparation and placement supervision, leading to more meaningful learning and improved well-being.

Globally, stigma associated with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders is rampant and a barrier to good health and overall well-being of people with these conditions. Person-centred digital approaches such as participatory video may reduce stigma, but evidence on their effectiveness in Africa is absent.

To evaluate the effectiveness of participatory video in reducing mental health-related stigma in a resource-limited setting.

We evaluated the effectiveness of using participatory video and face-to-face interaction between people with MNS disorders and a target audience in lowering stigma among 420 people living in Kilifi, Kenya. Changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour (KAB) were measured by comparing baseline scores with scores immediately after watching the participatory videos and 4 months after the intervention. Sociodemographic correlates of stigma scores were examined using multivariable linear regression models.

Compared with baseline, KAB scores significantly improved at both time points, suggesting reduced stigma levels. At 4 months, the changes in scores were: knowledge (β = 0.20, 95% CI 0.16–0.25; P < 0.01), liberal attitude (β = 1.08, 95% CI 0.98–1.17; P < 0.01), sympathetic attitude (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.42–0.62; P < 0.01), tolerant attitude (β = 0.72, 95% CI 0.61–0.83; P < 0.01) and behaviour (β = 0.37, 95% CI 0.31–0.43; P < 0.01). Sociodemographic variables were significantly correlated with KAB scores; the correlations were not consistent across the domains.

Participatory video is a feasible and effective strategy in improving knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviour in a resource-limited setting. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms through which it lowers stigma and to examine long-term sustainability and the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions.

Brain in Hand (BIH) is a UK-based digital self-support system for managing anxiety and social functioning.

To identify the impact of BIH on the psychological and social functioning of adults with autism.

Adults with diagnosed or suspected DSM-5 (level 1) autism, identified by seven NHS autism services in England and Wales, were recruited for a 12-week prospective mixed-methods cohort study. The primary quantitative outcome measures were the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HONOS-LD) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fisher's exact test explored sociodemographic associations. Paired t-test was utilised for pre–post analysis of overall effectiveness of BIH. Multivariable linear regression models, univariable pre–post analysis, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, logistic regression analysis, Bonferroni correction and normative analysis were used to give confidence in changes identified. A thematic analysis of semi-structured exist interviews following Braun and Clarke's six-step process of 10% of participants who completed the study was undertaken.

Sixty-six of 99 participants completed the study. There was significant reduction in mean HONOS-LD scores, with 0.65 s.d. decrease in those who used BIH for 12 weeks. Significant positive changes were identified in HONOS-LD subdomains of ‘self-injurious behaviours’, ‘memory and orientation’, ‘communication problems in understanding’, ‘occupation and activities’ and ‘problems with relationship’. A significant reduction in the anxiety, but not depression, component of the HADS scores was identified. Thematic analysis showed high confidence in BIH.

BIH improved anxiety and other clinical, social and functioning outcomes of adults with autism.

Suicide is a serious public health problem.

To investigate the sociodemographic and clinical features of callers (patients) classed by the Qatar National Mental Health Helpline (NMHH) as moderate to high priority based on the risk of self-harm or suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study design was a retrospective chart review of patients who contacted the helpline in the first 12 months, starting 1 April 2020. Data of those classed as moderate to high priority based on risk to self were collected using a specifically designed form. Absolute and relative frequencies for each of the studied categorical variables were determined.

Four hundred and ninety-eight patients were included. More than half were female. The mean age was 32 years (range 8–85 years). Two-thirds of patients were from Arab countries and more than half of all patients had contacted mental health services for the first time. The most common symptoms elicited included suicidal thoughts, depressed mood and disturbed sleep. The most common psychiatric disorders were depression and generalised anxiety disorder. Most patients were seen within 4 h and received psychiatric interventions. Virtually all patients received non-pharmacological interventions; only 38.5% received pharmacological interventions. The majority had follow-up appointments arranged with mental health services.

People from the Indian subcontinent and males proportionally approached services less, which may reflect stigma. The NMHH improved access to care for patients considered at risk to self and prevented hospital admissions. The NMHH offers a valuable additional choice to patients and assists in prevention and management of suicidal behaviour and other mental health difficulties.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the majority of suicide deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

To evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals who have presented to health services following self-harm in Pakistan.

This study is a cross-sectional baseline analysis of participants from a large multicentre randomised controlled trial of self-harm prevention in Pakistan. A total of 901 participants with a history of self-harm were recruited from primary care clinics, emergency departments and general hospitals in five major cities in Pakistan. The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Suicide Attempt Self Injury Interview assessment scales were completed.

Most participants recruited were females (n = 544, 60.4%) in their 20s. Compared with males, females had lower educational attainment and higher unemployment rates and reported higher severity scores on BSI, BDI and BHS. Interpersonal conflict was the most frequently cited antecedent to self-harm, followed by financial difficulties in both community and hospital settings. Suicide was the most frequently reported motive of self-harm (N = 776, 86.1%). Suicidal intent was proportionally higher in community-presenting patients (community: N = 318, 96.9% v. hospital: N = 458, 79.9%; P < 0.001). The most frequently reported methods of self-harm were ingestion of pesticides and toxic chemicals.

Young females are the dominant demographic group in this population and are more likely to attend community settings to seek help. Suicidal intent as the motivator of self-harm and use of potentially lethal methods may suggest that this population is at high risk of suicide.

The Emotional Logic method teaches that although unpleasant, all emotions have an inbuilt useful purpose. Through recognising our emotional responses to situations, this solution-focused approach helps us discover the hidden losses behind our emotions, empowering us to move forwards. Activating our inner Emotional Logic can help to build emotional resilience, improve self-awareness, strengthen relationships and reduce burn out.

The Emotional Logic method was introduced to staff across the Learning Disability Psychiatry Division during a two hour webinar. The session was advertised via email circular to all staff with an emphasis on using the method for self-care. It was attended by thirty-two, clinical and non-clinical staff from across the multi-disciplinary team. Interactive polls were used during the session as well as feedback forms at the end.

In Emotional Logic, a safe place is a physical place, relationship or mindset that we can visit when we are doubting our resources to cope, here we can let our emotions settle and make a plan. An interactive poll during the session showed that 98% of staff could identify a safe place. This was reduced to only 52% when asked if they could identify an accessible safe place at work.

The session overall was rated as 4.57 (on a scale of 1(poor)-5(excellent) 90% said they felt Emotional Logic was relevant to them personally, with the remaining 10% answering “maybe.” Qualitative feedback included: “I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the session which would benefit me personally and on a professional level” “Helped me to manage my thoughts/control my thoughts” “Its always hard to take a look at yourself and your behaviors or reactions to things that impact you on a daily basis and I think that a lot of people would find it a real benefit.” 86% said they would be interested in further learning.

In order to care for other people, we need to first look after ourselves. The striking statistic that 48% of staff do not have an accessible safe place at work highlighted the importance of providing staff with the tools to help improve their own well-being. The session was an introductory session, which will be built on through offering follow up workshops and formal courses. The aim of these will be to improve self-care whilst also providing a language to use with colleagues and patients to help everybody move forwards.

Balint groups explore the clinician-patient relationship, with benefits for empathy, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Their use with medical students is increasing, but more research is needed to understand how their benefit, feasibility and accessibility can be optimised. We aimed to explore this over a one-year pilot of a medical student Balint group programme.

An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. Eight medical student Balint groups ran for six weeks during 2022–2023, with 90 students participating. Students completed quantitative and qualitative feedback at the end of each cohort. Themes were identified using qualitative content analysis. Balint group leaders kept reflective session notes and used these alongside student feedback to undertake a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of the programme.

Students reported a neutral to slightly positive experience of the groups. Strengths were coded as containment, learning, and community identity. Students identified weaknesses due to pace, facilitation, and anxiety. Threats to the future success of the Balint group programme were related to engagement and the group being perceived as inauspicious and intimidating. Potential opportunities to develop the Balint group programme included widening participation and sharpening focus. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified by the group leaders were in line with those of the students, but also acknowledged the broad range of ethico-legal material discussed by students, timetabling and organisational challenges. A range of opportunities were identified for how the Balint group programme could optimally enrich the clinical curriculum.

Integrating successful Balint groups into the medical school curriculum is challenging on individual and organisational levels. However, students perceive value in these groups, and they provide a unique space to combine learning and emotional support with personal, professional and community development. Ongoing consideration is needed to optimally and sustainably incorporate Balint groups within the undergraduate medical curriculum.

Identifying youths most at risk to COVID-19-related mental illness is essential for the development of effective targeted interventions.

To compare trajectories of mental health throughout the pandemic in youth with and without prior mental illness and identify those most at risk of COVID-19-related mental illness.

Data were collected from individuals aged 18–26 years (N = 669) from two existing cohorts: IMAGEN, a population-based cohort; and ESTRA/STRATIFY, clinical cohorts of individuals with pre-existing diagnoses of mental disorders. Repeated COVID-19 surveys and standardised mental health assessments were used to compare trajectories of mental health symptoms from before the pandemic through to the second lockdown.

Mental health trajectories differed significantly between cohorts. In the population cohort, depression and eating disorder symptoms increased by 33.9% (95% CI 31.78–36.57) and 15.6% (95% CI 15.39–15.68) during the pandemic, respectively. By contrast, these remained high over time in the clinical cohort. Conversely, trajectories of alcohol misuse were similar in both cohorts, decreasing continuously (a 15.2% decrease) during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic symptom severity predicted the observed mental health trajectories in the population cohort. Surprisingly, being relatively healthy predicted increases in depression and eating disorder symptoms and in body mass index. By contrast, those initially at higher risk for depression or eating disorders reported a lasting decrease.

Healthier young people may be at greater risk of developing depressive or eating disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted mental health interventions considering prior diagnostic risk may be warranted to help young people cope with the challenges of psychosocial stress and reduce the associated healthcare burden.

Lithium has long been recognised as an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. Its relative efficacy has been measured with a diverse range of clinical outcomes, resulting in differences in efficacy reporting that have not been systematically reviewed.

We aimed to identify and compare the various measures of lithium efficacy employed in interventional studies for people with bipolar disorder.

Database (PubMed, Web of Science) and hand searches were performed to identify studies that assessed a clinical response in patients with bipolar disorder who received lithium, up to the end of 2021. We included primary human interventional studies without excluding specific study designs, bipolar disorder subtypes, duration or dosage of lithium treatment. Continuous outcome effects were meta-analysed; binary outcomes were synthesised visually and narratively. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess study-level risk of bias.

Seventy-one studies were included (N = 30 542). Approximately two-thirds of participants attained a clinically significant improvement in manic or depressive symptoms, and over 50% achieved remission. About a third required hospital admission (study length 2–12 years) and around 50% needed further treatment to stay well or had recurrence of symptoms; the latter two outcomes tended to be assessed over long-term maintenance periods.

An abundance of measurements have been used to assess lithium's clinical effects, across several study designs. Despite the resultant high heterogeneity, an overall picture of lithium's effects emerges that supports previous literature; between half and two-thirds of patients respond well to lithium across varying outcome measures, baseline mood states, study durations and bipolar disorder subtypes.

Depression is a highly recurrent disorder, with more than 50% of those affected experiencing a subsequent episode. Although there is relatively little stability in symptoms across episodes, some evidence indicates that suicidal ideation may be an exception. However, these findings warrant replication, especially over longer periods and across multiple episodes.

To assess the relative stability of suicidal ideation in comparison with other non-core depressive symptoms across episodes.

We examined 490 individuals with current major depressive disorder (MDD) at baseline and at least one subsequent episode during 9-year follow-up within the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) was used to assess DSM-5 non-core MDD symptoms (fatigue, appetite/weight change, sleep disturbance, psychomotor disturbance, concentration difficulties, worthlessness/guilt, suicidal ideation) at baseline and 2-, 4-, 6- and 9-year follow-up. We examined consistency in symptom presentation (i.e. whether the symptom met the diagnostic threshold, based on a binary categorisation of the IDS) using kappa (κ) and percentage agreement, and stability in symptom severity using Spearman correlation, based on the continuous IDS scores.

Out of all non-core depressive symptoms, insomnia appeared the most stable across episodes (r = 0.55–0.69, κ = 0.31–0.47) and weight decrease the least stable (r = 0.03–0.33, κ = 0.06–0.19). For suicidal ideation, correlations across episodes ranged from r = 0.36 to r = 0.55 and consistency ranged from κ = 0.28 to κ = 0.49.

Suicidal ideation is moderately stable in recurrent depression over 9 years. Contrary to prior reports, however, it does not exhibit substantially more stability than most other non-core symptoms of depression.

Psychodynamic psychiatry training seminars are a blended supervision and experiential style approach to training health care professionals in reflective practice and formulation. They apply psychodynamic theory through case formulations, seminars, and Balint groups so that healthcare staff can improve their communication style, formulation skills and enhance their appreciation for patients with complex mental health problems. Our aim is to evaluate the provision of our psychodynamic psychiatry training sessions for healthcare staff in the Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust, and to evaluate the perceived benefits of attending in terms of personal and professional development.

Convenience sampling was used to recruit CUH doctors, nurses, and healthcare assistants at all stages of training as part of their in-house teaching schedule. Sessions were delivered via an online format or in person. The evaluation period was between October 2021 and July 2022. Data were gathered via a survey tool, adapted from the literature using Likert scales and free text questions to identify barriers and facilitators to the sessions

Thirty-three participants responded to our survey, with the sample consisting of gastroenterology (n = 4), acute medicine (n = 6), and emergency medicine doctors (n = 10). The sample also included emergency department nurses (n = 8) and health care assistants (n = 5). included. Most respondents (>90%) described the experience of the sessions including the material covered as ‘Positive’ or ‘Very Positive’. All participants felt they were able to express themselves in the session and the majority (>97%) felt that the sessions were relevant to their training needs and focused on the right issues. Notably, most participants (>88%) felt the sessions enhanced their ability to recognise the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the emotional significance of symptoms as well as the impact of group dynamics on patient's presentations.

Our findings suggest that these psychodynamic psychiatry training seminars provide an effective, safe, non-judgemental space for experimentation and interdisciplinary discussion to support healthcare staff management of complex patients. Our results support the expansion of this low-cost, high-value intervention for both the well-being and professional development of healthcare staff.

There are no longitudinal studies investigating determinants of incident and persistent depressive symptoms in Southeast Asia.

To estimate the proportion and correlates of incident and persistent depressive symptoms in a prospective cohort study among middle-aged and older adults (≥45 years) in Thailand.

We analysed longitudinal data from the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Thailand (HART) surveys in 2015 and 2017. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Logistic regression was used to calculate predictors of incident and persistent depressive symptoms.

In total, 290 of 4528 participants without depressive symptoms in 2015 had incident depressive symptoms in 2017 (9.8%) and 76 of 640 adults had persistent depressive symptoms (in both 2015 and 2017) (18.3%). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, having diabetes (adjusted odds ratio AOR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07–2.05), musculoskeletal conditions (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.01–2.41) and having three or more chronic conditions (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.67–3.90) were positively associated and higher subjective economic status (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.31–0.72) and social participation (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.49–0.90) were inversely associated with incident depressive symptoms. Having a cardiovascular disease (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.01–2.39) and having three or more chronic conditions (AOR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.07–5.67) were positively associated and social participation (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.26–0.87) was inversely associated with persistent depressive symptoms.

One in ten middle-aged and older adults had incident depressive symptoms at 2-year follow-up. The prevalence of incident and/or persistent depression was higher in people with a lower subjective economic status, low social participation, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular conditions and a higher number of chronic diseases.

The research on the role of father in the foetal programming of health and behaviour has received increasing attention. However, the influences of paternal depressive symptoms and couple relationship satisfaction during pregnancy – potentially mediated via maternal well-being – on the offspring's risk of infections in early life is still seldom assessed.

The aim was to investigate if paternal psychological distress during pregnancy is associated with elevated risk of recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) for offspring at 12 months of age, and whether maternal distress mediates the association between paternal distress and offspring RRIs.

The study population was drawn from the nested case–control cohort of the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Children with RRIs (n = 50) were identified by maternal reports at the age of 12 months, whereas mothers did not report RRIs for the comparison group (n = 716). Parental depressive symptoms were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and couple relationship satisfaction was measured with the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

The association between paternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and offspring RRIs was mediated by maternal prenatal depressive symptoms. Additionally, paternal poorer relationship satisfaction was associated with child RRIs independently of maternal distress.

The results suggest different pathways through which paternal distress during pregnancy may contribute to elevated risk of offspring RRIs, and more research is needed to study their underlying mechanisms. Paternal distress and couple relationship satisfaction during pregnancy should be assessed and screened as a contributor to offspring health.