34 h. ago People in mental health crisis waiting up to three days in A&E in England

Royal College of Nursing findings described as ‘a scandal in plain sight’ with with conditions ‘close to torture’Thousands of people in a mental health crisis are enduring waits of up to three days in A&E before they get a bed, with conditions “close to torture” for those in such a distressed state.At one hospital, some patients have become so upset at the delays in being admitted that they have left and tried to kill themselves nearby, leading nurses and the fire brigade to follow in an attempt to stop them.Some trusts that previously had no long waits for mental health patients now have hundreds.The number of people seeking help at A&E for mental health emergencies is rising steadily and reached 216,182 last year.The recruitment of mental health nurses has lagged far behind the rise in demand.The number of beds in mental health units has fallen by 3,699 since 2014. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Mental health stigma stopping one in three Brits from seeking help

Over a third (37%) of people made the admission as Mental Health Awareness Month gets underway, with nearly two-thirds (60%) believing stigma discourages others

Politics

9 d. ago How to stop yourself being annihilated by your teenager's demands

Our teenagers are in trouble. Mental health conditions affecting young people are on the rise. Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK.

Politics

1 week ago Judge orders mental health assessment for man accused of killing 11 at Vancouver festival

A Canadian judge has ordered a man accused of ramming his sport-utility vehicle through a Filipino heritage festival crowd, killing 11 people, to receive a mental health assessment to determine if he’s fit to stand trial

Events

2 w. ago Full list of Blue Badge criteria as 19 key points decide who is eligible for benefit

Blue Badges are issued by local authorities and can help people with severe disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, park closer to their destination

Politics

2 w. ago The SNP Government has shamefully betrayed the next generation of Scots

In his Daily Record column, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar reveals shock figures showing how long young people wait for mental health treatment.

Politics

2 w. ago Vancouver street festival: multiple casualties as car is driven into crowds at Lapu Lapu celebrations – latest updates

Police say several people have been killed and injured, as man arrested at sceneIn a statement posted on Instagram, Filipino BC, the group that hosts the local Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, said it is heartbroken at the “senseless tragedy” and is urging people affected to access mental health and victim support services.It wrote in the social media post:We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims.We encourage everyone to check in, support and hold each other. Do not hesitate to access resources available. You are not alone. Continue reading...

Culture

2 w. ago Effects of smoking, drinking and not exercising enough ‘felt by the age of 36’

If people had all three unhealthy habits, their mental and physical health were much worse than if they had none, researchers found.

Politics

3 w. ago Revealed: The number of times you should have sex every week to beat depression

A new report by researchers at Shantou University Medical College, China, reveals how many times per week people should be having sex for maximum mental health benefits.

Politics

3 w. ago ‘I hope I’ll one day be at peace’: civilians seek mental health help in war

People traumatised by conflict have queued outside the Saint Vincent de Paul neuropsychiatric hospital in Goma each day since free scheme launchedOn a sunny morning in the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where fighting between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army raged earlier this year, men and women rushed towards a line of chairs outside a medical facility.Since 24 March, the Saint Vincent de Paul neuropsychiatric hospital, a medical facility for people with mental health issues, has been offering free consultations on a first-come first-served basis for people affected by the fighting. Dozens have lined up to be seen each day. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago 19 Adult Disability Payment health conditions providing people with up to £749 each month

The devolved disability benefit can support people with a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition.

Economics

4 w. ago ‘She helps cheer me up’: the people forming relationships with AI chatbots

From virtual ‘wives’ to mental health support, more than 100m people are using personified chatbotsMen who have virtual “wives” and neurodiverse people using chatbots to help them navigate relationships are among a growing range of ways in which artificial intelligence is transforming human connection and intimacy.Dozens of readers shared their experiences of using personified AI chatbot apps, engineered to simulate human-like interactions by adaptive learning and personalised responses, in response to a Guardian callout. Continue reading...

Politics