NICE to consider US approach to treating depression

NICE is to consider the US approach to treating people with depression, after latest research found that the treatment model could be successfully replicated in the UK.
While the vast majority of cases of depression in the UK are treated within primary care, barriers exist between GPs and specialist mental health services that can hinder patient care.
In the US, depression is treated using a collaborative care method which involves the use of care managers who liaise between GPs and mental health specialists. Depressed people often have access to a team of specialists, with advice and support often given over the phone.

Tailor management of autism in children and young people to individual needs

Health and social care professionals should tailor the management and assessment of children and young people with autism to individual needs to ensure they receive the best care, according to NICE.
Managing autism can be challenging due to the range of problems it is associated with, and because the way in which autism is expressed will differ across different ages.
Coexisting psychiatric disorders can also present challenges for management, with around 70 per cent of people with autism also having conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or anxiety disorders.

Psychosocial assessments can help tackle hidden problem of self-harm

Experts have called on all children and young people who self-harm to be given a full psychosocial assessment to help address the “hidden problem” among mental health and behavioural conditions. Official statistics published last week highlighted that a significant number of hospital cases among young people have resulted from self-harm. Admissions following self-harm were particularly high among teenage girls, with 13,400 hospital cases among 15-19 year olds recorded in the last year alone. Self-harm is caused by a range of underlying factors, though mental health conditions such as depression are known to increase risk. Individuals who self-harm are also at increased risk of repeating such incidents and of suicide.

Families need support to help tackle child obesity time-bomb

Local authorities and the NHS should do more to support families to help them tackle the time-bomb of obesity in children and young people, says NICE.
Families should be encouraged to eat healthily and be physically active by taking up activities that children enjoy such as active play and dancing, as well as reducing the amount of time spent playing computer games and watching television.

Psychosocial assessments can help tackle hidden problem of self-harm

Experts have called on all children and young people who self-harm to be given a full psychosocial assessment to help address the “hidden problem” among mental health and behavioural conditions.
Official statistics published last week highlighted that a significant number of hospital cases among young people have resulted from self-harm. Admissions following self-harm were particularly high among teenage girls, with 13,400 hospital cases among 15-19 year olds recorded in the last year alone.