#Obstetric fistula is caused by prolonged obstructed labour and is referred to as a disease of poverty due to its tendency to occur in areas of low-income and inadequate resources. The consequences of obstetric fistula are far greater than just physical; there are immense social and economic consequences, leading to abandonment and social isolation, that take a huge toll on #mentalhealth. #AWalkToBeautiful tells the stories of five women in Ethiopia who suffer from obstetric fistula, and highlights the interconnectedness between mental health and other disease. Follow the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w-fOmovijc or watch the video below.
There has been an alarming increase in the number of off-label prescriptions for Seroquel, an antipsychotic drug, for conditions not approved by Health Canada. The number of prescriptions for Seroquel, a drug only approved in Canada for treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, has nearly doubled between 2008 and 2013. Many doctors are prescribing the drug as a sleep aid. However, Health Canada says some of Seroquel's side effects can be fatal and include diabetes, hyperglycemia, constipation and intestinal obstruction, and complications from blood clots. Health Canada says it monitors safety issues associated with the use of health products, including psychotropic drugs such as Seroquel, but adds the issue of off-label prescriptions falls under the "practice of medicine" and is provincially regulated. NDP health critic Libby Davies says that when it comes to off-label prescribing, the federal government is "sweeping it under the carpet." Davies says the New Democrats offered amendments to the newly passed Bill C-17 — or Vanessa's Law — which included improvements to transparency and prescribing practices for off-label use, but they were turned down by the federal government. Read more here: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/4913421-off-label-prescribing-raises-concern/ Lenha Dunham, creator, writer and star of the hit HBO series Girls, talks with CBC's Jian Ghomeshi about growing up with obsessive-compulsive disorder and discusses how she currently manages her anxiety and sleep disorder. To watch the interview, follow the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsnqEJ924Ho or watch the video below:
Put your knowledge and skills to the test with the case of a 61 year old male who presents to hospital with a 30+ year history of bipolar 1 disorder and increasing depressive symptoms over the last 2 months. The patient is currently treated with risperidone and divalproex, and reports numerous stressors including divorce, financial issues, and homelessness. Though the patient attributes his low mood to the psychosocial stressors listed above and has been hospitalized numerous times previously for mental health reasons, he also presented to hospital with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a rash. He has been having trouble sleeping, feels fatigued, and feels cold and shivers at times. His medical history is positive for hypothyroidism and a splenectomy in childhood. Can you make the diagnosis or come up with a treatment plan? "A curious case of depression" by Pavle Joksovic, Pieter Joost van Wattum, and Catherine Chiles (Current Psychiatry) A very insightful TedTalk by a model high school student Kevin Breel explaining his personal struggles with depression. He explains his journey through depression and how the social stigma surrounding the illness has impacted his life. Kevin feels that those suffering from depression can take the first step towards change by truthfully expressing four simple words. Watch here: http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_breel_confessions_of_a_depressed_comic?language=en World Mental Health Day was this past Friday, October 10th. Low-income people, communities, and countries are disproportionately affected by mental illness. WMHD brings awareness to the strong stigma surrounding mental health and advocates for resources to be dedicated to overcoming barriers to equitable care.
On October 16th, the Centre for Global Mental Health, in conjuction with King's College London and LSHTM, is celebrating World Mental Health day with a seminar entitled "Low prevalence, severe impact: What does global mental health have to offer to people living with psychosis"?. Perspectives from Nigeria and Ethiopia will be offered, as well as the stories from the development of community based care. You can watch a live stream of the event at http://www.centreforglobalmentalhealth.org/news-events/events/celebrating-world-mental-health-day |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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