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thementalelf.bsky.social
The Mental Elf
@thementalelf.bsky.social
🌤️ Hello, I’m the Mental Elf!
🌳 Follow me to keep up to date with the latest reliable #MentalHealthResearch.
🗓️ Live reporting from #DigitalYouth on Nov 13th
🍄 Do you need some #ElfHelp? https://elfi.sh/help
🔗 https://linktr.ee/thementalelf
Why it matters 👇
👉 Assess trauma and mentalisation together
👉 Look out for neglect, where links are strongest
👉 Use trauma-informed, mentalisation-focused care
Full blog: buff.ly/GDRBMbV
November 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The correct link is: buff.ly/GDRBMbV
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The correct link is: buff.ly/GDRBMbV
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Thanks for letting us know. We'll correct that and repost
November 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Thanks for letting us know. We'll correct that and repost
November 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Pancreatic and oesophageal cancers showed the highest suicide rates. Prostate cancer showed the lowest significant increase.

A reminder that timely, compassionate support remains essential.

Full story here: buff.ly/usfcyHq
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Risk varied by stage and prognosis. Stage 4 cancers carried an aIRR (adjusted incidence rate ratio) of 3.1, while stages 1 and 2 did not show increased risk.

Psychological support should begin at diagnosis and continue through the first six months.
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Want to understand why recovery happens for some and not others and what this means for future personalised care?

👉 Read, reflect, and share with colleagues.

buff.ly/Vz9KOzz
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Researchers saw that diagnostic switching was fairly rare, but remission happened often.

Genetic predisposition to depression and chronic pain increased the likelihood of switching diagnoses, while metabolic traits were linked to higher chances of remission.

Read the full blog: buff.ly/Vz9KOzz
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Across studies, perceived racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination was linked with psychosis risk in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

The message is clear: racism is not just context, it’s a causal factor in mental health inequalities.

👉 Read our blog: buff.ly/EysiuO7
November 19, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Women with a history of domestic abuse were younger, more likely to be unemployed, face serious financial problems, have PTSD, addiction problems or missed service contacts.

The study calls for more proactive, trauma-informed care that recognises these risks.

👉 Read our blog: buff.ly/NdiOJI9
November 18, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The model showed good accuracy (C-indexes ranging from 0.74 to 0.81) and worked fairly across ethnic groups and diagnoses.

If implemented safely, it could guide earlier interventions, helping clinicians act before a crisis hits.

Read our summary 👉 buff.ly/vkXjTlN
November 17, 2025 at 7:41 AM
We've blogged about this kind of gamified cCBT a fair bit over the last few years: www.nationalelfservice.net?s=sparx
Search for "sparx" - National Elf Service
www.nationalelfservice.net
November 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Hi Toshi, Lovely to hear from you!

The 2012 RCT led by Sally Merry was a non-inferiority trial, so couldn't demonstrate that SPARX was better than control, (face-to-face counselling delivered by trained counsellors).

I'd suggest it's a potential alternative though.
doi.org/10.1136/bmj....
The effectiveness of SPARX, a computerised self help intervention for adolescents seeking help for depression: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial
Objective To evaluate whether a new computerised cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (SPARX, Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) could reduce depressive symptoms in help seek...
doi.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Even after adjusting for demographics & treatments, young adults had lower recovery rates & were more likely to deteriorate.

If outcomes were equal across age groups, 23,000 more young adults would have recovered over four years.

So how can services do better?

👉 Read the blog: buff.ly/IBVwyj9
November 14, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Cathy wraps up by reminding us of the keys to successfully bringing digital interventions from research to practice 

An inspiring talk and we can learn a lot from the success of OSI!

🔗 Learn more from OSI’s example here doi.org/10.1111/camh...  

#DigitalYouth
November 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Innovation spotlight 🌍 Iceland rollout Flikk, a version of OSI (Online Support and Intervention for Children)

Quick screening, brief clinician call, then access to digital support.  
Smart integration of digital & primary care

#DigitalYouth
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM