Vennue promotes mental health for all, empowering pharmacists as change-agents.

Today we recognize World Mental Health Day and reaffirm our collective commitment to promote mental health for all. 🌍 At Vennue, we dont just advocate; we activate. We mobilize pharmacists as change-agents -- empowering them with knowledge, tools and confidence to integrate mental health into their daily interactions with patients, caregivers and co-workers. Vennue's results-oriented approach helps reduce stigma, increase early detection, improve medication managment, and strengthen patient referrals -- while also helping to address health workforce burn-out and attrition. In the past year alone, nearly 500 pharmacists from 25 countries completed our one-of-a-kind program "Mental Healthcare + Pharmacy." Special thanks to Mandip Pokharel for showcasing this program at the FIP 2025 World Pharmacy Congress and inspiring all of us to join the Global Mental Health Movement, stating: "Mental Health is an absolutely vital component of public health. But stigma is strong and services are lacking. We pharmacists can help fill the gap by promoting mental health and outreach in our workplace and our communities -- not just today, but every day. " Be a change-agent. Access Vennue's free Mental Healthcare + Pharmacy resources today and share them with a friend: https://hub.vennue.org/s/

Our second presentation today came from one of our incredibly talented mental health dietitians, who reflected on the vital role that allied health professionals (AHPs) play in supporting the delivery of our organisation’s Physical Health Plan. The session explored how joined-up, multiprofessional working helps us see the bigger picture, understanding how our collective contributions impact the physical health of the people we support. This has been a powerful reminder that mental and physical health are deeply intertwined, and that small, sustainable changes can often make the biggest difference. It challenged us to: 🔹 Step confidently into the physical health space in mental health settings 🔹 Be curious and ask where dietetic support can add value 🔹 Recognise our shared responsibility in improving health outcomes 🔹 Bring together the right skills at the right time 🔹 Recognise the function of altered eating patterns and giving thought to the relationships that people have with food and how this impacts on their health A timely reflection on the vital role of AHPs in driving the prevention agenda and supporting whole-person care. Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust Clare Hardwick Philippa Macdonald Pat MorganBritish Dietetic Association (BDA) Andy Cruickshank Julie Kirby

I delivered a session on self-harm yesterday, one of the misconceptions is that it is mainly a young people's challenge. While we are seeing a significant rise in self-harm in 16 to 24-year-olds, the relative increase was similar or even greater in other age groups, particularly those aged 45 to 54 (NHS England, 2024). Three Quick Tips for Supporting Someone: 1. Listen without judgment: Create a safe space for them to talk openly. Avoid expressing shock, anger, or trying to make them promise to stop. Listen and validate their feelings. 2. Encourage professional support: Gently encourage them to speak with their GP or contact support services. Offer to help them find resources or accompany them to appointments if they'd like. 3. Focus on the person, not the behaviour:  Ask about what they're experiencing and feeling rather than focusing solely on the self-harm. Show you care about their wellbeing and are there to support them through difficult times. Link in the comments for a super PDF from Greater Manchster NHS on supporting older people with self-harm! NHS England. (2024). Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of mental health and wellbeing, England 2023/24. NHS Digital. 

Today, Baptist Health convened a panel of esteemed experts in internal medicine to shed light on the crucial topic of Men's Health. Jose L. Vazquez, MD, Jonathan Fialkow, MD, Samer Fahmy, MD & Keith Foster, MD,MBA,CPE,FAAPMR,FACHE shared valuable insights during a webinar focused on Encouraging Men to seek Preventative Care & Mental Health. Dr. Fahmy emphasized a key point, highlighting that men often delay seeking medical attention unless something hurts or something that doesn't feel right. A poignant takeaway from the discussion was the notion that "Prevention is a form of strength, not weakness." Mental health, a frequently overlooked aspect of overall well-being, was underscored as crucial by the panel. Dr. Foster pointed out that a significant portion of men in the US grapple with major depression, with a higher prevalence among younger men. Dr. Vazquez raised awareness about the alarming rates of suicide among elderly men (85+), emphasizing the importance of mental health support. Dr. Fialkow recommended essential practices such as prioritizing adequate sleep, fostering social connections, and seeking help without stigma for mental health concerns. Encouragingly, he highlighted the accessibility of virtual care options for addressing depression and anxiety, enabling individuals to seek support conveniently. Taking the first step towards better health is key. Scheduling appointments for preventative care and openly discussing mental health with loved ones can make a significant difference in overall well-being. Let's prioritize proactive health measures to prevent minor issues from escalating into major concerns. Gratitude to Dr. Vazquez and the esteemed panelists for their valuable insights and remember "Make time for appointment and preventative care to stop small problems from becoming big problems!" #PineappleProud 🍍

Beautiful to see what's happening with Just Listening in London, especially by GP friends. Although potentially the common practice of many professionals, the nuance and intention of GP's using in JL in London is wonderful. Even a chronic pain clinic using Just Listening under a GP lead. Case study: supporting a distressed older adult through Just Listening at  their GP Practice - A GP had an appointment with a 90-year-old woman living alone with a history of psychosis. During their first meeting, she shared distressing beliefs involving surveillance and harm, which she attributed to external forces. Rather than offering medication, a common clinical response, the clinician chose to simply listen, respecting her wish to avoid treatment. The woman returned for follow-up visits, each time engaging in brief sessions where she was heard without judgement or intervention. Over time, she expressed gratitude and continued to share her thoughts, many of which remained delusional. With her consent, a neighbour confirmed the positive impact of these interactions. Thanks to Just Listening training, the GP felt confident in offering compassionate presence without escalating to services the patient did not want. A trained coach was later invited to provide additional support, allowing the clinician to maintain oversight while reducing the frequency of visits. This approach prevented unnecessary referrals and honoured the patient’s autonomy: demonstrating how Just Listening can be a powerful tool in primary care. See more about what the plans for Just Listening in London: https://lnkd.in/gwgR8Qu9 First research publication here with more to come: https://lnkd.in/g8ij5SWf We are truly valuing the Just Listening Therapeutic Community team and the 19 students who have just begun their yearly long training. An exciting time. Some frustration delivering services with such a small budget, but probably makes the human connection all the more special. Home grown South Australian group, having local and international impact. Chris Picton The Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health (CEIH) Peter Malinauskas Mental Health Commissioner for South Australia

Many of our members might remember being involved in the Mental Health Commission’s consultations last November for the development of the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug 5-Year Strategy. The draft strategy was released in August for public comment, and we were invited to give feedback. While we can see the strategic reflects some of our feedback from our first submission, which was informed by what we heard from consumers across WA, we argue in this submission that the Strategic Directions 2025-2030 needs to do more to transform or ‘balance’ the system away from a biomedical model of mental health where investment is concentrated on acute, clinical and hospital-based treatment. We also pointed out the breadth of the document and suggested that creating more specific priorities would improve the document’s ability to develop a shared vision for what a transformed system looks like. Read the full submission on our website: https://loom.ly/m-skmsc

During reading week, I had an incredible experience participating in the uOttawa | eHub Solutions Lab! This year’s focus was on addressing the complex gaps in Ottawa’s healthcare system. Over the course of four days, we heard from outstanding guest speakers who shared insights into their daily work and the ongoing transformations within Ottawa's healthcare system. My teammates—Alexandra Amini, Nalan Kurnaz, Robin Gencer, and I—chose to focus on the gaps in mental health and well-being services. Together, we developed "Neuromind," a community-centred mental health navigation app designed to help vulnerable individuals in Ottawa feel secure by providing essential information. The app is specifically geared towards users who may not know where to seek help, cannot afford therapy, feel overwhelmed, or are frustrated by bureaucratic processes and social burnout. Neuromind matches users with mental health resources in their community, allowing them to filter through free or low-cost options. It guides them through a step-by-step process, helping them understand what to expect and how to prepare for their appointments. The app also provides feedback from other users in the community who have accessed the same resources, along with real-time updates on the waiting rooms. Thank you, uOttawa | eHub and Experience Ventures, for this invaluable opportunity to learn about new industries, develop our skills, and make great connections!

Excellent initiative and objectives but again important to point out that must be for all with a mental health problems, that means people with intellectual (learning) disabilities across the lifespan. Our umbrella review (preprint) shows the size of the problem and the significant gaps that have marred progress in the development and rolling out of tailored care and personalised interventions.

Launch NY is proud to welcome Nara Therapy to our portfolio! Nara Therapy is transforming mental health care through technology that helps therapists detect high-risk patients and save valuable time through streamlined, data-driven tools. With our investment and mentorship, Perez Willie-Nwobu and the Nara Therapy team is positioned to expand their impact and reach more providers across the country. We’re excited to support their growth and mission to make mental health care more proactive and effective. Learn more about Nara: https://www.joinnara.com/

DHSC has announced £50m in funding for mental health research The aim is that this programme will make sure that the latest innovations in mental healthcare truly focus on solving the problems that could meaningfully change the lives of people with poor mental health. It will also create an Industry Alliance Team to give innovators easier access to the UK’s mental health research facilities and health data. The announcement makes reference that the £50 million will be delivered over 5 years under the Mental Health Goals programme - https://lnkd.in/eYWVmwfr The Mental HEalth Goals programme was set up to speed up the pace at which new mental health medicines, technologies and therapies can be tested, proven, and then put to work. The Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, will deliver investments enhancing mental health research data and digital infrastructure. My hope is that the £50 million doesn't just fund fancy initiatives but means that patients and clinicians can get access to digital tools and healthtech that will support mental health treatment, prevention and care rather than funding more of the same! https://lnkd.in/eaPFuat5