A European Parliament discussion has heard how the EU must do more to tackle the stigma experienced by those suffering from mental health problems.

The parliament interest group on mental health, wellbeing and brain disorders, co-chaired by Bulgarian ALDE member Antonyia Parvanova and Irish S&D deputy Nessa Childers, held a hearing looking at depression and care services.

The hearing opened with video recording from former prime minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik, who suffered from depression while in office in 1998 and opted to make his condition public.

Mr Bondevik said: “Stigma is the main problem. We need more public engagement, education and access to smaller mental health institutions.”

Antonyia Parvanova stressed that mental health should not be viewed as a “weakness”, adding that the interest group had been working “very actively” on this issue and that most of the problems highlighted had been taken under consideration by parliament’s committees.

Children with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, such as depression, according to scientists.

According to findings from the “Children of the 90s” research project, led by the University of Bristol, children with the highest levels of the “sunshine vitamin” have a 10% lower risk of developing mental health issues.

The scientists looked at levels of vitamin D in more than 2,700 children aged between nine and thirteen; and their findings showed those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were more likely to show signs of mental health issues, such as depression.

Researchers also found those with high levels of vitamin D were more likely to show a decline in depressive symptoms during their teenage years; although lead researcher Dr Anna-Maija Thompson did state that further research is required before a change in medical practice can be recommended.

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Alastair Campbell believes that job adverts should spell out employers’ openness towards recruiting people with mental health conditions.

The former spokesperson for Tony Blair, was speaking earlier this week at an event on mental health and depression in London, where he openly discussed his own battle with alcohol and depression in the past – and he called on employers to create a culture of openness around the issue.

Campbell told the audience: “Employers should openly state in job adverts that they won’t discriminate against those who disclose a mental health condition,” adding that allowing people to be open was the best way to end discrimination against those with existing or previous mental health conditions.

While he acknowledged that some employers are doing terrific work “the general mentality has to change” adding “Here in the UK, I have no doubt that in the majority of cases that disclosing a mental health condition during the application process is a quick way out to the dustbin.”

Computer exercise games could potentially help the over 50s delay the onset of dementia, due to having greater mental health benefits than exercise alone, according to a new study.

Researchers claim that “exergames” on consoles such as the Wii Fit can give a better workout than exercise alone, by combining workouts with virtual reality environments and interactive video game features which enhance brain function.

A study, carried out by researchers at The Union College in New York compared the results of over 50s using exercise bikes alone, to those using an ‘exergame’ while cycling.

The results suggest that those using the “exergame” had faster brain speed response times and researchers believe that regular use by over 50s of “exergames” could protect the player from cognitive decline and would help ward off old-age related conditions such as dementia.

Dr Anderson-Hanley, who ran the research, said: “We found that for older adults, virtual-reality enhanced interactive exercise – or ‘cybercycling’ – two to three times a week for three months, yielded greater cognitive benefit, and perhaps added protection against mild cognitive impairment, than a similar dose of traditional forms of exercise.

“The implication of our study is that older adults who choose exergaming with interactive physical and cognitive exercise over traditional exercise may garner added cognitive benefit, and perhaps prevent decline, all for the same exercise effort” adding “Further research will be needed to tease apart the contributions of a variety of factors in the cybercycling condition.”

Scientists are hoping that specimens of century-old brains in jars will reveal markers to help improve diagnosis and treatment for a range of psychological illnesses.

Dr George Sandusky, leading the study, has developed a technique to extract usable DNA from a museums collection of 19th century brains, despite their age.

The brains all come from patients who suffered from mental disorders and died in the American, Central State Hospital – an asylum established in the mid-1800s.

It’s hoped that with Dr Sandusky’s technique the specimens can be used to improve diagnosis of psychological illnesses including bipolar, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress; using a simple blood test.
Dr Sandusky said: “work could make an impact on patient care – a huge impact. ‘It’s going to help diagnose patients with mental disorders quicker and faster.

“They preserved the brains with the best science of their time. The preservation techniques from the era were almost as good as ours from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. I was shocked by the quality.”
The data gained from the study is set to be used to assist future doctors in creating a personal genetic profile for people suffering from mental illness, to ensure they’re diagnosed quickly and accurately.