A charity called Anxiety Uk, which is the largest anxiety charity has expressed concern over the figures released this week by the NHS. These figures show that 10 % of the population over the age of 15 are being prescribed anti - depressant medication. This is a huge number and shows that effective methods such as talking therapies (E.G Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT) are not being offered as much. The charity also recommended that these options should be explored first before medication. But were keen to point out that medication does have a role in the treatment of these illnesses.

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Alcohol Related Deaths Fall

New Figures released from the National Statistics office show 8,724 alcohol related deaths in the uk in 2007 or 13.3 per 100,000 people. This was down from 13.4 per cent in 2006. But the rate is still double that in 1991 and is still a serious issue in today's society. The figures also show that older men were still at the greatest risk.

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Teenagers are to be given Group Therapy

Teenagers in the classroom are to be given group therapy which will attempt to ward of the affect of depression. The government will give 1 Million pounds towards a trial which will take place in Bath, Bristol, Nottingham and Swindon. The trial will involve 7,000 teenagers and across many different sessions. It is hoped the sessions will have the biggest affect to around 20% of students who are at a high risk of depression. The sessions will be used to help deal with thoughts of feeling negative. The programme is largely based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) which is used to find the cause of their emotional problems. Then work to change these thoughts or actions from taking place which start the emotional problem.

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Vitamin D can help protect against Mental Illness

New research has found that Vitamin D which can be found in sunshine and fish can help protect us from mental illness in old age. The researchers from UK and US looked at 2,000 people. They found that those with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to have mental health problems compared with those with higher levels of the vitamin. Vitamin D can also be found in Milk, Cereals and Soya Drinks. It is known it helps produce healthy bones and helps with the immune system. But an Alzheimer's charity also stated that more research was needed to understand exactly how Vitamin D protects mental illness in old age.

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New National Campaign launched by Time to Change Charity

A new National Advertising campaign has just been launched by a charity called 'Time To Change'. The campaign is used to tackle the stigma of mental health and mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia etc. The campaign will be aimed to make more people aware of Mental Illness and that something can be done about it.

Click here to read more

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British Heart Foundation launches the Yoobot to tackle childhood obesity

A new online game has been launched by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help young people understand the serious effects of eating junk food. The Yoobot allows young people to play with their future to help them make informed and healthier food choices. The game is launched as new BHF research found that the majority of young people are unaware of the devastating effects eating junk food can have on their bodies. The Yoobot game can be found by clicking here.

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NHS Direct Wales directory of health, well-being and support services

This database is aimed at all members of the public and contains information about a variety of health and well-being services provided locally and nationally, including community groups, befriending schemes, condition specific support groups, transport schemes and chronic condition management services.

The website can be found by clicking here When visiting the site click on local services and select Health, Wellbeing and Support from the drop down menu; alternatively Telephone 0845 46 47.

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Helping the aged to beat the cold

A campaign that will be used to keep older people warm this winter has been launched by the British Gas help the Aged Partnership and the Welsh Ambulance Service in Wales. There is an information pack called 'Three Steps to a Warmer Winter' which is being made available on Welsh Ambulance Service Patient Care Services vehicles which transport thousands of older people to and from hospitals and clinics across Wales. Help the aged offer a helpline advice on services and entitlements for older people.

Help the Aged also runs a national telephone helpline which will offer advice on services and entitlements for older people. The helpline number is 0808 800 6565.

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Heart Screening for under 35

Teenagers and young people under the age of 35 are being offered free heart screening for the day at a special clinic on Saturday 18th January 2009. The clinic will be held at the University of Glamorgan and offers people an ECG test. This test will aim to pick up any heart conditions that have not been diagnosed. The clinic was organised by a charity called Cardiac Risk in Young People (CRY). It has been estimated that around 12 healthy young people die every week. The normal price for an appointment at the clinic is usually around £35.00.

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The NHS can be a great place to start any New Years Resolutions

As many of us want to Stop Drinking, Eat More Healthy, Stop Smoking. It is never too late to stop you can be 18 to 80 years old. But be aware that your resolutions need to be realistic. The NHS has a Live Well programme that supports a healthier lifestyle. It includes advice on alcohol, allergies, drugs, fitness, good food, mental health, sexual heath and many more.

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BBC Film Behind the Scenes at Wales Busiest NHS Trust

7 years ago the BBC went behind the scenes at hospitals across the Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust. But now they have returned to film at University Hospital of Wales for a new series called Hospital 24/7. This time they have approach it a different way. By filming from the consultants down to the cleaners and porters (E.G. non medical staff) who have an equal importance in keeping the hospital running. The team followed a number of different staff and patients. The new programme will be broadcast Monday (12/01/09), Tuesday (13/01/09) and Thursday (15/01/09) on BBC One Wales at 10:35 PM and on wednesday (14/01/09) at 10:45PM.

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Self Harm Study by University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is to lead a 4.5 million study into self harm. It will be a 7 year project and will examine 800 people who have previously harmed themselves. It is hoped the project will be able to examine the various treatments used on people who self harm and find out which are most effective. It is estimated that around 10 to 15 % of the uk young people self harm. It is believed that there is link between self harm and the difficulties in Relationships / Communication.

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1 in 10 Youngsters unhappy

A recent survey has found that 1 in 10 youngsters 16 - 25 years old questioned disagreed with the line "life was not worth living". Those questioned who were not in any form of employment or on any education courses were less likely to be happy. It was also found that around 29% were less happy now than when they were a child. Also in another survey 47% were found to be regularly stressed. But the key factors in happiness were found to be your relationships with friends & family. But Health, Money and work are also factors that affect happiness.

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Tackling the Credit Crunch

Cut Your Fuel Bills This Winter

There are a number of ways in which you can cut down on your fuel bills this winter. These are: -

Make sure you are on the cheapest available tariff

Ring you local energy supplier and ask are you on the cheapest available tariff. Internet tariffs tend to be cheaper and you can ask for a capped price. Which holds the price for the next three years. So if the price rises you will make money but be careful if the price goes down you can loose money.

Social Tariff

There are suppliers who offer tariffs for people who are finding it difficult to pay these bills. The companies are:

British Gas - 'Essential Tariff' and is offered to people who are on benefits.

EDF - 'Energy Assist' this offers a 15 % discount on prices for people on Income Support, Pension Credit or income support.

Npower - 'Spreading the Warmth' tariff discounts of up to £250 for people on low income and also where people are aged over 60 or disabled or suffering chronic illness .

Swalec - 'Energy plus Care' tariff offers discounts of up to 20 % for people who are existing customers and are on a low income.

Switch to monthly Direct Debit this will save you 10 % and is usually offered by all providers.

Take a meter reading yourself. This will allow your bill to be more accurate. Do not rely on the electric providers as they estimate your bill therefore you may be paying to much.

Change supplier - There are many different supplier who may offer a cheaper deal. Visit www.uswitch.com or ring 0800 404 7908 or www.energyhelpline.com or ring 0800 074 0745

Get your house insulated and draft proofed and so will help cut down on your fuel bills. There may be grants available so contact your local council for advice.

Change your boiler by fitting efficiency condensing control. This will help cut down on fuel bills and could save a few hundred pounds.

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