This is such a wonderful research finding. Ocytocin is the baby cuddles hormone known as the love hormone. You can get sprays of it. This finds that the hormone plus loving touch and words help wounds heal faster. Love for the win

I enjoyed writing this post for The Mental Elf about my favourite topic: the effects of social connection on physical health! I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you, dear @eimearfoley.bsky.social , for the opportunity.

🔴 People using mental health services experience sexual violence at substantially higher rates than the general population. Review suggests that 13% of women, 3% of men (using MH services) experienced sexual violence in the last year. Yet clinicians don't routinely screen. buff.ly/ZKHuefe

⚠️ 13% of vapes confiscated from English schools contained synthetic cannabinoids, illegally mis-sold as THC. Researchers tested 1,933 products: 251 positive, mainly refillable vapes. SCs carry 30x greater risk of emergency treatment than THC. Both are illegal in the UK #Vaping #Schools 🧵 THREAD

💕 Does oxytocin help wounds heal faster? Not on its own. In 80 healthy couples, intranasal oxytocin accelerated wound healing only when paired with affectionate touch and partner appreciation. Oxytocin acts as a "social amplifier". buff.ly/IvuBcTq #Oxytocin #SocialHealth #RelationshipScience

💔 Suicide risk after involuntary psychiatric care remains elevated for years, not just weeks. Swedish study: risk nearly 200x higher in first month post-discharge, still 50x elevated at five years. Personality disorder patients faced greatest vulnerability. buff.ly/ruJXTOE #SuicidePrevention

🍊 Vitamin C supplementation improved attention & work absorption in 40 young adults with low vitamin C levels, alongside changes in gut bacteria and inflammation markers. Early evidence for gut-brain-immune connections, but limited sample. buff.ly/NawjZIq #MentalHealth #Nutrition #GutHealth

💔 South Asian adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse face multiple barriers to trauma care: long NHS waits, cultural stigma around shame & honour, confidentiality fears, and Western therapy models that don't fit their cultural context. buff.ly/gWhJVqZ #TraumaCare #ChildhoodAbuse #MentalHealth

🌟 World Bipolar Day webinar alert 🌟 Join us 30 March for an evidence update on pharmacological treatments, psychological therapies, lifestyle interventions & lived experience insights. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-hope-f... #WorldBipolarDay #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealth

Not all mental health apps work equally for university students. New Australian trial explores physical activity, mindfulness & sleep hygiene apps for student mental health. One size doesn't fit all in digital mental health support. buff.ly/tHOvi7t #StudentMentalHealth #DigitalHealth

Lower IQ & cognitive performance link to higher alcohol use disorder risk, but educational attainment & national context can amplify or reduce this vulnerability. 🧬 Genes contribute ~50% of risk, but structural conditions shape outcomes. buff.ly/eA43xdC #AlcoholUseDisorder #Genetics #MentalHealth

NHS Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners delivered focused panic therapy after just 2 half-day training sessions. Recovery rates looked promising, but it's only a small trial, so we can't draw firm conclusions yet. 📊 Larger trials needed. buff.ly/vtGR4E5 #PanicDisorder #NHS #MentalHealth

🚨 Did you know we have a four-part Podcast series with the @thementalelf.bsky.social discussing what is required to tackle the growing mental health crisis among children and young people? Guest speakers include Prof Pasco Fearon, Prof Essi Viding, and Prof Peter Fonagy. #AdolescentMentalHealth 🎙️

Black university students report harsher marking, staff disbelief in their work, microaggressions & institutional barriers. Universities aren't neutral—they're perpetuating racism. 📚 Think your institution is doing fine? Read this research. buff.ly/pK7NlQX #HigherEducation #Racism #MentalHealth

Conversations about Youth Mental Health research from the fabulous #AMHDMshowcase on 11-12 Feb. We made a set of videos that we've shared on Instagram and LinkedIn - links in this thread below if you want to take a look! Please share @ukri.org

British Muslims worry about judgment & misunderstanding in therapy. But encouragingly, most say treatment can work when clinicians show genuine respect & cultural awareness. Read the full blog: buff.ly/O5E1NGt #MentalHealth #Therapy #CulturalCompetence #IslamicMentalHealth #TherapyAccess

Closing reflections now at #AMHDMshowcase from Prof Ed Bullmore and UKRI representatives Louise Jones (MRC), Alison Park (ESRC) and Jaideep Gupta (AHRC). Plus – poster prize announcements! 🏆

If you would like to know more about our work on social media and eating disorders, you can sign up for our CPD-certified workshop with Beat: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-informat...

You can see the co-produced outputs here: edifyresearch.co.uk/resources/53... Our experts by experience were fantastic to work with and so knowledgeable!

We're just getting ready for our closing panel discussion at #AMHDMshowcase The Future of Adolescent Mental Health

Our next presentation is about ATTUNE: A multidisciplinary research programme understanding mechanisms and mental health impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences to co-design preventative arts and digital interventions. Kam Bhui and Jack Hanrahan #AMHDMshowcase

In our next session at #AMHDMshowcase: Prof Rose McCabe and team present "Agency In Practise" A collaborative presentation exploring agency in mental health – presented by researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience together. 🔗 mcpin.org/project/agency @CityStGeorges @McPinFdn

Good morning! Day 2 of #AMHDMshowcase begins 🌅 Another packed morning of adolescent mental health research insights ahead. Early Career Researchers are networking in the Trinity Suite – great to see the next generation connecting! @UKRI.org

When #research isn’t accessible or clearly communicated 👇 this is what happens. We need accurate, reliable evidence – not just catchy headlines. #Psychologyintheclassroom chats to @thementalelf.bsky.social's Andre Tomlin to discuss the challenges of making research accessible.

It's #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek The theme: 'This is My Place' 🏫 The Connected Belonging model says schools should support relationships to community, culture, peers - not just teach "grit". What if wellbeing isn't about individual resilience, but belonging? #SchoolMentalHealth 🧵 THREAD

Now we are moving on to our Panel for Children's Mental Health Week at #AMHDMshowcase: "This is my place" #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #ThisIsMyPlace #CMHW2026 Applying research evidence across settings relevant to young people.

Eyes down for the afternoon session at #AMHDMshowcase Now it’s time to hear from Rachel Hiller and Lisa Holmes about the ReThink project - The shaping of mental health and the mechanisms of leading to (un)successful transitions for care-experienced young people.

Now At #AMHDMshowcase we have Ed Watkins and Jemima Dooley from the Nurture-U project: a whole-university approach to student wellbeing and mental health. 🔗 nurtureuniversity.co.uk

We're now enjoying some pre-recorded videos of "lightning talks" by three early career researchers. We'll try to get links to you asap. The ECRs note how they appreciated the support of a team (Loneliness Scale) with a very friendly and welcoming culture (Digital Youth). #AMHDMshowcase

Now it’s time to hear about the ReSET project @resetproject.bsky.social from Co-PI: Prof Essi Viding from UCL. This project developed and tested a new school-based preventative mental health intervention for adolescents. resetproject.co.uk #AMHDMshowcase

Panel discussion now at #AMHDMshowcase: "Involvement of young people in research – impacts and lessons learned" Chaired by Vanessa Pinfold from @mcpinfoundation.bsky.social, Dr Alison Penny from @ncb.org.uk, Prof Paul Cooke, and, most importantly, young person advisory group representatives.

Delicious lunch here at #AMHDMshowcase! Panel discussion starting at 1.30, putting the young people centre stage. Everyone is still enjoying their vittles and posters, but don't worry, I'll be on hand to report the goings-on.

Now at #AMHDMshowcase we will hear from RE-STAR, a multidisciplinary programme. Regulating Emotions: Strengthening Adolescent Resilience

It’s time now to hear from one of the 7 major research programmes here today at #AMHDMshowcase. Our speakers are Prof Chris Hollis and Prof Ellen Townsend from the University of Nottingham who will be telling us about Digital Youth.

Hello and welcome Day 1 of the #AMHDMshowcase is underway! Youth researcher Tegan sets the scene and introduces Gill Attrill OBE (Director at @ukri.org) & Prof Eamon McCrory (CEO of @annafreudcharity.bsky.social), former Directors of the Adolescence, Mental Health and the Developing Mind Programme

Back in 2019, the MRC, AHRC & ESRC invested £35m to support research into how mental health problems emerge in young people, what makes some more susceptible than others, and how we can intervene early to promote positive mental health & wellbeing. #AMHDMshowcase www.ukri.org/what-we-do/b...

Here's the #AMHDMshowcase programme for anyone who wants to follow this Youth Mental Health Research conference today and tomorrow (11-12 Feb 2026) www.discover.ukri.org/adolescence-...

New Podcast Featuring Mental Elf Co-Founder André Tomlin. Big thanks to Lucinda Powell from Psychology in the Classroom for making this happen! 🙏🏽 Mental Health Research: Practical Tips for Teachers and Practitioners to Navigate the Evidence buff.ly/CLwA018 #MentalHealth #Research #School

Personality disorders affect 5% of the population, similar to anxiety, but don't appear in global burden of disease data. Why? 📊 Review of 60 studies, 28 countries. Higher mortality risk, especially for inpatients. Yet invisible in public health planning. #PersonalityDisorders 🧵 THREAD

Looking forward to working with you @romasaleh.bsky.social ! #AMHDMshowcase will feature dozens of projects and the fruits of lots of great youth involvement work. I’ll be posting from @thementalelf.bsky.social throughout. Lucky you!

Tomorrow sees the start of the Adolescence, Mental Health & Developing Mind showcase event which will celebrate six years of this £35m investment in understanding and improving young people's mental health. Find out more about the programme at www.ncb.org.uk/amhdm

Today is #SaferInternetDay The DIORA study looked at what young people do online and how it makes them feel The animation below designed with young people turns the findings from the UKRI-funded study into bite-sized practical tips looking at how these experiences shape mental health and wellbeing

🌈 Parenting autistic children - research usually focuses on the challenges, but what about the joys? 80 parents interviewed. Many found profound fulfilment - valuing their child's authentic self, unique humour, unconventional affection. Acceptance was key. #Autism #Parenting 🧵 THREAD

Follow #AMHDMshowcase on 11-12 Feb 2026 for a smorgasbord of youth mental health research findings 👇🏽 @dbadenoch.bsky.social will be reporting live here on Bluesky and @romasaleh.bsky.social will being taking over our Instagram for some youth involvement coverage! Can't wait 🥰

🚨In case you missed it:🚨 The recording is now available of our recent webinar on: 'Improving #MentalHealth in primary care: novel psychological and pharmacological interventions'. 📽️ You can watch back on our YouTube channel: 👉 youtu.be/lLu1rNfZyHs?si=O3GEUjuVxKaKvT7Q #GPSky #PrimaryCare

Psychiatric rehab settings often avoid resistance training due to safety concerns, but what if those assumptions are wrong? 🏋️ 54 inpatients w psychosis completed resistance training safely 88.8% adherence, no exercise-related adverse events Feasible & acceptable #Psychosis #PhysicalHealth 🧵 THREAD

Why restrictive institutional care often fails ppl w complex mental health needs. @keirwales.bsky.social & Jorge Zimbron discuss the urgent need for community investment & non-coercive alternatives. Essential for MH professionals & commissioners. @bigspd.bsky.social #BIGSPD25 buff.ly/i1ZSiLC

🌟 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 🌟 🌳🍄#YouthMentalHealth🍄🌳 📍Showcase Event, 11-12 Feb📍 Celebrating 6 years of the Adolescence, Mental Health & Developing Mind programme. £35 million invested 33 research projects One goal: understanding & improving young people's mental health. 👉🏽 #AMHDMshowcase 👈🏽 Join us! 🧵

Writing about gratitude or your "best possible self" might help wellbeing, but we need better research 📝 51 studies reviewed, 31 poor quality. Effects strongest for happiness, not physical health. Great new blog by @jkaye82.bsky.social 👏🏽 #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #PositivePsychology 🧵 THREAD