Psychiatry

GPs specializing in mental health is an increasing necessity as the number of Canadians facing—and seeking help for—mental health issues continues to grow.

When it comes to addressing mental health issues, two heads are better than one. Or in this case, so are two countries. Canada and Australia have recently joined forces to share knowledge and best practices around mental health research, programs and other initiatives.

Canada’s first student mental health innovation summit brought together some 200 students from across the country and proved that young people really do want to talk about mental health issues.

OTTAWA | New guidelines have been released for physicians, nurses and allied health professionals recommending depression screening for all individuals living with stroke as well as their caregivers. The incidence of depression in both groups exceeds 30%, and too many people fail to receive proper care.

Stroke care recommendations updated to promote optimal detection and management of post-stroke depression and vascular cognitive impairment.

Collaborative care involving multiple clinicians significantly improves depression and anxiety outcomes, when compared to standard primary care treatment, notes an extensive new review published in the Cochrane Library.

For the first time, Canadian organizations have a standardized tool to help them address mental health issues, which are purported to affect one in five Canadians, mostly in their prime working years.