Snapshots of the mind

Article Abstract:

Mental illness can often affect people with learning difficulties therefore health professionals need to have a method of monitoring patients to assess the risk of mental illness. Hargrave House in Northamptonshire, UK, uses a sliding scale system to monitor 17 regular daily patterns of behaviour, such as sleep details, sociability and general alertness. Weekly scores can be checked against each other to note any deterioration in mental health which could indicate an episode of illness. The assessment process takes very little time but is invaluable in detecting small but important changes.

Diagnosis, Mental illness, Psychiatric diagnosis

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Cold feat in Moscow

Article Abstract:

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) runs clinics in Russia to care for homeless people, who tend to be refugees, ex-prisoners or alcoholics. They cannot get free state medical treatment unless they have identification and proof of where they live and they do not have this. There are around 250,000 homeless who do not qualify and an estimated 3,000 of them died in 1998. MSF is the only organisation offering them medical care. Half of those seen have tuberculosis and some have frostbite. MSF has asked the Moscow Medical Committee to allow it to open two more clinics but this has been denied.

Hospitals, Homeless persons, Moscow, Russia (City), Charities, Medical, Medical charities, Medicins Sans Frontieres

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Forgotten casualties

Article Abstract:

Many patients in Bosnia with mental health problems and learning disabilities are living in very poor conditions, and the war in the former Yugoslavia has left them even more marginalised than before. Those affected include patients who had mental health problems before the war, and those who have been severely traumatised by the war. Many patients are still living in the huge combined learning disabilities and mental health care hospitals which are a legacy of the former Yugoslav system. The buildings tend to be old, neglected and totally inadequate.

Psychiatric services, Mental health services, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mental health policy

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