The Mental Health Media Awards took place on Tuesday night, honouring those that have helped bring mental health issues into the forefront of the media.

Hosted by Ruby Wax, who has recently made a series of programmes for the BBC about mental health, winners included Hollyoaks for a recent storyline about anorexia, and the BBC for an adaptation Alexander Masters’ book Stuart: A Life Backwards.

Commenting on the awards, Ruby Wax said “The Mental Health Media Awards shine a light on the important role and impact the media has around the portrayal and reporting of mental health issues.”

SoceityGuardian journalist Mary O’Hara also won an award, and you can read more details over at the Guardian website.

Having counselling may double a women’s chance of surviving breast cancer, a new study has shown. An article in the Telegraph reports that helping patients to improve their mental health, giving them advice on telling friends and family about their illness and dealing with tiredness.

The study, carried out by the Ohio State University, followed 227 breast cancer patients over a period of eleven years, half of whom were given counselling sessions. The number of those who died in the group that received counselling was half that of the group that didn’t.

Professor Barbara Andersen, a key figure in the research and trails said: “The results suggest that we can help breast cancer patients make positive steps that may help them live longer.”

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Stress can have many detrimental effects, but a new study has shown that it can physically change the shape of the brain, and cause long-term damage, reports the Guardian.

Various studies carried out on laboratory mice showed that, after being exposed to loud rock music, being restrained, or being deprived of food and water the size of the learning and memory area of the brain decreased by up to 3%. It’s thought that there are similar results in humans when suffering from stress for long periods of time, including brain cells diminishing, explaining why some people struggle with their memory in stressful situations.

More worryingly, stress in expectant mothers can transfer to their unborn child, affecting the way the child regulates their emotions and makes decisions.

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Mental health professionals and members of the public who are affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) will get together on Saturday 22nd November for the 2008 OCD Conference at Imperial College London.

The Conference is organised by OCD Action and has been designed to educate and inspire participants, and provide an opportunity to share personal experiences. It is estimated that OCD affects approximately 1.8 million people in the UK and it is listed as one of the top 10 disabling conditions in the world by the World Health Organisation.

The day will include workshops, presentations and short films designed to help those attending. OCD Action Chairman, Peter Jennings, said: “This day of action will have internationally-respected experts deconstruct this complex disorder to show people that these intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals are purely symptoms of OCD; symptoms which can be managed through therapy, medication and the determination to say No to OCD”.

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An article over on Times Online recently highlighted the mass anxiety that is sweeping through Britain, causing raised blood pressure, increasing stress-hormone levels and rash economic actions. The credit crisis, bank failures and unpredictable stock prices have apparently sent record numbers seeking therapy.

According to Philip Corr, a professor of psychology, uncertainty causes severe unease: “If you are faced with higher interest rates, large fuel bills, rising food costs and the worry of what is going to happen in the next few months - that can have a catastrophic effect on people.”

Worry ripples through a crowd, like a virus, in a manner called “emotional contagion” and things can rapidly spiral into mass anxiety. However studies show that the fear can be forestalled. Developing resilience skills, such as getting physical, staying curious, keeping a gratitude journal and getting involved with your community can all help to promote a sense of calm during these more difficult times.

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