New brain networks come ‘online’ during adolescence, allowing teenagers to develop more complex adult social skills, but potentially putting them at increased risk of mental illness, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

An international team of researchers has identified key networks within the brain which they say interact to increase the risk that an individual will think about – or attempt – suicide. Writing in Molecular Psychiatry, the researchers say that their review of existing literature highlights how little research has been done into one of the world’s major killers, particularly among the most vulnerable groups.

Deprivation affects men and women differently, writes Olivia Remes, PhD candidate at the Cambridge Institute of Public Health, with men more likely to experience depression.

Patients experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues could be managed effectively by GP practices, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge. This could also help reduce the stigma faced by these individuals. However, specialist treatment may still prove more cost-effective in the long term, say the researchers.

People with a higher genetic likelihood of autism are more likely to report higher childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidal thoughts according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge. A better understanding of these issues is critical to improving wellbeing in autistic people. The results are published today in Molecular Psychiatry.

The proportion of people aged over 65 on antidepressants has more than doubled in two decades, according to new research led by the University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia (UEA).

Recalling positive events and experiences can help protect young people against depression in later life, suggests new research published today.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, has announced up to £100 million of public capital for an innovative children’s hospital for the east of England. This will be a new facility that is purpose-built to meet the needs of the region’s youngest patients, integrating mental and physical health and combining the highest quality services with world class science and research.