Comment
Psychiatry, like many medical disciplines, is poised to benefit from recent scientific advances that might at last deliver on the promise of biological techniques such as brain imaging, and progress in genetics. However, the specialty faces a particular challenge: how to integrate biomedical treatments with psychosocial approaches that consider the person as a whole across their life course, not just with reference to a DSM or ICD diagnosis such as schizophrenia or depression. Psychopharmacology has to be balanced with psychotherapy and with social interventions. The task is not made easier by a continuing atmosphere of stigma and discrimination: people with psychiatric conditions are more likely to be unemployed, to struggle with substance misuse, and to describe themselves as socially isolated. The outlook is brightening. The evidence base for effective treatments is growing—drugs and psychotherapy, alone or in combination, for psychotic and mood disorders; neurostimulation for obsessivecompulsive disorder; and greater awareness of who is at risk of suicide, for example. But this growth is still not sufficient to address the complex needs of patients, and treatment failure is common. Adverse effects or perceived lack of efficacy, or simply poor experience of services, lead to disillusionment and disengagement. While many patients are able to maintain their domestic and professional lives, managing their illness in the way that best suits them, for others remission remains elusive. Service users might struggle to hold down a
www.thelancet.com Vol 383 March 1, 2014
job, a relationship, or even an independent position in society. In much of the world, access to mental health services remains scarce—improved provision is required but how best to deliver it, taking into account socioeconomic disparities and cultural differences? It is against this backdrop of uncertainty and hope that The Lancet family is growing with the launch of The Lancet Psychiatry in June, 2014. This new journal will take a global perspective, providing an independent forum to address the entire spectrum of mental health problems and their management, policy making, service delivery, and education. One of our priorities is to ask the difficult questions as to what the future holds for the profession, and what the training and role should be of psychiatrists in the future. We are now issuing a call for original research papers, and in considering these submissions priority will be given to research that will change practice. Manuscripts in response to this call can be submitted from Feb 28, 2014, using the journal’s online submission system, but we welcome direct enquiries via email. The Lancet Psychiatry aims to play a pivotal role in disseminating new findings and fostering debate that enables clinicians and policy makers to improve the lives of people with mental health problems. We welcome your submissions, suggestions, and support.
Lady in Yellow by John O’Donnell
The Lancet Psychiatry: a call for papers
To Meet the Editors of The Lancet Psychiatry see http:// www.thelancet.com/psychiatry/ meet-the-editors To submit a paper go to http:// ees.elsevier.com/thelancetpsych/
Niall Boyce, Joan Marsh, Catherine Quarini The Lancet Psychiatry, London NW1 7BY, UK [email protected]
767
Psychiatry, like many medical disciplines, is poised to benefit from recent scientific advances that might at last deliver on the promise of biological techniques such as brain imaging, and progress in genetics. However, the specialty faces a particular challenge: how to integrate biomedical treatments with psychosocial approaches that consider the person as a whole across their life course, not just with reference to a DSM or ICD diagnosis such as schizophrenia or depression. Psychopharmacology has to be balanced with psychotherapy and with social interventions. The task is not made easier by a continuing atmosphere of stigma and discrimination: people with psychiatric conditions are more likely to be unemployed, to struggle with substance misuse, and to describe themselves as socially isolated. The outlook is brightening. The evidence base for effective treatments is growing—drugs and psychotherapy, alone or in combination, for psychotic and mood disorders; neurostimulation for obsessivecompulsive disorder; and greater awareness of who is at risk of suicide, for example. But this growth is still not sufficient to address the complex needs of patients, and treatment failure is common. Adverse effects or perceived lack of efficacy, or simply poor experience of services, lead to disillusionment and disengagement. While many patients are able to maintain their domestic and professional lives, managing their illness in the way that best suits them, for others remission remains elusive. Service users might struggle to hold down a
www.thelancet.com Vol 383 March 1, 2014
job, a relationship, or even an independent position in society. In much of the world, access to mental health services remains scarce—improved provision is required but how best to deliver it, taking into account socioeconomic disparities and cultural differences? It is against this backdrop of uncertainty and hope that The Lancet family is growing with the launch of The Lancet Psychiatry in June, 2014. This new journal will take a global perspective, providing an independent forum to address the entire spectrum of mental health problems and their management, policy making, service delivery, and education. One of our priorities is to ask the difficult questions as to what the future holds for the profession, and what the training and role should be of psychiatrists in the future. We are now issuing a call for original research papers, and in considering these submissions priority will be given to research that will change practice. Manuscripts in response to this call can be submitted from Feb 28, 2014, using the journal’s online submission system, but we welcome direct enquiries via email. The Lancet Psychiatry aims to play a pivotal role in disseminating new findings and fostering debate that enables clinicians and policy makers to improve the lives of people with mental health problems. We welcome your submissions, suggestions, and support.
Lady in Yellow by John O’Donnell
The Lancet Psychiatry: a call for papers
To Meet the Editors of The Lancet Psychiatry see http:// www.thelancet.com/psychiatry/ meet-the-editors To submit a paper go to http:// ees.elsevier.com/thelancetpsych/
Niall Boyce, Joan Marsh, Catherine Quarini The Lancet Psychiatry, London NW1 7BY, UK [email protected]
767
