In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to associate professor in psychology at Durham University, Dr Ben Alderson-Day.
Ben’s research is broadly focused on mental health and neurodiversity. His current research is about “felt presence”, the sensation that someone is present without any sensory cues.
In this conversation, they discussed presence, the research behind hallucinations, and the fourth man phenomenon.

Dr Ben Alderson-Day and the Feeling That Someone Is Behind You

MQ Open Mind looks at the science behind mental health and its potential to transform lives. The show digs deep into the cutting-edge research taking on mental illness and speaks to the people it could help. Hear conversations on a range of different conditions, from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar. Brought to you by the mental health research charity, MQ: Transforming Mental Health

Science

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the Head of the School of Academic Psychiatry at the Institue of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Professor Allan Young. 
Allan’s extensive research focuses on the causes and treatments for severe psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood disorders.
He was also ranked as one of the world's leading scientific minds in the field of Psychiatry and Psychology, according to the 2014 Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researchers list.
In this conversation, they discussed common misconceptions about mood disorders, the latest interventions for bipolar disorder, and how jetlag can affect your mood.

Professor Allan Young & Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the Regius Professor of Psychiatry at King’s College London, Professor Sir Simon Wessely.
Simon is a psychiatrist and epidemiologist with a focus on military health and unexplained symptoms and syndromes.
In 2017, the then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, commissioned Simon to chair the review of the Mental Health Act based on his extensive knowledge and experience.
In this conversation, they discussed Simon’s unique insight into the NHS, the process of reviewing mental health legislation, and his research on Gulf War veterans.

Professor Simon Wessely & Understanding NHS Spending

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the CEO of Peopleful, Georgie Mack, and Head of Data, Analysis & Insight at Peopleful, Dr Kate Duckworth.
MQ Mental Health Research has joined forces with Peopleful and the WorkWell Research Centre at North West University to conduct a cross-industry study of workplace dynamics across the UK and Ireland. The aim is to develop a framework that will help leaders to build more mentally healthy workplaces that deliver better outcomes for their people that – in turn – boosts their organisations’ performance.
In this conversation, they discussed the Building Mentally Healthy Workplace report, how organizations can support their staff's mental health, and understanding the truth about burnout.
You can learn more about Peopleful here: https://peopleful.io/ 
You can read the report here: https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Workplace-mental-health.pdf

Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces w/ Georgie Mack & Dr Kate Duckworth

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to counselling psychologist and author Dr Chloe Paidoussis Mitchell.
Chloe is a highly experienced psychologist specialising in grief and trauma and how it relates to one’s mental health.
Recently, she released her first book, The Loss Prescription, which aims to use research and science to help one process grief with the hope of embracing life again.
In this conversation, they discussed grief and trauma’s effects on your mental health, the truth about the five stages of grief and finding the light after a loss.
Learn more about Dr Chloe and her latest book here: https://www.dr-chloe.com/
Visit our website to learn more about mental health research: https://mqmentalhealth.org/

Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell & Understanding Grief

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of MQ Open Mind!Join Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig as they delve into the fascinating world of child and young people’s mental health with special guest, clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Martha Deiros Collado.
Dr. Martha, a seasoned psychologist with a wealth of experience in her field, gained widespread recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing her expertise on Instagram, where she amassed a following of over 250,000 individuals. Now, she has taken her insights a step further by releasing her first book, "How To Be The Grown Up," which offers evidence-based strategies to support parents in navigating the complexities of raising children.
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Martha, Professor Rory, and Craig explore various topics, including potential enhancements to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), the impact of social media on young people's mental well-being, and practical ways to gain a deeper understanding of your child's inner world.
Tune in as they uncover valuable insights and practical tips to help you support the mental health and well-being of the young people in your life. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply interested in understanding more about the intricacies of child psychology, this episode is sure to provide you with valuable knowledge and actionable strategies.

Dr Ben Alderson-Day and the Feeling That Someone Is Behind You

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