This podcast episode explores the question: Are psychedelics the new frontier in mental health? thanks to our two guests, Prof. Sara Tai and Prof. Joanna Moncrieff.

The integration of psychedelics into mental health support has recently emerged as a widely discussed and intriguing subject.  It appears that the utilisation of psychedelics has captured both hope and apprehension, sparking diverse opinions and conversations. 

It is essential to provide clarity regarding the background of psychedelics in mental health support, their historical context, potential benefits, as well as the associated risks concerning physical and mental well-being. Exploring the motivations behind this research and contemplating the future of these practices are also essential for an informed discussion. 

The psychosocial model of mental health understands mental health as the dynamic interplay of diverse factors, including socio-economic background, education level, challenging or traumatic life events, and the surrounding environment. Rather than concentrating on an individual’s alleged predisposition to mental health issues, this model focuses on the barriers that each person faces throughout their life.

This podcast episode aims at explaining the psychosocial model using accessible language, with the ultimate goal of destigmatising mental health discussions and fostering a nuanced understanding of mental health.

In this episode, you will hear the voices of Mental Health Europe's Brussels-based team as they talk about their work, the goals of the organisation, and the activities that MHE leads for members. Who is organising the European Mental Health Week, and how? What opportunities can members be part of? What is the difference between the communication and the policy team? Listen to learn more about Mental Health Europe's behind the scenes!

In this episode, Jr. Communication Officer Margi Marchetti summarises the main points of discussion during the event "Migrants, Refugees & Mental Health" hosted by MEP Estrella Dura Ferrandez and MEP Tilly Metz at the European Parliament for World Mental Health Day 2022. Different experts raised concerns and practices to support migrants' mental health and to promote tailored programs for each situation. The episode will also bring to you the voices of Ahmad (Syria) and Tetiana (Ukraine), two displaced persons who share their migration stories. 

MHE Jr. Communication Officer Margi Marchetti interviews Dr. Mark Horowitz, one of the authors of the paper "The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence," published in the scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry on the 20th of July 2022. The review shows that “there is no convincing evidence that depression is associated with, or caused by, lower serotonin concentrations or activity.” 

In this episode of Empowering Minds, Mark Horowitz explains in an accessible way the background and the findings of the paper, allowing the general public to access the scientific truth behind the chemical imbalance theory and therefore promoting an informed and critical perspective on SSRIs.

***DISCLAIMER*** This podcast aims to inform people about the much discussed review paper by Joanna Moncrieff, Mark Horowitz and colleagues, which confirmed that there is no evidence to support the chemical imbalance theory of depression. The lack of evidence linking depression with low serotonin levels has reiterated the message that has been clear for some time and this message has been amplified by the extensive media coverage the article received. Mental Health Europe does not wish to dictate whether people should or should not take SSRI antidepressants. It is crucial for anyone considering SSRI antidepressants to make informed decisions about their recovery paths. This podcast makes the paper's findings understandable for the general public.

MHE Policy Officer Jonas Bull and his guests talk about the complex intersections between climate and the environmental issues, mental health and overall well-being. 

Carys Richards is a climate activist, finishing her Master's degree in Environment, Politics and Society at UCL and soon to be leading the Interlinked Campaign for Generation Climate Europe. 

Hannah Harrison is the coordinator of the SDG Working Group at Generation Climate Europea and a second-year geography undergraduate at the University of Cambridge. 

Cassandra Murphy is an Environmental Psychology Ph.D. researcher at Maynooth University working on the Horizon2020 project – GoGreenRoutes.

MHE Policy Officer Jonas Bull is joined by three experts to talk about the history of psychiatric diagnosis and how to develop a human rights-based perspective on mental health labels. 

Dr. Lucy Johnstone, consultant and clinical psychologist, explains how psychiatric diagnosis manuals were established and she explores other ways we can think about experiencing distress. 

Lea Labaki, human rights advocate and person with lived experience, shares her personal story of receiving a psychiatric diagnosis and the effect it had on her life. She wrote about the Belgian system of psychiatric institutions, criticising coercion in mental healthcare and institutionalisation. 

Dr. Jasna Russo is an independent scholar and a long-term activist in the mental health service user & psychiatric survivor movement. She discusses the importance of a human rights-based approach in mental healthcare.

What is normal in the mental health experience? MHE Policy Manager Laura Marchetti is joined by four experts to unpack the understanding of normality and mental health. 

Dr Zsófia Demjén, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the UCL Centre for Applied Linguistics in London explores how language influences the way we frame and understand mental (ill) health. Professor Peter Kinderman from the University of Liverpool (UK) sheds light on how mental health and normality are approached in medical practice. Kees Dijkman, mental health ambassador from the Netherlands, turns attention to the media landscape and how it translates into the way mental health and mental health issues are portrayed. Dominique de Marné, social entrepreneur and mental health advocate from Germany, talks about her own personal experience and the misconceptions around the notion of normality. 

Music by PurplePlanet.com.

Policy Manager Marie Fallon discusses the use of coercive measures in mental health services and existing solutions to end it. This episode's guests are: Jane Buchanan, Deputy Director for Disability Rights at Human Rights Watch and Stephanie Wooley, Board Member of Advocacy France and of the European Network of Users, ex-Users and Survivors of Psychiatry. 

Advocacy and Policy Officer Marcin Rodzinka talks about the conflict of interests between the pharma industry and doctors with two experts: the Polish GP Dr. Marta Piotrowska, and Prof. Klaus Lieb, a leading academic and psychiatrist from the Mainz University Medical Center in Germany. This episode explores mental health, transparency and the relations between doctors and the pharma industry.