In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Dr Maria Loades, a clinical psychologist and mental health researcher from the University of Bath.

They discuss Dr Loades’ journey into mental health research and why she focuses specifically on depression and anxiety in young people. The conversation explores key findings from her studies on isolation, loneliness, and the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health. 

Dr Loades also shares insights from her work on school-based mental health interventions in South Africa and reflects on her hopes for the future of prevention and treatment strategies.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies https://www.tiberone.com/

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor speaks to Professor Nav Kapur, a leading researcher in suicide prevention and self-harm, and a professor of psychiatry and population health at the University of Manchester.

Nav's work has shaped policy and clinical practice across the UK and beyond, making him one of the foremost voices in understanding the complexities of suicide and self-harm.

In this episode, we explore the challenges of designing effective interventions, what the data tells us about the epidemiology of self-harm, and why evidence-based approaches are so essential in this field.

This 5th of July marks the third Research Appreciation Day. A day started by us at MQ to celebrate the hard work of health researchers from all disciplines.

For this special episode of Open Mind, and since this year’s theme is ‘Careers in Research’, here are our esteemed guests explaining how they got their start in research.

Open Mind will return in the following weeks, and we hope to see you again for more lived experience stories and more mental health research.

https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/research-appreciation-day/

As we plan for next season, we want to hear your thoughts—what’s working, what could be better, and any new ideas you’d like to see.

Take just 5 minutes to complete our survey and share your feedback!

We’re also looking for volunteers to join our focus group for a deeper discussion about the podcast. If you're interested, let us know—we’d love to have you involved!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeft7lwJJh_RFtP58QuOsytco6Pbcw9kGPtN9yqvzvtqkLYlg/viewform

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to psychiatrist, and Director of the Division of Digital Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr John Torous.

John is active in investigating the potential of using mobile mental health technologies for psychiatry, using his expertise to support mindapps.org in building the largest database of mental health apps. As a leader in the field of digital mental health, John has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 5 book chapters on the topic.

In this conversation, they discussed the impact of technology on mental health, whether mental health apps can aid the diagnosis process, and how to make mental health technology more accessible.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to author, trainer, UKCP-registered psychotherapist, and Professor of Psychology at the University of Roehampton, Professor Mick Cooper.

Mick is an internationally recognised authority in the field of counselling and psychotherapy and a chartered psychologist. He is also a prolific writer, and has written about a range of subjects such as humanistic, existential, and relational approaches to therapy.

Mick’s latest book, “Psychology at the Heart of Social Change: Developing a Progressive Vision for Society”, delves into the idea of using psychology to transform the political landscape.

In this conversation, they discussed the rise of authoritarianism, using a person-centred approach to therapy, and using psychotherapy to foster societal well-being.

You can find out more about Mick here: https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/therapist/Michael-Cooper-iAjIcAAK

Content Warning: This episode of MQ Open Mind has discussions about suicide, self-harm and sexual violence.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation, Gemma Kelly.

CEASE is a UK-based charity working to expose and dismantle the cultural and commercial drivers behind all forms of sexual exploitation in the UK. To achieve its mission, CEASE campaigns for new and better laws, advocates for policy change and holds the global sex industry to account.

In this conversation, they discussed the societal implications of adult content, the effects of adult content on young people’s mental health, and plans to safeguard vulnerable people on the internet.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to Professor of Health Psychology at Northumbria University and author, Professor Vincent Deary.

In 2014, Vincent released his first book, “How We Are”, the first in the “How We” trilogy, where he brings together his clinical and academic interests, along with his interest in philosophy, literature and popular culture, to paint a portrait of human life, suffering and well-being.

In this conversation, they discussed overcoming adversity early in life, understanding humanity from a researcher’s perspective, and what we really know about willpower.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the Research Programme Lead at MQ Mental Health Research, Mariana Bolivar, and Research Associate and PhD student at the University of Oxford, Thomas Hakman.

As the lines between the offline and online worlds blur, the impact of internet use on young people's mental health has become a critical concern. With an overwhelming amount of information available, it can be challenging to separate evidence-based knowledge from low-quality sources.

In response, MQ Mental Health Research, in collaboration with Melbourne University and the Oxford Internet Institute, has conducted a comprehensive review to understand the true effects of the internet on youth mental health.

In this conversation, they discussed the recent findings from the study, how to stay safe online, and whether the internet is truly harmful.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, Dr Paul Harrison, and NIHR Clinical Lecturer also in the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford, Dr Maxime Taquet. 

Max and Paul are a part of the MQ-funded PHOSP-COVID study, which is a consortium of scientists from across the UK, researching long-term health outcomes for patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

In this conversation, they discussed the recent findings from the study, the new symptoms of Long COVID you should be aware of, and the long-term cognitive and psychiatric consequences of COVID-19 hospitalisation.