MQ Open Mind

CEASE (Gemma Kelly) & Protecting Children From Adult Content

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.

Prof Vincent Deary & Understanding How We Break

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.

The Truth About the Internet and Your Mental Health

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.

What Do Researchers Know about Long-Covid?

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.

Read more about the findings here:
https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/long-term-cognitive-and-psychiatric-effects-of-covid-19/

What Questions Should Mental Health Research Answer?

Thank you so much for watching the first half of season 3. We hope you were able to gain further insight into the world of mental health research whilst understanding more about yourself and those around you.

For this special episode of Open Mind, here are the important questions that our guests would love to be answered by mental health research.

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

Dr Josefien Breedvelt & Preventing Anxiety and Depression

In this episode, we speak to Prudence Trust Research Fellow at King's College London, Dr Josefien Breedvelt.

Josefien’s research mainly focuses on preventing depression and anxiety. Her research on the effect of psychological interventions for relapse prevention for depression has directly informed the Dutch Multidisciplinary Clinical Guidelines for Depression.

In this conversation, we discuss preventing the onset of depression and anxiety in young people, identifying the appropriate treatment for each person, and the price of ambition in mental health research.

Alastair Campbell & How Politics Impact Mental Health

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to journalist, political strategist and podcaster, Alastair Campbell.

Alastair is best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy.

Although he is still very much involved in politics, evidenced by his top-rated podcast, ‘The Rest is Politics’, Alastair is a keen writer, releasing nineteen books within sixteen years. His mental health memoir, Living Better: How I learned to survive depression, was a Sunday Times best-seller, and explored his experiences with depression and how it affected his personal and political life.

In this conversation, they discussed the political nature of mental health support, living with a mental health condition whilst working in a highly stressful industry, and creating new interventions to manage your mental health.

By Your Mental Health here:

https://mqmentalhealth.myshopify.com/products/your-mental-health-understanding-depression-anxiety-ptsd-eating-disorders-and-self-destructive-behaviour

Professor Helen Minnis & Understanding Childhood Trauma

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Glasgow, Professor Helen Minnis.

Helen’s research mainly focuses on young people’s mental health, such as examining the relationship between child maltreatment, neurodevelopment and mental illness across the lifespan.

In this conversation, they discussed the impact of services for children’s mental health, supporting families before children are neglected and abused, and how diversity can create more opportunities in research. 

Professor Ellen Townsend & Keeping Young People Safe Online

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to a Professor of the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, Professor Ellen Townsend.

Ellen currently leads the Self-Harm Research Group, which researches psychological factors associated with self-harm and suicidality, and interventions that promote recovery, especially in young people.

Recently, Ellen has been a part of the Digital Youth project, which is working to find practical solutions through understanding the complex risks and opportunities for mental health associated with young people’s engagement with the digital world.

In this conversation, they discussed the issues young people may face online, current research into self-harm, and why lived experience is vital in research.

Dr Sian Williams: From BBC To Psychology

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to BBC broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist, Dr Sian Williams.

Sian's career in broadcasting spans nearly forty years, in which she spent over a decade hosting 'BBC Breakfast'. Sian has also hosted major events for BBC including two royal weddings and the London 2012 Olympics.

Currently, Sian is also a Chartered Counselling Psychologist working for both the NHS and in private practice, helping people manage anxiety, stress and trauma.

In this conversation, they discussed the mental health of journalists, PTSD in emergency workers, and how change can create endless opportunities.