MQ Open Mind

Using Apps for Your Mental Health with Dr John Torous

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.

Using Psychotherapy in Divided Times with Prof Mick Cooper

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

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.