MQ Open Mind

Andy Bell & How to Create a Mentally Healthier Nation

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the CEO of the Centre for Mental Health, Andy Bell.

The Centre for Mental Health is an organization UK charity that focuses on building mental health research to create fairer mental health policies.

In September, over 30 mental health organisations, including MQ, joined together to call on all political parties to make a commitment to mental health in their election manifestos. The report, led by the Centre for Mental Health, made recommendations focused on prevention, equality and support.

In this conversation, they discussed the Mentally Healthier Nation report, how mental health issues disproportionately affect certain communities, and how the government can effectively support the nation.

You can learn more about the Centre for Mental Health here:

https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/

You can read the report here:

https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/building-a-mentally-healthier-nation/

Dr Maxime Taquet & Why Some People Develop Brain Fog

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to MQ researcher and academic clinical fellow at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, Dr Maxime Taquet.

Initially training to become an engineer, Maxime made the change to mental health research. Maxime’s current research is on the effects of COVID, specifically brain fog.

In this conversation, they discussed the long-term effects of COVID on the brain, why certain people develop brain fog, and how to effectively use large datasets.

Professor David Nutt & A New Approach to Treating Depression

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and the head of the Psychedelics Research Centre at Imperial College London, Professor David Nutt.

David specialises in the research of drugs that affect the brain and conditions such as addiction, anxiety, and sleep. Currently, David is investigating if psychedelic drugs can be effective against treatment-resistant depression.

In this conversation, they discussed the stigma around drugs, alternative treatments for mental health issues, and why openness is important in research and innovation.

Prof Kathryn Abel & Improving CAMHS

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to PR professional and Mum of four, Hayley Peters, and professor of psychological medicine and psychiatrist at the University of Manchester, Professor Kathryn Abel.

Hayley has first-hand experience navigating child and adolescent mental health services as a parent, whereas Kathryn’s current research is on improving CAMHS so that more young people can get the help they deserve.

In this conversation, they discussed what CAMHS is, the problems young people have with accessing CAMHS, and how Kathryn’s latest research aims to improve the lives of countless children.

Professor Louise Arseneault & Collaboration in Research

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to professor of developmental psychology at Kings College London, Louise Arseneault.  

Louise’s research focuses on the study of harmful behaviours such as violence and substance dependence, their developmental origins, their inter-connections with mental health, and their consequences for victims.

In this conversation, they discussed the importance of cross-collaboration, utilising health data, and how childhood bullying can affect you later on in life.

What Do We Want Research to Answer

On the 5th of July, MQ launched the very first Research Appreciation Day. A day to celebrate the hard work of health researchers from all disciplines.

For this special episode of Open Mind, and in honour of Research Appreciation Day, here are the 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.

Jenny Okolo & Empathy in the Criminal Justice Sector

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to Occupational Therapist, Jenny Okolo.

Jenny is a highly experienced lead psychiatric occupational therapist and a respected mental health advocate. She has a strong background in the criminal justice sector. Her main expertise lies in promoting workplace wellbeing, supporting mental health, and advocating for neurodiversity.

Jenny is also enthusiastic about productivity and utilizes her career platform, SASA, to provide accessible resources and inspire personal development.

In this conversation, they discussed empathy in the criminal justice sector, understanding neurodiversity, and ensuring well-being in the workplace.

Explaining our Gone Too Soon Roadmap

In this episode, we spoke to Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester, Tony Pisani, Head of Development at MQ, Emily Wheeler, and founder of Into The Light and suicide researcher, Benny Prawira, to discuss MQ’s latest paper, Gone Too Soon.

The Gone Too Soon paper is a roadmap written by 40 global experts, mixing mental health researchers, clinicians, policy experts and people with lived and living experience of mental illnesses and suicide. Together these 40 global experts have outlined 18 evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, business leaders and health workers the world over.

In this conversation, we discuss why the paper was created, the desired outcomes, and why these recommendations are so important.

Dean Stott (DLC Anxiety) & Thriving with Anxiety

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to mental health activist and author, Dean Stott.

After managing with an anxiety disorder for several years, Dean had the idea to start DLC Anxiety, an online community support group for people coping with anxiety. Since its inception in 2020, DLC Anxiety has amassed over 1.2 million members, providing helpful tips and advice from anxiety experts.

In this conversation, they discussed supporting people with anxiety, the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder, and the benefits of using social media for your mental health.

Dr Lucy Foulkes & the Truth About Mental Illness

In this episode, Professor Rory O'Connor and Craig spoke to academic psychologist and author, Dr Lucy Foulkes.

Lucy is currently a Prudence Trust Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, investigating how school-based mental health interventions may be causing adolescents harm.

In this conversation, they discussed supporting young people with their mental health, the importance of finding the appropriate treatment for your needs, and her book “What Mental Illness Really Is... (and what it isn’t)”.

You can buy Lucy's book here:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/452335/what-mental-illness-really-is-and-what-it-isnt-by-lucy-foulkes/9781529113372

Here are two of the research papers they discussed:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0732118X2300003X

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-bulletin/article/do-no-harm-can-school-mental-health-interventions-cause-iatrogenic-harm/9F00E6568F642ECFA559815915F77B8C

Visit our website to learn more about mental health research www.MQMentalHealth.org