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MQ Open Mind

MQ Open Mind looks at the science behind mental health and its potential to transform lives. The show digs deep into the cutting-edge research taking on mental illness and speaks to the people it could help. Hear conversations on a range of different conditions, from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar. Brought to you by the mental health research charity, MQ: Transforming Mental Health

MQ Mental Health Research

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews broadcaster, author, and psychologist Claudia Hammond. Known for her work presenting All in the Mind on BBC Radio 4 and other science and psychology programmes across radio and television, Claudia has spent much of her career making psychological research accessible to wider audiences.
They discuss the ideas explored in Claudia’s latest book, Overwhelmed: Ways to Take the Pressure Off, including why so many people experience overwhelm in modern life and how openness to change can positively shape our mental health and well-being. The conversation also explores Claudia’s passion for psychological research, what continues to excite her about discoveries in the field, and why curiosity remains so important in understanding ourselves and others.
Claudia also reflects on how psychology can help people navigate uncertainty and the practical ways research can be applied to everyday life.

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

Why You're Overwhelmed (And What to Do About It) with Claudia Hammond

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Dr Catherine Harmer, a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and a member of the MQ Science Council.
Her research focuses on understanding the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying depression and how treatments, including antidepressants, work in the brain.
They discuss emerging medicinal interventions for mental health and what recent research reveals about how antidepressants influence emotional processing.
The conversation explores the effectiveness of these treatments, common misconceptions, and how a better understanding of their mechanisms can improve patient outcomes.
Catherine also shares insights from her work on how advances in research could shape the future of treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

What We Get Wrong About Depression with Prof Catherine Harmer

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Dr Daisy Singla, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a clinical psychologist and researcher whose work focuses on global mental health and improving access to evidence-based psychological treatments. She is also a member of the MQ Science Council.
They discuss women’s mental health, exploring the unique social and structural factors that shape mental health outcomes for women across different contexts. The conversation also examines global mental health, highlighting the importance of culturally appropriate interventions and the need to expand access to care, particularly in underserved communities.
Daisy also shares insights from her research on scaling psychological treatments and what more can be done to ensure that effective mental health support reaches those who need it most.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

What’s Holding Back Global Mental Health Care? with Dr Daisy Singla

What is trauma? Conversations about trauma often focus on individual experiences. But trauma can also be shaped by social and political contexts, affecting entire communities as well as the people within them.
In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Orla Muldoon, Head of Department and Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research explores the links between identity, conflict, and trauma, with a particular focus on how social and political contexts shape psychological experiences.
They discuss how trauma can be understood not only as an individual experience but also as something shaped by social and collective contexts. The conversation explores what makes social trauma distinct, how it can affect communities as well as individuals, and what the latest research reveals about its long-term impacts.
Orla also shares insights from her work on how understanding the social dimensions of trauma can help inform more effective responses in research, policy, and mental health support.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

Understanding Trauma with Prof Orla Muldoon

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Andrew McIntosh, a psychiatrist and researcher specialising in the genetics of mental health at the University of Edinburgh.
They discuss Andrew’s background in psychiatry and genomics, and how his work aims to better understand the biological underpinnings of mental health conditions. The conversation explores the growing role of genomics in mental health research and the importance of patient and public involvement in shaping meaningful, impactful studies.
Andrew also shares his commitment to ensuring that research includes underrepresented communities and why broadening participation is essential to improving outcomes and reducing inequalities in mental health care.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

Can Genetics Help Us Understand Mental Health? with Prof Andrew McIntosh

Season 4 of Open Mind has been an incredible journey, and we want to thank you for tuning in to the first half of the series. We hope it offered new insights into mental health research, while also helping you reflect on your own experiences and those of the people around you.
In this special episode, we revisit some of the conversations that resonated most with our audience, highlighting the personal stories and research that sparked discussion and reflection.
Open Mind returns in the new year, bringing more lived experiences and cutting-edge mental health research.
You can watch the podcast on MQ’s YouTube channel or listen on all major podcast providers.
Season 4 of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies.

Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor is joined by Brian Dow, Deputy CEO of Rethink Mental Illness, Aphra Tulip-Briggs, Lived Experience Expert and Trustee at Rethink, and Mariana Bolivar, Research Lead at MQ Mental Health Research.
They discuss the new joint report from MQ and Rethink Mental Illness, which outlines ten key changes needed to transform mental health research in the UK. Their conversation explores how the sector can shift toward earlier intervention and prevention, how research can be made more inclusive and accessible to people with lived experience, and what systemic changes are required to ensure research truly meets the needs of those most affected by mental illness.
Brian, Aphra, and Mariana share insights from their collaborative work, highlighting the importance of co-production, equitable funding, and a research system that prioritises both scientific progress and lived experience expertise.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

What Will It Take to Strengthen Mental Health Research? with Rethink Mental Illness

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor speaks with Jordan Lees, a lived experience expert and research volunteer who has worked with the National Institute for Health and Care Research Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration.
They discuss the importance of public and patient involvement in mental health research and the crucial role lived experience plays in shaping meaningful, impactful studies. The conversation also explores Jordan’s experience volunteering for a clinical trial, offering insight into what participation is really like and why it matters.
Jordan reflects on the challenges of developing new interventions, highlighting the gaps that still exist in mental health treatment and the need for research that is driven by the voices of those directly affected.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

Can Sharing Your Story Change Lives? with Jordan Lees

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Kam Bhui, a leading expert in public mental health and policy at the University of Oxford.
They explore how structural inequalities impact mental health care, particularly for marginalised groups, and discuss the role of adverse childhood experiences in shaping long-term mental health outcomes.
The conversation also delves into the intersection of public mental health and policy, highlighting the need for systemic changes to create more equitable access to care.
Kam shares insights from his research on how mental health services can be redesigned to better address these inequalities and the importance of integrating mental health into broader public health policies.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

Fixing the Inequalities in Mental Health Care With Prof Kam Bhui

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a psychologist and neuroscientist from the University of Cambridge.
They discuss the key neurological changes that occur during adolescence and why the teenage brain is distinct from both children's and adults' brains. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions, challenging the idea of adolescence as a period of chaos and instead highlighting it as a crucial stage of growth and development.
Sarah-Jayne shares insights from her research on how understanding the teenage brain can reshape our perspective on young people and the opportunities this presents for supporting them more effectively.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

The Teenage Brain Explained with Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Prof Willem Kuyken, a research clinical psychologist and author from the University of Oxford.
They discuss Willem’s journey into mental health research and why he focuses specifically on mindfulness and its benefits for mental health. The conversation explores key findings from his studies on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and the impact it has on young people's mental health.
Willem also shares insights from his work on whether mindfulness-based approaches could potentially help tackle structural inequalities in mental health.
Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

The Power of Mindfulness for Mental Health with Prof Willem Kuyken

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/

Why is Depression Rising Among Young People? with Dr Maria Loades

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.

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

Designing Research That Saves Lives with Professor Nav Kapur

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/

How We Got Our Start in Research

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

We Need Your Help With Open Mind Season 4!

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 Apps for Your Mental Health with Dr John Torous

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

Using Psychotherapy in Divided Times with Prof Mick Cooper

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.

CEASE (Gemma Kelly) & Protecting Children From Adult Content

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.

Prof Vincent Deary & Understanding How We Break

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.

The Truth About the Internet and Your Mental Health

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 Do Researchers Know about Long-Covid?

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.

What Questions Should Mental Health Research Answer?

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. 

Dr Josefien Breedvelt & Preventing Anxiety and Depression

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

Alastair Campbell & How Politics Impact Mental Health

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 Helen Minnis & Understanding Childhood Trauma

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.

Professor Ellen Townsend & Keeping Young People Safe Online

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.

Dr Sian Williams: From BBC To Psychology

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the Head of the School of Academic Psychiatry at the Institue of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Professor Allan Young. 
Allan’s extensive research focuses on the causes and treatments for severe psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood disorders.
He was also ranked as one of the world's leading scientific minds in the field of Psychiatry and Psychology, according to the 2014 Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researchers list.
In this conversation, they discussed common misconceptions about mood disorders, the latest interventions for bipolar disorder, and how jetlag can affect your mood.   

Professor Allan Young & Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the Regius Professor of Psychiatry at King’s College London, Professor Sir Simon Wessely.
Simon is a psychiatrist and epidemiologist with a focus on military health and unexplained symptoms and syndromes.
In 2017, the then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, commissioned Simon to chair the review of the Mental Health Act based on his extensive knowledge and experience.
In this conversation, they discussed Simon’s unique insight into the NHS, the process of reviewing mental health legislation, and his research on Gulf War veterans.

Professor Simon Wessely & Understanding NHS Spending

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to the CEO of Peopleful, Georgie Mack, and Head of Data, Analysis & Insight at Peopleful, Dr Kate Duckworth.
MQ Mental Health Research has joined forces with Peopleful and the WorkWell Research Centre at North West University to conduct a cross-industry study of workplace dynamics across the UK and Ireland. The aim is to develop a framework that will help leaders to build more mentally healthy workplaces that deliver better outcomes for their people that – in turn – boosts their organisations’ performance.
In this conversation, they discussed the Building Mentally Healthy Workplace report, how organizations can support their staff's mental health, and understanding the truth about burnout.
You can learn more about Peopleful here: https://peopleful.io/ 
You can read the report here: https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Workplace-mental-health.pdf

Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces w/ Georgie Mack & Dr Kate Duckworth

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to counselling psychologist and author Dr Chloe Paidoussis Mitchell.
Chloe is a highly experienced psychologist specialising in grief and trauma and how it relates to one’s mental health.
Recently, she released her first book, The Loss Prescription, which aims to use research and science to help one process grief with the hope of embracing life again.
In this conversation, they discussed grief and trauma’s effects on your mental health, the truth about the five stages of grief and finding the light after a loss.
Learn more about Dr Chloe and her latest book here: https://www.dr-chloe.com/
Visit our website to learn more about mental health research: https://mqmentalhealth.org/

Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell & Understanding Grief

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of MQ Open Mind!

Join Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig as they delve into the fascinating world of child and young people’s mental health with special guest, clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Martha Deiros Collado.
Dr. Martha, a seasoned psychologist with a wealth of experience in her field, gained widespread recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing her expertise on Instagram, where she amassed a following of over 250,000 individuals. Now, she has taken her insights a step further by releasing her first book, "How To Be The Grown Up," which offers evidence-based strategies to support parents in navigating the complexities of raising children.
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Martha, Professor Rory, and Craig explore various topics, including potential enhancements to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), the impact of social media on young people's mental well-being, and practical ways to gain a deeper understanding of your child's inner world.
Tune in as they uncover valuable insights and practical tips to help you support the mental health and well-being of the young people in your life. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply interested in understanding more about the intricacies of child psychology, this episode is sure to provide you with valuable knowledge and actionable strategies.

Dr. Martha Deiros Collado & Gaining Insight Into Your Child

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/

Andy Bell & How to Create a Mentally Healthier Nation

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.

Dr Maxime Taquet & Why Some People Develop Brain Fog

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.

Professor David Nutt & A New Approach to Treating Depression

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.

Prof Kathryn Abel & Improving CAMHS

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.

Professor Louise Arseneault & Collaboration in Research

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.

What Do We Want Research to Answer

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.

Jenny Okolo & Empathy in the Criminal Justice Sector

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.

Explaining our Gone Too Soon Roadmap

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.

Dean Stott (DLC Anxiety) & Thriving with Anxiety

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 

Dr Lucy Foulkes & the Truth About Mental Illness

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to endurance athlete and motivational speaker, James Gwinnett.
After a bad neck injury playing rugby, James developed depression due to his inactivity, which eventually included alcoholism.
Four years later, he found redemption in the form of fitness challenges, starting from running the London Marathon to taking part in Channel 4’s Special Forces training show SAS: Who Dares Wins.
In this conversation, they discussed recovering from addiction, using sport to improve your mental health, and building mental resilience.

James Gwinnett & Building Mental Resilience

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to associate professor in psychology at Durham University, Dr Ben Alderson-Day.
Ben’s research is broadly focused on mental health and neurodiversity. His current research is about “felt presence”, the sensation that someone is present without any sensory cues.
In this conversation, they discussed presence, the research behind hallucinations, and the fourth man phenomenon.

Dr Ben Alderson-Day and the Feeling That Someone Is Behind You

In this episode, we spoke to Professor of Psychiatry at Queen’s University Kingston, and Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford, Dr Anne Duffy.
Anne has an extensive research background in understanding the development and early intervention of mental illness in young people. Her current research is focused on developing an international collaborative network of student mental health research called U-Flourish.
In this conversation, they discussed understanding bipolar disorder, supporting students' mental health, and whether mental illnesses can be genetic.

Dr Anne Duffy & Protecting Student Mental Health

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to Armed Forces veteran and CEO of Sporting Force, Tommy Lowther.  
Tommy served with the British Army and subsequently with the Metropolitan Police. During both careers, he experienced several traumatic events, causing him to be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In this conversation, they discussed the impact of trauma on mental health, using sports for rehabilitation, and understanding the importance of seeking help. 
You can learn more about Sporting Force here https://www.sportingforce.org/.
If you have been affected by any of the themes we have spoken about in today's episode, you can reach out to Help for Heroes (www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help) or Rape Crisis (www.rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help). Details for both are in the show notes. You can also speak to the Samaritans (www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan) anytime by calling 116-123.

Tommy Lowther and Living With PTSD

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to mental health campaigner and MQ ambassador Flo Sharman. 
At four months old, Flo had a life-saving operation which caused her to stay in the hospital for several months. At age eight, Flo had a sudden mental breakdown that temporarily caused her to go blind and be paralysed. Only years later, she discovered that this breakdown was due to the trauma she experienced early on in life.
In this fascinating conversation, they discussed the impact of trauma on mental health, finding the correct treatment that fits your needs, and how to support young people with mental illness. 

Flo Sharman and the Impact of Trauma on Mental Health

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to Dr Rona Strawbridge, a medical genetics research fellow at the University of Glasgow, and Manveer Sahota, an expert by lived experience and research participatory.
Rona joined the show on behalf of DATAMIND, a Health Data Research Hub and a global resource for Mental Health researchers. Recently, Rona and Manveer worked together on a study about the genetic link between mental illness and diabetes.
In this fascinating conversation, they spoke about the significance of creating inclusive research, the challenges of capturing mental health data, and the correlations between physical and mental health.

Dr Rona Strawbridge & Manveer Sahota and the Link Between Physical and Mental Health

This week we have dancers AJ & Curtis Pritchard, actress Linda Lusardi, and MQ ambassador and returning Open Mind guest Gemma Styles. 
In this episode, we discuss what questions we would like mental health research to answer, the importance of finding suitable treatment, and finding strength through diagnosis.

What Would You Want Mental Health Research to Answer? ft Gemma Styles, AJ & Curtis Pritchard and Linda Lusardi

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry at Swansea University, Ann John. Ann is the Principal Investigator and Co-Director of DATAMIND, a Health Data Research Hub and a global resource for Mental Health researchers. 
In this engaging conversation, they spoke about the importance of collaboration, the inequalities in support for those with a mental illness, and understanding how data is used in research. 

Prof Ann John and Utilising Mental Health Data

In honour of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month,  this week, we’re re-releasing our Gone Too Soon webinar as a podcast episode. 
Hosted by MQ’s Bryony, the panel consisted of Professor Rory O’Connor, Dr Ruchika Gajwani, a clinical psychologist and MQ Fellow, and MQ ambassador Harry Corin.
In this discussion, they spoke about the current state of treatments and interventions, the misconceptions about suicide and how research may prevent more people from being gone too soon. 

Revisiting the ’Gone Too Soon’ Webinar

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to author and MQ ambassador Claire Eastham. Earlier this year, Claire released a book called ‘How I Learned to Live With Panic’, which explores anxiety and panic disorder whilst providing helpful knowledge on how to manage panic attacks. 

In this inspiring conversation, they spoke about the difficulties with getting a diagnosis, learning how to understand your condition and how to support someone with panic disorder.

Claire Eastham & Living With Panic Disorder

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to Nick Morgan, the founder of the organization Euro Youth Mental Health, and activist and lived experience campaigner, Chryssi.
Euro Youth Mental Health is a non-profit organization that advocates for children and young people’s mental health.
In this discussion, they spoke about the importance of volunteering, using lived experience in research, and supporting young people's mental health.
Learn more about Euro Youth Mental Health here: https://eymh.org/
Visit MQMentalHealth.org to learn more about MQ and mental health research.

Nick Morgan and Protecting Youth Mental Health

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to actress and eating disorder campaigner Gemma Oaten. Gemma is known for playing Rachel Breckle in the popular soap opera Emmerdale. 
 
At age 10, Gemma discovered that she had an eating disorder, although due to a lack of clinical understanding, she continued to struggle for another 13 years. Now Gemma is the CEO of the charity SEED UK,  which aims to help those living with an eating disorder.
 
In this fascinating conversation, they spoke about the difficulties with getting a diagnosis, the severity of eating disorders and providing support for survivors.
 
Visit MQMentalHealth.org to learn more about MQ and mental health research.
 
If you, or someone you know, is affected by an eating disorder, then please reach out for advice and support from one of the following organisations:

 https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
 https://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/ 
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Gemma Oaten and Living With an Eating Disorder

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to mental health activist and author Lily Bailey. At age 16, Lily was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, although her first experiences with OCD occurred during childhood. 
Recently, Lily released the children’s book, ‘When I See Blue’, about a young boy and his struggles with OCD.
In this thorough conversation, they discussed the misconceptions about OCD, whether writing can be cathartic, and the potential future of OCD treatments. 
Visit MQMentalHealth.org to learn more about MQ and mental health research.

Lily Bailey and Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to MQ ambassador and cricket star, Azeem Rafiq. Azeem played cricket professionally in England for Yorkshire County Cricket Club. 


In 2020, Azeem shared his experiences of racism and bullying at Yorkshire, which became a major media story in the United Kingdom.

In this riveting conversation, they spoke about racism in sport, having a winner’s mindset, and using religion to improve your mental health.
Visit MQMentalHealth.org to learn more about MQ and mental health research.

Azeem Rafiq and the Impact of Racism on Mental Health

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to MQ ambassador and yoga instructor, James Downs.
James is a member of the Gone Too Soon steering group, helping to shape the direction of MQ's next funding programme as an expert by experience. In this episode, we spoke about the prevalence of eating disorders, the inclusion of people with lived experience in research, and improving your mental health through yoga.
If you, or someone you know, is affected by an eating disorder, then please reach out for advice and support from one of the following organisations: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ 
https://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/ 
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ 

James Downs and Embracing Lived Experience in Research

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to athlete and LGBTQ+ advocate, Amazin LeThi, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Stonybrook University, Dr Jessica Schleider. In this episode, they spoke about supporting the mental health of the LGBTQ+ community, the importance of representation, and the impact of meaningful moments on your mental health. 
 
Learn more here https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/home/

Amazin LeThi & Dr Jessica Schleider and Supporting LGBTQ+ Mental Health

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to speaker and Guinness world record holder, Leigh Timmis. They spoke about self-improvement, finding your purpose, and breaking records.
 
https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/home/

Leigh Timmis and Finding Your Purpose in Life

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to Associate Professor in Psychiatry at UCL and Consultant Psychiatrist at Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Alexandra Pitman. They spoke about loneliness, the importance of inclusive research, and enjoying solitude.


Links to the topics mentioned in the episode:
- https://www.bespokementalhealth.co.uk/mental-health-awareness-week
- https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/epidemiology-and-applied-clinical-research-department/loneliness-and-social-isolation
- https://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=APITM02
- https://twitter.com/UCL_Loneliness/status/1511696881642000397
- https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/epidemiology-and-applied-clinical-research-department/loneliness-and-social-isolation-26 

Dr Alexandra Pitman and Identifying Loneliness

In this episode, Professor Rory and Craig spoke to podcaster and journalist, Gemma Styles, to discuss doing good, the impact of social media on mental health, and raising money with sunglasses.

Gemma Styles and the Importance of Doing Good

Join Professor Rory O'Connor and MQ's Craig Perryman in this rebooted version of the MQ Open Mind podcast! In today's episode, they discuss who they are and why they got into mental health research. 

MQ Open Mind is back!

[Trigger warning: podcast references suicide and self-harm]
Research suggests an increasing number of young people are self-harming – and more than half of them aren’t seeking help. It’s clear this issue is rising – but why? And what can we do about it? 
In this episode of MQ Open Mind, we talk to mental health campaigner Sian and researcher Ellen to try and get to the bottom of these questions.
Sian candidly shares her own experience of self-harm and explains why we must stop asking ‘how’ and start asking ‘why’ when it comes to speaking to people who are struggling. Through her research, Ellen’s doing exactly that. She tells us about her current project, the Card Sort Task for Self-Harm, and how it could one day become a valuable tool for clinicians to use during therapy.
Together, we discuss the most damaging myths surrounding self-harm, what it means to ‘recover’ and ways to find the best treatment for each person. Sian and Ellen also answer questions from MQ supporters about copycat behaviour and how best to approach someone you’re worried about. 
See the 'It's Okay to Talk About Self-Harm' leaflet Ellen references in this episode.

Ep 12: Tackling the rise in self-harm among young people

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses and currently affects 1 in 10 people in the UK. But what if science could tell us who’s most likely to develop depression? 
Researcher Helen and MQ ambassador John join host Hannah to explore this question in the latest episode of MQ Open Mind.
John first experienced depression age 5. Now 29, he describes what depression feels like for him, shares the ways he's learned to cope and questions the factors that might have made him more likely to experience depression. Helen is one of the lead researchers on MQ's IDEA project, which is using data from around the world to try and find the factors that put certain people at higher risk of depression. This could create a global tool to screen people for depression.
Together our guests debate if it would be a positive or negative experience to be told you're likely to develop depression, and question what support we need to have in place for this tool to really work. 

Ep 11: Can science tell us who's most likely to develop depression?

Social media: is it good or bad for our mental health? We’ve been swamped with headlines talking about how damaging platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are to young people’s wellbeing. But the fact is there’s a lack of research – and social media is constantly developing.
In this episode, we delve into these issues with James, a mental health campaigner with experience of OCD and eating disorders, and Amy, a researcher psychologist looking into the effects of social media and technology on human interaction and wellbeing.
Together we talk about the pros and cons of using social media, how we can make sure research keeps up with the ever-evolving social media platforms, the effects of screen time on young people and the possibility of regulating social media use in future.

Ep 10: Social media and mental health: The facts behind the headlines

There’s a growing crisis in young people’s mental health. 75% of mental illness begins before the age of 18 - and 3 children in an average classroom are affected by a diagnosable condition.
This new episode of MQ Open Mind explores the role the education system can play in solving this crisis. We’re joined by Damani, a college student with experience of anxiety, Nick, who spent his career working in schools and Lucy, a researcher focussing on mental illness during adolescence.
Together we question the level of responsibility schools and teachers have when dealing with young people's mental health and delve into the pressures of today's curriculum. We also hear how changes in the adolescent brain can affect the likelihood of young people developing a mental illness. 

Ep 9: Young people's mental health: What's school got to do with it?

This new episode of MQ Open Mind marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and explores how we can all play a role in preventing suicide.
We’re joined by Paul McGregor, a mental health campaigner who lost his dad to suicide when he was 18, and Professor Rory O’Connor, an MQ-funded researcher who’s been conducting research into suicide and self-harm for over 20 years. Rory discuss the circumstances that might cause someone to take their own life, and his work at the Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab in Glasgow to try and predict those who are most at risk. With this information, we can develop critical interventions to help those who are having suicidal thoughts.
Paul talks about his journey from lying about his dad’s death, to talking more openly about suicide – and why he thinks “speaking is strength”. Together we explore male suicide and stigma, coping with losing a loved one and how to engage with someone who’s having suicidal thoughts.
World Suicide Prevention Day may just be one day to shine a light on suicide but, as Rory and Paul emphasise, suicide prevention should be - and can be - 365 days a year. We all have one bit of the puzzle to help prevent suicide, improve education and smash the stigma.

Ep 8: How can we work together to prevent suicide?

Women are at a far greater risk to anxiety compared to men. In this episode we explore why. Researcher Olivia Remes at the University of Cambrdige offers insight on the social factors, whilst Dr Bronwyn Graham at the University of New South Wales in Australia explains the biological reasons. Bronwyn talks about her MQ-funded research looking at the hormone oestrogeon and it's impact on anxiety levels and treatment response. They're joined by Ellen Scott, journalist and host on the Metro's Mentally Yours podcast, who talks about her own experience of anxiety. 

Ep 7: Why are women twice as likely to develop anxiety?

Mat Barlow, a firefighter, describes his battle with PTSD, triggered by an incident that took place whilst he was driving a fire engine. He describes some of the most tragic symptoms he’s experienced that affected his relationships, his family and his work. Imagine if we could have prevented those symptoms? He’s joined by Dr Jen Wild, a researcher who’s aiming to do just that. She talks us through her innovative programme that’s preventing mental health problems in emergency workers.

Ep 6: How does PTSD affect firefighters? And what can we do to stop it?

How can psychedelic drugs be used to treat mental illness? Former government drugs tsar Professor David Nutt is investigating how psilocybin – the active ingredient in magic mushrooms – could be used to revolutionise treatment for depression. David explains why he thinks it's working and the bureaucracy involved in researching illegal substances that leave him "treated like a drug dealer".
 

Ep 5: Can magic mushrooms treat depression?

For Rose Bretecher, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has never left her handwashing or ordering things, instead she has been overwhelmed by distressing sexual thoughts, ranging from child abuse to sexuality and explicit mental images. Rose tells her story and chats to Dr Claire Gillan, an MQ-funded researcher, about the science behind this condition, how we can transform treatments and what it really means to be 'a little bit OCD'. 

Ep 4: A new way of thinking about OCD

What does it feel like to live with social anxiety? It’s the most common of anxiety disorders – defined as a long-lasting and overwhelming fear of social situations by the NHS. Claire Eastham, author of We’re All Mad Here, speaks about her personal experience of living with the condition – from describing her first panic attack, to receiving the diagnosis and how she copes today. She takes the opportunity to quiz Professor John Powell, an MQ-funded researcher who’s testing an online tool to help relieve the symptoms of social anxiety. Could this app really transform the lives of people like Claire?
This episode is brought to you by MQ: Transforming Mental Health, the new major mental health research charity. Find out more about MQ’s work here: https://www.mqmentalhealth.org
Read Claire's blog: http://www.allmadhere.co.uk/

Ep 3: The reality of life with social anxiety and the app that could help

Getting the right mental health treatment for you is often a game of trial and error – if one treatment doesn’t work, you’ll try another, and another, and another… People can wait months, sometimes even years, before they’re given a treatment that’s the right fit. It’s something that Mark Brown, mental health advocate and blogger, knows only too well.
After he was diagnosed with bipolar II he struggled to find the right combination of medication and therapy that worked for him – leaving him waiting years without the right help. We speak to Mark Brown about his experience and the researcher who’s aiming to transform how we select treatments – MQ-funded researcher Zach Cohen. Zach and his colleagues are creating and testing an algorithm which aims to predict which treatment option is right for a particular person.
If this works – doctors could have the tools to be able to select the right mental health treatment for a patient first time.
This episode is brought to you by MQ: Transforming Mental Health, the new major mental health research charity. Find out more about MQ’s work here: https://www.mqmentalhealth.org
 

Ep 2: Could an algorithm end the trial-and-error approach to mental health treatment?

1 in 4 people experience mental illness at some point each year and depression now affects a staggering 350 million people worldwide. Understanding the causes of depression is crucial if we’re to find ways of treating it effectively. And more and more research is suggesting that we look beyond our brains and into the immune system to find answers. We speak to Carmine Pariante, Professor of Biological Psychiatry at Kings College London, who’s been piecing together evidence on the role of our immune system in depression for 20 years. 
He explains why this research is considered by scientists to be "one of the strongest discoveries in psychiatry for the last 20 years", how it could revolutionise treatments and diagnosis and exactly why we think the immune system is causing changes in mood.
This episode is brought to you by MQ: Transforming Mental Health, the new major mental health research charity. Find out more about MQ’s work here: https://www.mqmentalhealth.org