In this conversation, Naa Adoley Addo shares her journey from psychiatric training in Ghana to her practice in the NHS. She discusses the rigorous training she underwent, the challenges and rewards of working in the UK, and the cultural differences she encounters in mental health care. Naa also reflects on her achievements as a psychiatrist, the balance between her career and motherhood, and the importance of cultural diversity in the psychiatric field.

Black History Month Special: Dr. Naa Adoley Addo's Psychiatric Journey from Ghana to the NHS

The conversation explores the evolving understanding of bipolar disorder in children and young people, emphasising the importance of early detection and intervention. Dr Gonzalo Salazar de Pablo discusses the challenges in diagnosing bipolar disorder, particularly the significant delays and the complexities involved in distinguishing it from other mental health conditions. The discussion also highlights the need for personalised treatment approaches and the involvement of young people in research to improve outcomes.

We then hear from Simon Kitchen, Chief Executive Officer of Bipolar UK. He explains how his charity plays a vital role in providing support and raising awareness about the condition, as well as what more can be done.

Children's Mental Health: Listen Up: Bipolar Disorder (Part 2)

In this New Year special episode, Dr Elaine Lockhart sits down with Baroness Hilary Cass to discuss her pivotal role in chairing the independent review into gender identity services for children and young people. She explores the background and growing need for the review, addressing the rise in referrals, key findings, and her recommendations for providing holistic, evidence-based care. Dr Cass highlights the importance of understanding the diverse needs of young people in this sensitive area of healthcare.

Meanwhile, Dr Asilay Seker sits down with Dr Saam Idelji-Tehrani to examine the underrepresentation of minoritised ethnic groups in mental health services, focusing on a significant study conducted at Great Ormond Street. Saam discusses the potential impact of unconscious bias in triage processes, barriers to accessing care, and the pressing need for improved data collection on ethnicity. He emphasises the importance of addressing intersectionality and the broader implications of these findings for research and practice.

Children's Mental Health: Listen Up - New Year Conference Special (Part 1)

In this conversation, Dr Elaine Lockhart speaks with Dr Lade Smith, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, about the critical importance of early intervention in mental health, the impact of social determinants and structural racism on mental health services, and the need for psychiatrists to champion community-based solutions. She stresses the urgency of addressing the treatment gap, particularly for children and young people, and highlights the importance of a motivated workforce within the field of psychiatry.

Later, Elaine talks to Professor Bernadka Dubika about her extensive work in child and adolescent mental health, focusing on behavioural activation, the role of antidepressants, and the importance of training staff in CAMHS. She emphasises the need for a biopsychosocial approach to understanding young people's mental health challenges and the significance of fundamental clinical care in practice.

Children's Mental Health: Listen Up - New Year Conference Special (Part 2)

Dr Neil Armstrong joins Dr Norella Broderick to discuss the recent BJPsych Advances article "An anthropological critique of psychiatric rating scales".

An anthropological critique of psychiatric rating scales
Authors: Neil Armstrong and Nicola Byrom
Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2024.60

Resources discussed during podcast:
Book: Collaborative Ethnographic Working in Mental Health
Knowledge, Power and Hope in an Age of Bureaucratic Accountability
By Neil Armstrong https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003154235

Disclaimer: BJPsych Advances is not responsible for statements made by podcast contributors. Unless so stated, the content of this podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor-in-Chief or the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

An anthropological critique of psychiatric rating scales

Professor Peter B. Jones joins RCPsych Books Trainee Editor Dr Ayomipo Amiola to discuss the Cambridge Textbook of Neuroscience for Psychiatrists.

More details on the book and to buy: https://tinyurl.com/pswbz9zx 

RCPsych members purchasing via Cambridge are entitled to a discount and can request a copy via the College Library. The book can also be found in other bookshops in-store and online.

Author GitHub: https://tinyurl.com/5nvnwm88

Disclaimer: RCPsych Books is not responsible for statements made by podcast contributors. Unless so stated, the content of this podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of the Books Editor-in-Chief or the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Cambridge Textbook of Neuroscience for Psychiatrists

Dr. Asilay Seker sits down with Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham to discuss the STADIA trial (STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties), which he led. This multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of incorporating a standardised diagnostic assessment tool into routine clinical care within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Professor Sayal explains the study’s aims, the significance of its findings, and how STADIA offered valuable insights into rethinking CAMHS provision. He also discusses how a more digitalised approach could expand the service’s reach and enhance support for young people and families.

Asilay is later joined by Professor Andrea Danese. They discuss the complexities of trauma and PTSD, particularly in children and young people. He clarifies the definitions of trauma and PTSD, emphasizing the importance of subjective experiences in understanding mental health outcomes. The conversation also explores the impact of neurodiversity on trauma processing and highlights the need for flexible diagnostic approaches. Finally, Professor Danese underscores the importance of evidence-based treatments for PTSD and the urgent need to improve access to these interventions for affected youth.

RESOURCES:

https://www.acamh.org/blog/the-stadia-trial-exploring-clinical-and-cost-effectiveness/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-0880-3

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2818046

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14048

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14090

We produce mental health information to support young people which can be found in the mental health section of our website. RCPsych also produces factsheets for schools, colleges and other organisations, which cover a range of topics from diagnosable conditions to everyday challenges young people deal with. Written by psychiatrists in collaboration with young people, these are available for schools and college to order online.

Click here to order: https://rcpsych.myshopify.com/collections/mental-health-for-young-people-and-children

Children's Mental Health: Listen Up - New Year Conference Special (Part 3)

In this episode, consultant child psychiatrist and NHS England GIRFT Clinical Lead for Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopmental Services, Dr. Holan Liang, discusses how Tourette’s Syndrome presents in children and young people. She provides an in-depth look at the assessment process, evidence-based management strategies, and the complexities regarding common co-occurring conditions such as ADHD. Dr. Liang also highlights the crucial role of awareness and understanding among those around young people with tics in providing effective support. Dr Liang finishes with the latest scientific research on interventions for tics, covering psychotherapeutic models, medications, and emerging approaches such as nerve stimulation.

We also hear the inspiring story of Kian and his mother, Jigna, as they share their journey with Tourette’s. They also discuss their advocacy work, shedding light on the challenges faced by children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions and their caregivers.

In the final segment, Lucy Toghill, Education Manager at Tourette’s Action, joins the conversation to outline the support and resources available for children and young people through charitable organisations.

Children's Mental Health: Listen Up! Tourette’s - An Opportunity to Learn from the Experts

RCPsych Books Trainee Editor Dr Ayomipo Amiola is joined by Professor Patricia Casey co-author of Fish's Clinical Psychopathology. The fifth edition is out now.

More details on the book and to buy: tinyurl.com/2nc8uh4t

RCPsych members purchasing via Cambridge are entitled to a discount and can request a copy via the College Library. The book can also be found in other bookshops in-store and online.

Disclaimer: RCPsych Books is not responsible for statements made by podcast contributors. Unless so stated, the content of this podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of the Books Editor-in-Chief or the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Fish's Clinical Psychopathology

The Royal College of Psychiatrists: improving the lives of people affected by mental illness.

Black History Month Special: Dr. Naa Adoley Addo's Psychiatric Journey from Ghana to the NHS

The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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