DOI: 10.13056/acamh.26112
https://doi.org/10.13056/acamh.26112

In this In Conversation podcast, we are joined by the President of PRUsAP, Sarah Johnson. Sarah also advises the Department for Education for Alternative Provision and is the Director of Pheonix Education Consultancy. Sarah published two books in Autumn 2023 focusing on social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) which are part of the series ‘All about SEMH’.

Discussion points include:

- The definition of SEMH and what Alternative Provisions are like in the UK.
- The challenges children with SEMH needs may face in the classroom environment.
- How equipped is mainstream education to support SEMH needs of children.
- Current message to policymakers on the provision of education for SEMH children.
- An overview of Sarah’s upcoming books and how might teachers use them.

Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Alternative Provision in Education

How can we make mental health support more accessible and effective for children and adolescents? In this episode of Mind the Kids, title host Clara Faria sits down with Professor Maria Loades to explore the promise of single session interventions—a cutting-edge approach designed to deliver immediate, evidence-based help in just one session. Is it really a case of ‘One and done?’.

Together, they unpack the barriers that keep many young people from seeking support, from stigma to logistical hurdles, and discuss how culturally sensitive, age-appropriate, and trustworthy resources can break down these walls. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to young people's voices in shaping mental health services, the need for thoughtful consent processes for those under 16, and the potential for digital, on-demand interventions to serve as both a first step and a bridge to further care. 

Whether you're a practitioner, parent, or advocate, this episode offers fresh insights into how single session interventions could transform youth mental health access and outcomes



Mind the Kids - Digital Mental Health: Persuasion, Parenting & Innovation

Step into the world of youth mental health with Mind the Kids. In this episode, host Clara Faria welcomes Professor Giovanni Salum, Senior Vice President of Global Programs at the Child Mind Institute and Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. 

Together, they explore the groundbreaking Brazilian High Risk Cohort Study, which has shaped our understanding of child development and mental health in Brazil for over 15 years. Professor Salum shares key findings—like the staggering fact that 80% of children diagnosed with mental health conditions in Brazil do not receive treatment—and discusses how poverty and positive traits shape outcomes for young people. The conversation moves beyond research, delving into Salum’s transition from academia to public health leadership, the challenges of delivering care in a vast country, and the importance of community engagement, capacity building, and global collaboration. 

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on bridging the gap between research and real-world impact, and discover why understanding local contexts and investing in strengths are essential for advancing youth mental health—both in Brazil and around the world 

Mind the Kids - From Research to Impact: Transforming Youth Mental Health

Welcome to Mind the Kids, the podcast where we explore global innovations and stories in youth mental health. Your host is Clara Faria, a child and adolescent psychiatrist in training and research scientist at the University of Cambridge.

In this episode, Clara sits down with Tom Osborn—community mobilizer, entrepreneur, research scientist, and founder of the Shamiri Institute in Kenya. Tom shares his inspiring journey from rural Kenya to Harvard, and how his passion for community-driven change led him to pioneer scalable, evidence-based mental health interventions for young people in low-resource settings.

We dive into the origins of the Shamiri Institute, the power of peer-to-peer support, and the lessons learned from adapting community health worker models to mental health care. Tom also discusses the unique challenges facing youth in Kenya, the importance of South-South collaboration, and why building on local strengths is key to sustainable impact.

If you’re passionate about mental health, innovation, and making a difference for young people worldwide, this episode is for you. Tune in and be inspired by stories of resilience, creativity, and hope from the frontlines of global mental health.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from.

Mind the Kids - Flourishing Futures: Tom Osborn & the Shamiri Institute

Welcome to Mind the Kids, the podcast where we dive into the journeys, innovations, and global perspectives shaping child and adolescent mental health. Your host is Clara Faria, an academic clinical fellow in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Cambridge.

In this special episode, Clars talks to Professor Andrés Martin, Riva Riella Ritvo Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, and Medical Director of Yale’s Children’s Psychiatric Inpatient Service. Professor Martin is a renowned leader in child and adolescent psychiatry, celebrated for his contributions to medical education, mentorship, and global mental health initiatives.

Together, they explore Professor Martin’s inspiring path from medical school in Mexico to leadership at Yale, the transformative power of mentorship and community, and the enduring legacy of Professor Donald Cohen. They discuss the importance of nurturing the next generation of clinician-academics, the balance between research and clinical work, and how qualitative research can bring new insights to the field.

Whether you’re an early-career professional, a student, or simply passionate about youth mental health, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and a sense of belonging in a vibrant international community. Tune in and be inspired by stories of legacy, learning, and the power of working together—from generation to generation.

Subscriber to ACAMH ‘Mind the Kids’ wherever you get your podcasts from.




From_generation to generation_ mentorship and leg_acamh's_pod studio

In this Mind The Kids podcast junior doctor Clara Faria brings listeners into the heart of child and adolescent mental health care. In this episode, Clara welcomes Dr. Robyn McCarron, consultant psychiatrist at Cambridge’s Darwin Centre, for a candid conversation about the realities and challenges of inpatient care for young people.

Trigger warning: Sensitive topics such as restrictive practices, eating disorders, and trauma are discussed. Listener discretion is advised.

Robyn shares her journey revealing how her experiences shaped her belief that traditional models often fall short for the most complex and vulnerable patients. She describes the inpatient ward as a place where young people arrive carrying not just medical diagnoses, but also deep histories of trauma, developmental struggles, and social adversity. Robyn’s approach is rooted in values—respect, safety, and discovery—always striving to minimize harm and empower young people to participate in their own care.

The episode explores the delicate balance between necessary interventions, like feeding under restraint for life-threatening eating disorders, and the risk of causing further trauma. Clara and Robyn also discuss the importance of supporting young people to regain independence and rebuild their lives outside the hospital, breaking cycles of readmission. Robyn’s reflections are honest and inspiring, highlighting the privilege and challenge of helping young people navigate some of their darkest moments.

This episode is a powerful reminder that mental health care is about more than protocols—it’s about relationships, trust, and the courage to rethink how we support the next generation.



Mind the Kids - Navigating Eating Disorders Trauma in CAMHS

Our Health Technology Assessment Innovation Laboratory (HTA Lab) was launched in June 2023 to test and develop creative solutions to complex problems in health technology assessment.

Joining us to discuss its first 2 years of success are our guests: Jamie Elvidge, senior scientific adviser at NICE; Jack Turner, deputy director for medicines access at NHS England; and Victoria Jordan, director of value and access policy at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. 

Innovation in action: Inside NICE's HTA Lab

Welcome to Mind The Kids, hosted by Mark Tebbs. In this episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Charlotte Viktorsson, a behavioural genetics researcher at Uppsala University, to explore the genetic and environmental influences on infant sleep and crying. Drawing on findings from a major study involving nearly 1,000 sets of Swedish twins, they discuss how much of a baby's crying is down to genetics and why sleep quality often depends on home routines and environment.

If you're a parent in the thick of sleepless nights or frequent tears, this episode offers both reassurance and fresh insight. Dr. Viktorsson explains why some babies simply cry more than others—even in the best of circumstances—and shares practical advice for supporting your child's wellbeing in those challenging early months. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that brings clarity and comfort to anyone caring for young children.

Based on the findings of ‘Genetic and environmental influences on sleep quality, ability to settle, and crying duration in 2- and 5-month-old infants: A longitudinal twin study’ Charlotte Viktorsson, Ashraf Yahia, Mark J. Taylor, Angelica Ronald, Kristiina Tammimies, Terje Falck-Ytter. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.70023


Mind the Kids - Behind the Tears: The Surprising Role of Genetics in Infant Crying

In this episode, we discuss recent analysis showing significant disparities in SGLT-2 inhibitor prescriptions for people with type 2 diabetes in England.

We also explore how our new draft recommendations for these medications could increase uptake with our three guests.

They are: Dr Waqaar Shah, chair of the type 2 diabetes guideline committee; Dr Soon Song, consultant physician and diabetologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Rahul Mohan, a GP and secretary of the Primary Care Diabetes Society.

Learn more about: www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/wom…r-type-2-diabetes

Read our draft guideline for type 2 diabetes medicines management: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-ng10336/documents/450

Treating type 2 diabetes with SGLT-2 inhibitors

This episode of 'Mind the Kids - When Sleep & Anxiety Collide' is hosted by Mark Tebbs, who is joined by Liga Eihentale, an early career research scientist at Florida International University, whose work focuses on anxiety, memory, and sleep in peri-adolescence.

The conversation centres around Liga’s recent paper titled 'Anxiety severity in peri-adolescents is associated with greater generalization of negative memories following a period of sleep relative to wake" published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.70005).

The episode explores how sleep impacts emotional memory consolidation in anxious youth during this sensitive developmental period. Liga highlights key findings, explaining that “sleep plays an active role in shaping how young people perceive and generalize negative experiences, especially in those with higher anxiety.” She further notes, “higher anxiety severity in youth is associated with greater negative memory generalization after sleep, which could help us understand the mechanisms behind anxiety disorders.”

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the interplay between anxiety, sleep, and memory, and what these findings mean for potential intervention strategies targeting young people at risk of anxiety disorders. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with those interested in the future of mental health interventions.



Mind the Kids - When Sleep & Anxiety Collide

In this episode we learn how NICE is helping to deliver the government's 10 year health plan. Our guests are the senior responsible officers looking after the three  NICE projects. They are: associate director for planning and operations Jenna Dilkes; deputy director for HealthTech Sarah Byron; anddeputy director for medicines evaluation Jac Bouvy.

How NICE is helping to deliver the government's 10 year health plan

These podcasts are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in child and adolescent mental health. They bridge the gap between rigorous research and practical application, featuring expert discussions on mental health. 

Each episode highlights cutting-edge studies offering insights into findings, and implications for practice. The series caters to clinicians, researchers, and those interested in mental health. 

Available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, it’s an accessible way to stay informed about advancements in the field.
Visit our website (www.acamh.org) for a host of free evidence-based mental health resources.

Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Alternative Provision in Education

Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Related tracks