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
Episodes
In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Dr Lade Smith, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a consultant psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, whose work explores inequalities, human rights and the case for greater investment in mental health care.
They discuss how attitudes towards mental illness have changed over the centuries, from the early days of Bethlehem Hospital to...
In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Emily Holmes, a clinical psychologist and mental health researcher at Uppsala University, whose work explores the role of mental imagery in mental health and how psychological research can inform new approaches to treatment. They discuss why everyone’s imagination is different and how the way we picture things in our minds can influence our thoughts, emotio...
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 ...
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 r...
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 structura...
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,...
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 re...
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 spar...
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 se...
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...
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 hea...
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 h...
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 p...
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....
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 challen...
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...
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...
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...
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 re...
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 missio...
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