MQ Open Mind

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 the shell shock of the First World War, and why the belief that mental health conditions cannot be treated still shapes decisions today. The conversation also explores how poverty, discrimination and other social factors affect mental health, why prevention needs to involve the whole of government, and what the evidence says about the economic benefits of investing early. Lade shares insights from her research on women’s mental health and hormones, makes the case for more research funding to develop better and more personalised treatments, and reflects on her time as President of the Royal College, including why she feels optimistic about the next generation of psychiatrists. Subscribe to keep up with our latest research breakdowns, and let us know in the comments what topics you would like to see us cover next. Produced by Craig Perryman

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, emotions and mental health. The conversation also explores the relationship between art and science, and how creative approaches can help researchers better understand the mind and develop new ways to support people experiencing mental health difficulties. Emily shares insights from her research on mental imagery and reflects on the potential for bringing together psychology, creativity and science to improve our understanding of mental health.

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

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

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