The Mental Elf

As climate change accelerates, so does the mental distress it causes. In this episode, we interview Dr. Elizabeth Marks and Dr. Kris De Meyer to explore the critical intersection between mental health and climate change. We discuss eco-anxiety - the difficult emotions caused by direct or indirect exposure to climate change - and consider to what extent such emotions should be considered a clinical disorder. We also explore the unequal burden of climate change across populations and how fear-based climate messaging can be unhelpful. The episode goes on to suggest strategies for addressing both climate change and mental health, such as the benefits of 'action-based storytelling’ and the potential of individual agency and collective action to confront these challenges in an uncertain and changing world. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 What is eco-anxiety? 04:54 Inequalities in impact of climate change 07:25 Media messaging around climate change 12:04 What can we do in response to climate change? 19:42 ConclusionDr. Elizabeth MarksSenior Lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of Bath Deputy Director, Bath Centre for Mindfulness and Community https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/elizabeth-marksDr. Kris De Meyer Research Fellow, King’s College London Department of Neuroimaging Visiting Lecturer, King’s College London, Department of Geographyhttps://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/kris-de-meyerDirector, University College London Climate Action Unit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-action-unit/how-we-workProduction creditsThis podcast was produced by a group of PhD students from UCL. Huge thanks from the Mental Elf to the podcast team (in alphabetical order):Alex Martin, PhD student, University College London https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmartin111/Annabelle Olsson, PhD student, University College London https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelle-eveline-olsson-806b2214a/Jasmine Lee (Presenter), PhD student, University College London https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmineleecy/Jehanita Jesuthasan, PhD student, University College Londonhttps://linkedin.com/in/jehanita-jesuthasan-0321851a3Oliwia Stecko, PhD student, University College London https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliwia-steckoRitika Chokhani, PhD student, University College Londonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ritika-chokhani

Welcome to the final episode of the British Association for Psychopharmacology 50th Anniversary Summer Meeting Podcast. In this episode, Andre is joined by Professor Femi Oyebode from the University of Birmingham. They discuss a broad range of topics, from Anton Chekhov's novella 'Ward Number Six' to the future of psychedelic medicine in psychiatry. Femi Oyebode shares insights on the evolution of psychiatric treatments, the significance of understanding historical psychiatric care, and the potential revolutionary impact of psychedelics. Follow the hashtag BAP2024 on social media platforms for more updates. Don't miss this deep dive into the intricate world of psychiatry!00:00 Introduction to the BAP 2024 Podcast00:52 Meet Professor Femi Oyebode01:27 Exploring Anton Chekhov's Ward Number Six01:42 The State of Psychiatric Treatments09:05 The Promise of Psychedelic Medicine16:16 Closing Thoughts and Podcast HighlightsShow links:British Association for Psychopharmacology 50th anniversary summer meetinghttps://www.bap.org.uk/BAP2024Femi Oyebodehttps://femioyebode.comBBC Radio 4 - Is Psychiatry Working? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001h3y5Anton Chekhov’s Ward No 6https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_No._6

Exploring Cosmetic Psychopharmacology with Professor Dan Stein | BAP2024 Podcast Episode 6Welcome to episode six of the BAP 2024 Podcast! Join André from The Mental Elf as he interviews Professor Dan Stein from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. They discuss the intriguing topic of cosmetic psychopharmacology and its implications on cognitive and mood enhancement. Learn about the history and conceptual challenges in this field as we preview Professor Stein's upcoming lecture at the BAP Conference in Birmingham. Don't miss this deep dive into the world of psychotropic drugs and their off-label use for cognitive and affective enhancement.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:39 Event Coverage and Social Media01:02 Introducing Dan Stein and Cosmetic Psychopharmacology01:36 Understanding Cosmetic Psychopharmacology03:09 Cosmetic vs. Clinical Psychopharmacology05:44 Examples and Ethical Considerations08:00 Scientific Evidence and Challenges10:42 Conclusion and Upcoming Talk12:02 Closing Remarks and Podcast PromotionFind out more about the BAP Summer Meeting and get your ticket now at: https://www.bap.org.uk/BAP2024

In episode four of the 2024 BIGSPD Podcast, André from The Mental Elf speaks with Anthony Bateman, a visiting professor at UCL and consultant at the Anna Freud Centre. Bateman discusses the concept of mentalizing, its role in human behavior, and the effectiveness of mentalization-based treatment (MBT) for conditions like borderline personality disorder and trauma. He explores the adaptability of MBT across various disorders and emphasizes personalized treatment. The conversation also touches on the debate about the classification of personality disorders and the impact of trauma and loneliness on treatment outcomes.00:00 Introduction01:26 Meet Anthony Bateman: Background and Expertise01:53 Understanding Mentalizing03:28 Development and Importance of Mentalizing04:35 Impact of Early Trauma on Mentalizing07:24 Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) Explained11:09 Effectiveness and Adaptability of MBT16:35 Challenges and Considerations in MBT24:45 The Debate on Personality Disorder Labels27:27 Conclusion and Upcoming EventsBIGSPD is the British and Irish Group for the Study of Personality Disorder and their annual conference takes place in Belfast on 18-20 June 2024. Find out more at: https://bigspd.org.uk/conferences-and-events/annual-conference/

In this episode of the BIGSPD Podcast, host André interviews Mel Ball, the first board-level Director for Lived Experience in the NHS. Mel shares her journey from grassroots peer support to her current leadership role, highlighting the importance of lived experience in transforming NHS services. She discusses the cultural changes required for effective co-production and lived experience leadership, and reflects on the broader systemic challenges and opportunities within the mental health sector. Mel also previews her upcoming keynote talk at the BIGSPD conference in Belfast, entitled 'The Wind and the Sun, A Fable of Lived Experience Leadership,' emphasising the moral and creative aspects of lived experience leadership.00:00 Introduction to the BIGSPD Podcast01:18 Meet Mel Ball: Director for Lived Experience04:00 The Journey of Lived Experience Leadership07:21 Roles and Responsibilities in the NHS09:41 Challenges and Reflections12:51 Future of Lived Experience Leadership20:17 Invitation to the BIGSPD Conference21:21 Closing RemarksBIGSPD is the British and Irish Group for the Study of Personality Disorder and their annual conference takes place in Belfast on 18-20 June 2024. Find out more at: https://bigspd.org.uk/conferences-and-events/annual-conference/

In episode five of the BAP 2024 podcast, Professor David Nutt, a renowned psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist from Imperial College London, delves into the psychopharmacological aspects of alcohol. David Nutt is a past president of the British Association for Psychopharmacology and of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology.Hosted by André from the Mental Elf, this episode touches on the history and effects of alcohol, its social role, and the development of safer functional alternatives like Sentia. Prof. Nutt also discusses the future of drug policies and the rational use of regulated substances, providing a compelling preview of his upcoming talk at the BAP summer meeting in July.00:00 Introduction to the BAP 2024 Podcast01:04 Meet Professor David Nutt02:14 Understanding Alcohol's Effects04:07 The Popularity and Social Role of Alcohol07:40 Exploring Alternatives to Alcohol13:32 Future of Drug Policy and Safe Alternatives17:15 Conclusion and Upcoming EventsFind out more about the BAP Summer Meeting and get your ticket now at: https://www.bap.org.uk/BAP2024

In this episode of the BAP Podcast, host André from the Mental Elf interviews Professor Barbara Franke, a molecular biologist from Radboud University in Nijmegen, about the complexities of ADHD. Franke discusses the genetic and environmental factors contributing to ADHD, the challenges of diagnosing the disorder in different populations, and the impact of societal views on ADHD. She emphasizes the need for integrated research and cross-disciplinary approaches, highlighting the importance of involving patients in the research process. Franke also addresses concerns about the neurodiversity movement and its potential implications for ADHD care and support. The episode covers key topics in ADHD research and sets the stage for more inclusive and comprehensive studies in the future.01:54 Understanding ADHD: Causes and Factors03:50 Genetics and ADHD05:01 Societal Perspectives on ADHD08:05 Underdiagnosis and Overdiagnosis of ADHD10:14 Future Directions in ADHD Research12:58 Challenges in Cross-Disciplinary Science13:48 Co-Production in ADHD Research16:15 Conclusion and Upcoming EpisodesFind out more about the BAP Summer Meeting and get your ticket now at: https://www.bap.org.uk/BAP2024

Welcome to the third and final episode of the 2024 IoPPN Research Festival podcast. Every year the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience hosts a 1 day festival that brings together a really diverse mix of mental health scientists, to present their work and learn from each other.The theme this year is Origins and New Beginnings. Alongside the keynote talks from Melanie Abas, Emily Simonoff and Edgar Jones, there will be 21 lightning talks from some of the institute's top researchers, staff and students.In this third podcast episode, we meet Melanie Amna Abas, Professor of Global Mental Health at King's College London. She's a psychiatric epidemiologist and a psychiatrist who cares for people in South London but also in Zimbabwe where she has worked clinically and as a researcher for many years. Her early research in Zimbabwe looked at the social origins of depression in women, and from there she has gone on to conduct interdisciplinary epidemiological research in other countries including Thailand, Moldova & Sri Lanka.Her talk at the festival focuses on Global mental health and the ambition to end HIV/AIDS. You can hear more from Prof Abas at the 2024 IoPPN Research Festival, taking place on 15th May 2024: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ioppn-research-festival--tickets-856888826547?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sonia Johnson is Professor of Social and Community Psychiatry at UCL, Director of the NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, and a Consultant Psychiatrist who has worked for over 20 years in an Early Intervention Service for Psychosis. Episode 2 of the 2024 BIGSPD podcast.BIGSPD is the British and Irish Group for the Study of Personality Disorder and their annual conference takes place in Belfast on 18-20 June 2024. Find out more at: https://bigspd.org.uk/conferences-and-events/annual-conference/