The Mental Wellbeing College – Details, episodes & analysis

Exercise in Psychotherapy. In this video, Dr. Kristin Szuhany and I discuss the benefits of integrating exercise into traditional talk therapy, how psychologists can promote exercise with clients, the latest research on exercise in anxiety disorder treatment and much more... Dr. Kristin Szuhany is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at New York University Langone. Kristin is the Assistant Director of the NYU Langone Anxiety, Stress, and Prolonged Grief Program. She is a leading researcher in exercise and psychotherapy field. Chapters 0:00 Kristin’s Research Journey 2:55 Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health 10:10 Exercise in the Therapy Space 15:20 Why Exercise May Help With Exposure Therapy 22:50 Integrating Exercise in Psychotherapy 37:20 An Example of Exercise in Therapy 45.00 Barriers to Engaging in Exercise 55:40 Making Exercise More Feasible Show Notes "Efficacy evaluation of exercise as an augmentation strategy to brief behavioral activation treatment for depression: a randomized pilot trial" by Szuhany and Otto (2019) "A meta-analytic review of the effects of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor" by Szuhany et al., (2015) "The impact of exercise interventions on sleep in adult populations with depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress: review of the current evidence and future directions" by Szuhany et al., (2024) "Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being" by Otto and Smits (2011) "Exercise Augmentation of Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Rationale and Pilot Efficacy Data" by Powers et al., (2015) "Aerobic exercise and consolidation of fear extinction learning among women with posttraumatic stress disorder" by Crombie et al., (2021) "Anxiety symptom interpretation: A potential mechanism explaining the cardiorespiratory fitness-anxiety relationship" by Williams et al., (2016) "The relationship between physical activity and anxiety and its disorders" by Utschig et al., (2023) "Clarifying the Link Between Distress Intolerance and Exercise: Elevated Anxiety Sensitivity Predicts Less Vigorous Exercise" by Hearon et al., 2012

In this episode, we discuss the plight of mental illness and unique risk factors for mental illness in developing countries, the poverty trap and much more... Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 1:54 Is MI a Western Problem Only? 3:10 Risk Factors in Developing Countries 8:30 Mental Health Stigma 11:30 The Poverty Trap 16:48 Possible Solutions Show Notes "The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development" by Patel et al., 2018 "Mental Health Service Provision in Low- and Middle-Income Countries" by Rathod et al., 2017 "World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all" by WHO, 2022 "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017" "Brain drain among Sri Lankan psychiatrists" by Chandradasa and Kuruppuarachchi (2023) "Why are we still living in the past? Sri Lanka needs urgent and timely reforms of its archaic mental health laws" by Hapangama et al., 2023

In this episode, we discuss effective strategies to form healthy habits, how to use coping plans, the 'windows of opportunity' to make health behaviours stick and how healthcare practitioners can change their own habits. Dr. Dominika Kwasnicka is a Behavioural Scientist and Principal Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Dom is a highly influential researcher in sustainable behaviour change in both laypeople and healthcare practitioners. Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 4:30 Implementation Intentions 15:30 Habit Formation 24:00 The Role of Willpower 29:30 Changing Healthcare Practitioners’ Behaviours Show Notes Practical Health Psychology Blog https://practicalhealthpsychology.com/ Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes by Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006) Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being by Ryan and Deci (2000) Does planning how to cope with anticipated barriers facilitate health-related behaviour change? A systematic review by Kwasnicka et al. (2013) A gender-sensitised weight-loss and healthy living program for men with overweight and obesity in Australian Football League settings (Aussie-FIT): A pilot randomised controlled trial by Kwasnicka et al. (2020) Challenging assumptions underlying physical activity promotion for health care professionals in Australia: A data-prompted interview study by Kwasnicka et al. (2023)

In this episode, we discuss the Big 6 lifestyle risk behaviours in adolescence. We cover the alarming rates of poor lifestyle behaviours that adolescents are engaging in, the consequences of these on mental and physical health, and what can be done to change these behaviours. Dr. Katrina Champion is a Senior Research Fellow at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. Katrina is also the Program Lead of Healthy Lifestyles Research at the Matilda Centre.

Chapters

0:00 Show Intro

4:00 Lifestyle Risk Behaviours

10:00 Lifestyle Behaviours and Mental Health

18:50 Changing Lifestyle Behaviours

In this video, we discuss the mortality gap scandal where people with severe mental illness die 8-30 years earlier than the general population. We explore the underlying reasons behind this and what can be done to ameliorate this public health dilemma. Dr. Rob Stanton is an Associate Professor at Central Queensland University and is a highly experienced Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 3:35 Mortality Gap 11:15 Mental Health First Aid 17:50 Diagnostic Overshadowing 24:30 Exercise in Disadvantaged Populations 33:55 Prescribing Ex in Ps w/MI 51:55 The Role of Exercise Physiologists Show Notes "Physical health disparities and mental illness: the scandal of premature mortality" by Thornicroft, 2011 "National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5·7 million participants" by Strain et al., 2024 "Diagnostic Overshadowing and Other Challenges Involved in the Diagnostic Process of Patients with Mental Illness Who Present in Emergency Departments with Physical Symptoms – A Qualitative Study" by Shefer et al., 2014 "Refugees, sport, and mental health" podcast by ABC with Dr. Simon Rosenbaum Addi Moves Project https://www.mindgardens.org.au/what-w... "Why are we still living in the past? Sri Lanka needs urgent and timely reforms of its archaic mental health laws" by Hapangama et al., 2022 "Affective–Reflective Theory of physical inactivity and exercise" by Brand & Ekkekakis, 2018 "An exploratory study examining the core affect hypothesis of the anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects of physical activity" by Rebar et al., 2015

Learn about how the Mediterranean Diet can help your mental health, what the key ingredients of this diet are and how to make changes in your own lifestyle. The Mediterranean Diet has the most evidence supporting its use in reducing depressive symptoms, with several clinical trials showing its efficacy. This clip is from the full episode "The Evidence for Diet & Mental Health | Dr. Lais Bhering Martins | 52"

Exercise For Mental Health: The Evidence | 58 In this Solocast, we dive into the evidence for whether exercise can actually improve mental health. It's something we all feel, but what does the science and evidence say? Welcome to the Mental Wellbeing College, where we explore the evidence for lifestyle behaviours on mental health. I am a Provisional Psychologist and PhD Candidate investigating all things Exercise Therapy. Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 2:43 The ‘Good Stuff’ and the ‘Bad Stuff’ 5:40 The Evidence for Exercise and Mental Health 7:30 Best Types of Exercise 8:20 Time-Out Hypothesis 12:57 When Exercise May Not Help Mental Health 16:45 The Importance of the Environment Notes "A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being" by Marquez et al., (2020) "Exercise-induced anxiolysis: a test of the "time out" hypothesis in high anxious females" by Breus & O'Connor (1998) "Exercise & Mental Health: Panic Disorder, Anxiety & Adherence" with Prof. Pat O'Connor

In this video, we discuss the current prescription practices of healthcare practitioners (e.g. doctors, psychologists, nurses) regarding lifestyle behaviours such as exercise. We explore why many healthcare practitioners are not having these important conversations and strategies to overcome these barriers. Dr. Chris Keyworth is a Chartered Psychologist & Associate Professor at University of Leeds, researching in health psychology and health behaviour change in individuals and healthcare professionals. Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 3:28 What is a Lifestyle Behaviour? 5:33 Importance of Lifestyle Behaviours 10:20 Public Health Promotion of Lifestyle Behaviours 17:20 Barriers of Lifestyle Behaviour Promotion in Healthcare 30:20 Facilitators to Lifestyle Behaviour Promotion in Healthcare 37:40 Training Healthcare Practitioners on Lifestyle Behaviour Promotion Show Notes "‘It's difficult, I think it's complicated’: Health care professionals’ barriers and enablers to providing opportunistic behaviour change interventions during routine medical consultations" by Keyworth et al. (2019) "Delivering opportunistic behavior change interventions: a systematic review of systematic reviews" by Keyworth et al. (2020) "Are healthcare professionals delivering opportunistic behaviour change interventions? A multi-professional survey of engagement with public health policy" by Keyworth et al. (2018) "Perceptions of receiving behaviour change interventions from GPs during routine consultations: a qualitative study" by Keyworth et al. (2020) "Barriers and enablers to delivering opportunistic behaviour change interventions during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study in healthcare professionals" by Vogt et al. (20203) "‘In someone's clinic but not in mine’ – clinicians’ views of supporting lifestyle behaviour change in patients with psoriasis: a qualitative interview study" by Nelson et al. (2014) "Exploring barriers and enablers to the delivery of Making Every Contact Count brief behavioural interventions in Ireland: A cross‐sectional survey study" by Meade et al. (2023) Make Every Contact Count- Consensus Statement by NHS https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content... Quality and Outcomes Framework by NHS https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-infor...

In this episode, learn about the effects of exercise on brain structure, how exercise improves cognitive function, whether exercise can help prevent Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases and much, much more... Art Kramer is a Professor Psychology and the Director of the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University. He is one the most highly-cited researchers in the exercise-cognition space, publishing prolifically over the past 40+ years. Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 3:05 Art’s Research Career 4:40 Can Exercise Improve Cognition? 10:10 Best Type of Exercise for Cognitive Improvements 16:20 Structural Changes in the Brain 22:35 Exercise and Dementia 31:55 The Future of Exercise Research Show Notes "Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: a meta-analytic study—revisited" by Kramer & Colcombe (2018) "Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition" by Hillman et al. (2008) "Aerobic exercise effects on cognitive and neural plasticity in older adults" by Erickson & Kramer (2009) "The influence of aerobic fitness on cerebral white matter integrity and cognitive function in older adults: Results of a one‐year exercise intervention" by Voss et al. (2013) "Exercise is medicine, for the body and the brain" by Nagamatsu et al. (2014) "Role of brain structure in predicting adherence to a physical activity regimen" by Gujral et al. (2018) "Brain structure and function predict adherence to an exercise intervention in older adults" by Morris et al. (2022) "Brain structure, cardiorespiratory fitness, and executive control changes after a 9-week exercise intervention in young adults: A randomized controlled trial" by Zhu et al. (2021)

Learn about the neuromodulators that affect our brain when we exercise, the effects of exercise on cognitive function, how to use exercise to enhance learning and memory, and much much more... Terry McMorris is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Chichester and a Visiting Professor at the University of Portsmouth. He has published prolifically in the area of Exercise Neuroscience for several decades. Chapters 0:00 Show Intro 3:23 Acute Exercise and Cognition 18:48 Interoception Model 30:43 How Exercise Helps Memory 45:23 Exercise Helps Cognitive as we Age Show Notes "Exercise-Cognition Interaction: Neuroscience Perspectives" by McMorris "Reappraisal of the acute, moderate intensity exercise-catecholamines interaction effect on speed of cognition: Role of the vagal/NTS afferent pathway" by McMorris et al. (2016) "A test of the catecholamines hypothesis for an acute exercise-cognition interaction" by McMorris et al. (2008) "Developing the catecholamines hypothesis for the acute exercise-cognition interaction in humans: Lessons from animal studies" by McMorris et al. (2016) "The acute exercise-cognition interaction: From the catecholamines hypothesis to an interoception model" by McMorris et al. (2021) “Bridging animal and human models of exercise-induced brain plasticity” by Voss et al. (2013) "High impact running improves learning" by Winter et al. (2007) "Aerobic exercise improves hippocampal function and increases BDNF in the serum of young adult males" by Griffin et al. (2011)