The Royal College of Psychiatrists Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Dr. Asilay Seker sits down with Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham to discuss the STADIA trial (STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties), which he led. This multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of incorporating a standardised diagnostic assessment tool into routine clinical care within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Professor Sayal explains the study’s aims, the significance of its findings, and how STADIA offered valuable insights into rethinking CAMHS provision. He also discusses how a more digitalised approach could expand the service’s reach and enhance support for young people and families. Asilay is later joined by Professor Andrea Danese. They discuss the complexities of trauma and PTSD, particularly in children and young people. He clarifies the definitions of trauma and PTSD, emphasizing the importance of subjective experiences in understanding mental health outcomes. The conversation also explores the impact of neurodiversity on trauma processing and highlights the need for flexible diagnostic approaches. Finally, Professor Danese underscores the importance of evidence-based treatments for PTSD and the urgent need to improve access to these interventions for affected youth. RESOURCES: https://www.acamh.org/blog/the-stadia-trial-exploring-clinical-and-cost-effectiveness/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-0880-3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2818046 https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14048 https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14090 We produce mental health information to support young people which can be found in the mental health section of our website. RCPsych also produces factsheets for schools, colleges and other organisations, which cover a range of topics from diagnosable conditions to everyday challenges young people deal with. Written by psychiatrists in collaboration with young people, these are available for schools and college to order online. Click here to order: https://rcpsych.myshopify.com/collections/mental-health-for-young-people-and-children

In this conversation, Dr Elaine Lockhart speaks with Dr Lade Smith, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, about the critical importance of early intervention in mental health, the impact of social determinants and structural racism on mental health services, and the need for psychiatrists to champion community-based solutions. She stresses the urgency of addressing the treatment gap, particularly for children and young people, and highlights the importance of a motivated workforce within the field of psychiatry. Later, Elaine talks to Professor Bernadka Dubika about her extensive work in child and adolescent mental health, focusing on behavioural activation, the role of antidepressants, and the importance of training staff in CAMHS. She emphasises the need for a biopsychosocial approach to understanding young people's mental health challenges and the significance of fundamental clinical care in practice.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Manoj Kumar, the RCPsych South Asian Chair, to discuss the mental health landscape in South Asia, with a focus on India. Dr Kumar shares insights into the region's mental health challenges, cultural attitudes, and systemic barriers to care. We explore innovative solutions, the role of technology, and the importance of community engagement. Dr Kumar also highlights RCPsych's initiatives in South Asia and how global mental health professionals can support these efforts. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on advancing mental health care in South Asia.

How evolution can help us understand child development and behaviour Dr Howard Ryland discusses the topic with Dr Annie Swanepoel who, together with her co-authors, Daniela F. Sieff, Graham Music, John Launer, Michael Reiss and Bernadette Wren, has published a paper in January's issue of BJPsych Advances. The traditional disease model, still dominant in psychiatry, is less than ideal for making sense of psychological issues such as the effects of early childhood experiences on development. We argue that a model based on evolutionary thinking can deepen understanding and aid clinical practice by showing how behaviours, bodily responses and psychological beliefs tend to develop for ‘adaptive’ reasons, even when these ways of being might on first appearance seem pathological. Such understanding has implications for treatment. It also challenges the genetic determinist model, by showing that developmental pathways have evolved to be responsive to the physical and social environment in which the individual matures. Thought can now be given to how biological or psychological treatments – and changing a child’s environment – can foster well-being. Evolutionary thinking has major implications for how we think about psychopathology and for targeting the optimum sites, levels and timings for interventions. In this inaugural Advances podcast, Dr Howard Ryland discusses the topic with Dr Annie Swanepoel.

Is Human Progress Inevitable? Raj Persaud talks to Professor Joel Mokyr about his new book, 'A Culture of Growth' In this groundbreaking book, celebrated economic historian Joel Mokyr argues that a culture of growth specific to early modern Europe and the European Enlightenment laid the foundations for the scientific advances and pioneering inventions that would instigate explosive technological and economic development.

Is there hidden meaning to the use of violence in movies? Dr Raj Persaud talks to Professor David Humbert about his new book on Violence in the Films of Alfred Hitchcock, and uses a depth psychological analysis to show that there are often hidden layers of meaning behind the use of violence in film. This analysis also helps us understand ourselves better and why we turn to anger and violence ourselves. You can also listen to this interview on a free app on iTunes and Google play store entitled, Raj Persaud in conversation, which includes a lot of free information on the latest research findings in mental health, plus interviews with top experts from around the world.

The process of clinical assessment The first of two linked BJPsych Advances podcasts recorded at the RCPsych International Congress, Dr Howard Ryland is in conversation here with Dr Derek Tracy and Professor Keith Rix on the complex topic of Malingering.

Medico legal reporting of malingering Dr Howard Ryland in conversation with Dr Derek Tracy and Professor Keith Rix This, the second of two BJPsych Advances podcasts on Malingering, focuses on the medico legal reporting of malingering.

Peer reviewing Professor Patricia Casey Editor, BJPsych Advances In conversation with Dr Howard Ryland today, Professor Patricia Casey, Editor of BJPsych Advances, gives an overview of the importance of the peer review system and provides comprehensive guidance and advice on the process. Read: 'Peer reviewing made easy' by Neel Halder, Rosalind Ramsay, Peter Tyrer, Patricia Casey Advances in Psychiatric Treatment Feb 2011, 17 (2) 150-157

Dr James MacCabe, Reader in the Epidemiology of Psychosis at Kings College, London, discusses his paper on Personalised approaches to pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia, recently published in BJPsych Advances.