Episodes

  • 3: Mind the Kids – Mental Health: Best mates and Classmates

    3: Mind the Kids – Mental Health: Best mates and Classmates
    May 14 2025
    What happens when friendships become the cornerstone of childhood mental health? In this episode of Mind the Kids – Mental Health: Best mates and Classmates, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb, joined by Dr. Tom Wu, unravel the powerful connections between peer relationships and emotional wellbeing in young people.

    From the playground to the classroom, the trio explores how friendships evolve, why quality matters more than quantity, and how popularity can shape – or sometimes complicate – the social landscape. They discuss the complex, two-way relationship between mental health and friendships, revealing how emotional struggles can make it harder to connect, while strong friendships can buffer against adversity.

    The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences in friendship dynamics and why interventions that put mental health first can lead to better social outcomes. With practical insights for educators and a call for emotional literacy programs in schools, this episode offers a fresh perspective on why supporting children’s social worlds is key to nurturing resilient, mentally healthy young people.
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    36 mins
  • 2: Mind the Kids - Autism diagnosis: The long and winding road

    2: Mind the Kids - Autism diagnosis: The long and winding road
    May 7 2025
    In this episode, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb unravel the complexities of autism diagnosis, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked gender differences and the unique mental health challenges faced by autistic youth. With autism identification rates on the rise and growing recognition of co-occurring conditions, the discussion explores why so many autistic children and young people-especially girls-are missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.

    Dr. Miriam Martini joins to share her research on how psychiatric diagnoses often precede autism identification, revealing the critical need for earlier recognition and tailored support. Together, they delve into why autistic girls are frequently diagnosed later than boys, how anxiety and the pressure to fit in can mask autistic traits, and how diagnostic overshadowing can leave mental health needs unmet.

    Tune in for a nuanced look at why understanding the interplay between gender, co-occurring conditions, and mental health is essential-not just for accurate diagnosis, but for ensuring every autistic young person receives the support they deserve.
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    27 mins
  • 1: Mind the Kids - Should we be worried about the Manosphere?

    1: Mind the Kids - Should we be worried about the Manosphere?
    Apr 30 2025
    In the premiere episode of Mind the Kids, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb delve into the world of the Manosphere—an online space where misogynistic content is widespread, especially among young men. Together with Professor Harriet Over, they examine the mental health implications, the growing concerns of educators, and the urgent need for research and community-specific interventions.

    The episode unpacks how online influence shapes gender attitudes, the complexities of radicalisation, and the critical role of positive male role models. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding young people's motivations and the impact of social media algorithms in spreading harmful content.

    Key Takeaways
    • The Manosphere poses a real concern for the mental health of young men.
    • Misogynistic content is increasingly accessible and influential online.
    • Educators are noticing the effects and express growing concern about the Manosphere’s reach.
    • There is a pressing need for more research to understand the Manosphere and its effects.
    • The relationship between consuming online content and developing misogynistic attitudes is complex and not always direct.
    • Effective interventions must be tailored to the unique needs of different communities.
    • Positive male role models are essential to counteract harmful online influences.
    • It is vital to create safe spaces for open conversations about misogyny and gender attitudes.
    • Understanding what draws young people to these communities is key to designing effective solutions.
    • Social media algorithms play a significant role in what content young people see and engage with.
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    38 mins
  • Safer Use of Antipsychotics in Youth

    Safer Use of Antipsychotics in Youth
    Apr 28 2025
    What is the culture around prescribing antipsychotics to young people? Are there concerns around over-prescribing antipsychotics in young people? How can we reduce antipsychotics use in children and adolescents? All this and more answered as Jo Carlowe interviews Dr. Robert Penfold about the Safer Use of Antipsychotics in Youth (SUAY) pragmatic trial, as published in the JCPP.
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    25 mins
  • Can oral interventions in late primary school years be effective?

    Can oral interventions in late primary school years be effective?
    Apr 24 2025
    How important is language for children’s development? Is there a relationship between language difficulties and socioeconomic status? Do language interventions improve other aspects of development? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Charles Hulme about his recent research into the efficacy of the Oral Language for Literacy Intervention (OLLI) programme.
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    34 mins
  • Screen Time – is it bad for you?

    Screen Time – is it bad for you?
    Apr 23 2025
    Why is there a growing concern around screen time? Is social media bad for young people’s wellbeing? What is the impact of the digital divide? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Pete Etchells about his work, the impact of screen time and social media, and his recent book ‘Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time’.
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    40 mins
  • Mental Health and Sexual Minority Individuals

    Mental Health and Sexual Minority Individuals
    Apr 22 2025
    What does the term ‘sexual minority’ mean? Why might sexual minority adolescents have poorer mental health? How can we support sexual minority youth with their mental health? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Dr. Kunle Oginni about his research into the mental health of sexual minority individuals, including young people, using genetic research designs.
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    32 mins
  • Childhood Maltreatment and the Maltreatment Measurement Disagreement

    Childhood Maltreatment and the Maltreatment Measurement Disagreement
    Apr 19 2025
    What are the different ways in which child maltreatment is measured in research? How do different measures of maltreatment impact the relationship with psychopathology? Why are there inconsistencies in reports of maltreatment? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Dr. Oonagh Coleman about why prospective and retrospective measures of maltreatment differ.
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    33 mins