Episodes

  • S3 Ep6: Mind the Kids - Behind the Tears: The Surprising Role of Genetics in Infant Crying

    S3 Ep6: Mind the Kids - Behind the Tears: The Surprising Role of Genetics in Infant Crying
    Sep 17 2025
    Welcome to Mind The Kids, hosted by Mark Tebbs. In this episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Charlotte Viktorsson, a behavioural genetics researcher at Uppsala University, to explore the genetic and environmental influences on infant sleep and crying. Drawing on findings from a major study involving nearly 1,000 sets of Swedish twins, they discuss how much of a baby's crying is down to genetics and why sleep quality often depends on home routines and environment.

    If you're a parent in the thick of sleepless nights or frequent tears, this episode offers both reassurance and fresh insight. Dr. Viktorsson explains why some babies simply cry more than others—even in the best of circumstances—and shares practical advice for supporting your child's wellbeing in those challenging early months. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that brings clarity and comfort to anyone caring for young children.

    Based on the findings of ‘Genetic and environmental influences on sleep quality, ability to settle, and crying duration in 2- and 5-month-old infants: A longitudinal twin study’ Charlotte Viktorsson, Ashraf Yahia, Mark J. Taylor, Angelica Ronald, Kristiina Tammimies, Terje Falck-Ytter. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.70023
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    17 mins
  • S3 Ep5: Mind the Kids - Engaging Dads: The Power of Online Parenting Interventions

    S3 Ep5: Mind the Kids - Engaging Dads: The Power of Online Parenting Interventions
    Sep 10 2025
    In this episode of Mind The Kids, host Mark Tebbs speaks with Dr. Lucy Tully and Dr. Simon Rice about the development and impact of "Family Man," an innovative, online, father-inclusive parenting program designed to reduce child conduct problems. Findings can be found in ACAMH’s Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry – JCPP - ‘An online, father-inclusive parenting intervention for reducing child conduct problems: a randomised controlled trial of family man’ https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14068

    Dr. Tully, a senior lecturer and clinical researcher, shares her passion for early intervention in child mental health and her commitment to making evidence-based parenting support accessible. She highlights a key gap in the field: most parenting programs are designed for and tested with mothers, leaving fathers underrepresented and under-engaged.

    The conversation explores the barriers fathers face in accessing traditional parenting programs—such as cost, work commitments, lack of awareness, and persistent gender stereotypes—and how Family Man was purpose-built to address these issues. Developed in partnership with the Movember Institute, Family Man is a brief, self-directed, animated program that uses humor and relatable scenarios to engage fathers (and mothers) in learning effective strategies for managing children’s challenging behaviors.

    A randomized controlled trial found that parents who completed Family Man reported significant improvements in their child’s conduct, parenting practices, and family wellbeing—benefits that were sustained over time and equally experienced by both mothers and fathers. The program’s online, accessible format and father-focused branding were key to its success.

    Dr. Rice emphasizes the importance of policy changes to support father involvement, such as better paternity leave and organizational practices that actively engage dads. Both guests call for ongoing research, longer-term follow-up, and a cultural shift to make father engagement "core business" in child mental health.

    Listeners are encouraged to try Family Man for free, regardless of whether they have concerns about their child’s behavior, and to share the resource widely. This episode is essential for parents, practitioners, and anyone interested in advancing inclusive, accessible, and effective support for families.
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    30 mins
  • S3 Ep4: Mind the Kids - Rewilding Childhood: Why Nature Matters in Mental Health

    S3 Ep4: Mind the Kids - Rewilding Childhood: Why Nature Matters in Mental Health
    Sep 3 2025
    In this episode of Mind the Kids, ‘Rewilding Childhood: Why Nature Matters in Mental Health’ host Mark Tebbs sits down with Dr. Nicole Harris, educational psychologist and lead author of a major systematic review on nature connectedness in children and young people. Together, they explore why fostering a felt relationship with nature—beyond simply spending time outdoors—can be transformative for learning, behaviour, and wellbeing.

    Dr. Harris explains that nature connectedness is about developing a meaningful, emotional bond with the natural world—a connection that supports not only cognitive skills like attention, but also social skills and self-regulation. Drawing on theories such as attention restoration, stress reduction, and the emerging polyvagal theory, the conversation unpacks how nature can help calm the nervous system, making children more ready to learn and engage.

    The discussion highlights practical, low-cost ways schools and communities can nurture nature connectedness, from art projects and gardening to simply lying in the grass and noticing the world. Importantly, Dr. Harris emphasizes that these activities need not require wild landscapes; even small, local green spaces can make a difference.

    The episode also addresses the real-world barriers schools face—curriculum pressures, time constraints, and inequitable access to green space—arguing for a systems approach and policy changes to ensure all children benefit. Dr. Harris notes that children in more deprived areas have less access to nature, making it even more vital to embed nature connectedness into the curriculum for equity and long-term planetary health.

    Listeners will learn about the links between nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviours, the complex relationship with eco-anxiety, and the potential for nature-based activities to support children with special educational needs. The conversation ends with a call to see ourselves as part of nature, not separate from it, and to recognize that reconnecting with the natural world is essential for both personal and planetary wellbeing.

    Based on the findings of ‘How can nature connectedness and behaviours for learning be deliberately developed in children, adolescents and young adults? A systematic literature review’ Nicole M. Harris, Brettany Hartwell, Louisa Thomas, Marcus Grace https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12774.

    This paper formed part of the CAMH journal Special Issue ‘Physical Environmental Influences on the Psychosocial Outcomes of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults’, edited by Keri Ka-Yee Wong, Efstathios Papachristou, Marta Francesconi, and Tycho J. Dekkers. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14753588/2025/30/2
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    35 mins
  • S3 Ep3: Mind the Kids - The Human Side of Data: Lessons from the STADIA Study

    S3 Ep3: Mind the Kids - The Human Side of Data: Lessons from the STADIA Study
    Aug 27 2025
    In this episode of Mind The Kids, host Mark Tebbs welcomes Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham, to explore the landmark STADIA trial, which was published in ACAMH’s Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP) https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14090.

    Together, they unravel how standardized diagnostic assessments, like the DAWBA, might shape the journey for children and young people referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

    Kapil shares his dual perspective as both a professor and an NHS consultant, explaining how the STADIA trial spanned eight NHS sites across England and deeply involved young people and parents with lived experience. The heart of their conversation is the real-world impact of using structured assessment tools in mental health referrals—do they improve diagnosis, access, or outcomes?

    Listeners will learn how tools like DAWBA could transform clinical decision-making, listen to find what the study found. Families appreciated the validation and feedback these assessments provided, often using their reports to communicate with schools and GPs. The episode highlights the ongoing challenges in CAMHS—rising demand, long waits, and the need for earlier, more effective support.

    Mark and Kapil reflect on how research like STADIA can inform future policy, service design, and digital innovation, emphasizing the importance of listening to lived experience. The episode closes with a call for continued research and collaboration to ensure every young person gets the support they need, when they need it.

    Perfect for parents, clinicians, and anyone interested in the future of youth mental health care.
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    34 mins
  • S3 Ep2: Mind the Kids - Is air pollution harming our children’s minds?

    S3 Ep2: Mind the Kids - Is air pollution harming our children’s minds?
    Aug 20 2025
    Join host Mark Tebbs as he welcomes Dr. Silvia Alemany, a leading researcher in psychiatry and environmental health, for a compelling conversation about the hidden ways our surroundings shape children’s minds.

    In this Mind the Kids episode, ‘Is Air Pollution Harming Our Children’s Minds?’ listeners are taken on a journey through the latest research from Catalonia, Spain, where Dr. Alemany and her team explored how air pollution and the presence of green spaces around schools influence children’s emotional and behavioural well-being. This is evidence in the CAMH journal paper (and part of the CAMH Special Issue) ‘Associations between air pollution and surrounding greenness with internalizing and externalizing behaviors among schoolchildren’
    Paper -     https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12772
    CAMH Special Issue - https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12720

    Listeners will hear about the broader context of this research, including the global shift in focus from adult respiratory and cardiovascular health to the developing brains of children. Dr. Alemany shares the inspiration behind her work, the challenges of measuring environmental exposures, and the importance of considering both direct and indirect effects of greenness—whether through cleaner air, opportunities for physical activity, or simply the calming presence of nature.

    The conversation also touches on the practical implications for urban planning and public health. Dr. Alemany emphasizes that while the effects observed are small, their significance lies in the widespread exposure of children to these environmental factors. She advocates for thoughtful city design, increased green spaces, and policies that reduce traffic near schools, all while ensuring that such changes do not exacerbate social inequalities.

    For parents, the message is both reassuring and empowering: while environmental factors are just one piece of the puzzle in child mental health, small changes—like choosing routes to school with more greenery or supporting local green initiatives—can make a difference. Dr. Alemany also highlights the need for continued research, especially into how genetics and socioeconomic status may influence vulnerability to environmental risks.
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    33 mins
  • S3 Ep1: Mind the Kids - Monitoring versus Knowing: Rethinking the Parent-Child Dynamics

    S3 Ep1: Mind the Kids - Monitoring versus Knowing: Rethinking the Parent-Child Dynamics
    Aug 13 2025
    In this episode of Mind The Kids, our host for this series is Mark Tebbs who welcomes Isabel Aks and Professor William Pelham from the University of California, San Diego, for an insightful conversation on “Monitoring versus Knowing: Rethinking the Parent-Child Dynamics.” Drawing on their recent research published in JCPP Advances (https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.70008), the trio explores what parental monitoring really means today—and why it’s much more than just (as Mark's son says) “another name for spying.”

    Isabel explains how parental monitoring is often misunderstood as snooping, when in reality it’s about the everyday ways parents stay connected to their children’s lives, from casual check-ins to knowing their friends and routines. William, a clinical child psychologist, highlights the delicate balance between keeping kids safe and respecting their growing independence—especially in the digital age, where technology has transformed how parents and teens interact.

    Together, they discuss how trust is the foundation of effective monitoring, and how open communication—not just gathering information—builds stronger parent-child relationships. The conversation also unpacks the evolution of research in this area, shifting focus from simply what parents know to what they actually do to foster connection and care.

    With practical advice and real-world examples, this episode is essential listening for parents, clinicians, and anyone interested in the changing landscape of family life. Tune in to discover why intentional, adaptable, and caring approaches to monitoring can help families thrive, even as the world—and childhood—rapidly change.
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    32 mins
  • S2 Ep8: Mind the Kids - Dysgraphia and neurodevelopmental disorders: Insights from research

    S2 Ep8: Mind the Kids - Dysgraphia and neurodevelopmental disorders: Insights from research
    Aug 6 2025
    Join ACAMH Young Person Ambassador Clara Faria as she speaks with Associate Professor Thomas Gargot, a leading expert in technology-driven mental health solutions for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions. Professor Gargot, winner of the 2024 ACAMH Digital Innovation Award for Best Digital Intervention, delves into his pioneering research on using electronic tablets and robotics to support children with writing difficulties, such as dysgraphia, and explores the crucial connections between handwriting, learning, and cognitive development.

    This episode unpacks innovative digital interventions—including rehabilitative robotic companions and scalable handwriting assessment apps—collaborative efforts between academia and startups, and the challenges and opportunities of implementing tech-based re-education tools in real-world settings. Discover how modern technology is transforming support for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, and what the future holds for evidence-based, accessible interventions.

    Whether you're a clinician, educator, parent, or researcher, this conversation offers invaluable insights into how digital innovation is shaping the future of care for children facing neurodevelopmental challenges.

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    27 mins
  • S2 Ep7: Mind the Kids - Navigating Eating Disorders Trauma in CAMHS

    S2 Ep7: Mind the Kids - Navigating Eating Disorders Trauma in CAMHS
    Jul 30 2025
    In this Mind The Kids podcast junior doctor Clara Faria brings listeners into the heart of child and adolescent mental health care. In this episode, Clara welcomes Dr. Robyn McCarron, consultant psychiatrist at Cambridge’s Darwin Centre, for a candid conversation about the realities and challenges of inpatient care for young people.

    Trigger warning: Sensitive topics such as restrictive practices, eating disorders, and trauma are discussed. Listener discretion is advised.

    Robyn shares her journey revealing how her experiences shaped her belief that traditional models often fall short for the most complex and vulnerable patients. She describes the inpatient ward as a place where young people arrive carrying not just medical diagnoses, but also deep histories of trauma, developmental struggles, and social adversity. Robyn’s approach is rooted in values—respect, safety, and discovery—always striving to minimize harm and empower young people to participate in their own care.

    The episode explores the delicate balance between necessary interventions, like feeding under restraint for life-threatening eating disorders, and the risk of causing further trauma. Clara and Robyn also discuss the importance of supporting young people to regain independence and rebuild their lives outside the hospital, breaking cycles of readmission. Robyn’s reflections are honest and inspiring, highlighting the privilege and challenge of helping young people navigate some of their darkest moments.

    This episode is a powerful reminder that mental health care is about more than protocols—it’s about relationships, trust, and the courage to rethink how we support the next generation.
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    35 mins