These podcasts are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in child and adolescent mental health. They bridge the gap between rigorous research and practical application, featuring expert discussions on mental health. Each episode highlights cutting-edge studies offering insights into findings, and implications for practice.
The series caters to clinicians, researchers, and those interested in mental health. Available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, it’s an accessible way to stay informed about advancements in the field.
Visit our website for a host of free evidence-based mental health resources.
S2 Ep3: Mind the Kids - One and done? Single session interventions
Jul 02, 2025
Show notes
How can we make mental health support more accessible and effective for children and adolescents? In this episode of Mind the Kids, host Clara Faria sits down with Professor Maria Loades to explore the promise of single session interventions—a cutting-edge approach designed to deliver immediate, evidence-based help in just one session. Is it really a case of ‘One and done?’. Together, they unpack the barriers that keep many young people from seeking support, from stigma to logistical hurdles, and discuss how culturally sensitive, age-appropriate, and trustworthy resources can break down these walls. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to young people's voices in shaping mental health services, the need for thoughtful consent processes for those under 16, and the potential for digital, on-demand interventions to serve as both a first step and a bridge to further care. Whether you're a practitioner, parent, or advocate, this episode offers fresh insights into how single session interventions could transform youth mental health access and outcomes
S2 Ep2: Mind the Kids - Digital Mental Health: Persuasion, Parenting & Innovation
Jun 25, 2025
Show notes
In this enlightening episode of Mind the Kids, our host Clara Faria, an ACAMH Young Person Ambassador, is joined by Professor Amit Baumel, Associate Professor at the University of Haifa and winner of the 2024 ACAMH Digital Innovation Award. Together, they explore how digital mental health interventions can be designed to truly make a difference—particularly for parents, children, and underserved populations. From “therapeutic persuasiveness” to scalable solutions and AI-powered mental health tools, this conversation blends psychological science, human-centred tech design, and meaningful clinical insight. A must-listen for professionals, researchers, and anyone curious about the future of mental health support.
S2 Ep1: Mind the Kids - Mental Health and Exercise
Jun 18, 2025
Show notes
Welcome to the Mind the Kids podcast, and welcome to Clara Faria our host for this series. Mind the Kids is your go-to series for inspiring conversations and expert insights into the mental health of children and young people around the globe. Each episode dives into the latest research, real-world experiences, and practical strategies for supporting young minds. In Clara’s first episode, ‘Mental Health and Exercise’ we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Nicolas Fabiano, a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa and a passionate science communicator. Together, they explore the powerful connection between exercise and mental health—discussing how physical activity can help prevent and manage depression, anxiety, and more. They also tackle the common divide between physical and mental health, and why it’s time to treat them as deeply interconnected aspects of well-being. Whether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, or just curious about mental health, this episode offers valuable takeaways and evidence-based advice.
S1 Ep7: Mind the Kids - Only the lonely
Jun 11, 2025
Show notes
Welcome to Mind the Kids, the podcast where research meets real-world practice in child and adolescent mental health. Hosted by Dr. Jane Gilmour, Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Child Development Programme Director at UCL, and Professor Umar Toseeb, expert in child and adolescent mental health and special educational needs, each episode dives into the latest topics from the research literature. Join us as we engage with leading authors and sift through the data, dilemmas, and debates—leaving you with practical takeaways for both academics and practitioners. In this episode, “Only the Lonely”, Jane and Umar talk to Professor Roz Shafran, Emeritus Professor of Population, Policy & Practice. Population, Policy & Practice Dept. UCL GOS Institute of Child Health. They discuss the complexities of loneliness, covering definitions of loneliness, its heterogeneous nature, risk factors, the importance of screening, and potential interventions. The conversation emphasises the need for a nuanced understanding of loneliness and the necessity for effective strategies to address it. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, clinician, or simply passionate about supporting young minds, Mind the Kids is your essential guide to understanding and improving the mental health of children and adolescents.
S1 Ep6: Mind the Kids - Anxiety and Paranoia: What Lies Beneath?
Jun 04, 2025
Show notes
This episode of the "Mind the Kids" podcast, titled "Anxiety and Paranoia: What Lies Beneath?", features hosts Dr. Jane Gilmour and Prof. Umar Toseeb in conversation with Dr. Jessica Kingston. The discussion unpacks the complexities of paranoia and social anxiety during adolescence, examining how these experiences manifest, their definitions, and what they mean for child development and emotional well-being. The episode explores the prevalence of paranoid thoughts among young people, the difference between typical worries and clinical concerns, and the impact of lived experiences on the development of paranoid beliefs. Listeners will gain insights into the adaptive aspects of paranoia, the importance of mental health literacy, and why adolescence is such a critical time for developing social relationships. The conversation also highlights the need for parents and educators to recognize signs of distress, normalize intense emotions, and support youth as they navigate mental health challenges. This episode draws on the latest psychological research and offers practical coping strategies for families and professionals supporting adolescent mental health.
S1 Ep5: Mind the Kids - Reading between the lines
May 28, 2025
Show notes
This episode is called 'Reading between the lines' and is part of the "Mind the Kids" podcast series, produced by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH). Hosted by Dr. Jane Gilmour and Prof. Umar Toseeb, with guest Dr. Germán Grande, the discussion explores how the home literacy environment shapes children’s reading development and long-term outcomes. The conversation highlights the importance of parental involvement, the interplay between genetics and environmental factors, and how early literacy experiences can influence educational success. Listeners will gain insights into the roles of family, culture, and schools in fostering reading skills, and discover practical ways to support children’s literacy from early childhood onwards. This episode is ideal for parents, educators, and anyone interested in child development, education, and mental health, offering evidence-based advice and expert perspectives on building strong foundations for children’s futures
S1 Ep4: Mind the Kids - Parent plus child factors, does it add up?
May 21, 2025
Show notes
We’re excited to share the latest episode of Mind the Kids, hosted by Dr. Jane Gilmour (UCL) and Professor Umar Toseeb (University of York). This episode dives into the complex relationship between parenting styles and infant characteristics, exploring whether their influences on child development are simply additive-or something more nuanced. Joined by specialguest Dr. Robert Eves (Bielefeld University), we discuss groundbreaking research using large, nationally representative datasets to unpack how parenting and child traits interact. We also break down key theoretical models-like diathesis-stress, vantage sensitivity, and differential susceptibility-in accessible language, with practical takeaways for parents, practitioners, and researchers alike. Whether you’re a parent, academic, or professional in child development, tune in for evidence-based insights and a thoughtful discussion on what really shapes children’s outcomes.
S1 Ep3: Mind the Kids – Mental Health: Best mates and Classmates
May 14, 2025
Show notes
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.
S1 Ep2: Mind the Kids - Autism diagnosis: The long and winding road
May 07, 2025
Show notes
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.
S1 Ep1: Mind the Kids - Should we be worried about the Manosphere?
Apr 30, 2025
Show notes
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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