What is trauma? Conversations about trauma often focus on individual experiences. But trauma can also be shaped by social and political contexts, affecting entire communities as well as the people within them.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Orla Muldoon, Head of Department and Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research explores the links between identity, conflict, and trauma, with a particular focus on how social and political contexts shape psychological experiences.

They discuss how trauma can be understood not only as an individual experience but also as something shaped by social and collective contexts. The conversation explores what makes social trauma distinct, how it can affect communities as well as individuals, and what the latest research reveals about its long-term impacts.

Orla also shares insights from her work on how understanding the social dimensions of trauma can help inform more effective responses in research, policy, and mental health support.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Andrew McIntosh, a psychiatrist and researcher specialising in the genetics of mental health at the University of Edinburgh.

They discuss Andrew’s background in psychiatry and genomics, and how his work aims to better understand the biological underpinnings of mental health conditions. The conversation explores the growing role of genomics in mental health research and the importance of patient and public involvement in shaping meaningful, impactful studies.

Andrew also shares his commitment to ensuring that research includes underrepresented communities and why broadening participation is essential to improving outcomes and reducing inequalities in mental health care.

Season 4 of Open Mind has been an incredible journey, and we want to thank you for tuning in to the first half of the series. We hope it offered new insights into mental health research, while also helping you reflect on your own experiences and those of the people around you.

In this special episode, we revisit some of the conversations that resonated most with our audience, highlighting the personal stories and research that sparked discussion and reflection.

Open Mind returns in the new year, bringing more lived experiences and cutting-edge mental health research.

You can watch the podcast on MQ’s YouTube channel or listen on all major podcast providers.

Season 4 of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies.

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor is joined by Brian Dow, Deputy CEO of Rethink Mental Illness, Aphra Tulip-Briggs, Lived Experience Expert and Trustee at Rethink, and Mariana Bolivar, Research Lead at MQ Mental Health Research.

They discuss the new joint report from MQ and Rethink Mental Illness, which outlines ten key changes needed to transform mental health research in the UK. Their conversation explores how the sector can shift toward earlier intervention and prevention, how research can be made more inclusive and accessible to people with lived experience, and what systemic changes are required to ensure research truly meets the needs of those most affected by mental illness.

Brian, Aphra, and Mariana share insights from their collaborative work, highlighting the importance of co-production, equitable funding, and a research system that prioritises both scientific progress and lived experience expertise.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor speaks with Jordan Lees, a lived experience expert and research volunteer who has worked with the National Institute for Health and Care Research Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration.

They discuss the importance of public and patient involvement in mental health research and the crucial role lived experience plays in shaping meaningful, impactful studies. The conversation also explores Jordan’s experience volunteering for a clinical trial, offering insight into what participation is really like and why it matters.

Jordan reflects on the challenges of developing new interventions, highlighting the gaps that still exist in mental health treatment and the need for research that is driven by the voices of those directly affected.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Kam Bhui, a leading expert in public mental health and policy at the University of Oxford.

They explore how structural inequalities impact mental health care, particularly for marginalised groups, and discuss the role of adverse childhood experiences in shaping long-term mental health outcomes.

The conversation also delves into the intersection of public mental health and policy, highlighting the need for systemic changes to create more equitable access to care.

Kam shares insights from his research on how mental health services can be redesigned to better address these inequalities and the importance of integrating mental health into broader public health policies.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a psychologist and neuroscientist from the University of Cambridge.

They discuss the key neurological changes that occur during adolescence and why the teenage brain is distinct from both children's and adults' brains. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions, challenging the idea of adolescence as a period of chaos and instead highlighting it as a crucial stage of growth and development.

Sarah-Jayne shares insights from her research on how understanding the teenage brain can reshape our perspective on young people and the opportunities this presents for supporting them more effectively.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Prof Willem Kuyken, a research clinical psychologist and author from the University of Oxford.

They discuss Willem’s journey into mental health research and why he focuses specifically on mindfulness and its benefits for mental health. The conversation explores key findings from his studies on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and the impact it has on young people's mental health.

Willem also shares insights from his work on whether mindfulness-based approaches could potentially help tackle structural inequalities in mental health.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com