Author Archives: Dr Rory Conn

Very sad to hear of the passing of Dr David Sturgeon, retired consultant liaison psychiatrist. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/09/david-sturgeon-obituary I remember SO clearly my placement as a 4th year medical student, on Dr Sturgeon’s Liaison Psychiatry team at UCLH. Until that point I had in mind I might be an Orthopaedic Surgeon. I had no concept of psychiatryContinue reading “A tribute to Dr David Sturgeon”

Attending the Paediatric Mental Health Association (PMHA) Winter Conference today, I have enjoyed a talk from Dr. Barry Coughlan, British Academy Research Fellow, University of Cambridge. My notes from this follow: IMPORTANT STARTING POINT: BEST EVIDENCE REVIEW SHOWS : Question arises: which forms of maltreatment predict which mental illnesses? MULTIFINALITY – A given maltreatment experienceContinue reading “Looked-After Children: Adversity & Mental Health”

Here is a fantastic and FREE range of resources – video testimony of patients, concerning their physical and mental health conditions. Understanding that the lived experience is every bit as important as an understanding of the science behind them. There is a whole subsection on Young People’s experiences (eg Type 1 Diabetes, Acne, Eating Disorders.Continue reading “HealthTalk.org”

The following has been written for my local colleagues working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and our patients. The hope is to explain to young people and parents/carers that diagnoses and medications are not the only ways to receive help. We live in an increasingly medicalised world, and we need to keepContinue reading “Some reflections on diagnoses and medication use in CAMHS services…”

This is a superb video about how Mental Illness in a parent or carer (considered to be an “Adverse Childhood Experience”) can impact on the emotional wellbeing of a child or adolescent. Also how early intervention and support for the whole family is crucial. Made in Collaboration with Devon Partnership Trust, and in particular DrContinue reading “The Impact of Parental Mental Illness on Children and Young People”

Incredibly grateful for two of our expert patients, Astro and Malcolm, who have generously shared their stories here about being helped by CAMHS. They are both instrumental in supporting our services now – sitting on interview panels, and helping shape our services. They also give sessions for our medical students to educate the next generationContinue reading “SHARING LIVED EXPERIENCE OF CAMHS SERVICES”

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have run a successful campaign overseen by Dr Kate Lovett, to promote psychiatry as a career to medical students and junior doctors. It’s had a major impact, improving application rates significantly. Here is the latest recruitment video: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/become-a-psychiatrist/choose-psychiatry

On Good Morning Britain in August of this year, there were some extraordinary claims made. The mental health charity STEM4 had published results of an online “survey” which appeared to suggest that as many as 37% of 12-18 year olds were taking / had been prescribed antidepressants. This story was run by GMB in ratherContinue reading “Antidepressant Prescriptions Rising in Young People? Concerning claims made.”

Increasing numbers of children and young people are requiring admission to paediatric wards with restrictive eating, and physical compromise. This is a FICTIONAL account of a multiprofessional discussion regarding Nasogastric feeding, and the potential for restrictive practices and restraint, with consideration of legal frameworks. Those involved in this teaching are clinicians involved in this workContinue reading “MDT Discussions about Nasogastric Feeding with Restrictive Intake Disorders in Young People – teaching resource”

https://charliewaller.org/mental-health-resources/managing-difficult-feelings/help-for-young-people-worried-about-self-harm The Charlie Waller Trust, Young Minds & Royal College of Psychiatrists produced a range of mental health resources around Self Harm in 2016, including some fantastic videos to raise awareness and bring hope to those suffering. These resources were under the banner of “No Harm Done: Things Can Change”. We are now looking toContinue reading ““No Harm Done””