Author Archives: Dr Rory Conn

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””

“The aftermath of the pandemic provides an opportunity for the Government to reshape its approach to supporting young people’s mental health. The last two years have shone a much-needed spotlight on the shortcomings of current provision and a broad consensus exists to put young people’s wellbeing at the heart of the pandemic recovery.” The ReportContinue reading ““A Revolution in Mindset” – Addressing the youth mental health crisis after the pandemic – Reform Policy Report 2022″

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have produced a new resource of information, guidance and professional support regarding the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/international/humanitarian-resources/asylum-seeker-and-refugee-mental-health The advice is endorsed by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and will be of most use to those working in primary care, and schools.

It’s been upsetting this week to have been accused on Twitter of “gaslighting” children and families. I’m keen to clarify my position on Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), an area in which I have clinical interest. A thread follows. Everyone is familiar with the idea that life stressors can cause physical signs/symptoms (for example, we feelContinue reading ““Medically Unexplained Symptoms” – A response to accusations of ‘gaslighting’”

I have just finished reading Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan’s excellent book “The Sleeping Beauties“, which I really recommend: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-sleeping-beauties/suzanne-osullivan/9781529010572 . O’Sullivan is a neurologist with a particular interest in Functional Disorders (where the patients presentation isn’t objectively caused by biological disease eg. an infection, a lesion, or insult to the substance of the body). One ofContinue reading “Trauma, the Autonomic Nervous System, and Symptomatic Responses in Children”