Rephonic
Artwork for MQ Open Mind
Mental Health
Depression
Anxiety
Social Media
Covid-19
Psychiatry
Child Mental Health
Sibling Research
Adolescent Mental Health
Workplace Mental Health
Grief
Cognition
Bipolar Disorder
Child Maltreatment
Youth Mental Health
Fatigue
Long COVID
Neuropsychiatric Outcomes
Young People
Alastair Campbell

MQ Open Mind looks at the science behind mental health and its potential to transform lives. The show digs deep into the cutting-edge research taking on mental illness and speaks to the people it could help. Hear conversations on a range of different conditions, from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar. Brought to you by the mental health research charity, MQ: Transforming Mental H... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes72Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for MQ Open Mind

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Dr Daisy Singla, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a clinical psychologist and researcher whose work focuses on global mental health and improving acc... more

YouTube

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’Conno... more

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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, a... more

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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 thos... more

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Recent Guests

Orla Muldoon
Professor of Psychology, Head of Department at Queen's University Belfast
Queen's University Belfast
Episode: Understanding Trauma with Prof Orla Muldoon
Andrew McIntosh
Professor of Biological Psychiatry
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Can Genetics Help Us Understand Mental Health? with Prof Andrew McIntosh
Dr. Maria Loades
Clinical psychologist and mental health researcher
University of Bath
Episode: Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Professor Vilam Kaikin
Research clinical psychologist and author
University of Oxford
Episode: Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Professor Nav Kapoor
Leading researcher in suicide prevention and health policy
University of Manchester
Episode: Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Professor Sarah Jane Blakemore
Psychologist and neuroscientist specializing in adolescent brain development
University of Cambridge
Episode: Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Professor Kam Bui
Expert in public mental health and policy
Episode: Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Afra Tulip Briggs
Lived experience expert and trustee at Rethink
Rethink Mental Illness
Episode: Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Jordan Lees
A lived experience expert and research volunteer with the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration
Mental Health Mission
Episode: Can Sharing Your Story Change Lives? with Jordan Lees

Hosts

Rory O'Connor
Professor of Health Psychology and aMental Health Researcher
Craig
Filmmaker and content creator at MQ Mental Health Research

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • So happy the show’s back!

    I’m really glad this podcast is back. It’s great to listen to sensible conversations about mental health.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kittykat-B
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Well Done MQ

    I found this really interesting. Well done MQ Open Mind. I was diagnosed at the age of 15 with clinical depression, unfortunately back then mental health was not an open subject. I got NO help at all from anyone at school. I’m pleased that there is now a lot of conversations and changes happening with regards to Child and Adolescents Mental Health

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Popsycorn
    United Kingdom7 years ago
  • Great podcast, thank you!

    Fascinating insights into the really important work that MQ are doing.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    emkay_online
    United Kingdom8 years ago
  • Mr JC

    V informative - great host

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JC077777
    United Kingdom8 years ago
  • Great!

    WHat a great Podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liv223344
    United Kingdom9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Praise for open discussions that connect research with real-world impact.
Listeners value the access to lived-experience perspectives and practical interventions.
Listeners appreciate thoughtful, science-backed conversations about mental health.
Audience notes high-quality hosting and insightful guest selections.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#217
Ireland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can Genetics Help Us Understand Mental Health? with Prof Andrew McIntosh
Q: What current projects are you excited about, especially in Africa?
He discusses the Depression Genetics in Africa project, its aim to recruit about 10,000 individuals across Malawi, Ethiopia, and Nigeria with analysis in South Africa, and the importance of including African ancestries to balance global genetics research and improve generalizability.
Can Genetics Help Us Understand Mental Health? with Prof Andrew McIntosh
Q: What is the state of understanding around the genetic underpinnings of severe mental illness?
He explains heritability estimates (around 40% for depression, 70-80% for schizophrenia and bipolar), emphasizes that genetics signals mechanisms and environmental interplay rather than determinism, and highlights how large GWAS have identified thousands of risk factors that inform biology and potential interventions.
Looking Back on Open Mind Season 4
Q: Can you tell us a bit about how the report came about?
The report was stimulated by wisdom and knowledge from the Board of Trustees and reflects the needs of those living with severe mental illness.
Fixing the Inequalities in Mental Health Care With Prof Kam Bhui
Q: So are things getting worse or better?
We recognize the pathways to poor mental health better than before, but interventions have not translated effectively, and systemic challenges still persist post-pandemic.
Fixing the Inequalities in Mental Health Care With Prof Kam Bhui
Q: So what do you see as the sort of the... I know there's more than one barrier, and we're looking at syndemics and intersectionality and all the like, but if we're trying to look at mental health care, what are the most pressing systemic barriers that our marginalized communities are facing?
The most pressing barriers are that marginalized communities often feel voiceless and their experiences aren't taken seriously. Factors like epistemic injustice, structural barriers, and a lack of adequate representation exacerbate this issue.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About MQ Open Mind

What is MQ Open Mind about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on mental health science, translating cutting-edge research into practical insights for treatment, policy, and everyday wellbeing. Episodes commonly feature researchers, clinicians, and policy-focused voices discussing topics like adolescent brain development, mindfulness-based approaches, early intervention, health inequalities, and the role of lived experience in shaping research and care. A standout aspect is the emphasis on evidence-based methods, public health impact, and accessible conversations that bridge academia and real-world applications. Listeners are likely professionals seeking credible, actionable mental health knowledge and opportunities to connect with researchers and advocates in the field.

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Which podcasts are similar to MQ Open Mind?

These podcasts share a similar audience with MQ Open Mind:

1. Therapy Works
2. The News Agents
3. The Rest Is Politics
4. Newscast
5. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

How many episodes of MQ Open Mind are there?

MQ Open Mind launched 9 years ago and published 72 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact MQ Open Mind?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for MQ Open Mind?

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What guests have appeared on MQ Open Mind?

Recent guests on MQ Open Mind include:

1. Orla Muldoon
2. Andrew McIntosh
3. Dr. Maria Loades
4. Professor Vilam Kaikin
5. Professor Nav Kapoor
6. Professor Sarah Jane Blakemore
7. Professor Kam Bui
8. Afra Tulip Briggs

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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