CAMHS Talk

In this episode, young people Madie, Zoe & Zawad join trainee clinical psychologist Leighton and host Marianne, to deep dive into the topic of Dyspraxia. They share their unique experiences with discovering their diagnosis and take us on a personal journey of understanding how Dyspraxia affects their daily lives. Some of them had their diagnoses quite recently and talk about advocating for their health when they saw the signs, it's inspirational to hear how their diagnosis finally helped them make sense of their world and understanding themselves.

In this episode, Molly and Sassie are joined by young people Alex and Sharmin, as well as Sanctuary Cafe staff Zahra and Betty, to discuss what the Young Person Sanctuaries are and what to expect as a young person visiting for the first time. It's a great resource in the community for young people (14-17 yrs) to have a safe space to go to, have someone to talk to, or just be in the space for some time. The different locations are listed below: Luton Young Person’s Sanctuary: Young Persons Hub, ResoLUTiONs, 89 Castle Street, Luton LU1 3AJ: Monday – Sunday 4pm – 10pm Please note: ResoLUTiONS has two buildings, one located in Victoria Street and one location in Castle Street. We are based in Castle Street, opposite Matalan. Bedford Young Person’s Sanctuary: CAMHS, 5-7 Rush Court, Bedford MK40 3JT: (7 days a week) The Bedford Young Person’s Sanctuary is open on Monday – Friday from 5.00pm -10.00pm, Saturday – Sunday 4pm – 10pm. Central Bedfordshire Young Person’s Sanctuary: Leighton Buzzard; Meadow Way Community Centre, Leighton Buzzard LU7 3FS Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 4pm – 10pm Houghton Regis; Houghton Regis Children’s Centre, Tithe Farm Neighbourhood Centre, Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5JB Monday and Tuesday 4pm – 10pm Sandy; Sandy Children’s Centre, Laburnum Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1HQ Opening Saturday 30th September Saturday and Sunday 4pm – 10pm If you would like further information about the Young Person’s Sanctuary, please email on: YPS@mind-blmk.org.uk

In this podcast, our host Molly talks to young people Az and Ash, who are joined by CAMHS staff Sassie, Mack and Jay to reflect post-Pride month about what pride means to them. Listen in on the conversation as each person explores from their personal experience, their journey to PRIDE. Gender dysphoria: a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. (NHS) Gender euphoria: comfort/joy that happens when gender expression is aligned with identity. Rainbow capitalism: when companies commercialise and claim to support the rights of the LGBTQ+ community (especially during Pride) mainly for profit and improved brand image. Resources: Rainbow Bedfordshire: #RainbowBedfordshire | East London NHS Foundation Trust (elft.nhs.uk) Contact Rainbow Bedfordshire: elft.rainbowbedfordshire@nhs.net Better Days for BLMK: @betterdaysblmk across all social media Pride in Luton: https://prideinluton.org/

In this Podcast Marianne and Molly are joined by Young People Alex and Maiya, to discuss self harm, the misconceptions and how to take care of yourself. They are also joined by Bongi, a CAMHS nurse who offers their unique perspective. The podcast looks at defining self-harm in a subjective way and dispelling harmful rhetoric surrounding misconceptions. The young people offer their advice and resources they've found helpful. Below are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast: *TW*: This podcast may contain sensitive content, while we intend for our podcasts to be educational and insightful, our priority is your well being. If you feel overwhelmed by the content, please do take a break from listening in order to care for your well being. Resources: Text "Reflect" to 85258 - if you're feeling anxious, lonely, overwhelmed or not quite yourself - FREE and anonymous The Butterfly Project - https://www.elysiumhealthcare.co.uk/butterflyproject/

In this Podcast Molly and Marianne are joined by Young People Leah and Sharmin, to discuss exam stress and surrounding issues. Looking at their own experiences with exam seasons and their coping strategies, the CAMHS team and Young People explore available support, the importance of boundaries and mental health, as well as give advice to teachers and parents on how best to support Young People during these stressful times.

In this episode, we introduce Molly as a new host, joined by Ash, Mack, Jay and Sassie to discuss LGBTQ+ community safety. We highlight the importance of safe spaces and how to create an accessible and comfortable environment for LGBTQ+ people. We also share experiences of feeling supported, genuine allyship and gestures of validation. Gender dysphoria: a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. (NHS) Gender euphoria: comfort/ joy that happens when gender expression is aligned with identity. Rainbow capitalism: when companies commercialise and claim to support the rights of the LGBTQ+ community (especially during Pride) mainly for profit and improved brand image. Contact Rainbow Bedfordshire: elft.rainbowbedfordshire@nhs.net Better Days for BLMK: @betterdaysblmk across all social media Pride in Luton https://prideinluton.org/ Luton Sexual Health https://www.lutonsexualhealth.org.uk/info-advice/lgbtq/ Q Youth https://www.qalliance.org.uk/youth-services/ [00:00] Introductions [01:40] What are Safe Spaces? [05:15] Allyship and Activism, actual vs toxic [12:47] Validation and Acceptance [27:00] Fear of going out/ Non-Safe Spaces [37:45] Local Safe Spaces [42:40] Outro

Co-hosts Marianne and Kim are joined by three young people, Maddie, Sam and Zoe, with lived experience of autism to discuss the misconceptions of autism in females and those assigned female at birth, experiences at school and tips on how to better support people with autism. They are also joined by Tyrone and Freya from the Mental Health Schools Team who work with young people in schools. Abbreviations used throughout ASC: Autism Spectrum Condition ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Old Term) MHST: Mental Health Schools Team EHCP: Education, Health and Care Plan. TA: Teaching Assistants Immie Swain: How to spot signs of Autism in pupils https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hrFwfhwNw The Times Educational Supplement: ‘Lack of teacher training ‘hitting autistic pupils’ education’ https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/lack-teacher-training-hitting-autistic-pupils-education [00:00:22] Introductions [00:06:06] Misconceptions of Autism in Females [00:11:19] Masking [00:14:43] The Effects of Age of Diagnosis [00:18:07] Autism Diagnosis and School Support [00:23:30] Strategies for coping with Autism [00:30:40] Sensory Overloads [00:35:00] Bullying [00:40:18] Special Interests [00:43:04] Outro

In this episode, we meet Kim, a participation support worker who joins Marianne, Molly and Maddie to discuss the representation of mental health in media. We also are joined by Kieran, to bring his clinical therapist in training perspective to the discussion.

In this episode we meet Marianne, who will be sharing CAMHSTalk hosting duties alongside Niki and Aisling moving forward, and discuss everyone's favourite thing... exams! Marianne and Aisling are joined by Molly and Shana to share their experiences of exams (before and after COVID), the importance of looking after your mental health and share helpful advice as we head into exam season. Aisling Callaghan- Participation Lead Marianne Bahadur- Participation Worker Shana- ex CAMHS service user Molly- ex CAMHS service user

Trigger warning: This episode explores depression and references suicide, please look after yourself and exercise self care when listening. In this episode, Niki and Aisling are joined by Keeley, Ashleigh, Jay and Shana to discuss depression. We talk about our experiences of depression and how it has impacted our lives, including masking our feelings and symptoms our friends and family noticed. We also share helpful ways we have found to cope, what people can do to help and support, and our experiences accessing therapy and medication. Niki Scott- CAMHS Participation Lead Aisling Callaghan- CAMHS Participation Lead Keeley- CAMHS service user Ashleigh- CAMHS service user Shana- ex CAMHS service user Jay- ex CAMHS service user

In the latest edition of CAMHSTalk, Aisling is joined by Saskia, Shana and Kat to talk about dyslexia. We discuss what our dyslexia looks like, experiences of getting diagnosed and how it has impacted education. We also talk about all the things we are able to achieve as a result of our brain working slightly differently. Aisling Callaghan- CAMHS Participation Lead Kat Fusco- Professional Lead for Arts Therapies for CAMHS Shana- CAMHS service user Saskia- CAMHS service user

After a short break, we're back! Join Niki, Chloe, Madie and Alex this episode for a conversation about living with anxiety. We discuss what anxiety is, what panic is, how it affects our lives and helpful ways to manage our anxiety.

In the latest edition of our CAMHSTalk podcast Niki Scott, CAMHS Participation Lead is joined by Shana, Lucy, Safa and Molly for a discussion about participation and coproduction. In a bid to encourage other young people to get involved and have their say, our service users talk about the projects they have been involved in and how they have benefitted from having a platform to share their views and opinions.

Aisling, Sam and Shalhavit have worked together to develop a song and music video about mental health: Mental Obstacles Can Enlighten You. In this podcast, we explore the importance of sharing mental health support and information in a meaningful and relevant way and reflect on the process of song writing, editing and the importance of creativity and mental health. Aisling- CAMHS Participation Lead Shalhavit- Simcha Cohen- PhD researcher musician Sam- CAMHS service user Listen to the song and watch the music video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c9pd51DsPk

In this episode we explore Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, commonly known as DBT. We are joined by Sue Hollingsworth who discusses the therapy from a professional perspective, and Chloe who shares her insights as a young person who has experienced the therapy. We talk about what the therapy involves, who might access DBT and the different, our experiences and how it compares to other interventions. This episode explores treatment options within our CAMHS service and our personal experiences. Sue Hollingsworth- CAMHS Practitioner Chloe - CAMHS service user

Councillor Sue Clark, Executive Member for Children, Families Schools, Sue Harrison, Director of Children’s services, Fiona Side, Head of 0-12 Family Service and Howard Hughes Active Lifestyles Manager discuss the range of exciting and unforgettable activities and adventures this summer holiday. There’s something for every member of the family with a range of inclusive and specific activities for all. Summer of SEND programme.pdf | Powered by Box

Professionals, parents and young people across Bedfordshire and Luton have joined forces to utilise their expertise and collaborate in the development of a co-produced 'Diagnosis Support Pack' - a one stop place for information, support, guidance in multi media format in the lead up to, or following a diagnosis of a neurodiversity. In this podcast we discuss how, why and what the diagnosis support pack is all about and the journey that went in to its creation. The Diagnosis Support Pack can be found here: https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/beds-luton-community-paediatrics/diagnosis-support-pack

Join us for our third and final instalment in our series looking at the effects of COVID 19 and lockdown restrictions on the wellbeing of young people. Following our discussions with Professor Tamsin Ford and Doctor Uttom Choudhury, we ask the young people themselves about what it has been like for them since March 2020. Aisling is joined by Nada, Chloe and Richie to discuss their experiences. Nada- Assistant Psychologist, Luton CAMHS Richie- CAMHS service user Chloe- CAMHS service user

In this episode, Aisling was joined by Chloe, Molly, Freya and Lorna to discuss transitions. Freya and Lorna share their perspective as professionals in our Mental Health Support Teams, and Molly and Chloe share their own experiences as young people currently experiencing transition. We discuss why experiences like moving house or changing school can be challenging, and share tools and advice we have found helpful.

In this CAMHSTalk Podcast, our Service User Participation Lead Niki Scott talks to Lydia Rosseter from Cambridgeshire Community Services, Lisa Leonard, head teacher of The Chiltern School and Marcia McKnight from Central Beds Council. We talk about how co-production enables, empowers and supports better outcomes for children, young people, families and professionals in Central Bedfordshire. https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/133/improving_send_services/833/progress_so_far/4 https://centralbedfordshire.app.box.com/s/jh8bak7040ixeyz8hs9xhk9cf8hc1ata