Lively Minds, the UK Mental Health Podcast

See you in 2026!

Hello everyone, it’s Ellie here. Thank you so much to all of you for following our podcast over the last few years. It has meant the world to us, and we’ve loved every part of the podcasting process so far. Unfortunately, due to various health issues, we are going to take a slightly-longer-than-planned break from recording new Lively Minds episodes. We hope to return to your ears for a new season sometime in 2026. Thank you again to everyone who has listened, subscribed, downloaded and donated to us so far - we are looking forward to picking things up again with you when we can.  In the meantime, Will and I both wish you all a safe and warm winter, and we look forward to reconnecting with you when we are able to.  Bye for now!

S3E17 - Putting a patient-centred approach into practice, with Dr Alex Curmi

What is a 'patient-centred approach'? What systemic challenges get in the way of making it a reality?What does the biopsychosocial model tell us about how to choose the best pathways for treatment? Alex Curmi, a consultant psychiatrist and trainee psychotherapist from The Thinking Mind Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-mind-podcast-psychiatry-psychotherapy/id1466932169] discusses how he helps clients determine the best treatment plans based on a multitude of factors. He elaborates on his diverse experiences across various mental health settings and the importance of recognising biological, psychological, and social inputs in mental health. He also touches on the challenges and methodologies involved in acute and planned mental health interventions, patient-centred care, and the role of systemic integration in improving outcomes. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic, collaborative, and anti-tribalistic approach in mental health practice. Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com [http://livelymindspod.com] Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds [https://www.bio.link/livelyminds]  00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:16 Guest Introduction: Dr. Alex Curmi 00:44 Diverse Practice Environments 02:23 Challenges in Crisis Situations 04:52 Responsibilities in Patient Care 07:39 Patient-Centered Care Approach 21:59 Existential and Nihilistic Issues 27:41 Holistic Treatment Plans 35:10 Collaboration and Integration in Mental Health 41:03 Conclusion and Farewell

S3E16 - How do we avoid overdiagnosis whilst respecting people’s experiences? With Dr Elspeth Davies and Dr Helen Salisbury

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Elspeth Davies, a medical anthropologist from the University of Oxford, and Dr. Helen Salisbury, a GP and BMJ columnist, about their BMJ article: [https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r669] How do we talk about overdiagnosis of mental health conditions without dismissing people’s suffering? Our discussion explores the fine line between validating patients' experiences and the potential harms of unnecessary diagnostic labels. We examine the influence of medicalisation, the role of diagnoses in accessing care and benefits, and the broad societal implications. The conversation also highlights the need for improved communication between doctors and patients and the importance of considering alternative approaches to understanding mental health issues. Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com [http://livelymindspod.com] Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds [https://www.bio.link/livelyminds]  00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast 00:20 Introducing the Topic of Over-Diagnosis 00:27 Meet the Experts: Dr. Elspeth Davies and Dr. Helen Salisbury 01:28 Defining Over-Diagnosis in Mental Health 02:24 The Complexity of Diagnosing Mental Health Conditions 04:39 The Role of Diagnoses in Accessing Support 07:36 The Impact of Diagnoses on Patients 09:48 The Debate on Over-Diagnosis and Medicalization 25:52 The Influence of Pharmaceutical Companies 26:26 Improving Conversations Between Doctors and Patients 29:11 The Political Context of Over-Diagnosis 31:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

S3E15 - School and Mental Health, with Caro Giles

In this episode we are joined by author: Caro Giles to talk about school and mental health. Caro has worked as a teacher across the education sector. She is winner of the inaugural BBC Countryfile New Writer Award, author of Twelve Moons, published by Harper North and writes a regular monthly column for Psychologies Magazine.  Her latest book - Unschooled - published by Little Toller Books, is a memoir about her life as a single mother who was forced to educate her four daughters at home due to our underfunded school system being unable to cater for young people with special educational needs. In this episode we are going to discuss how conducive our current school system is for children’s positive mental health, the challenges that it can present for children with additional needs and what needs to change in order for school to become a place that supports everyone’s wellbeing. UNSCHOOLED is available in all good bookstores. Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com [http://livelymindspod.com] Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds [https://www.bio.link/livelyminds]

S3E14 - High Functioning Depression, with Dr Judith Joseph

Depression isn’t just about a presence of sadness, it’s also about an absence of happiness. And whilst ceasing to function is a long-understood symptom of Depression, those that cope by never stopping aren’t necessarily in any less need of help.  In this episode of Lively Minds we discuss High Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher. Dr. Joseph, who is also the founder and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research and the resulting book 'High Functioning: Overcoming Your Hidden Depression and Reclaiming Your Joy.'   The conversation explores the distinction between high functioning depression and classic depression, the importance of early identification, and Dr. Joseph's innovative five V framework (validation, venting, values, vitals and vision) for cultivating joy and mental wellbeing.  The episode emphasises the necessity of a proactive approach to mental health to prevent breakdowns and highlights the vital role of understanding trauma and anhedonia in managing depression. You can buy Dr Joseph’s book: High Functioning at all good bookstores or find out more by clicking here [https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462085/high-functioning-by-joseph-dr-judith/9781529936803] Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com [http://livelymindspod.com] Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds [https://www.bio.link/livelyminds]  00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast 00:16 Meet Dr. Judith Joseph 01:15 Understanding High Functioning Depression 03:23 Proactive Mental Health Approaches 04:37 Defining High Functioning Depression 05:38 The Role of Trauma in High Functioning Depression 07:54 Identifying Anhedonia 17:15 Listener Engagement Break 17:59 Exploring Masochistic Behaviours 19:46 Understanding People Pleasing and Trauma 21:41 Masochistic Personality Disorder Explained 22:27 Big T vs. Small T Trauma 27:01 Coping Mechanisms in High Functioning Depression 30:13 The Five V Framework 37:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts