83: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 8383: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 83
UK Health Radio Podcast
Mike Dilke chats with Professor Sir Simon Wesley about mental health myths, societal impacts, and the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses. Gain new perspectives on mental wellbeing.
42:35•6 Aug 2024
Mental Health Myths and Realities with Professor Sir Simon Wesley
Episode Overview
- Mental health issues have remained relatively stable over time despite societal changes.
- Media portrayals can significantly impact self-harm statistics.
- Social networks play a crucial role in coping with crises.
- Psychiatric criteria are surprisingly reliable, sometimes more so than medical diagnostics.
- Young people, especially women, are experiencing a rise in common mental disorders.
“Our concepts such as autism, schizophrenia and so on, you know, they do change over time as knowledge increases”
Ever wondered if our mental health is really on the decline? In this episode of The Relaxback UK Show, Mike Dilke sits down with Professor Sir Simon Wesley, a leading psychiatrist and epidemiologist, to tackle this pressing question. They discuss the historical context of mental health, from climate change worries to the impact of soap operas like EastEnders on self-harm statistics.
Wesley brings a wealth of knowledge, sharing insights from his extensive career, including his work with the King's Centre for Military Health Research and his involvement in reviewing the Mental Health Act. His reflections on how societal changes, like social media and extreme content, affect young people's mental health are particularly eye-opening. They also touch on practical aspects, like the importance of social networks in times of crisis and the controversial role of psychological debriefing after traumatic events.
With a blend of humour and deep expertise, this episode promises to make you think and maybe even laugh. Whether you're curious about the evolution of mental health diagnoses or the surprising reliability of psychiatric criteria, there's something here for everyone. So, why not give it a listen and see what new perspectives you might gain?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.