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CJ Dwyer

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Recent Blog Posts

Clinical Partners •

Neurodivergence and domestic abuse: The link that we can’t ignore

Running from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day), the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key time to reflect on what we know about acts of violence committed against women and girls.To mark this important time, we want to bring attention to the existing research we have linking neurodivergence with an increased risk of facing domestic abuse – insight that highlights the importance of eff...
Clinical Partners •

Gaming and men’s mental health: A double-edged sword

As Movember returns this November, conversations about men’s mental health need to take centre stage. While moustaches may grab attention, the real goal is sparking dialogue around issues too often left in the dark, like how modern pastimes impact wellbeing. One of the biggest? Video gaming.For many men, gaming isn’t just a hobby, it’s culture, community, and even career. In the UK and worldwide, millions of men play daily, across casual mobile games, immersive multiplayer worlds, and competitiv...
Clinical Partners •

Experiences of black British people accessing mental health care: A disparity in treatment

With October being Black History Month, we wanted to take the time to highlight the experiences of black individuals when seeking healthcare in the UK. While there have been improvements historically, it would be a disservice to not raise awareness of ongoing inequality in healthcare settings for black British people. The NHS has highlighted reducing health inequalities as a priority in their long-term plan and, as a provider for private and NHS patients, we are committed to this shared mission....
Clinical Partners •

The overlooked link between ADHD and postnatal depression

Postnatal depression (PND) affects many new parents and should be a consideration in care during pregnancy and beyond but, with mounting evidence that this experience can be more complex, serious, and under-recognised in new parents with ADHD, we must explore this condition further to better support those affected. While links between ADHD and mental health difficulties are better understood, the impact of ADHD on experiences of pregnancy and early parenthood have been comparatively neglected by...
Clinical Partners •

What do we know about the relationship between AI chatbots and psychosis?

Use of AI in everyday life is growing, with recent figures showing that 34% of adults use a chatbot at least once each month. 19% of those surveyed stated that they use a chatbot for advice, with 12% believing that AI would make a good therapist.Building on our recent blog about AI’s use in management of ADHD and other such conditions, we wanted to look into the impact AI is having on those using chatbots, specifically recent claims that consistent use may be leading to what is being called ‘cha...
Clinical Partners •

How climate change is impacting mental health

Many of us are increasingly aware, and concerned, about the impact of climate change on wildlife, our environment, and the planet as a whole. Predictions for the global impact of climate change if action is not taken can be anxiety inducing, especially as such a small percentage of emissions are created by UK households, which can make it hard for individuals to feel able to contribute effectively to positive change.Whether it’s the resulting anxiety of climate change or physical changes to our...
Clinical Partners •

World Suicide Prevention Day: Changing the narrative - How to talk about suicide safely and supportively

Talking about the impact of poor mental health, especially topics as emotionally charged as suicide, may never feel particularly comfortable or natural for many of us. But, with suicide being the leading cause of death in men under the age of 50 and an increasing threat to 15–24-year-olds, we cannot responsibly shy away from the conversation both as providers of mental health care and as individuals.The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘changing the narrative’ and we wanted...
Clinical Partners •

The potential impact of CBD on neurodevelopmental conditions

Cannabidiol (CBD) was initially discovered in 1940 and has since been studied for its potential uses, receiving its own awareness day in 2018. Differing from THC (which is found in higher concentrations in marijuana), CBD is non-psychoactive and does not cause a high, meaning it could be used without causing intoxication. Since this discovery, there has been growing interest in its potential therapeutic use.There is a need for further study of its use and side effects before it can be a viable o...
Clinical Partners •

Birds of a feather: What we know about the friendships between neurodivergent people

If you or someone you love has a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism or ADHD, you’re likely to be aware of some of the common barriers to close and long-lasting relationships that people experience. This perception of neurodivergence may feel discouraging but, as we are seeing more in shared experiences online through social media, meaningful friendships and relationships between those with the conditions are becoming more prevalent as more people are being diagnosed and later in life.As...
Clinical Partners •

LGBTQ+ experiences of mental health: Why speech matters

The relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and mental health is one with a long history and, in our opinion, a long road ahead. While we see progress such as the Office for National Statistics releasing data linking sexual orientation with self-harm and suicide rates for the first time, we also continue to see shortcomings.One such example is Meta updating their hate speech guidelines to permit users to refer to LGBTQ+ people as mentally ill based on their gender identity or sexuality earlier...