Clinical Partners

Clinical Partners • 16th June 2025

Is there a link between neurodivergence and the LGBTQ+ community?

What is meant by LGBTQ+?LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, with the “+” representing a wide range of other identities related to gender and sexuality.Being LGBTQ+ means that someone’s sexual orientation (who they’re attracted to) or gender identity (how they experience and express their gender) is different from those who are heterosexual (attraction to the ‘opposite’ sex or gender) and cisgendered (those whose gender identity an...

Clinical Partners • 14th August 2025

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 • 30th July 2025

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 • 9th July 2025

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...

Clinical Partners • 9th July 2025

Breaking the silence: Men's hidden struggle with muscle dysphoria

When discussing eating disorders or body image issues, men were previously vastly underrepresented in studies, making intervention a challenge. We’ve seen an increase in awareness of eating disorders impacting men, with 25 % of those with eating disorders identifying as male, but one common mental health crisis affecting many men still requires more awareness.When we think about disordered eating or body-image issues, many people will manifest an image of thinness. But the opposite is true in ca...

Clinical Partners • 9th July 2025

Is AI an effective tool in management of ADHD?

As AI becomes a more accessible technology and ever-growing presence in practically every industry, we’ve seen a rise in research surrounding AI as a diagnostic tool. Used for a variety of conditions, including ADHD, with a focus on accuracy and streamlining of processes in recent years, we are interested to see its potential realised for the benefit of patients.While there still seems to be a long way to go before AI is a regular part of assessments, we are interested in the way it is being use...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

Eating disorders and suicide: The hidden risk to patients

When many people think of the risks of eating disorders going unaddressed, they likely think of physical risks such as heart failure, muscle atrophy, damage to organs such as the liver, pancreas, and kidneys, hormone imbalances, and more. One risk that you may not consider is the second leading cause of death among individuals with anorexia nervosa – suicide.Looking at the NICE guidelines for treatment of eating disorders, suicide is only mentioned twice and never as a risk factor relating speci...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

Menopause and mental health: Managing wellbeing through change

Menopause is a natural part of ageing for those who experience menstruation, yet surveys have shown that over 60% of those impacted by it felt they were uninformed, with over 30% stating that they were dreading it. Physical symptoms are often better known, yet the mental health impact cannot be ignored.In the above survey, most symptoms reported were psychological experiences such as mood swings, brain fog, irritability, poor concentration, poor memory, low mood, lack of motivation, reduced conf...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

How to protect your mental health while staying informed on world news

How distressing news can impact mental healthIn recent years, we have seen what may feel like a record number of macro events -large-scale, significant, or long-term events which occur outside of the everyday norm. From the 2020 global pandemic to the outbreak of conflicts, threats of war, political change, climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, and even social issues within our communities, we’ve all been affected by a variety of concerns for ourselves, our loved ones, and the future.While...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week: What you need to know

What is the impact of maternal mental health issues?You may be aware of fatigue, feelings of increased loneliness, and even increased anxiety around financial issues that impact new parents, but with suicide being the leading cause of direct maternal death between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum, we cannot underplay the impact that starting a family can have on mental health. Addressing maternal mental health, reducing stigma, and increasing support for those struggling can make a life-changing...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

How to talk to your child about the news and distressing events

Understanding how children process newsChildren of different ages will react differently to distressing events. Young children may struggle with abstract concepts, which can make it easier for them to accept news at face value, but can make them susceptible to internalising their fears. Teenagers are likely to have a better understanding of the context surrounding news, making it easier to understand, but they also might feel more overwhelmed by the bigger picture. Some common reactions include...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

What is the impact of social media on children and young people's mental health?

The negative impact of social mediaThere are a variety of ways smartphone and social media use can be impacting your child, both internally and externally. Below are some researched examples to look out for and work with your child to prevent.Depression and anxietyA study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that social media use can lead to negative social comparison, resulting in lower self-esteem and increased risk of mental health problems among adolescents. The chance...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

Social media as a tool for radicalising young people: What parents need to know

Once seen as a more covert aspect of the internet, the nature of sharing harmful and radical ideologies is changing through social media. Recent news has sparked concern with far-right symbolism being used openly in politics by those who own social media platforms and in the realm of celebrity, both causing a large volume of online discourse.With more children being impacted by radicalisation than ever before and at younger ages, it’s crucial for parents to understand the risks, warning signs, a...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

What role does social media play in loneliness and social anxiety?

Social media has revolutionised the way we connect with others, providing a virtual space for communication, entertainment, and self-expression. However, its impact on mental health is a topic of great research and debate. While social media can help alleviate loneliness and ease social anxiety, it can also contribute to isolation and exacerbate mental health struggles if not used correctly. In this article, we explore both the positive and negative effects of social media on loneliness and soci...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

The mental health impact of COVID-19 on young adults

The educational impact of COVID-19 on young peopleDisruption to education and social activities at a crucial stage of development into adulthood was the experience of a substantial proportion of students in the UK over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 20 March 2020, all schools, including secondary schools and higher education institutions, were closed for in-person teaching, except for children of key workers and vulnerable students.While attempts were made to minimise the impact of this...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

How COVID-19 has impacted the parents of young people in the UK

How parents perceive the toll of COVID-19 on their childrenOne of the purposes of our survey was to establish whether parents had noticed mental health challenges in their children. Of those surveyed, 31% of parents felt their child's mental health has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.41% of parents surveyed believe their child has struggled with anxiety, with 14% saying they have seen their child experience panic attacks. A further 21% reported their child experiencing depression and 20% ha...

Clinical Partners • 9th June 2025

The five-year mental health impact of COVID-19: Lived experiences

With five years having now passed since the onset of COVID-19, we’re seeing emerging research into the long-term impact of such an extreme world event. This isn’t unusual, with a variety of extreme events being the subject of research but, when discussing COVID-19's impact, especially on mental health, we believe the focus shouldn’t be on data alone.We recently completed our own research into the mental health impact of COVID-19 on young adults and parents to grasp the size of the issue, but we...