ACAMH’s blogs bring together timely, evidence-based insights on child and adolescent mental health, written by leading researchers, clinicians, and those with lived experience. They are designed to translate cutting-edge research into accessible, practical guidance that supports better outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Blog
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Meet the Expert on Suicide and Self-harm Prevention – Prof. Pooja Saini
On 16 June 2026, ACAMH will host Brief Interventions That Make a Difference: Practical Approaches for Young People and Families, an international expert conference bringing together leading voices in suicide prevention, crisis care, neurodivergent-inclusive practice, and scalable mental health support. We caught up with one of the speakers – Professor Pooja Saini, Professor at Liverpool John Moores University and a specialist in suicide and self-harm prevention – about her work, her session, and what attendees can expect from the day.
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Meet the expert: Emotion Regulation with Dr. Alessio Bellato
In November, ACAMH will host a two-part short course Assessment Tools and Interventions for Emotion (Dys)Regulation: Practical Approaches. We caught up with the course leader – Dr. Alessio Bellato, Lecturer in Children and Young People’s Mental Health at the University of Southampton – about the topic itself, his career, and his hopes for the event.
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The Teenage Brain: Social Sensitivity, Risk-Taking, and What It Means for Practice
Explore how teenage brain development shapes social sensitivity, peer influence and risk-taking, with practical insights for clinicians and educators. Blog by Professor Francisco Musich
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OCD and BDD in young people: rethinking causes and access
Rethinking childhood OCD causes (genetics over infections), BDD self-harm risks in teens, and internet CBT access solutions for clinicians and families. ‘Reflections from the room’ from our webinar ‘OCD; An update on OCD and related disorders in children and young people’, led by Professor David Mataix-Cols
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Take Action for Young Minds: Evidence-Based Resources for Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is a call to take action. Awareness matters — but meaningful change happens when we act. Whether you’re supporting your own mental health or helping to build healthier schools, workplaces, and communities, every action counts. Together, we can create environments where good mental health can thrive.
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Adolescent school transition: How moving school impacts teenage wellbeing
Discover how primary to secondary school transition can affect adolescent wellbeing, anxiety, belonging, and motivation, and explore ways schools can support students through change.
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Brief Mental Health Interventions in Youth: What They Are and Who They Help
Explore how brief mental health interventions, including single-session interventions and one-session treatment, can improve access, support young people, and deliver timely evidence-based care.
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Meet the expert: Co-occurring conditions in children with intellectual disabilities, with Dr. Ashley Liew
On 11 and 18 June 2026, ACAMH will host a short course Assessment and Management of Intellectual Disability and Co-occurring Conditions. We caught up with one of the speakers, Dr. Ashley Liew, Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychiatrist at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, about the topic, the state of the field, and what attendees can expect.
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Meet the expert: Intergenerational consequences of racism, with Dr. Yasmin Ahmadzadeh
On 9 June 2026, ACAMH’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Special Interest Group will hold its next meeting, Intergenerational Consequences of Racism. We caught up with the presenter – Dr. Yasmin Ahmadzadeh, a Research Fellow at King’s College London whose work focuses on how mental health runs in families – about her research, and her hopes for the event.
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Experience-Sensitive Approach to Neurodivergence
Clinical environments are often organised around neurotypical/general population expectations of communication, attention, pacing, and sensory tolerance. For neurodivergent people, including autistic individuals, people with ADHD, these expectations can increase distress, reduce engagement, and shape how behaviour is interpreted by clinicians.
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