Aetiology
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Irritability and Later Depression and Self-Harm in Adolescence
Irritability is common in early childhood and for many children, it reduces over time as they develop better frustration tolerance, language, emotional regulation, and social understanding. However, when irritability remains high across early childhood, it may signal increased vulnerability to later mental health difficulties.
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What are the most important life events for teens
Most adolescents and young adults identify positive, everyday milestones—such as education, relationships and growing independence—as the most important events in their lives, rather than crises. However, those with higher anxiety and depression are more likely to emphasise stressful experiences and interpersonal difficulties, highlighting how mental health shapes the way life events are perceived. Blog by David Bürgin on his recent paper.
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Understanding and Managing Adolescent Sleep Problems
Sleep difficulties are common during adolescence and frequently arise in clinical practice, yet their causes and treatment are often misunderstood. In this evidence-based session, Professor Michael Gradisar will explore adolescent sleep problems from a circadian perspective, while also considering the “insomnia-like” experiences many young people report.
- Event type
- Introductory and Update Session
- Location
- Online
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ADHD and Depression
Join this ACAMH Expert Half-Day exploring the increasingly recognised link between ADHD and depression in children and young people. As demand on services grows and presentations become more complex, understanding how these conditions interact is becoming ever more important. Includes talks from Professor Sinead Rhodes, Dr. Olga Eyre, and Dr. Ramya Srinivasan.
- Event type
- Expert knowledge session
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Meet the expert on the Adolescent Brain – Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
Join ACAMH on 8 July 2026 for a workshop on adolescent brain development with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore. Explore neuroscience insights and real-world applications.
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Trauma in Care Experienced Children: Improving Access to Trauma-Informed Care
Care experienced children and young people are much more likely to experience trauma and trauma-related mental health difficulties than their peers. Yet many do not receive timely support or access to treatments that are backed by evidence. Recent research highlights that the challenge is not simply identifying distress but ensuring that care-experienced children can access effective interventions, particularly trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapies (TF-CBTs). In this blog, we explore these barriers, as well as what effective trauma-informed care could look like. Blog by Professor Francisco Musich.
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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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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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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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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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