On this episode, we’re chatting about how researchers at the NCMH have been investigating how memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills, also known as cognition, are impacted by mental illness, and how online tools can be used to treat more people.

Dr Amy Lynham is a researcher at the NCMH and has developed the Cardiff Online Cognitive Assessment, or CONCA, an online tool to assess cognitive difficulties that are often associated with mental health diagnoses such as psychosis and depression.

Amy is joined by Anthony Cope, member of NCMH’s Partnership in Research group, also known as PÂR, and a public contributor to research happening at Cardiff University and beyond. Tony shares his experience of mental ill-health and how he's been involved in developing CONCA.

• Visit the CONCA website
• Read more about CONCA on the NCMH blog

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Psychosis can be a difficult thing to explain. It is a term used when people experience a ‘loss of touch’ with reality. Around 3% of people will have a psychotic episode during their lifetime.

Leading the discussion for us today is Maleeha, a member of the peer support group at Headroom Cardiff, who support young people in Wales that have experienced psychosis. Joining Maleeha are Bekah and Hezron, both of whom have experienced an episode of psychosis and became friends through the peer support group.

Maleeha, Bekah and Hezron, kindly share their experiences of psychosis which they went through as young adults at university. They also share what they found helpful during this time and the difference the support services and peer support group made to their recovery.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing psychosis, you should contact their GP practice. If there's an imminent danger of harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

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Psychosis is when you perceive or interpret reality in a very different way from people around you, it may also be called a 'psychotic experience' or 'psychotic episode'.

Psychosis often begins in young adulthood when a person is in their late teens to mid-20s. However, people can experience a psychotic episode at younger and older ages and as a part of many disorders and illnesses. For instance, older adults with neurological disorders may be at higher risk for psychosis.

This year we’ve been fortunate to work with NHS Wales to revamp Psychosis Wales, the website for information and resources for young people who are experiencing or recovering from psychosis in Wales.

In this episode, we met with Maleeha Akbar and Eleanor Williams.

Maleeha is based in Cardiff and experienced psychosis when she was at university. She now works for Cardiff and Vale Drug and Alcohol Service and facilitates the Headroom peer support group for young people who have experienced psychosis in Cardiff. Maleeha has kindly shared her experience of recovering from psychosis and how she got involved with the peer support group.

Eleanor is the Clinical Team Leader for Headroom, the service supporting people with psychosis in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Psychosis can be frightening and make it difficult to maintain quality of life, but treatment and support are available. With the right treatment, such as therapy and medication, many people recover gradually.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing psychosis, you should contact their GP practice. If there's an imminent danger of harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

• Psychosis Wales website - find details about Headroom Cardiff
• NCMH Research Community - sign up today!
• Brain and Genomics Hub research study

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