Understanding Teen Minds

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stem4’s mental health podcast, Understanding Teen Minds, aims to provide insight into the world of teenage mental health, looking at everything from signs and symptoms to early intervention.

Drawing on the extensive knowledge and experience of stem4 founder, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara, along with the evidence-based resources and apps provided by stem4, we hope our podcast will be a useful tool and support for health and education professionals, parents, and young people alike.

Latest episode

All episodes

Series 1:
For GPs

Series 2:
For Parents/Carers

Series 3:

Episode 0 – Meet Dr. Nihara Krause

Released 12th August 2022 | 4 mins

Introducing Dr. Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, lecturer and international speaker, and founder and CEO of stem4.

Dr. Nihara is an award-winning Consultant Clinical Psychologist, with many years of clinical experience in a variety of mental health settings. Having worked as an NHS Consultant, she now runs her own private practice and is also a university lecturer.

Dr. Nihara developed MINDYOUR5 (a wellbeing programme), Head Ed (a digital mental health literacy programme for secondary schools and colleges), and has written numerous resources and booklets.

She is also the clinical creator of four evidence-based mental health apps for stem4, all aimed at children and young people. These apps are free to download on iOS and Android (Calm Harm, Clear Fear, Move Mood, and Combined Minds).

Dr. Nihara has been the mentor for mental health for the Youth Health Parliament, and contributed to: the House of Lords enquiry into ‘Children and the Internet’; the Children’s Society’s ‘The Safety Net, Children and Cyberbullying’; the ‘Empathy Project’ for Facebook; and is part of the BPS expert group on advising on policy. Dr. Nihara regularly contributes to TV, radio, and the media.

Her passion for helping young people across the world is evident in all that she does and we are excited to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with you.

Series 1: For GPs

Episode 1 – Common Challenges GPs Face In Young People’s Mental Health Care

Released 9th August 2022 | 16 mins

London based, teenage mental health charity stem4 recently completed a national survey of 1,001 GPs on their concerns on mental health care for their young patients. The survey serves to highlight some of the most common challenges GPs face. We take a look at the findings and discuss possible actions.

Episode 2 – Eating Disorder Assessment, for GPs

Released 9th August 2022 | 25 mins

Dr. Nihara provides specialist advice on the assessment of eating disorders in a primary care setting and takes a look at screening tools for use in the assessment of young patients with emerging eating disorders.

Episode 3 – Early steps to Eating Disorder Management, Referral, and Making Change, for GPs

Released 14th October 2022 | 18 mins

This episode looks at one of the hardest tasks of eating disorder treatment—engaging the patient to make a change.

Dr. Nihara Krause outlines existing evidence-based treatments, discusses rapport building, and the importance of active listening and empathetic communication.

Episode 4 – Eating Disorders in Boys and Young Men, for GPs

Released 8th November 2022 | 15 mins

It is estimated that Eating Disorders affect around 1.6 million, with about quarter of the population being male. They are complex mental ill health conditions which benefit from early assessment and intervention.

This podcast outlines some of the early presenting features, how to engage and work with this group of young males and what early steps GPs can take to support.

Episode 5 – Assessment and Management of Anxiety in Primary Care, for GPs and Nurses

Released 4th July 2023 | 16 mins

This episode aims to support GPs and nurses as they assess and refer young people with anxiety and other related conditions.

Series 2: For Parents/Carers

Episode 1 – Building Self-Esteem in Boys and Young Men: For Parents

Released 8th November 2022 | 19 mins

The pre teens and teenage years are important times to help boys build their sense of self-esteem. This podcast provides parents and carers with what they can do to help their sons develop positive self-esteem.

It also provides some tips on how to detect signs of low self-esteem with some steps on making change.

Episode 2 – Common Signs of Self-esteem Issues in Boys and Young Men, for Parents

Released 24th November 2022 | 23 mins

Difficulties in self-esteem are often hard to spot because they can be expressed in different ways – through behaviours, types of friendships and the relationships that are made. In addition, there are many hidden factors that cause and maintain low self-esteem such as avoiding difficult emotions and self critical thinking.

This podcast outlines some of the common signs and provides some tips on how to start addressing and supporting them.

Episode 3 – Factors that Trigger Low Self-esteem in Boys and Young Men, for Parents

Released 24th November 2022 | 17 mins

There are multiple triggers to low self-esteem. Knowing what they are is helpful in taking steps to provide a young person with skills to deal with them whilst also helping them to take steps to be more resilient.

This podcast focusses on some of the more common factors together with providing parents and carers with some first steps they can take.

Episode 4 – Talking about Resilience

Released 20th January 2023 | 17 mins

stem4’s Parent Mental Health Day 2023 theme is #BuildFamilyResilience. The day is focusing on how parents and carers can successfully adapt to challenging life situations, and deal with their own stress and anxiety, whilst navigating their family through difficult times.

This episode aims to help parents and carers understand what resilience is and the steps they can take to create it in both themselves and their families.

Episode 5 – Early Signs of Eating Disorders and First Steps Forward, for Parents/Carers

Released 1st March 2023 | 18 mins

Eating disorders are complex mental ill health conditions and often require specialist treatment. Early intervention is key to minimise the impact.

This episode explores early signs and symptoms of common eating disorders and touches on how to start the conversation with your young person.

Episode 6 – The Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in Young People, for Parents

Released 28th April 2023 | 21 mins

In this episode Dr Krause talks about common signs and symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders and how to recognise when a young person might need help.

Episode 7 – Helping Your Young Person to Manage their Anxiety, for Parents/Carers

Released 17th May 2023 | 20 mins

This episode takes a look at the signs and symptoms of anxiety and aims to help parents understand what they can do to help their young person manage these.

Episode 8 – Dr Krause’s Back to School Tips, for Parents

Released 1st September 2023 | 4 mins

A short episode with some quick tips from Dr Krause to help get your young people back into routine and calmly back to school.

Episode 9 – Dr Krause Talks About Emotionally Based School Avoidance, for Parents/Carers

Released 6th October 2023 | 27 mins

School avoidance has become more prevalent in recent years and can be a very difficult experience for families to navigate. Dr Krause looks at possible causes and ideas to help you support your young person.

Episode 10 – Movember Episode! How do we get boys and young men to open up? For Parents/Carers

Released 16th November 2023 | 15 mins

In this episode Dr Krause examines how we can engage with our boys and young men whilst building emotional tools to live happy lives.

Series 3:

Episode 1 – The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health – What is Media Literacy?

Released 26th January 2024 | 11 mins

Being ‘media literate’ online is fundamental to how young people act as consumers and digital citizens. Dr Krause gives a brief introduction to media literacy and its impact on our young people’s mental health.

More episodes coming soon

Anything you’d like to see covered in a future episode? Please email us at podcast@stem4.org.uk

For further resources, take a look around our website, where you can find resources for young people, parents and professionals – including GP/Nurse-specific resources and information on our free apps.

You can also follow stem4 on Instagram (@stem4org) for practical tips and guidance, and sign up to our monthly newsletter.

Help us support teenage mental health