Meeting of Minds
What affects our mental health and happiness? Do we feel less happy as we approach middle age or at different stages of life? Or do external influences such as the cost-of-living crisis make the biggest difference? And how does thinking about mental health differ around the world?
Shining a light on a topic only growing in importance, our panel includes an alumna who’s now a GP and author, and globally-renowned academics from Warwick Medical School and the Department of Economics. Topics will include youth mental health, mid-life crisis, mental health in developed versus developing countries, and the impact of the cost of living on mental health.
This webinar may contain discussion of sensitive subjects that may be triggering for some individuals. Please find links to useful resources below.
Host
Registrar, University of Warwick
Rachel is responsible for the professional services of the University under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor. She has a wealth of experience from her roles as shadow CEO of the UK Government’s Institute for Apprenticeships and Director General in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. In 2012, she was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath and named in The Times 100 “Most Influential Lawyers”. In 2016, she was named one of the FTSE 100 “Women to Watch”.
Speakers
Professor of Social and Community Psychiatry, Warwick Medical School
Professor Singh (MBBS, MD, DM, FRCPsych) initially trained as a surgeon in New Delhi, changing to psychiatry after witnessing the impact on children of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He has been a clinical academic in the UK for 30 years, pioneering reform of youth mental health care across the UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada. He was a Commissioner for the Equality & Human Rights Commission (2013-19), mandated by the UK Parliament. His current research involves improving mental health care for young people in the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. He also leads the independent investigation into discrimination (including Islamophobia) within the British Conservative Party. His eternal struggle is between being focused and productive, and wasting time on idle speculation and meaningless meandering. When he can, he enjoys literature, poetry, theatre, blues, jazz, cricket, cooking, gardening, and fishing. One day he will write a book on the meaning of life and create the perfect sushi platter.
Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science, University of Warwick
Professor Oswald's work lies mainly at the border between economics and behavioural science, and includes the empirical study of human happiness. He is an ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) Highly-Cited Researcher and is credited with helping to create the field now known as the economics of happiness, one of the fastest growing fields within social science. He also serves on the board of the journal Science.
General Practitioner (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, 2012 and PG Award Understanding Childhood, 2014)
Dr Afiniki Akanet is a British-Nigerian GP/family doctor with a special interest in mental health. She is the founder of Forte Charity for Inspiration, author of Money and Mental Wellbeing, and host of the popular podcast Happiness over Stress. Dr Akanet motivates people through her writing and public speaking to live intentional, happy, and fruitful lives.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support at Warwick
Students: www.warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/students/support/
Staff: www.warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/staff-wellbeing
Alumni and community: www.warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/topics/
Other resources
NHS: www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org