News

On Wednesday 20 November, the Chestnuts Community Centre in Haringey hosted a thought-provoking talk on youth mental health, led by the renowned Professor Argyris Stringaris. Organised by the North London NHS Foundation Trust, the event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including clinicians, support workers, community members, and policymakers, all eager to explore the challenges and solutions in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Insights from a Global Expert

Professor Stringaris, Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University College London (UCL) and a distinguished neuroscientist, shared his deep expertise in the complexities of youth mental health. His talk, titled Youth Mental Health: What are we doing and what can we do better, highlighted several crucial themes that are shaping the field today.

Key Themes Addressed

• The Global Context of Youth Mental Health: Mental health conditions are now the leading cause of disability among young people globally, according to the World Health Organisation. Professor Stringaris stressed that these conditions are often chronic, beginning early in life, and may ultimately lead to severe outcomes, including suicide. Early intervention and long-term support were identified as critical to reducing these risks.
• Social and Family Influences: The talk examined how family dynamics, income stability, and reducing domestic violence and trauma play a significant role in youth mental health. Professor Stringaris emphasisedthe need for systemic support to strengthen family environments for better mental health outcomes.
• Genetic and Environmental Factors: Highlighting the complex relationship between genetics and the environment, the talk explored how genetic factors—such as the 70–80% genetic influence on conditions like ADHD—interact with life experiences, shaping a young person’s mental health trajectory.

Speaker Highlights

Professor Stringaris’s impressive career includes his current role as UCL’s Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Pro-Vice-Provost for Mental Health and Wellbeing, where he co-leads UCL’s Grand Challenges for Mental Health. He is also a Professor at the University of Athens (NKUA) and formerly served as Senior Investigator and Chief of the Section of Clinical and Computational Psychiatry at NIH in the USA.

Recent Achievements:

• Highly Cited Researcher 2022 in Psychiatry and Psychology by Clarivate Analytics.
• President of the International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (2021–2023).
• Kramer Pollnow Prize for scientific excellence in clinical research (2021).

Community Engagement and Future Events

At the conclusion of the talk, attendees were encouraged to engage with North London NHS Foundation Trust by becoming members. Membership provides a unique opportunity to influence and shape the future of mental health services across North Central London.

To learn more or sign up, visit the North London NHS Foundation Trust Membership Page.

Upcoming Event
The series concludes next week with a session focused on ADHD in Edmonton. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain more insights into this critical topic. You can register here.

Closing Thoughts
Professor Stringaris’s talk offered an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the state of youth mental health and the steps needed to address its challenges. His expertise and vision provide hope for improving the mental health landscape for future generations. Let’s continue to collaborate and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people.