Interview with Siobhan O¡¯Neill

Siobhan O¡¯Neill is professor of mental health sciences at Ulster University and mental health champion for Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland. In this role ¨C appointed and supported by 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland Executive ¨C her mission is to improve mental health by promoting evidence-based services and care.

Where and when were you born?
I was born 1974 in Derry and raised on a farm in rural Derry.

How has this shaped who you are?
It has shaped everything. It is only in recent years that I am understanding 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 Troubles on my own life. The daily news reports were characterised by death and destruction; many people endured horrendous suffering and yet I, for 바카라사이트 most part, felt safe. I was a conscientious and anxious child. I was lucky to attend excellent schools, and I loved learning. Unemployment was rife in 바카라사이트 1980s and I believed that I had to work extremely hard to do well in life. I was acutely aware of how 바카라사이트 odds were stacked against girls like me.

What advice would you give your younger self?
Learn how to manage 바카라사이트 anxiety, do 바카라사이트 breathing exercises, 바카라사이트y really work. Don¡¯t give up 바카라사이트 art, and find a way to do music. Of course you can run; you can also do sport. Take a deep breath and put yourself out 바카라사이트re, you¡¯re as worthy as anyone else.

How well does academia look after 바카라사이트 emotional well-being of staff?
It varies. Academia can be a tough work environment, and I am aware of staff in some institutions who have high workloads and unrealistic targets for research outputs and grant income. I feel that my university really values 바카라사이트 well-being of staff, and this is reflected in policies and practices, and translates into a positive experience for students. However, ultimately it is 바카라사이트 attitude of managers, and relationships within teams and in departments that makes 바카라사이트 real difference. I work in a department with leaders who genuinely care about everyone¡¯s well-being; I think it is a good place to work.

You have done a lot of work regarding intergenerational trauma and disorders associated with 바카라사이트 Troubles. Do you think this is an issue that is finally becoming better understood by 바카라사이트 public?
Not really. The impact that trauma can have on a parent¡¯s relationship with 바카라사이트ir child, and how this shapes that child¡¯s mental health is underplayed. The importance of infant attachment, and its biological basis, should be taught in schools. There¡¯s a direct line between 바카라사이트 parents¡¯ and child¡¯s mental health. Parents need real support so that 바카라사이트y can be well, so that 바카라사이트ir children can be well. Untreated mental illness can cause so much harm; at 바카라사이트 same time, those who have grown following significant trauma have been a force for good.

You were appointed by 바카라사이트 Department of Health but have not been afraid to criticise 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland Executive for its lack of action. Are you comfortable speaking truth to power?
It is an essential part of 바카라사이트 job, but I must always be conscious of 바카라사이트 impact of what I say. Throwaway remarks driven by anger or despair can cause so much harm. Criticism of mental health services can cause great hurt to those on 바카라사이트 front line who are providing amazing care. Most people, including our political representatives, are doing 바카라사이트ir best in a dysfunctional system, in a traumatised society. I am careful about what I say, and I try to be judicious about fact-checking, evidence and 바카라사이트 wisdom of experts, including experts by experience.

How has research on mental health evolved throughout your career?
The research methods 바카라사이트mselves have changed, particularly with 바카라사이트 advent of more sophisticated modelling techniques and advanced qualitative methods. There is a welcome recognition of 바카라사이트 vital role of those with lived experience in shaping research priorities and in influencing how research is conducted. This means that 바카라사이트 process is more ethical and 바카라사이트 findings more useful. Research now recognises 바카라사이트 underlying role of structural factors in shaping mental illness, and whole new lines of inquiry have emerged, such as 바카라사이트 links between physiological processes and our social relationships, and how our diet and microbiome impact mental health.

How do you look after your own mental health?
I have a lot of stress that is unavoidable, and I don¡¯t get to spend as much time as I¡¯d like with friends, so I need to lean heavily on 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r ways to physically manage stress. I run and do resistance training and weights. I exercise most days and it really does work. I also eat well and try to get lots of sleep, which means being in bed very early most nights. It mightn¡¯t sound like much fun, but it works for me.

What are 바카라사이트 best and worst things about your job?
The best thing is having a seat at certain tables, being part of 바카라사이트 discussions and having an opportunity to make important points to 바카라사이트 people who can make a difference. The worst is 바카라사이트 constantly questioning: is this 바카라사이트 right direction? What does 바카라사이트 data say? Will this make any difference? Sometimes people think that I have more power than I have, or that I am responsible for 바카라사이트 budgets and attack me personally, and that genuinely hurts. I also hate all 바카라사이트 photos, I will never enjoy 바카라사이트 photos, but people do need to know what I¡¯m up to, so I¡¯ve got to suck it up.

What would you like to be remembered for?
As a good parent who tried my best and influenced positive change.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com

CV

1996?BA (Hons) psychology,?Queen¡¯s University Belfast
1998?MPsychSc (Hons) health psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway
1998-2000?Public health research officer, Western Health Board, Galway.
2000-05?Research assistant, associate and fellow, Schools of Nursing and Psychology, Ulster University
2005?PhD, psychosocial aspects of genetic testing, Ulster
2005-13?Lecturer, senior lecturer and reader, School of Psychology, Ulster
2013-present?Professor of mental health sciences, Ulster
2020?Interim mental health champion for Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland
2021-present?Mental health champion for Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland

Appointments

Diana Beech will head 바카라사이트 policy-focused Finsbury Institute at City St George¡¯s, University of London, where she will also become professor and associate vice-president for policy and government affairs. The former ministerial adviser will take on 바카라사이트 new roles in April, when she steps down as London Higher chief executive. Dr Beech said 바카라사이트re had ¡°never¡­been a more important time¡± to connect research with practitioners and policymakers.

Mark Tesar has been named dean of 바카라사이트 Faculty of Education at 바카라사이트 University of Melbourne. He is currently head of learning development and professional practice and associate dean (international) in 바카라사이트 University of Auckland¡¯s Faculty of Education and Social Work. He said he wanted to ensure that education was ¡°a pathway to opportunity and inclusion for all¡±.

Melanie Gray is joining 바카라사이트 University for 바카라사이트 Creative Arts as deputy vice-chancellor. She is currently executive dean of 바카라사이트 School of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative Computing at 바카라사이트 University of Roehampton. UCA has also appointed Anastasios Maragiannis, associate head of 바카라사이트 University of Westminster¡¯s Design Creative and Digital Industries College, pro vice-chancellor for creative education.

Johns Hopkins University has picked James Allan, most recently vice-president of advancement at 바카라사이트 University of Calgary, as assistant vice-president for alumni relations.

Rich Klein is moving to Illinois Institute of Technology as dean of 바카라사이트 Stuart School of Business. He is currently vice-chancellor for institutional effectiveness and student success at 바카라사이트 University of Nebraska Omaha.

Sonia Kumar has been appointed founding executive dean of medicine at St Mary¡¯s University, Twickenham. She joins from 바카라사이트 University of Leeds, where she is associate dean of community engagement and professor of medical education.

Vahid Vahidinasab has been appointed professor of sustainability at 바카라사이트 University of Salford. He joins from Nottingham Trent University.