We’re running a new study exploring how young people use AI chatbots like ChatGPT for mental health support. If you’re aged 16-25, live in the UK, and have used AI chatbots for mental health, we’d love to hear from you!! @oxchildpsych.bsky.social @emmasoneson.bsky.social
👉 lnkd.in/eQSRzyej
This fully funded MRC iCASE DPhil offers the chance to:
✨ Work at the intersection of AI, youth mental health & lived experience
🌍 Collaborate with global partners
🧑🤝🧑 Co-design digital health interventions with young people
@minafazeloxford.bsky.social @iammirela.bsky.social
🚨 Interested in a fully funded DPhil at Oxford?
🌏 We’re recruiting for an MRC iCASE studentship on conversational AI for youth mental health.
Join an amazing team using youth voice to shape global digital health.
⏳ Deadline: 2 Dec 2025
💡 Get in touch to chat!
🔗 More info: tinyurl.com/4ua4j46h
💭 Raises big Qs about real-world relevance, ethics of incentivisation, and how to build truly engaging digital mental health tools.
#MentalHealthApps #IntrinsicMotivation #DigitalHealth #ImplementationScience #BJPsychOpen
💸 Extrinsic rewards (money, course credit) may boost initial sign-up but not sustained engagement.
🌱 It’s intrinsic motivation (curiosity, usefulness, enjoyment, growth) that likely drives long-term use.
⚠️ Incentives in trials must reflect what’s feasible at the point of real-world implementation.
📱 New paper out today in BJPsych Open asks: are financial incentives helping or hindering mental health app research?
📄 Read it here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
@minafazeloxford.bsky.social @oxchildpsych.bsky.social @oxfordpsychiatry.bsky.social
Proud to be part of this work with @emmasoneson.bsky.social @minafazeloxford.bsky.social big thanks to BBC South Today & Radio Oxford for shining a light on young people’s mental health 💙
What teens see and do online matters.
New research from our team looks at how digital experiences relate to mental health & what we can do about it.
A must-read for parents, educators, and mental health researchers and policymakers.
📌 Viewing self-harm content
📌 Seeking help online
📌 Posting content they later regretted
- were associated with higher symptoms of anxiety, depression, & loneliness.
Our latest paper is now out in Current Psychology:
🔗 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Based on data from over 14,000 adolescents we found: It’s not just how much time young people spend online-it’s what they’re doing & what they’re exposed to that matters.
Digital life is deeply embedded in adolescence—but with coordinated support from👨👩👧👦 home,🏫 school &🏛️ policy, we can help create healthier online environments that protect & empower young people. @minafazeloxford.bsky.social @drskripka.bsky.social @oxwell.bsky.social @oxchildpsych.bsky.social
Photo of Shona sitting in front of a TV screen with a fireplace projected onto it, holding a hand-knitted blanket and sitting behind a bookshelf filled with books and soft toys.
The Oxford Child & Adolescent Psychiatry team exchanging socks during their monthly meeting.
The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Group at the murder mystery Christmas party in the Oxford Castle.
Members of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry examining the 'murdered' Victorian era mannequin during the murder mystery party.
Lots of celebrations this week, incl.:
👉 a Secret Santa Sock Exchange 🔁🧦
👉 the Departmental Christmas Party (a screening of 'Paddington in Peru'!) 🐻🇬🇧
👉 a team murder mystery event at Oxford Castle 👀🏰
We also said 'bye for now' to Shona, our lovely group administrator who's off to go have a baby 👶
