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Dr James Dearden

@drjamesdearden.bsky.social
673 followers 555 following 98 posts

Husband. Father to 3 goons. Consultant Paediatrician with critical care & mental health special interest. CYP MH advisor to Devon ICB. Clinical Co-Lead for South West Paediatric Mental Health Network. Maintaining a precarious relationship with coffee.

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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
“Reasonable adjustments” within school settings for those who are ND, or simply struggling because of anxiety etc. School can be quite a hostile environment and COVID lockdowns have broken the social contract that meant that school non-attendance was not an option. It’s a bad combo.
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Both I think. These YP need support at school and at home. The ones I see presenting in crisis tend to have really miserable social situations… which speaks volumes to the importance of a stable and supportive home environment. A lot of neurodiverse kids struggling hugely as well.
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
A brutal summary of what our CYP are dealing with and what we are seeing so much more of across the spectrum in paediatrics. Most of this is not mental illness that requires specialist CAMHS provision and input, but the impacts on life and function are very very real. apple.news/AwFvzoKRGT_W...
apple.news
Age of anxiety: poll reveals teen views on stress, social media and school — The Times and The Sunday Times
They lost months of schooling to the Covid lockdowns, have been exposed to an explosion in online pornography and have had more screen time and access to social media than ever before. Now the most co...
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Really proud to have been a part of this team and to sign off with my final editorial comment on such a great edition! As always - there are some absolute gems to watch out for in here, so well worth reading from cover to cover. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and continues to do so!
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Hannah O'Sullivan @sullydaysleeper.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This is an excellent piece, well worth reading, it is on the outsourcing of mental healthcare to the charity sector/commodification of suicide prevention. madinireland.com/2025/05/dark...
madinireland.com
Darkness into light - masking systemic neglect in mental health - Mad in Ireland
Darkness into light
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STAR-CAT Study @starcatstudy.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
We're very excited to finish off the week with our first family recruited to the STAR-CAT study! 🎉 🥳 Great work from one of our teams in Devon 🌟
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ACAMH - Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health @acamh.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Teens: What New Research Reveals - New blog from Sophie Mizrahi www.acamh.org/blog/teen-in... A 2024 systematic review and meta‑analysis by Galgut and colleagues highlights that CBT for insomnia markedly improves insomnia severity
acamh.org
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Teens: What New Research Reveals
A 2024 systematic review and meta‑analysis by Galgut and colleagues highlights that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‑I) markedly improves insomnia severity and, to a lesser extent, subj...
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Thanks for sharing - is this available to wider NHS outside Scotland?
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
This is great - a nuanced discussion, particularly calling out some of the more alarmist voices on this subject
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The King's Fund @thekingsfund.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
'It seems strange to be so silent on something that has such a profound and harmful effect on people’s health and happiness, and across generations.' Julia Cream says drop the euphemisms and stop sugarcoating poverty in a new blog. buff.ly/RHxCuW4
buff.ly
Drop The Euphemisms And Stop Sugarcoating Poverty | The King's Fund
There appears to be an unusual reticence within the NHS when it comes to acknowledging poverty. Could identifying it more explicitly be beneficial? Julia Cream explores this matter.
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Thank you! Are you working with any services in the South West region?
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STAR-CAT Study @starcatstudy.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
We're excited to announce that the trial is now open to recruitment! Welcome to our very first site, Cambridge Community Services NHS Trust 👋 Over the next two years we will be aiming to recruit 650 families - have a read of our website to find out more: osiresearch.org.uk/star-cat 👈
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Is this open to families nationally in UK?
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Amy Orben @orbenamy.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
I am so excited that this is now out. An absolutely **mammoth** amount of work, please give this thread a read ⬇️💪💪
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Dr Lucy Foulkes @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Great new study that will contribute usefully to the social media and mental health question. It uses more detailed assessment of both social media use and mental health, which has been a bit issue with previous research. This study shows that... (cont)
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Luisa Fassi @fassiluisa.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
For a lay summary: www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...
cam.ac.uk
Adolescents with mental health conditions use social media differently than their peers, study suggests
One of the first studies in this area to use clinical-level diagnoses reveals a range of differences between young people with and without mental health
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Thanks for sharing this Lucy. Really interesting study and good to have some solid EBM references in this field. Lots of UK ICBs rolling out apps across regions (at great cost) without much evidence they are effective
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Dr Lucy Foulkes @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
This is a *key* new paper in the world of school mental health interventions A very large trial (N=6388) testing a universal CBT-based app for adolescent depression (13-14y) No effects found (on depression, anxiety, distress or insomnia) (🧵) mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1...
Future Proofing Study: a cluster randomised
controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a
universal school-based cognitive–behavioural
programme for adolescent depression
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
It's one of the greatest things I have ever seen.
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
@centreformh.bsky.social have produced another stellar publication c quantifiable data measuring the impact of complex MH conditions. Whilst the study population is in adults, the genesis of these stories is in early childhood & adolescence. #KidsMH www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/wp-content/u...
centreformentalhealth.org.uk
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
This is challenging news.
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Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) @rcpch.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
We’ve had a brilliant start to the RCPCH 2025 Conference in Glasgow today! Check out some of our highlights from Day 1 👇 www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/rcpch-conference-2025-highlights-day-1 #RCPCH25
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Sadly clashes with Mental Health Committee morning session, but have serious FOMO about this breakfast workshop!
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Excited about the next 3 days learning, networking and sharing great practice @rcpch.bsky.social #RCPCH25 Watch out for demos of the new ALSG course - CYP APEx (Acute Psychosocial Emergencies) and the MH workshop on day 2 11am!
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
For any research colleagues interested in CYP MH interventions… www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/chil... @thementalelf.bsky.social @elainelockhart.bsky.social #KidsMH @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social @rcpch.bsky.social @rcpsych.bsky.social @rcem.ac.uk @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social @chattydietitian.bsky.social
nihr.ac.uk
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Fantastic night at the Peninsula PAFTAs celebrating all that is great about Paediatrics and the people we work with. Such a great honour to work with so many exceptional staff working to support CYP and families in Cornwall and Devon. @rcpch.bsky.social paftas.net/the-winners-2/
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Wish there was an easy way to set up an automatic repost when these podcasts drop! They’re great!
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Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) @rcpch.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
The spring edition of #RCPCHMilestones explores how health professionals can come together to support children and young people – from navigating screen time to adopting a pro-play mindset. www.rcpch.ac.uk/milestones @sebjgray.bsky.social @drjamesdearden.bsky.social @headsmartfellow.bsky.social
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
I’m consistently amazed that there doesn’t seem to be a “CYP Friendly” version of MHA advice available anywhere I have searched? Rethink is good but still miles away from “easily digestible”. There is particularly no reference to effects on job prospects, travel, etc.
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Dr Karen Bateson @karenjbateson.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Investment in early intervention and prevention services, including parent-infant relationship services, is vital. Statement from the BPS. www.bps.org.uk/news/investm...
bps.org.uk
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/watch-a... We have some Devon expertise to offer on this…
middevonadvertiser.co.uk
Watch as deer gallop through Plymouth Hospital corridors
DERRIFORD HOSPITAL was left not knowing what to doe, after two deer were spotted wandering through the corridors of the hospital last night. The remarkable sight captured them casually strolling down ...
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Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
🧵A new report by @edupolicyinst.bsky.social calls on the government to address the underlying causes of school absences- a key factor in the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. epi.org.uk/publications... (1/4)
epi.org.uk
Breaking down the gap - Education Policy Institute
The latest report by EPI investigates the drivers of the disadvantage gap and calls on the government to address the underlying causes of school absences, as it identifies higher levels of absence to ...
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NIHR ARC Wessex @arcwessex.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Wednesday, June 18 | Using Evidence to Change Child Health: Moving from Research to Impact @nisreenalwan.bsky.social @hantsconnect.bsky.social @sotonhsciences.bsky.social @buresearch.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/using-evid...
eventbrite.co.uk
Using Evidence to Change Child Health: Moving from Research to Impact
An opportunity to share and learn about current research in child health and to discuss how evidence can inform policy and practice.
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The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
🧵 Responding to this new report from @theifs.bsky.social, which we have supported, @jobibby.bsky.social says we are right to be concerned about the worsening mental health of the working-age population, but the government's upcoming Green Paper presents an opportunity for a new approach ⬇️
‘Improving health requires strengthening the building blocks of health, like adequate income and quality work… The upcoming Green Paper presents an opportunity for the government, employers and businesses to adopt a new approach that supports everyone.’ Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation
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Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) @rcpch.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Good nutrition is at the heart of health, wellbeing and development for children and young people. Today we joined over 40 other organisations in parliament calling for #FreeSchoolMealsForAll 👇
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The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Analysis from our response to Treasury’s Spending Review recommends, to boost existing prevention services in local government, the public health grant should be restored to real-terms equivalent of 2015/16 per person levels, taking annual budget in 2028/29 to £5.1bn. Read more ⬇️ buff.ly/PZy70zU
Line chart of change in public health allocations 2015/16-2025/26, England, real terms per person (GDP deflator) showing that the public health grant has been cut by more than a quarter since 2015/16.
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Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Happy World Book Day!
Title: Possible Early Precursors to World Book Day 

1. Boktide, 1000ad A grand tournament of literature, culminating with the king choosing one 800k For 'Ethelred's Book Club' and writing a blurb for the cover. 

2. Night of Sacrifice, 800ad By the light of the full moon, offerings of overdue books and tiny sums of money were made at shrines to the savage librarian-god Schussh. 

3. Day of Banishment, 600ad The weakest member of the tribe was given writing materials, sent into the wilderness and only allowed to return if they wrote a bestselling book.
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Simon Chapman AO @simonchapman.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
In vast areas of the US, the sentiments expressed in this wonderful letter from a British man about why it's a privilege to pay tax to enable the National Health Service to run would see him probably certified as insane and labelled a "socialist".
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Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
A Guardian article explores the youth mental health crisis highlighting how youth is no longer one of the happiest times of life🧵 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Mental health crisis ‘means youth is no longer one of happiest times of life’
UN-commissioned study in UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand finds satisfaction rises with age
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Can also thoroughly recommend a local CiC called Parental Minds who are doing amazing work resourcing and supporting parents so they can better support their CYP parentalminds.org.uk
parentalminds.org.uk
Home - Parental Minds
The online home of Parental Minds. Supporting you to support them.
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Gah! Article is behind a firewall, but this is huge news! Thank you for sharing. The recent Neighbourhood MDT guidance has the potential to do so much as well - really excited to see what the next steps are www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/gu... #KidsMH
england.nhs.uk
NHS England » Guidance on neighbourhood multidisciplinary teams for children and young people
Purpose This guidance outlines the principles and core components that underpin all neighbourhood multidisciplinary teams for children and young people. It should be read alongside the 2025/26 priorit...
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Alasdair Munro @apsmunro.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
I wrote about Measles two years ago due to concerns of outbreaks in London with falling vaccination rates Everything written here is relevant to the current outbreak in Texas, where tragically a child has now died Everything you wish you never needed to know about Measles #PedSky #IDSky 🧪
alasdairmunro.substack.com
The Misery: Return of Measles
Low vaccination rates in London are an opportunity for the old scourge
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Looks worryingly empty
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Count me in!
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Inclined towards options 1&2. How does this marry up with the (welcome) roll out of MHSTs across the country? Presumably use targeted education and intervention but make sure they are the *right* ones that will actually help, not exacerbate the problem
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The Mental Elf @thementalelf.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Guidelines for involving young people with lived experience in suicide research www.nationalelfservice.net?p=213158 #Suicide #SuicideResearch #LivedExperience #YoungPeople #YouthMentalHealth #Involvement #Coproduction #Guidelines
nationalelfservice.net
Guidelines for involving young people with lived experience in suicide research - National Elf Service
Dhea Bendargi summarises a Delphi study that involved lived experience and researcher stakeholders in developing a comprehensive set of guidelines for involving youth with lived and living experience ...
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Seems bizarre that there would be a divergence between what training you require to be a paediatrician and the skill set you need to work out of hours as a paediatrician. I wasn’t party to all the discussion around neonatal tubes in/out of curriculum but I can’t really understand why it’s gone.
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Absolutely brilliant 15 minute micro-learning from @rcem.ac.uk Recent data from 2012-22 has shown an increase of >500% in 11-15yr old girls requiring ward admission for eating disorder. www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ja... This is mandatory reading for PEM and acute paediatricians. @rcpch.bsky.social
ucl.ac.uk
Significant rise in mental health admissions for young people in last decade
There was a 65% increase in the number of children and young people being admitted to general acute medical wards in hospitals in England because of a mental health concern between 2012 and 2022, find...
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Dr James Dearden @drjamesdearden.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Suicide is consistently in the top 3 causes of death of 5-18 yr olds, alongside cancer and road accidents… and yet the resources for MH are tiny by comparison. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Chapter 2: trends in mortality
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 19/02/2025
I can’t remember where I read this, but it’s important: Why is it that when people think about traveling to the past, they worry about doing something small that will drastically change the present, but no one in the present thinks that doing something small today can drastically change the future?
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