SCIENCE AND FAITH: SEASON 2 EPISODE 5- Mental health, faith and wellbeing

Radio Maria England Science and Faith

Season 2 Episode 5:

Mental health, faith and wellbeing

Broadcasts: Mondays at 11am, Tuesdays at 9pm, Wednesdays at 2am and Saturdays at 5pm

In episode 5 of this series, we explored mental health with insights from science, philosophy and theology. We had the honour and pleasure to have two guest speakers: consultant psychiatrist Dr T. Ayodele Ajayi and assistant psychologist Julia Szacilo. We discussed some of the ways mental health difficulties arise, the role genetics and environmental factors play, the wealth of job roles as well as how mental health professionals look after themselves. We also talked about how a decision about treatment is made, developing virtue, and increasing trust in God in the face of adversity. Finally, we asked whether we should be seeking Christian professionals and we touched on how we can support our loved ones.

Where is God in the midst of the struggle?

Get in touch: scienceandfaith@radiomariaengland.uk

Facebook/Instagram: @radiomariaengland

#RMESCIENCEANDFAITH

Listen on demand on your podcast platform of choice: https://anchor.fm/scienceandfaith1

Shop

Footprints of Giants https://www.amazon.co.uk/Footprints-Giants-T-Ayodele-Ajayi/dp/1907402039

Resources

Catholic Phys Association: https://www.catholicpsych.com/

The Catholic Medical Association: https://catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk/

Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/

Pause App: https://www.pauseapp.com/

Hallow App: https://hallow.com

Biographies

Dr Ayodele Ajayi

Dr Ayodele Ajayi is a consultant psychiatrist. He has been working in the NHS for over two decades, and his work has been published in peer reviewed journals.  He is a regional lead for psychiatry undergraduate teaching in his trust; and designs and delivers content and training for Health Education England.

Dr Ajayi is a newspaper columnist on public mental health. He manages a YouTube channel- Tripart Care, where he delivers bite-sized mental health content relevant to Church communities. He runs The Tripart Care Mind Gym Courses which are open to members of the public. He is passionate about educating Christians on nurturing the spirit, but not neglecting the soul and body in the process.

Dr Ajayi serves on the pastoral team of his church, with responsibility for the youth. He is the author of Footprints of Giants – an inspirational book in the Christian personal development genre.

He is a trained mentor and coach, and the Founder and Executive Lead of Mentor Into Medicine- a mentoring organisation that empowers school and college students from disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve their lofty dreams of studying medicine. Dr Ajayi is the Convener of the Mentor Into Medicine workshops. Dr Ajayi sits on a few boards for Christian charities.

Julia Szacilo

Julia is currently working as an assistant psychologist with individuals with acquired brain injuries and will soon move into research trying to understand individuals at a high-risk of psychosis.

She has worked in various settings in the NHS, including hospitals, community settings, and research,  and, with various populations, spanning neurodiverse individuals, older adults and clients with brain injuries. 

She hopes to become a clinical neuropsychologist and holds a BSc degree in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, as well as a MSc degree in clinical neuroscience. 

Her main interests are mental health and neuropsychology, that is trying to understand the relationship between the brain and behaviour.