Kapil Sayal
Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Nottingham | Clinical Academic | Children & Young People's Mental Health Services Research
nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/people/kap…
- Reposted by Kapil SayalConcerns about “over-diagnosis” and “self-diagnosis” in young people are growing, but what does the evidence actually show? Join CAMH Journal Debate to hear contrasting perspectives from Sami Timimi, @kapilsayal.bsky.social Prof Rachel Hiller. bit.ly/4rdiZqY
- New resources to improve mental health admissions for young people… 🔗 Download here: tinyurl.com/h6pb7z6n
- 🧠 Day 9 of #ARCEMRewind2025 ⏪ Rewinding to September: New resources to improve mental health admissions for young people. 🔗 Download here: tinyurl.com/h6pb7z6n @kapilsayal.bsky.social @nihrarcs.bsky.social @arc-wm.bsky.social @arc-gm.bsky.social @arc-oxtv.bsky.social @arceastofengland.bsky.social
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal🏆 Day 3 of #ARCEMRewind2025 ⏪ Rewinding to March: Dr @CharlotteLHall2 won the first-ever @nihr.bsky.social Impact Prize for her work on digital ADHD assessment (QbTest) now used across the NHS. 🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/3xvmzkj3 @nihrmindtech.bsky.social @healthinnovation-em.org.uk
- Reposted by Kapil SayalJoin the EXPAND research team for a seminar exploring how we can better support ethnic minority young people and their parents to access healthcare support for neurodevelopmental disorders 📅9th December 12:30-13:30 💻Online via Teams 🎟️Free More info: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/db3571...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalFrom stretched services to missed diagnoses, the stakes in child mental health are high. In this #MindtheKids episode we ask: can SDA tools bring fairness, partnership & better outcomes? With Dr Salah Basheer & Dr Sue Fen Tan 🎧 bit.ly/4nJepiD
- Full study report on 'STADIA' trial now out in @nihr.bsky.social Health Technology Assessment journal. Large multi-centre #RCT with 1225 children and young people referred to #CAMHS www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/GJKS0519 #Diagnosis #mental#health @acamh.bsky.social #MindtheKids podcast 👇
- 🎙️ #MindtheKids pod! Host Mark Tebbs speaks with @kapilsayal.bsky.social about the landmark STADIA trial ➡️ exploring how structured assessments like DAWBA might reshape #CAMHS referrals. 👉 Essential listening for parents, clinicians, researchers. bit.ly/4ntVkA2
- Reposted by Kapil SayalHi everyone 👋🏼 We’re super excited for the Digital Youth X MindTech conference this Thursday 13th in London! It’ll focus on digital innovations in youth mental health. Follow along all day at ✨ #DigitalYouth ✨ I’m Olivia, and I’ll be covering the event with Henry - nice to meet you!☺️ THREAD🧵
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal🎙️ #MindtheKids pod! Host Mark Tebbs speaks with @kapilsayal.bsky.social about the landmark STADIA trial ➡️ exploring how structured assessments like DAWBA might reshape #CAMHS referrals. 👉 Essential listening for parents, clinicians, researchers. bit.ly/4ntVkA2
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal📢 Join us for a vital webinar on improving childhood admissions to mental health units! 🗓️ 4 Nov 2025 | 🕛 12 - 1pm Featuring new resources to support young people, families & healthcare professionals. Full story: tinyurl.com/yv838w92 Register here: tinyurl.com/sddh48n2
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal💻 Clear information matters. The ‘Knowing Where You Are Going’ guidance helps CAMHS units provide user-friendly website information, co-produced with young people & families. 🔔 Join the webinar (4 Nov): tinyurl.com/36zmpy6j 📥 Download guidance: arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-res...
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal🌟 New resources are available to help young people, families, and clinicians understand what to expect during CAMHS inpatient admissions. These tools improve communication, offer reassurance, and provide vital support throughout the journey. Learn more: arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-res...
- Debate section in this month’s @acamh.bsky.social CAMH journal: Are we over-pathologising young people's mental health? With Rachel Hiller, our perspective: “Research shows otherwise – mental health conditions are not being recognised or diagnosed in healthcare settings” doi.org/10.1111/camh...
- 📣 New debate article… Are we over-pathologising young people's mental health? Research shows otherwise - mental health conditions are not being recognised or diagnosed in healthcare settings Using two large research projects, we highlight the mismatch… Read on… doi.org/10.1111/camh...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThis is one of very few long term studies of a brief early intervention to improve mental health in young children. The news is positive - we can make sustained improvements for children early in their lives. Something that early years practitioners know - now there is more research to back it up.
- The long-term follow up findings of our Healthy Start, Happy Start study have been published in the Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry: doi.org/10.1111/jcpp... @camedfac.bsky.social @nihr.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk
- Reposted by Kapil SayalSee the blogpost summarizing the paper by Stringaris et al below. For the original paper: mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1... #youthmentalhealth #depressiontreatment #depression
- 🍎🍊 Psychotherapy or medication for youth depression: can we really compare them? This new analysis shows why the trial evidence may be too different to draw fair conclusions. #Depression #ChildMentalHealth #YouthCare #RCTs #Psychotherapy 🧵 THREAD
- Reposted by Kapil SayalJoin the EXPAND team for a free, interactive lunchtime webinar on supporting ethnic minority youth and families to access support for neurodevelopmental healthcare. 🗓️ 9 Dec | 🕧 12:30-13:30 | 💻 Online Register: 🔗 institutemh.org.uk/events/event...
- 📣 New debate article… Are we over-pathologising young people's mental health? Research shows otherwise - mental health conditions are not being recognised or diagnosed in healthcare settings Using two large research projects, we highlight the mismatch… Read on… doi.org/10.1111/camh...
- STADIA trial summary Infographic 👇
- New blog from Lab member Zoë Firth on the STADIA trial from @kapilsayal.bsky.social and team! ⬇️
- Excellent Mental Elf summary of the ‘STADIA’ trial. Many children and young people struggling to access mental health care, following referral, impacting on their outcomes. @nihr.bsky.social @acamh.bsky.social @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalOut today in BJPsych Open: Fragmentation in adolescent health care provision In this editorial, @minafazeloxford.bsky.social & @emmasoneson.bsky.social describe the perils of fragmentation in adolescent health care and consider what's needed to enhance provision. Read here ⬇️
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal📝 Just published! We have a new paper out in #ChildAndAdolescentMentalHealth on our service model: how clinicians & researchers at the Lab are using digital innovations to meet urgent needs in #CAMHS ⬇️ The paper: acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... The blog: www.kcl.ac.uk/news/new-pap...
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal🧠 Excited for our upcoming webinar 🔍 Exploring the power of mixed methods in #MentalHealth #Research 📅 14 July | 🕐 1–2pm 📄 Featuring insights from an expert panel! 🔗 Don’t miss it! tinyurl.com/28t89jmm @nihrspcr.bsky.social @nihrspcr.bsky.social @ucl-primarycare.bsky.social
- Join us online (14 July, 1–2pm) for a special webinar exploring the power of mixed methods in #mentalhealth #research. Featuring insights from a newly published BMJ Mental Health paper by ECRs & a panel of expert voices across the research landscape!👇 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/advancingmix...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalOur new paper is out in JCPP! We used longitudinal network analysis to show how symptoms influence each other in adolescents participating in three types of psychotherapy for depression. doi.org/10.1111/jcpp... 1/3
- @nihr.bsky.social ‘STADIA’ trial… now in print in this month’s JCPP issue @acamh.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/jcpp... Large multi-centre #RCT with 1225 children and young people with emotional difficulties referred to #CAMHS, followed-up for 18 months. New Summary Infographic in next post…
- ‘STADIA’ trial: What we did & What we found… Please share…
- Looks excellent & a great set of CAMH journal articles... Wider service context and availability crucial, and codesign with young people and teachers, re next steps for the field. Also very careful measurement and monitoring of unintended consequences, as highlighted in Myriad and Promise RCTs
- Just released - FREE tickets! CAMH journal debate – Where to next for universal school-based mental health interventions? bit.ly/4k0QnxL Chair @umartoseeb.bsky.social with @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social @jackandrews.bsky.social @bronwynec.bsky.social @loubirrell.bsky.social and Dr Emma Carter Pls share
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Kapil SayalToo many under-18s are still being admitted to adult mental health wards, despite national guidelines. New research highlights the urgent need for age-appropriate care and better support for young people during #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. Read more: arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/researc...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalExciting day for us - we're launching our study showing HUGE delays for children in foster care. Our paper is in Nature Medicine rdcu.be/ekep1 and a short animation www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwDu... @righttrial.bsky.social @uofgshw.bsky.social @rachelhiller.bsky.social @nspcc.bsky.social
- Reposted by Kapil SayalHot off the online press: Updates on digital mental health interventions for children and young people: systematic overview of reviews by Liverpool et al in our #ECAP journal: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #youthmentalhealth #mentalhealth #digitalinterventions #ESCAP
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThe next round of the BRILLIANT GROW mental health and addiction researcher development programme has launched. Do check it out as its a fantastic opportunity to develop your career with coaching, expert insights and peer support ⬇️⬇️
- On your marks, get set...GROW! 🌱 Applications for our GROW 2025 Researcher Development Programme for #mentalhealth and #addiction early career researchers are now open. 💫 APPLY NOW 👇 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/grow25/
- Impact of young people’s admissions to adult mental health wards… @nihrarcs.bsky.social @arc-em.bsky.social @nihr.bsky.social @rcpsych.bsky.social @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
- New study in collaboration with @nihr.bsky.social highlights the challenges of under-18s admitted to adult mental health wards ▶️ www.psychiatry.cam.ac.uk/news/new-stu...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalExcited to share the latest paper from Chloe Chessell, @cathycreswell.bsky.social and Rachel Evans! 🚨 Outlining the journey of Online Support Intervention (OSI), the paper highlights key considerations for translating digitally augmented mental health interventions for children into routine care. 👇
- 📣 So, are standardised diagnostic assessment tools useful in #CAMHS? New 'STADIA' trial process evaluation of the Development & Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA), interviewing 109 participants across 8 CAMHS sites. Wide range of barriers and facilitators identified: 👉 doi.org/10.1007/s007....
- Overdiagnosis? Seems timely to reshare... In CAMHS, little evidence of overdiagnosis of emotional disorders, rather the opposite - many children and young people with diagnosable mental health disorders not receiving a clinical diagnosis or timely help Full 'STADIA' RCT: doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
- Young people and parents/carers liked and engaged with the DAWBA, finding it validating However, CAMHS clinicians expressed concerns about the value of a diagnosis… More here: doi.org/10.1007/s007...
- Overdiagnosis? Seems timely to reshare... In CAMHS, little evidence of overdiagnosis of emotional disorders, rather the opposite - many children and young people with diagnosable mental health disorders not receiving a clinical diagnosis or timely help Full 'STADIA' RCT: doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
- These clinically-referred children and young people had high levels of mental health needs - 67% scored very high for ≥1 emotional disorder, most commonly depression or an anxiety disorder. But… only 11% received a clinical diagnosis of an emotional disorder from CAMHS. doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalWe are proud to announce that Dr Charlotte Hall has been shortlisted for an #NIHRImpactPrizes! This recognition celebrates her outstanding work with the QbTest team in ADHD assessment tool. Winners announced on 20 March! 🎉 Learn more about QbTest: 🔗 arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/news/dr-char...
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal🌟 Exciting News! Our study on our method of Gillick Competence assessment in online, anonymous surveys is published! Empowering 13-15-year-olds to self-consent could overcome barriers to low risk, impactful mental health intervention research. Learn more: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/3...
- 📣 Systematic Review in Feb’s ECAP: Youngest children in school year more commonly diagnosed with, & prescribed medication for, #ADHD, than older classmates #relativeage effect also associated with receipt of diagnosis of #ASD. Great work led by Eleni Frisira 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalNew research shows >50% of specialist adult mental health service use comes from former #CAMHS patients We need early intervention in childhood to change these poor long-term outcomes That's why we need much more research on mental illness prevention in #CAMHS 👉 www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
- “Much learning to be taken from this trial, which provides probably the best data insights we have into child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in England.. well worth a read!” www.linkedin.com/posts/rachel... Full STADIA paper link here: acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalGreat to see this quote about my latest novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent from @ksbhui.bsky.social up there in lights! Do use the link to pre-order your copy! #newfiction #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthSupport www.waterstones.com/book/the-won...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalFemales with ADHD differ in their symptom profile to males with ADHD, highlighting the need for future research to identify and characterise symptoms typical of female ADHD www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalImportant new #NIHR research calls for standardized online info for #CAMHS units & better support for families facing distance/cost barriers. Policy should recognize some families prefer at-distance/adult ward options. Mental health care access must consider practical realities tinyurl.com/ytfzuacj
- Thank you for the podcast invitation @elainelockhart.bsky.social. It was a pleasure to meet with Asilay and discuss the ‘STADIA’ trial findings and implications for #CAMHS service delivery. If anyone is interested, full article @acamh.bsky.social is freely available here: doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
- podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t... More excellent content with Prof Kapil Sayal and Andrea Danese talking about the large multi-centred RCT STADIA study and the impact of trauma and PTSD in children and young people. Less than 10% CYP with PTSD access effective treatment.
- Reposted by Kapil SayalCome and do a funded PhD with me, @benjaminbarr.bsky.social , and Leanne Jackson #perinatal #mentalhealth www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgr...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalIt’s no surprise to read that there are negative aspects to sending young people experiencing mental health crisis distant wards, or to adult wards. The surprise is how little attention this appears to get from funders and researchers, and policy makers, the media and the general public.
- This is the first systematic review investigating the impact of child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric admissions out-of-area or to adult wards www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10....
- Reposted by Kapil SayalFor anyone involved in researching or delivering universal school based interventions- read this important thread. We need to learn from what doesn’t work! And even more from what causes harm.
- For researchers working in this field who are considering how to plan for, measure and report negative effects from trials, the below paper will hopefully be of help www.nature.com/articles/s44... /end
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThis is the first systematic review investigating the impact of child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric admissions out-of-area or to adult wards www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10....
- Time to act: hundreds of children sent out of area every day for mental health treatment @rcpsych.bsky.social, @drladesmith.bsky.social, @elainelockhart.bsky.social www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal
- Many thanks for sharing Elaine; we have been gathering evidence via the #FarAwayfromHome study The article also highlights wider systematic barriers to care, identified in STADIA - despite significant mh needs many #CAMHS referrals are rejected, with delays in receiving help doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThe Institute of Mental Health brings together healthcare staff and academics to lead mental health research designed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care. We are a partnership between Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Nottingham. institutemh.org.uk
- Reposted by Kapil SayalIn the midst of a crisis in youth mental health, more than half of all medical schools in the UK & Ireland do not even have a single professor in child & adolescent psychiatry New in #BJPsych www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
- Agree, very timely report from @cypmentalhealth.bluesky.social We need to enhance access and quality of care. STADIA trial in CAMHS highlights significant mh needs - but many referrals are rejected, with delays in receiving help doi.org/10.1111/jcpp... New ACAMH blog👉 www.acamh.org/blog/the-sta...
- We all need to get behind the #FutureMindsCampaign to call for immediate and scalable steps to address children's mental health. Find the report here cypmhc.org.uk/publications...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalDid you know: 1 in 5 children face challenges with their mental health? 🧠 We’re addressing overlooked mental health conditions affecting children & young people. That’s why our 2025 Emerging Leaders Prize will focus on this vital theme. Learn more: bit.ly/4jEVuE4 #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek
- Reposted by Kapil SayalI work with such talented and committed nursing academics in Cardiff University. Excellent teaching, outstanding research: all in a School with a history of doing this for more than half a century. All now at risk, with letters informing us of possible redundancy landing yesterday. Very poor.
- Reposted by Kapil Sayal1/2 Huge study from the team behind the MAPS study, and mandatory reading for paediatricians, MH teams and child health workforce. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
- “The clinical and cost effectiveness of a STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties: the STADIA multi-centre randomised controlled trial” Full article freely available here: 👇 acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThe risks arising from having ADHD: physical health, mental health, social and lifestyle www.nationalelfservice.net?p=207480 Jack Wainwright explores how ADHD can impact all aspects of our lives, not just the three key symptom domains, but our lifestyle, social life, physical and mental health.
- 📣 New Research! It took 6 years but we got there! The STADIA trial reports… What we did: Large multi-centre #RCT with 1225 children and young people with emotional difficulties referred to #CAMHS across England, followed-up for 18 months. 6 Headline findings… see below… (1/7)
- (1) These children and young people had high levels of mental health needs - 67% scored very high for ≥1 emotional disorder on the DAWBA, most commonly depression or an anxiety disorder. However, only 11% received a clinical diagnosis of an emotional disorder from CAMHS. (2/7)
- (2) The completion of the DAWBA (an online standardised diagnostic assessment tool) by young people and parents, soon after the referral had been received by CAMHS, did not impact on receiving a clinical diagnosis from CAMHS. (3/7) doi.org/10.1111/jcpp...
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View full thread(7) A huge thank you to all the children, young people and families who made #STADIA possible, @nihr.bsky.social, our brilliant PPI group members, oversight groups, and all the researcher and clinical teams in the participating Trusts.
- Look out for further posts re the STADIA trial findings…
- Standardized Diagnostic Assessment tools at referral stage showed no benefit for evaluating youth emotional disorders in specialized CAMHS settings with high referral thresholds. This study questions routine implementation in these contexts acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Reposted by Kapil SayalPublished my first paper! Give it a read 🥰
- This study showed that children were less likely to be diagnosed with #ADHD if they have higher cognitive ability, more physical activity, more prosocial skills, no diagnosis of autism, and fewer behavioural, emotional, peer and conduct issues acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThis study showed that children were less likely to be diagnosed with #ADHD if they have higher cognitive ability, more physical activity, more prosocial skills, no diagnosis of autism, and fewer behavioural, emotional, peer and conduct issues acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
- Reposted by Kapil SayalKey findings: 🗝️ PATTERNS OF ACCESS 1 | Many adolescents report having accessed #mentalhealth support in the last year (27% of our @oxwell.bsky.social sample) & around half of these have accessed 2+ types. 2 | Friends & family were most common, followed by schools & then health & social care.
- Reposted by Kapil SayalPrevention is where it's at for children and young people's mental health buff.ly/3ZYowa0 Beth Cumber investigates the effectiveness of preventive interventions for children and young people at-risk of developing mental health problems. #YouthMentalHealth #Prevention #EarlyIntervention
- Out now in latest @SocSciMed-MH ... "Snakes and Ladders", first qualitative paper from @nihr.bsky.social STADIA. Highlighting: •mismatch between expectations & outcomes of #CAMHS referrals •guidance for improving referral journeys 👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.ss... Main trial findings coming Jan 2025!
- Reposted by Kapil SayalAs a supplement to "No decision about me, without me: Collaborating with young people in mental health research," we include an infographic with guidance for young research advisors, created by a ReSET Young Person Advisory Group member
- And even more challenging when the young person has been admitted out of area mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/26/1...
- 🆕 REPORT. Moving from inpatient children and young people’s mental health services due to a change in age rather than a change in need can have a significant impact on young people, their families and carers. Read the report: buff.ly/3DbkaTY #PatientSafety
- Reposted by Kapil SayalExcited to share our new review on PPI with young people in mental health research, including recommendations for how to conduct co-production and co-design! We also have a response from two young people with experience of collaborating on mental health research. Link to the paper below
- Many Congratulations, Anita, very well deserved award and recognition!
- Congratulations to Professor Anita Thapar on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for her pioneering work in psychiatric genetics! A great honor recognising her contributions to mental health research. 👏 www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/28... #Genetics #MentalHealth #ResearchExcellence
- Some really exciting post doc opportunities to work with @marialoades.bsky.social and the MHRG at Bath…
- Interested in mental health/young people's mental health? We have got post doc jobs out to advert now! www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy... - this is part of the NIHR award to Bath, and the post doc opportunities are very exciting. Working potentially across work packages and getting training too!
- Reposted by Kapil SayalResearch reveals power imbalance in youth mental health services may deter help-seeking behavior among young people. Evidence points to need for restructuring professional-patient dynamics. Important implications for service delivery and accessibility acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Interested in child and youth mental health assessment & diagnosis research? Still time to register for tomorrow’s Wolfson Centre Clinical Spotlight free webinar ➡️ bit.ly/WolfsonCS3 👇
- Interested in child and youth mental health assessment & diagnosis research? Register now for the Wolfson Centre Clinical Spotlight webinar ➡️ bit.ly/WolfsonCS3 I will be sharing the outcomes, findings & learning from the recently completed #CAMHS STADIA RCT 📅 11 December, 2pm GMT- Please share
- Reposted by Kapil SayalThis study adds to the evidence base that females with #ADHD experience later recognition & treatment of ADHD, possibly in part because of diagnostic overshadowing from other mental health conditions, such as anxiety & depression, or initial misdiagnosis acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
