‘Understanding Teenage Mental Health’ – Café Science Extra on 10th June

Published On Thu 4 Jun 2015 by Grant Hill

Kirsty Miller, from the University of Dundee, will discuss her research into teenage mental health at the next Café Science Extra event in the city.

Kirsty, a PhD student in the University’s School of Psychology, will lead the event at Dundee Science Centre at 6pm on Wednesday, 10th June. She will reveal how a study she and her colleagues conducted identified the social factors that can impact mental wellbeing in teenagers and young adults.

“Adolescents account for around a quarter of the world’s population and are at high risk from mental disorders and participation in risky behaviours,” she said. “It appears that recent attempts to improve their health have been largely unsuccessful - so what can be done?”

“Based on findings from our study of over 1000 high school pupils, we highlight social factors that can influence young people’s mental health. This is a novel approach that we believe will help us create interventions that address adolescent health problems. These findings open up the possibility of efficient and cost-effective alternatives to recent attempts to address health problems in young people.”

Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted over 6500 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally.

Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from Scotland’s Universities, organised by the University of Dundee, Abertay University, and Dundee Science Centre.

‘Understanding Teenage Mental Health’ takes place at Infusion coffee shop, Dundee Science Centre, at 6pm on Wednesday, 10th June. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.       

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277