The Royal College of Psychiatrists Podcast

Intern Summer Special: Mental Health in the Age of AI

The Royal College of Psychiatrists Podcast

Show Notes

As part of their summer internship at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17-year-olds Anisa and Barira took on the challenge of producing their very own podcast episode. Curious about the role of artificial intelligence in mental health, they sat down with Dr Prateek Varshney, a child psychiatrist and medical educator, to explore the promises and pitfalls of AI in psychiatry.

From self-diagnosis online to the risks of people forming emotional attachments to chatbots, this conversation asks whether technology can support psychiatry, or if it risks undermining the very human connections at its core.

Disclaimer: This interview was part of a learning journey for the interns. The questions, ideas, and conversations you’ll hear reflect their curiosity and Dr Varshney’s insights. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the College.

More from The Royal College of Psychiatrists Podcast

Oct 7, 2026

The theme for Black History Month this year is 'honouring our communities'. We marked the event by having a sitdown with Dr T. Ayodele Ajayi MBchB FRCPsych, a Consultant Psychiatrist, and founder of Tripart Care Emotional Well-Being Global Hub.

Sep 9, 2026

In this episode of Children's Mental Health Listen Up, hosts Dr Elaine Lockhart and Dr Asilay Seker are joined by Dr Jose Mediavilla, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist to explore anxiety in children and young people.

Sep 4, 2026

In this special episode, Dr Leah B. Henen leads a gentle guided meditation designed to help you reconnect with your body and find a sense of containment, even in the middle of a hectic day. Through simple, grounding techniques, this practice supports greater self-awareness and offers practical tools for managing stress.

Jul 2, 2026

In this episode of Children's Mental Health: Listen Up!, hosts Dr Elaine Lockhart and Dr Asilay Sekar are joined by Dr Guy Northover, Chair of the Child and Adolescent Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, to explore psychosis in children and young people.

Jun 8, 2026

This episode explores a core priority of the UK’s first Women’s Mental Health Strategy: implementing national initiatives that create lasting, systemic change.

See all episodes →