Free webinar: understanding dissociation, social media, and young people's mental health
Dissociation and depersonalisation are experiences that can occur for many different reasons, including stress or overwhelming situations. These experiences are being spoken about more frequently, both within clinical settings and in everyday conversations, including online. To support clearer, evidence-based understanding, an online webinar hosted at the University of Birmingham will introduce a new co-produced educational booklet designed to help young people, families, and professionals talk about dissociation in an informed and supportive way.
The webinar, Invisible Barriers, TikTok, and Talking About It: What Young People (and Mental Health Professionals) Need to Know About Dissociation, will take place on Thursday 13 November 2025, 12:00–1:30 PM via Zoom.
The event will introduce the new Understanding Dissociation and Depersonalisation booklet, created through a partnership between researchers, clinicians, and young people with lived experience. The resource aims to make information about dissociation clearer, more accessible, and free from stigma.
Speakers include:
- Dr Emma Černis, Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, University of Birmingham
- Joe Perkins, Author of Life on Autopilot and lived experience advocate
- Gwen Webb, Unreal
- Dr Claudia Hallett, Principal Clinical Lead, South London and Maudsley NHS depersonalisation service
- A young co-producer with lived experience
The session will cover how dissociation is understood clinically, how it is discussed online, and what young people themselves say about these experiences. There will also be a panel Q&A and the opportunity to access the booklet and provide feedback.
This event may be of interest to students studying psychology, sociology, education, medicine, social work, or anyone who wants to understand more about mental health, personal wellbeing, or supporting others.
Register for free.