This RCSI MyHealth Series event, focusing on the topic of cannabis, will explore the latest research on how cannabis affects brain development and mental health in young people. The event will feature healthcare providers as well as a patient advocate who will share their personal story to shed light on the challenges young people and families face. 

This in-person event is free of charge and open to the general public to attend. 

Pre-registration is essential to secure your place.

To help us with planning, please register your interest via the link on this page and indicate if you intend to attend in person. If you are bringing additional guests, please ensure each person completes a separate registration form to secure their place.

The event will be chaired by Miriam O’Callaghan, Irish television presenter and current affairs presenter with RTÉ.

Joining us for the evening will be Ms Laura Stack, Founder and CEO of Johnny’s Ambassadors. After the tragic loss of her son Johnny to suicide, Laura established this non-profit organisation to educate teens and parents about the potential impacts of cannabis on brain development, mental health, and the risk of suicide.  

Other panellists include:

• Professor Mary Cannon, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, RCSI and Consultant Psychiatrist, Beaumont Hospital 
• Professor Norman Delanty, Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital, Clinical Investigator with FutureNeuro Research Centre, and RCSI Honorary Clinical Professor  
• Professor Colin O’Gara, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Addiction Services, St John of God Hospital; Clinical Professor, Medicine & Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University College Dublin 

We want to make you aware that this discussion will cover sensitive topics, including suicide. Our goal is to provide an open and educational space for attendees, but we also want to ensure that everyone feels prepared for the nature of the conversation. If you've been affected by any of the issues that are raised as part of this discussion, please get in touch with Pieta House 24 Hour Freephone Crisis Helpline 1800 247 247

Accessibility: Full access. ISL Interpretation will be available for this in-person event.

CPD: 1 CPD Credit has been approved for this in-person event.

RCSI MyHealth Series 2024/25 

Running since 2017, the RCSI MyHealth lecture series aims to demystify common health concerns by drawing expertise and insight from RCSI researchers and international health experts at the cutting-edge of medical and healthcare developments. The series was recently announced as a winner in the Best of Europe Region Awards 2024 by CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

The episodes are for anyone wanting to learn about common illnesses and health-related topics directly from leading healthcare experts and explore a wide range of areas in health and well-being.  

This year, the programme will feature a number of in-person events offering the public the unique opportunity to engage directly with RCSI experts at our live sessions, as well as our popular online episodes.

All episodes, including our in-person events, will be made available to watch on the RCSI YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can listen to the podcast version by searching ‘RCSI MyHealth’ on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.  

Join the RCSI MyHealth conversation at #RCSIMyHealth. Don’t forget to subscribe to the RCSI YouTube and podcast channels, where you’ll find extensive content on a range of health science topics.  

For more information and to watch or listen back to previous RCSI MyHealth series episodes, please visit rcsi.com/myhealth  

Subscribe to the RCSI MyHealth mailing list here to be the first to get notified about the new series of events and episodes.