Public Mental Health Research Group

The Public Mental Health Research group led by Dr Laura Goodwin, takes a multidisciplinary perspective spanning, Psychology, Epidemiology, Health economics and Participatory research to understand the social determinants of mental health problems and to develop and evaluate public mental health interventions. Specific themes include co-occurring mental health and substance use problems, mental health of young people, and research involving underserved groups (e.g. minoritised ethnic groups and coastal and rural communities). The group have received funding from national bodies, including NIHR, in addition to charity sector funding. Methods include traditional experimental and observational approaches, in addition to quasi-experimental evaluation.

SPECTRUM Centre

The Spectrum Centre, led by Professor Steve Jones and Professor Fiona Lobban, has published extensively in the field of mental health, aiming to co-design, evaluate, and implement novel psychosocial approaches to improving mental health. We work closely with people with lived experience, as well as health and social care professionals, to drive meaningful changes in mental health policy and practice. Our work has focused on a range of mental health needs, including bipolar disorder, alcohol use and mental health, psychosis, and mood disorders. We have developed interventions delivered digitally, through peer support, in groups, and via individual therapy. Methodologically, we specialise in realist methodology, randomised controlled trials, and mixed-methods approaches.

EmBody

EmBody, led by Professor Jane Simpson, focuses on the interface between physical and mental health. Researchers lead studies into the mental health of people with chronic physical conditions (such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease) or physical difficulties (such as tremor) and physical health in people with mental health challenges. Attracting funding from international and national funding bodies, this group has lead the development of psychological therapies for people with neurological conditions, developing the first mindfulness intervention for people with Parkinson’s, for example.

We very much value our relationships with those who provide mental health services – e.g. in the UK, the NHS and the voluntary sector - and we have pioneered the input of service users into our research projects. We offer PhD supervision and a specific programmes relating to mental health, e.g., the Blended learning PhD in mental health and the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.