Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research
Conducting translational research into the understanding and psychological treatment of bipolar disorder and other related conditions.
Mental health
In the mental health research theme, our interests cover the entire the lifespan, encompass a variety of methodologies and include several research areas. These include bipolar disorder and related conditions, chronic neurological conditions that cause disability and ill-health and organisational health and well-being.
Tab Content: Our research
In the mental health research theme, our interests cover the entire the lifespan, encompass a variety of methodologies and include several research areas. These include bipolar disorder and related conditions, chronic neurological conditions that cause disability and ill-health and organisational health and well-being.
Working within the Faculty's high-profile Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, the Centre for Organisational Health and Well-Being (COHWB), Public Mental Health Research Group and EmBody, our interests encompass:
- investigations of the psychological processes that underpin mental health conditions
- sleep and circadian rhythms
- development and evaluation of innovative treatments, ranging from collaborative care models through face-to-face therapy to web-based self-management approaches
- understanding work-based stress
- exploring effects of social media on well-being
- psychological aspects of living with a chronic illness
We conduct our research across a wide range of community, primary, secondary and tertiary care NHS settings and with local charities and third sector organisations. We attract funding from international and national funding councils as well as charities and other funders.
A key theme through our research is active engagement and collaboration with service users. This ensures that the focus of our work targets issues of genuine significance to those affected by the condition being studied.
Tab Content: Research areas
Particular research areas within the theme include:
- Psychological treatments for bipolar disorder and related conditions
- Prevention, community and therapeutic approaches in clinical psychology
- Collaborative care approaches to supporting individuals with severe mental health issues in primary care
- Living well with a chronic illness
- Understanding the effects of social media on well-being
- Exploring stress at work and how to mitigate it
- Understanding mental health across the lifespan
- Exploring the influences of sleep and circadian rhythms on mental health
Tab Content: Research activity
Several funding bodies contribute to the range of research activity within this theme. For example, the Spectrum Centre, which has attracted £6million since its launch, has received funding from such bodies as NIHR, charities and third sector organisations. Other researchers' work is funded by charities such as Parkinson's UK and the European Huntington Disease Network.
Staff are interested in the potential of both quantitative and qualitative methods to answer key questions. For example, experience-sampling methods and advanced modelling have recently been used to inform our research.
A key part of all our activities is the need to demonstrate the impact of our research: we have made tangible and measurable differences to the lives of people affected by mental health issues.
Tab Content: Service user involvement
A key theme through our research is active engagement and collaboration with service users to ensure that the focus of our work targets issues of genuine significance to those affected by the condition being studied.
- MRC funded research 'What are the impacts of service user involvement in health and social care research' (Lobban Co-I)
- Two projects shortlisted for Mental Health Research Network Service User involvement awarded (Lobban)
- Cochrane Reviews of Collaborative care for people with severe mental illness (Lead author: Reilly) and Psychological Therapies for pathological and Problem Gambling (Lead author: Cowlishaw)
Research centres and groups
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Organisational Health and Well-Being
Conducting high quality leading edge research of relevance and utility to Employers, HR specialists, Health and Safety Managers and Allied Health Professionals as well as the academic community.
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EmBody
Conducting advanced interdisciplinary research at the intersection of physical and mental health.
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Public Mental Health Research Group
Understanding the social determinants of mental health problems, developing and evaluating public mental health interventions.
Research spotlight
Lancaster University academics are helping the NHS deliver better mental health treatments that have improved the lives of millions of people.
People
A wide range of individuals contribute to our understanding of mental health and represent a number of different academic disciplines. For example, we have psychologists, sociologists, public health specialists, geographers and other social scientists who are all undertaking meaningful research designed to make a difference to people's lives.