Mental Health and Wellbeing

Our theme focuses on communities experiencing the greatest mental health inequalities. We will improve access to support, strengthen services, and advocate for the needs of the health and social care workforce, including unpaid and family carers.

Improving mental health is a national priority, as rising levels of mental ill‑health are worsening people’s experiences and increasing pressure on health and care services. 

Different communities face varied pressures and experiences, meaning that a single approach cannot meet everyone’s needs. Research provides the evidence needed for diverse, person‑centred mental health approaches that work for the varied populations across our region and beyond.

What do we aim to achieve? 

Our work will address inequalities affecting populations across the East of England with a high prevalence of mental health challenges, including people from coastal and rural areas, neurodiverse individuals, women in underserved and vulnerable communities, and children and young people. We will also develop research that supports the health and social care workforce, including unpaid and family carers, by advocating for their needs.

We will address place‑focused inequalities and inequities in mental health through our partnerships with community‑based networks and initiatives. Our long‑standing relationships with health and care organisations across the region will help us understand how best to ensure our research reaches the people and services that need it most.

To get involved with our theme, please contact Professor Kristy Sanderson or Dr Emma Kaminskiy at kristy.sanderson@uea.ac.uk or emma.kaminskiy@aru.ac.uk.

Related network and group: