Project MH59

NIHR Mental Health Research Leader Award

The project aims to increase participation in applied mental health research across Essex. We aim to do this by developing a new team of researchers. They will work closely with local communities to understand the needs and priorities in the area.

Background

The University of Essex (UoE) will develop a programme of mental health (MH) research to help communities in Essex, Southend and Thurrock. Many people experience MH problems in these communities, especially in coastal areas. There has been little MH research with Essex residents to date because of limited funding and skilled researchers.

We will develop a new team of researchers to deliver this project. This will include a Professor of Mental Health Research, two researchers and a person responsible for involving patients and the public. We will also fund 9 research students (3 PhDs, 6 clinical psychology trainees). The students will receive guidance and support from the research team.

The new team will work alongside experts in public health, statistics, clinical psychology, sociology, child and adolescent psychiatry. They will work with local communities and MH providers to identify the needs and priorities in the area.

Project Aims

The main goal for the new team is to engage with patients and the public by establishing a diverse group of patient, public and community representatives to work with us; and expand our advisory group of local professionals and policymakers. 

The team will carry out research on loneliness and social isolation in relation to MH in young adults living in coastal communities. We already know that young adults, LGBT and ethnic minority youth are most disadvantaged in terms of accessing MH care.

Project Activity

  • The research during the first 2 years will focus on disadvantaged youth groups. We will analyse existing national survey data and carry out in-depth interviews with local residents to
    understand their needs. The research students will also do research projects on these topics.
  • The new Professor will develop a detailed research proposal for Years 3-5 and submit an application for a Mental Health Research Group (MHRG). To do this, they will use research findings from the first phase of research (Years1-2). They will include advice from experts at our partner universities and our local professionals, policymakers, patient, public and community representatives.
  • The MHRG proposal will set out a broad programme of research that addresses MH inequalities across Essex, Southend and Thurrock, focusing on coastal areas. In developing the MHRG proposal, we will talk to other universities in our region through the NIHR East of England Applied Research
    Consortium to ensure our research will benefit residents across the whole region.

Anticipated or actual outputs

  • The first phase of the project will develop a detailed proposal for how locally identified community needs can be addressed. This will form the basis of an application to become a NIHR Mental Health Research Group.
  • Alongside this aim, we will develop academic and non-academic outputs relating to the needs and experiences of loneliness and social isolation experienced by young people across Essex.

Who is involved?

Contact

MH59