Mental Health Social Care Research Centre

Introduction

Mental health is a significant issue confronting society on a global scale. Mental health problems impact upon the lives of millions of people on a daily basis. The cost of poor mental health to individuals, societies and economies is significant. However, there are many ways to maintain or improve our mental health which are within our reach.

Our mental health is supported by the communities we live in, people we see, places we go or things we do every day. Other people often provide the key to unlocking good mental health. It may be friends, family or colleagues; your GP, a mental health professional or a social care worker; or even a stranger you meet in the street; all of whom can provide vital support for you.

The Mental Health Social Care Research Centre aims to generate evidence about effective ways of improving our mental health and supporting people with mental health problems to be full citizens. It focuses on social approaches which do not rely on medication or therapy. It also explores features of our social, cultural and natural environments which are crucial for our mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health social care enables people to lead fulfilling and independent lives through personalised support, advocacy and advice. It supports people to be active citizens, with meaningful and purposeful lives, through working in and with communities. Mental health social care embraces diversity, and promotes equality and inclusion, while seeking to meet needs of individuals, families and communities. Our research helps to build the evidence base for mental health social care to enable people to obtain the support they require.

Who we are

Prof Martin Webber (Director) uses a range of methodologies to explore effective ways to support people and their mental health. He specialises in intervention studies and evaluations of innovative social approaches to improving mental health.

Dr Beth Casey’s research to date has focused on the development and evaluation of social interventions for people experiencing mental health problems. She is committed to producing research that involves the contribution of marginalised or disadvantaged groups, including those that access health and social care services.

Dr Nicola Moran’s research interests centre around communicating with people in mental distress, unpaid carers and mental health, the interface of mental health and the criminal justice system, social interventions for people experiencing mental ill health, and mental health training for non-mental health professionals (including police officers and social workers).  While predominantly a qualitative researcher, Nicola has experience of a range of methodological approaches.

Dr Chandani Nekitsing has a background in Research and Health Psychology and has worked on a range of health behaviour projects across lifespan (including mental health, human appetite, health screening and uptake of physical activity). More recently working on a NIHR funded Community Navigator Trial looking at developing and testing a programme of support to increase community connections and reduce loneliness for people with long-term depression.

Dr Ruth Naughton-Doe is an applied mental health researcher currently working with under-served perinatal populations to address the social determinants of mental ill health. 

Dr Laura Tucker is a mental health and social care researcher and a qualified social worker, with experience in collaborative research with marginalised and excluded groups. Her research interests include professional roles in mental health, especially mental health social work, public and patient involvement and mental health interventions with ‘hidden’ populations.