Who we are

The CASPER research team is part of the Mental Health and Addiction Reseach Group, a partnership of the University of York’s Department of Health Sciences and the Hull York Medical School. The team works alongside colleagues in the York Trials Unit at the University of York and academics from the Universities of Leeds, Keele and Durham, and researchers from the North East hub MHRN and Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS.

The Mental Health and Addiction Research Group researches into common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The disorders we research are disabling and often go unrecognised and undertreated, particularly in older people.

The group is directed by Professor Simon Gilbody, Chief Investigator of the CASPER study who explains:

“As a group we look into the causes, consequences and treatments for these conditions, focusing on brief psychological treatments which can be delivered over the telephone, via computer or in the GP surgery. CASPER is one of several publicly-funded trials which we have been commissioned to undertake on behalf of the NHS into common mental health problems. We are keen to expand the range of psychological and social interventions offered in the NHS, but only if they are shown to be effective and good value for money. Therefore as part of any project we work very closely with colleagues at the University in the York Trials Unit and the Centre for Health Economics.”