Kelly Hollingsworth, Research Assistant, Department of Health Sciences
Kelly is a Research Assistant in the Mental Health and Addiction Research Group. Kelly graduated from The University of Nottingham, with a BA in Sociology and a MSc Psychology (Conversion).
Following her graduation, she worked as an Activity Coordinator in the NHS on psychiatric adult acute inpatient wards in York.
Prior to moving to the university, Kelly worked in the NHS supporting the delivery of multiple studies.
email: kelly.hollingsworth@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Kelly:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
I support the delivery of a research programme called ComBAT; a study looking to develop and evaluation a behavioural activation intervention. My main responsibilities are to carry out the research processes such as recruitment and data collection.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
What I find most rewarding about this work comes from working directly with our young people and their families. Being able to have a positive impact on their mental health and seeing how this can improve their life is inspiring for me to carry on in this field.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
It has been a challenge to engage young people in research. They have limited to no experience in being part of research and what this means, therefore, can be put off taking part. We are also working with community services, who have found it difficult to introduce the topic of research. We have been working together to ensure that our professionals and young people feel knowledgeable about what it means to be a participant in our research.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
I hope that our research can have a positive impact in supporting young people with their mental health by helping them get earlier access to support. In addition, by giving professionals who work with young people a tool that can help them to feel supported and encouraged to give mental health support.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
To take the time to check in with how I am feeling and know that it is okay to rest and take the time to look after myself, just as I would with my physical health.