Qi Wu, Research Fellow, Department of Health Sciences, the Mental Health and Addictions Research Group
Qi has been working as a health economist in the Department of Health Sciences since 2010. She obtained her MSc in Health Economics and a BSc in Biology, with a specific focus on human diseases, both from the University of York.
Her principal areas of research involve economic evaluation alongside clinical trials and the application of decision-analytic modelling.
email: qi.wu@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Qi:
What do you do in the field of mental health?
In the field of mental health, I primarily work as a researcher focusing on the intersection of mental health and addiction, particularly tobacco and alcohol. My work includes identifying the economic burden of smoking in people with mental illness and assessing the cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions, both long term and short term. Additionally, I have been involved in clinical trials that evaluate interventions to prevent and treat mental health conditions such as depression.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is contributing to the understanding of the financial and health implications of substance use in individuals with mental illness. It's particularly inspiring to know that the interventions we develop and evaluate have the potential to reduce harmful behaviours, such as smoking and excessive drinking.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
The complexity of mental health and addiction makes this work challenging. It may be difficult to recruit and retain participants in studies especially for clinical trials, due to stigma or fear of being judged. Symptoms of mental illness may interfere with participants' ability to consistently engage with the trial, leading to high dropout rates.
What impact do you hope your work is having- or can potentially have?
My hope is that our research will promote a deeper understanding of the economic burden that addictive behaviour imposes upon both the NHS and society at large. This, in turn, can inform public health policy towards developing more effective and cost-effective interventions that reach and benefit a larger number of people. Indeed, the work we have conducted over the past decade has been helpful in transforming smoking culture and providing evidence that supports smoking-related policy changes in mental health settings.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
As others have already emphasised the importance of balancing work and personal life, as well as maintaining good relationships with family and friends, I'd like to offer another piece of advice: food. A balanced diet is essential for overall health, including mental health. Therefore, incorporating brain-friendly foods into your diet, such as those rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., fatty fish like salmon, mackerel), nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, can be beneficial.