Claire Warrington, Research Fellow, IMRY and VPRC*
Claire’s current research is examining police mental health and well being, which combines her prior professional and academic expertise in relation to mental health in the criminal justice system.
email: claire.warrington@hyms.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Claire:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
Prior to academia, I worked in prison mental health, as well as in the Probation Service. My research has mostly focused on the experience of people in contact with the criminal justice system who face further marginalisation. My PhD examined repeated police Mental Health Act detention, which is often related to suicide prevention and trauma.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
I have been privileged to work alongside, as well as to interview, some incredible people with lived experience of mental health crises. As cliché as it sounds, I find the human spirit inspirational – people’s determination to keep going and for many, to use horrendous experiences they’ve been through to try to help others. Coupled with this are some amazing practitioners (and I include many of the police I have worked with in this) who have maintained a tireless commitment to improve services and the care of people in distress.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
It’s always hard to see how people are impacted by inequalities, especially when these are structural or have become embedded in how systems operate.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
I want my research to help amplify voices that aren’t often heard and to do justice to the generosity participants show by getting involved in studies. I also hope my work can help to chip away at some of the entrenched stigma that is still faced by too many people who experience psychological distress.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
Be a better (kinder and more compassionate) friend to yourself.
*ESRC funded Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre (Universities of York and Leeds)