Mental health research studies
Find out more about our current mental health research studies and how you can get involved.
In the UK about 140,000 15–19-year-olds experience depression. An estimated 35,000 young people access NHS treatment for depression, of which:
• about 14,000 do not respond.
• a further 8,000 are likely to experience depression again after initial successful treatment.
Teenagers who still have symptoms after treatment for low mood, depression or anxiety, or who relapse quickly, need more treatment options.
What is the study about?
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers (MAC) as a version of MBCT adapted to be more engaging for teenagers. MAC aims to help teenagers recover from depression and the parallel parent/carer group aims to support parents and carers to cope better.
We want to find out, Is Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers (MAC) plus treatment as usual (TAU) more effective and cost-effective compared to TAU alone; how does it work and for whom does it work best?
Who is running the study?
ATTEND is a Randomised Controlled Trial sponsored by Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge. The Principal Investigator is Professor Tamsin Ford, with Prof Clara Strauss leading for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The study is sponsored by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)
Timeline
ATTEND will be recruiting participants from June 2024 to January 2026.
What is the possible impact?
New treatment that could be implemented in NHS teams and schools across UK to support young people with depression/low mood. Potentially this treatment could be offered nationwide as a second-line intervention to teenagers who continue to struggle with symptoms of depression after receiving therapy. We hope this will not only help the young people offered this treatment but also reduce waitlists in CAMHS to improve access to mental health support.
Why should you take part?
You will be helping support in the development of a new treatment for depression and all participants will be randomised into either our treatment arm (offered an 8-week MAC group) or our control group (continue with current treatment). Both groups will be offered £60 incentive for involvement of the study (spread across one year).
What will taking part involve?
After being randomised to either 8-week MAC therapy group or control group, we ask participants to complete a short questionnaire every two weeks to track mood over one year so that we can compare how effective MAC is compared to current treatments offered in schools and the NHS.
Who can take part?
Young people between ages 15-18, struggling with low mood/depression, who have previously completed an evidence-based treatment for depression or anxiety.
How can I take part?
Contact us with your interest or fill in your details on the study website
Take a look at the study website here: www.
See a poster for the study here
See the participant information sheet here
Contact details
T: 07886 589752
E: attend
For Sussex site specific queries, please contact:
What is the study about?
The CONNECT study aims to address the question: Can wearables and smartphones help service users manage their mental health?
To answer this question, The University of Manchester has developed a remote digital data collection system via a smartphone app which they are testing to see if it can predict an individual’s chance of psychosis relapse.
Who is running the study?
The £12.5m study is being led by the University of Manchester, funded by The Wellcome Trust and in collaboration with lived experience advisors from the McPin Foundation to ensure people with lived experience of psychosis are involved throughout the study.
The CONNECT smartphone app will be tested across six higher education institutions and their partnering NHS trusts across the country, including the University of Sussex partnered with the Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust.
Why is the study being run?
People who experience psychosis can encounter changes in their activity levels, sleep pattern and getting out and about just before they become unwell or experience a relapse. For example, someone who is feeling very anxious or low might not feel like socialising much. They might stay at home more than usual, phone their friends less, sleep less and experience other changes.
In CONNECT, we are asking people with a diagnosis of psychosis to use the CONNECT app in conjunction with a wearable device (smartwatch or Fitbit) to see how changes in behaviours and patterns might relate to their mental health getting worse. In the future, by using this system it may be possible to tell in advance when someone’s mental health might be getting better or worse by looking at these changes and offering extra support at the time it is needed.
Why should you take part?
The insight gained could be transformative to how we manage psychosis and enable timely intervention to prevent relapses in mental health. By participating in CONNECT, you will be contributing to the development of new knowledge which could help people who experience psychosis in the future.
If you do not have your own smartphone and/or wearable device, we are able to provide these for you, and at the end of taking part in the 12-month study, you will be able to keep the smartphone and wearable device (if you asked for one to use during the study). We will also pay for your data network costs for the time you are using the CONNECT app (£10/month), and reimbursement for your time spent attending 3-monthly research assessments over the 12 months will be £20 per assessment. You will also be reimbursed for any reasonable travel to and from research appointments.
What will taking part involve?
Participants in the study will be asked to use a smartphone and a wearable device (Fitbit or smartwatch) and download the CONNECT app. Over a 12-month period, we will ask participants to answer a short set of questions via the CONNECT app a few times a week which asks about their thoughts, feelings and mood.
We will also collect information automatically (without participants needing to do anything) using sensors which are built into all modern smartphones and the wearable device. This information will be about things like a person’s general movements, sleep and activity levels. Using this information, we will be able to work out if changes in sleep or activity levels, for example, might be a sign of someone becoming unwell.
Finally, we will ask participants to meet with a researcher (by phone, online, or in person) every three months over the 12 months to attend an interview to discuss progress.
Who can take part?
People over 16 years old with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder who have experienced at least one acute episode of psychosis in the last two years and are under the care of NHS mental health services.
More information
See a short film about the study here
You can find out more about the study on the CONNECT Digital Study website
Publications and findings
- Digital remote monitoring (DRM) captures service users' health-related data remotely using devices such as smartphones and wearables. Data can be analysed using advanced statistical methods (eg, machine learning) and shared with clinicians to aid assessment of people with psychosis' mental health, enabling timely intervention.
- Fifty-nine mental health professionals were interviewed about their views on DRM in psychosis care. They saw the value of using DRM to detect early signs of relapse and to encourage service user self-reflection on symptoms. However, the accuracy of data collected, the impact of remote monitoring on therapeutic relationships, data privacy, and workload, responsibility and resource implications were key concerns. Policies and guidelines outlining clinicians' roles in relation to DRM and comprehensive training on its use are essential to support its implementation in practice.
- Further evaluation regarding the impact of digital remote monitoring on service user outcomes, therapeutic relationships, clinical workflows, and service costs is needed.
Contact
Please ask your care co-ordinator to get in touch if you are interested in participating in the study.
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
The study will develop a performance-based screening tool that measures personal qualities (e.g. empathy, warmth etc.) of psychological practitioners.
Sixty practitioners and undergraduate psychology students will be invited to take part in a role-play scenario with an actor building on vignettes of psychosis clients. Participants will be provided with specific instructions to enable them to role-play either low, medium or high skills in a particular therapeutic domain. The role-plays are not designed to evaluate the actual skills of the participants but rather to provide a full range of role-played skills in preparation for the next phase. The responses in this role-play will be video-recorded and will be used in the next phase of the study. We hope to find out whether this screening tool (and associated role-play scenarios) can be used to identify skills in psychological practitioners and whether the identified qualities promote trust in clinicians.
This would ensure that people working as psychological practitioners have the necessary personal qualities and it can help identify training needs.
Who is running the study?
This study is being conducted by Miriam Hiersch (PhD student, principal investigator) and Prof Kathryn Greenwood from the School of Psychology, University of Sussex. The study sponsor is the University of Sussex, and it’s funded through the South east Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS). The study has received approval from the Sciences & Technology Cross-Schools Research Ethics Committee (SCITEC) at the University of Sussex and the Health Research Authority (IRAS number: 341260). This phase of the study (phase 1) will only run in Sussex Partnership Trust, as participants need to be able to travel to Brighton and Hove to participate.
What is the possible impact?
The study is being done because the existing measures for assessing personal qualities of therapists (e.g. empathy, warmth etc,) are not specific to psychological practitioners or to working with psychosis clients. Psychological practitioners (such as assistant psychologists, mental health and wellbeing practitioners etc.) can deliver short interventions to people with psychosis. It is important that these practitioners have the necessary personal qualities to promote trust in patients and colleagues, to facilitate a good therapeutic relationship and to provide effective treatment. Therefore, the screening tool that will be developed through this study will help identify these personal qualities and could then be used during the hiring or training process.
What will taking part involve?
Taking part would involve you agreeing to meet the researcher to take part in a role-play scenario. An actor will portray a psychosis client. You will be given some information about this “client” and be given ten minutes to read through all the instructions before each scenario. This will allow you to role-play a therapist with low, medium or high skills. You will then be asked to talk to the “client” for around five minutes. You will be taking the role of a psychological practitioner who is seeing this “client” for the first time. You want to find out what the client’s main issues are and set some goals for the treatment. You will be provided with a description of the client and some prompts for what you should talk about and how you should act. You will meet with three separate “clients” for around five minutes each. The procedure is similar, but the client presentation will be slightly different every time. These interactions will be video-recorded, so that these videos can be used in the second phase of
What are the benefits of taking part?
- You may contribute some valuable input into personal qualities needed to deliver psychological treatment
- You might learn more about your own personal qualities
- You can also enter a £25 prize draw at the end
- If you are a student, you can get 4 SONA credits for your participation.
Who can take part?
- You can take part in this study if you are either an undergraduate with no experience delivering interventions or a psychological practitioner (e.g. Assistant Psychologist, Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner etc.) with some experience delivering interventions to people with psychosis (either less than one year or more than one year)
- You need to be at least 18 years old to participate and have no current (self-reported) mental health issues that might affect your participation
- Recruitment for this phase will be open until the end of June 2025.
How can I take part?
- Please email the principal investigator (Miriam Hiersch) to take part: mkh29
@sussex.ac.uk - You will then be sent potential dates and you can pick a date/time that suits you.
- The study will take place at the Sussex Education Centre in Hove or at the University of Sussex.
What is this project about?
People living with eating disorders can have problems that affect their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the people that care for them.
The aim of the project is to understand more about eating disorder symptoms, treatment and outcomes. It is hoped that this will lead to better treatments which work well for lots of different groups of people.
The purpose of the EDCRN project is to collect and record information about eating disorder symptoms, treatment, outcomes, demographics, risk factors and physical health markers in participating eating disorder services across the UK. This information will be collected through questionnaires, blood test results and other physical test results. The information will be recorded in a secure online platform.
Who is running the study?
King's College London (lead sponsor) and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (co sponsor) are the sponsors of the study.
Chief Investigator is Prof Gerome Breen
The Principal for Sussex Partnership is Amy Brown
The EDCRN dataset
The EDCRN dataset has been co-produced by people with lived experience, caregivers, clinicians and researchers. It comprises patient and carer-reported questionnaire data, and clinician-reported information on eating disorder presentation, diagnosis and biomarkers (where available).
All patients receiving treatment at services who take part in the EDCRN will be invited to take part. Data will be recorded via the EDCRN platform. Services will have instantaneous access to the information provided by patients and carers, and clinicians will be able to use the platform to review patient progress. To view the dataset in full, click here.
What is the possible impact?
The project is looking to test the feasibility of establishing a clinical research network for eating disorders, based in UK children and young people and adults NHS eating disorders services. Together with people with lived & living experience (PWLE), carers, clinicians and researchers, the study team will establish a minimum dataset to characterise presentation, treatment, outcome and demographic information. This will allow easier data collection and sharing, reducing burden on services. The EDCRN will enhance research culture across NHS ED services, increasing job satisfaction and staff retention, is designed to enable world class research and further therapeutic development, and to enable research across all domains relevant to eating disorders.
The project will help us to understand who is being seen in eating disorder services. We will also be able to learn which treatments patients are getting, and whether these treatments work. By asking services to collect the same information, we will be able to do more research into the factors influencing eating disorder development. We hope that this in turn will lead to better, more personalised treatments.
What will taking part involve?
You will be asked to fill in questionnaires on an online platform. You can access the platform through the website or download the app. The results of blood tests and other physical tests you have as part of your eating disorder treatment will also be available to view on the platform. All eating disorder services participating in the EDCRN will be asking their patients to complete the same questionnaires and recording the same test results. Your treatment team will have access to the information that you provide so that they can review your progress as part of the treatment you are receiving with them
Researchers from the project will ask you for permission to access your survey information and other general information from your GP or hospital health records such as your medicines, your other health conditions, blood tests or other tests you have as part of your treatment. The researchers will only use information that they need for the research study.
Everyone involved in this study will keep your data safe and secure. We will also follow all privacy rules. At the end of the study researchers will save some of the data in case they need to check it and for future research. The researchers will make sure no-one can work out who you are from the reports they write.
Why should you take part?
The EDCRN will help us to understand who is being seen in eating disorder services. During the initial phase of EDCRN, when participants are receiving treatment, we will also be able to learn which treatments patients are getting, and whether these treatments work. By asking services to collect the same information, we will be able to do more research into the factors influencing eating disorder development. We hope that this in turn will lead to better, more personalised treatments.
The EDCRN will help us to see how eating disorder symptoms change after someone has finished eating disorder treatment. We are also interested in other experiences of mental and physical health after eating disorder treatment.
We hope that this will lead to better treatments which work well for lots of different groups of people.
How can I take part?
If you or your loved one are receiving treatment at a service participating in the EDCRN, the team will be in touch with you directly inviting you to take part.
The first step will be to create an account on the online EDCRN platform. You can access the platform through the website or download the app. You will need access to a laptop, tablet or smartphone with internet connection to access the EDCRN platform and set your profile up.
Contact details
If you have any questions or require more information about this project, please contact the research team by email: EDCRN
There is more information on the study website: Eating Disorders Clinical Research Network | King's College London
What is the study about?
The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) is a project exploring risk factors in individuals who have experienced eating disorders.
Who is running the study?
The project is led by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) BioResource Centre Maudsley (part of the NIHR BioResource), researchers at King’s College London and Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity.
Why is the study being run?
Eating disorders are severe psychiatric illnesses and are associated with one of the highest mortality rates within mental health.
EDGI is a project set up to explore risk factors in individuals who have experienced eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder or any other eating disorder at any time in their lives.
It aims to better understand the genetic and environmental links to eating disorders in order to improve treatments for current and future patients. EDGI is also part of the NIHR BioResource, which is a large panel of participants with and without health conditions, that are interested in taking part in research; with the aim to improve health and medical care.
Why should you take part?
- Taking part will contribute to knowledge about some of the causes of eating disorders. This knowledge may lead to better treatment guidelines and improve future care for patients
- EDGI is an information resource for members, therefore participants will have access to pages dedicated to providing useful information to members
- Once someone is a member, they will access to further optional questionnaires and the opportunity to take part in further research studies.
What will taking part involve?
- Providing access to your medical records
- Completing some questionnaires
- Giving a saliva sample
EDGI is also an online resource providing information, other optional questionnaires and research studies you may be interested in.
Who can take part?
Anyone who:
- Is aged 16+
- Lives in England
- Is currently experiencing or has experienced an eating disorder in the past
How can I take part?
Upon signing up, participants will be asked which NHS Trust they belong to - please enter 'Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust'.
Visit the EDGI UK website to find out more
Contact
Email: spft.
What is Early Intervention Mission about?
The study has 3 main aims - to:
- Advance precision medicine through research into risk stratification, tailored prevention, and early interventions;
- Improve our understanding of the longitudinal course and treatment of early psychosis; and
- Create a Research Register for Targeted Recall for Future Observational and Interventional Research Studies.
Who is running the study?
The study is jointly sponsored by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and by The University of Cambridge. The study is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) through the Mental Health Mission. The Chief Investigator is Graham Murray and the local principle investigator for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is James Stone.
What is the possible impact?
We hope that the information provided by participants will help to develop more effective approaches to clinical care and treatments, and to improve longer-term care for people with psychosis.
What will taking part involve?
- Taking part involves providing a blood sample and answering a set of questionnaires with a researcher.
- Shortly after this first assessment, participants will be invited to complete a second set of questionnaires on their mobile phone.
- Participants will then be asked to re-complete these questionnaires on their mobile phone every 6 months for a period of up to 3 years.
Participants will be reimbursed for their time.
- Everyone who provides a blood sample and completes the initial questionnaires with a researcher will be given £50. An additional £25 will be provided to those who complete a second set of questions on their mobile phone shortly after the first assessment. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires on their mobile phone at 6-month intervals and will receive a final £25 after 1 year.
Who can take part?
Eligible individuals must be aged 16 - 65 and be under the care of an Early Intervention in Psychosis team, and have experienced their first episode of psychosis in the last 3 years. Individuals who have been identified as having an At Risk Mental State, also known as being Clinically High Risk for Psychosis, in the last 3 years and are under the care of an Early Intervention team can also take part.
Participants cannot currently be in prison or in the custody of HM Prison Services.
How can I take part?
Please speak to your clinician if you would like to take part or contact Ruby Warden or Leanne Bogen-Johnston from SPFT research team directly.
There is more information on the study website here
You can learn more in an animation about the study here
Contact details
Ruby Warden or Leanne Bogen-Johnston
What is the study about?
We are testing a novel therapy against anxiety which focuses on signals from our bodies, such as heartbeats, and teaches people to better feel and understand these signals.
Who is running the study?
This study is organised by researchers at the Clinical Neuroscience Department at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The study sponsor is University of Sussex. Funding comes from the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Why is the study being run?
In this clinical trial, we have three goals. First, we want to see if this new therapy could be part of the standard treatments that are offered in NHS mental health services. Secondly, we want to test if patients prefer to receive our therapy by themselves or with guidance from an online therapist. Lastly, we want to make sure that HeartRater:Clinical is as inclusive and easy-to-use as possible.
Why should you take part?
The research is designed to help with symptoms of anxiety and may help with your experience of anxiety.
You will also help us to learn more about the treatment of anxiety for patients in the future
What will taking part involve?
- Eligibility Interview and informed consent
We will ask you some short questions, so we get a better idea of whether the therapy is the right fit for you or not. If the study criteria match you, we will ask you to complete a more detailed eligibility assessment. We will ask you to provide informed consent before you give us more information about your anxiety, your physical health, and your mental health in general.
If you are eligible, you will be randomly assigned to receive the therapy with an online therapist or by yourself. This means you have a 50:50 chance of being in either group. We will then ask you again to sign a consent form where you declare that you understand what your participation in the trial involves and consent to taking part in the trial. - Baseline Assessment
We will send you the necessary HeartRater: Clinical equipment in the post to your home. This will include detailed instructions on how to use everything, a tablet computer, and a sensor to measure your heart beats. This sensor is a research-type electrocardiogram (ECG), with three leads that you can attach yourself to your upper and lower body. For the baseline assessment, you will use the software on the tablet that guides you through the different steps. You will be asked to complete two tasks to test how well you can detect your heartbeat in your body, and a range of questionnaires about your anxiety, emotions, and other experiences. - Therapy sessions 1 - 4
In each therapy session, you will use the HeartRater:Clinical equipment. You will be asked to try and detect your heartbeat and receive feedback on how you are doing. This can be difficult in the beginning but will get easier with each session. You will complete 1-2 sessions per week, depending on your preference and availability. - Mid-point assessment
We will ask you again to complete the two tasks from the baseline assessment and fill out the same questionnaires.
- Therapy sessions 5 & 6
These are the same as therapy sessions 1-4.
- End-point assessment (2 hours)
The end-point assessment is the same as the baseline and mid-point assessment, with some additional questionnaires.
- We will also offer a reimbursement of £10/hour for the time you spend on the baseline, mid-point, and end-point assessments.
- If you take part in the trial, your participation will take approximately 8 weeks.
- You will still be able to receive standard IAPT/Talking Therapies treatment after you finish the trial.
Who can take part?
- Over the age of 18 years old
- A diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder
-
On the Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service treatment waiting list
How can I take part?
If you wish to learn more, please register your interest by emailing the research Coordinator (joanna.
Contact details:
Email: joanna.
Phone: 07825 753368
What is the study about?
- The study aims to find out how well we are providing treatment to people with Developmental Disabilities who go into hospital.
- We also want to find out if a particular group of individuals do better or worse when in hospital and why.
- This will help us provide better inpatient services for the future.
Who is running the study?
- Dr Andrew Dossett at the Selden Centre is the Principal Investigator at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- The Inpatient Register is being coordinated by the study team based at the University of Plymouth with the Cornwall Intellectual Disability Equitable Research (CIDER) centre.
What is the possible impact?
The study supports more evidence-based evaluation of inpatient care models and strengthens collaboration between inpatient and community teams. This has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and deliver more coordinated, patient-centred care.
Why should you take part?
The data you provide will be of potential benefit to the teams who have looked after you with information on how to improve their inpatient services.
What will taking part involve?
The study will start once you are admitted onto the ward as an inpatient. The consultant team, who has agreed to be involved in the study will start to collect health data, for example
- your age
- gender
- ethnicity
- diagnosis
- physical health problems
- how long you have been in hospital and
- when you get discharged.
Also during the admission, a HoNOS-LD score will be checked to see how well you are progressing, which will also be part of the data being collected. The data collected will be 'pseudonymised’, which means once the data is stored, we will not be able to personally identify you.
Who can take part?
- Anyone diagnosed with a Developmental Disability
- aged over 12 years to adult
- admitted at the Selden Centre can take part.
How can I take part?
Your consultant team at the Selden Centre will get in touch with you and explain the study at the time of your admission.
Contact details
If you have any questions about the study, please email
Principal Investigator, Dr Andrew Dossett: andrew.
or
Chief Investigator, Dr Rohit Shankar: Rohit.
What is the study about?
This qualitative study will explore the experiences of mental health professionals with a diagnosed mental health condition working in adult mental health services.
Who is running the study?
My name is Rosie Wooldridge I am a master’s student at the University of Brighton and a registered occupational therapist working in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). I am carrying out this research for my dissertation as part of my master’s degree. I also have lived experience of a mental health condition.
Why is the study being run?
A key justification of this study is that evidence shows high numbers of mental health professionals have a diagnosed mental health condition. Despite these high numbers, studies have shown that frequently mental health professionals do not always feel safe to disclose their mental health condition at work. This can be due to shame, stigma or even fear of losing their job. Stigmatising experiences whether direct or indirect can have a detrimental impact on wellbeing and potentially lead to increased sickness absence. Such experiences may also mean that mental health professionals are not getting appropriate support both at work and/or for their mental health condition.
Alongside exploring these challenges, this research hopes to raise more conversations around what it means on a daily basis to have a mental health condition whilst working as a mental health professional. It also hopes to explore the potential benefits of lived experience as a mental health professional.
Why should you take part?
A key potential benefit for you being in this study, is that is that this is still an under-researched area, and thus being part of a study like this is important in terms of raising awareness and understanding of what it is like to be a mental health professional with lived experience of a mental health diagnosis. Taking part in the research would create a space for you to share your views and experiences, of a subject that arguably is not talked about enough within mental health services.
What will taking part involve?
If you decide to take part, we will briefly meet up first to get to know each other, and I can answer any questions you may have. This would only take 10/15 minutes and could be online or face to face. You will then have up to two weeks to decide if this is something you want to get involved with. This will give you time to think whether taking part in this study is right for you. If you decide to take part, you will then sign an electronic consent form to agree to take part in the research, which will be emailed back to me.
The research itself is one interview, lasting a maximum of 90 minutes. The interview will aim to gain more of an understanding of your own experiences of working as a mental health professional with a diagnosis of a mental health condition. If practically feasible and suitable for you, the interview will be offered face to face, within office hours, in a location that suits you - in a private clinical room in SPFT or at the University of Brighton. It is also possible to do the interview online via Teams if this easier for you as it could be outside of office hours, and you may feel more comfortable at home. If the interviews are face-to-face then the audio will be recorded on a Dictaphone. If the interviews are online, they will be recorded using Teams.
Who can take part?
To be eligible for this research you will need to have a mental health condition as well as being a registered mental health professional at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
How can I take part?
If you have any questions or queries, or are interested in taking part, please email R.
Why is this study important?
- The first year of life is a critical time of development, but it is also the most common age for children to be brought to court by social workers in care proceedings. These infants' mothers often have contact with mental health services. They may also be parenting amidst issues such as poverty, lack of social support, and sometimes domestic violence or substance use. When social services become involved, it can put more pressure on mothers’ mental health, causing difficulties to spiral.
- Having a baby is a big transition, but it can also be a ‘window of opportunity’ to offer support to families facing difficulties. However, practitioners say they find it hard to engage with families at risk of custody removal and lack guidance on this. Mothers with infants involved with the child protection system say they are less satisfied with the support they receive from services and have more needs left unmet than other mothers. Those who have their infants removed from their custody describe this as a time of acute crisis but struggle to get therapeutic support.
What will the study involve?
- This novel study uses quantitative and qualitative methods and co-design to explore these families’ experiences further and identify how mental health services can work with them better.
- Researchers will interview around 30 mothers (and their family members) across England, including within Sussex Partnership, who accessed mental health support perinatally and had child protection involvement. We will explore their views of their needs and how they believe they and their infants can best be supported.
- The aim of this project is to identify ways to improve the provision of perinatal mental health services for mothers at risk of having their infants removed from their custody, both to help meet their needs and support mother-infant dyads.
- The research will explore mothers’ characteristics, needs and service use experiences, including how their needs are understood and framed in this context, what influences their engagement with services, how different needs may cluster together, and how this can affect outcomes. The project will produce creative resources designed to amplify the voice(s) of this population and support practitioners working in this area.
Who is running the study?
Kings College London is running this study, which is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The recruitment period is February 2024 - February 2029.
Sussex Partnership is pleased to be a site for this study.
Contact details
For more information, please see here
Email: spft.
What are Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) ?Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) were introduced in 2015 and are intended to help reduce reliance on in-patient care and ensure that people get the right support in the community. C(E)TRs are an essential person-centred process to ensure system partners are working with people and families to provide the right care, education and treatment to avoid the need for a hospital admission.
What is this research about?We are doing research to understand if C(E)TRs improve the care and support that people with a learning disability and/or autistic people receive in the community. This national study is led by London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust and is open other NHS sites across the UK from September 2025, including Sussex Partnership. You can learn more at the study website here
CETRs are widely undertaken but there is very little research about how they are used and if they help people to get the support they need. It is not known if they reduce the number of people going into hospital and the time that people spend in hospital. This research project will address three main questions:
What are the benefits of taking part?
What does the project involve?
What will happen if I decide to take part in the study?
How to take partPlease speak to your clinician for more information The contacts at Sussex Partnership Research team are Rosalind Byles and Ruby Warden. Contact them by email: spft.
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What the study is about?
Living with psychosis is often a challenging demand for the individual as well as everyone close to them, including family and friends (referred to as “carers”) who provide unpaid caring support and help navigating the complex health and social care systems. The OSMOSIS project aims to learn about the experiences of individuals who provide informal help to people with psychosis in order to inform the development of resources and actions to better support family members and close supporters.
This study is organised by a team of researchers at City St George’s, University of London and University of Surrey. The primary researchers are Prof. Jacqueline Sin and Dr. Cassie Hazell. The study is funded by the National Institute of Health Research and sponsored by City St George’s, University of London
Why should you take part?
- We will produce resources and actions to support carers, including good practice examples. We will also have learnt what helps and hinders, from both carer and staff perspectives. We will circulate these resources/actions through local authorities and partner organisations, presentations, publications in journals, and social media.
- To thank you for taking the time to participate, we will offer you a £20 gift voucher at the conclusion of the interview. We can reimburse you for the travelling expenses incurred if your interview is being held in person.
Who can take part?
Carers
- Provide unpaid caring support for a loved one with psychosis (defined as experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions ​​​​​​​
- Carers can be parents, partners, siblings, other family members or close friends who do not have a biological relationship with their cared-for person.
- Be aged 18 or older.
- Live in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, or East Sussex (although the cared-for person can live anywhere).
- Have sought out, tried to seek out, or received support for yourself as a carer e.g., support from community organisations, social services, advocacy or advice services, respite or short-break services, or wellbeing and social activities (not from your GP)
Staff
- We are inviting staff members who provide support to unpaid carers of people with psychosis (defined as experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions).
- Staff members can work in a wide range of settings including in Local Authority, social care, healthcare, voluntary sectors such as Carers Centre.
- ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Carers can be parents, partners, siblings, other family members or close friends who do not have a biological relationship with their cared-for person.
- Individuals must be employed or volunteering in roles where they provide support to carers of people with psychosis in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, or East Sussex.
- Support activities may include: conducting assessments, providing information, advice, or advocacy, making referrals or signposting, or delivering interventions for carers. All participants need to be aged 18 or above.
Who must we exclude?
Regrettably, we cannot include carers whose cared-for person suffers from dementia-related psychosis. We also cannot include those under the age of 18 or those who do not live in one of the three study sites (Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and East Sussex).
How can you take part?
- Participants will complete a demographic survey and have an interview with a member of the research team lasting about 90 minutes.
- Interviews can be held online via Microsoft Teams, over the phone, or in person at a local community space depending on your preference.
- The interviewer will ask you questions about your experiences of accessing support and services, including barriers and facilitators encountered.
- You will receive a £20 voucher of your choice as a thank you for your time.
Contact and further information
If you have any questions about the project and /or are interested in taking part, please contact
​​​​​​​Dr. Evelyn Callahan, Research Fellow:
- by email at: evelyn.
callahan ; or@citystgeorges.ac.uk - by telephone at: +4420 7040 4917; or
- by post at: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, City St George’s, University of London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB.
What is the study about?
POPI (Provision for Parents on Psychiatric Inpatient Units) is a study looking at how parents and children experience family visits when a parent is staying on a psychiatric inpatient ward.
We want to understand what it is like to visit (or be visited by) children during a hospital admission, and how family visiting spaces and support could be improved.
Who is running the study?
The study is being led by Dr Abby Dunn at the University of Sussex, and is being delivered by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) is delighted to be a site for this study.
It is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme.
Why is the study being run?
Many people admitted to psychiatric inpatient wards are parents.
Being separated from children during hospital treatment can be very distressing for both parents and children. Supporting families to remain connected during this time is really important but family visiting rooms are often uncomfortable and experience of visiting can be upsetting for parents and their children.
We want to:
- Understand how families experience hospital visits
- Identify what needs to change
- Develop practical improvements to support families remain connected during parental hospitalisation.
Why should you take part?
By taking part, your experiences and views will contribute to guidance and resources we will develop to improve the hospital environment for families.
What will taking part involve?
There are two ways to take part:
1. Interview (30–60 minutes)
You would:
- Have a conversation with a researcher in which you will be asked about your experiences of family visits
- Share ideas about how things could be improved
Children and young people (aged 8–18) will be invited to use drawing and writing to help them talk about their experiences.
We are carrying out these interviews now.
2. Online Questionnaire (10–15 minutes)
You would.
- Read a short information sheet
- Answer questions about your experience of family visits
- Rank possible improvements in order of importance
The questionnaire is anonymous.
We will be inviting people to take part.
Who can take part?
You can take part if you are:
Parents
- Aged 18 or over
- Have been admitted to a psychiatric inpatient ward since July 2021
- Had a child under 18 at the time of admission
Children and Young People
- Aged 8–18
- Visited a parent in a psychiatric inpatient unit since July 2021
Carers
- Aged 18 or over
- Care for a child whose parent was admitted to an inpatient ward since July 2021
Healthcare Professionals
- Aged 18 or over
- Currently work, or have worked in the past 2 years, on an adult psychiatric inpatient ward
We aim to include people from all backgrounds. Interpreters and translation can be provided.
How can I take part?
Find out more and arrange a brief conversation to discuss the project with the research team via our website www.
Contact:
Chief Investigator:
Dr Abigail Dunn
University of Sussex
Study Email: parentprojects
Study website: www.
This study aims to see how many people with psychosis may have a specific problem with their immune system. We can find out that by testing your blood sample for specific antibodies.
Who is running the study?
The study is sponsored by the University of Oxford. The study will take place in over 40 NHS mental health Trusts in England and Scotland and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to be a site for this study.
Why is the study being run?
There is some evidence that some cases of psychosis may be caused by a specific problem with the immune system. If the immune system goes wrong it may cause conditions called ‘autoimmune’ diseases. We can diagnose some of these diseases using blood tests. If a problem with immune system is found, then you may be eligible to take part in an additional study called SINAPPS2. In the SINAPPS2 study we are testing a new treatment that may help people who have psychosis due to their specific problem with their immune system.
Why should you take part?
It is your decision whether you take part. If you agree to take part, you are free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason.
You may/may not directly benefit from taking part in this study. However, if you did have a positive blood test, it would mean your doctor may suggest starting different treatment to help your symptoms as most immune diseases are treatable. The advantages then are the possibility of a new diagnosis or more accurate monitoring of your current condition.
What will taking part involve?
You will spend around 15 minutes with a member of the research team asking you questions about your problems. You will have a 23 ml (approximately one and half tablespoon) sample of blood taken. We will pay you £10 to compensate for the time and inconvenience.
Who can take part?
People referred to a mental health service as possibly having psychosis or are experiencing symptoms of psychosis.
How can I take part?
The study is recruiting participants from participating teams within Sussex Partnership. Participating teams will introduce and invite patients to participate in the study.
To find out more about the study please see the University of Oxford website here.
Contact details
Email: spft.
What is this study about?
We are exploring how ADHD may influence the experience of psychosis in people who are both autistic and have ADHD. Many people live with both conditions, but we still don’t fully understand how ADHD might shape the way psychosis presents, progresses, or is supported.
We are also including a short questionnaire on joint hypermobility, as this can sometimes co-occur with neurodivergent conditions and may provide further insight.
By comparing experiences across a broad group—including people who are not autistic or ADHD—we aim to better understand these patterns.
Who is running the study?
This study is led by Nikola Nikolić, a pharmacist and Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) who specialises in early psychosis. He works at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and is also a doctoral researcher at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS).
It is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through a Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF).
The study has been co-developed with input from a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) - a group of people with lived experience of mental health challenges and neurodivergence who have helped shape the design and language throughout.
Why is this research important?
Previous studies show that people with autism and/or ADHD may experience psychosis earlier and stay longer in hospital. But we still don’t know why - or how ADHD may influence these outcomes when autism is also present.
This study focuses on autistic people with ADHD who have experienced psychosis, and compares their responses to others with psychosis who do not have these conditions. This will help identify whether certain features of ADHD - like impulsivity, restlessness, or attentional differences - are linked to how psychosis presents or how support is accessed.
Taking part involves:
- A short screening (about 10 minutes)
- A set of questionnaires (about 60 minutes), completed however suits you
- A brief screening (about 5 minutes) for joint hypermobility - where joints move more than usual
Hypermobility can sometimes be linked with neurodivergence and may help us learn more about how physical differences connect with mental health experiences.
To fully understand your experiences, we ask for your permission to access relevant parts of your NHS mental health record.
You’ll get a £20 voucher as a thank you. You can choose:
- Amazon
- Love2Shop
- Or donate it to Heads On, the SPFT charity.
You may also be invited to a focus group later - this is optional.
Who can take part?
You can take part if you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Have experienced a first episode of psychosis (FEP)
- Are currently well and not in distress from psychosis
- Are currently under active NHS mental health care
- Have capacity to give informed consent
We are looking for people with a range of experiences. This includes people who:
- Have a diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD
- Self-identify as autistic or ADHD
- Or do not have any diagnosis or traits of autism or ADHD
Psychosis can affect anyone, and so can exclusion. We welcome people from all walks of life - especially those whose voices are often left out. Whatever your background, culture, gender, disability, or life experience, we want to hear from you.
We want this study to be accessible to everyone.
If you use another language or need information in a different format or support to complete the questionnaires, we will do our best to meet your needs.
Please just let us know — you are warmly welcome here.
Why take part?
Many people find it meaningful to contribute to research that reflects their lived experience. Your involvement could help improve how services support people who experience psychosis, whether or not they are neurodivergent.
If your responses suggest that a full autism or ADHD assessment might be helpful, we can (with your permission) write a brief letter to your GP and offer resources and care-planning support based on neuro-affirmative approaches.
By neuro-affirmative, we mean support that respects how your mind works—focusing on understanding and adapting to your needs, rather than trying to make you fit a typical mould.
Your data and your choices
Taking part is your choice. You can stop at any time, and you don’t have to give a reason.
If you join the study, we will use some information from you and your NHS mental health records (only if you give permission).
We will only collect what we need for the research.
Everyone involved in this study will keep your information private and secure. Very few people will see your name or contact details, and only if they need to.
At the end of the study, we will keep some data safely in case we need to check it or for future research.
We will make sure you cannot be identified in anything we write or publish.
The full information sheet explains this in more detail.
If anything feels overwhelming, we can support you—or help you contact your GP, mental health team, or a helpline. You’re not alone.
We also want to make this study as accessible as possible. If you need this information in another format (like large print, audio, British Sign Language, or another language), just let us know.
Get in touch
If you’re interested or would like to know more, please contact:
Email: nik.
Phone: 07391408840
What is the study about?
The study is exploring thoughts and attitudes towards sleep habits and memory problems.
Who is running the study?
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Why is the study being run?
Sleep disturbances have been related to both, physical and mental health illnesses. The research aims to understand the thoughts and attitudes of people, towards sleep habits and memory problems. This is a sub study of the Minder study which asked people about their perceptions of assistive technology.
Why should you take part?
In completing the survey, you will contribute to the understanding of attitudes towards sleep and memory problems. Although there are no direct benefits to the volunteers taking part in the survey, it is hoped that these results will help to identify behavioural characteristics, that could help public healthcare services.
What will taking part involve?
Taking part involves answering a series of multiple choice and free answer questions about your attitude towards sleep, including your knowledge and beliefs around sleep. If you agree to take part, you will be provided with access to an online survey to complete that takes approximately 15 minutes.
During the study, there will be a question which will ask how you found out about the study. Please answer 'Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust'
Who can take part?
- Those who have and have not, had experience with sleep and/or memory problems
- Those who are 18+ years
- Those who give informed consent to take part
How can I take part?
You can take part by clicking the survey link here
Alternatively, you can email Dr Leanne Bogen-Johnston (Senior Clinical Research Practitioner) at: l.
Sleeping Better: A Randomised Controlled Trial Testing the Effects of Treating Sleep Difficulties in Patients at Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis and Patients Diagnosed with Non-Affective Psychosis
What is the study about?
We think getting good quality sleep is important to us all.
But many people have difficulties sleeping. It may, for example, be hard to get to sleep, stay asleep, or to get up in the morning.
We have a talking therapy, provided over 12 weeks, designed to help people sleep better.
Who is running the study?
Sleeping Better is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial sponsored by the University of Oxford. The Chief Investigator is Prof Daniel Freeman and Principal Investigator is Dr Felicity Waite, with Prof Kathryn Greenwood leading for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The research is funded by the Wellcome Trust, a charity that funds health research. It is also supported by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
Why is the study being run?
Many people attending mental health services and patients with a diagnosis of psychosis have problems with their sleep. People may be lying in bed for hours without sleep; having nightmares; being up all night because of fears or hearing voices; sleeping a lot in the day; or having very irregular sleep patterns and sleeping at the wrong times. This often exacerbates psychiatric symptoms and makes thinking and everyday functioning more difficult.
We want to find out if an eight-session sleep therapy can improve sleep. We also want to find out whether improving sleep brings other benefits to a person’s life. For example, if it improves mood, concentration, and thinking.
Why should you take part?
We hope that Sleeping Better will improve people’s sleep, which in turn will lead to other additional benefits. The research aims to find out whether this is the case.
The insight gained from the trial could be transformative to how we manage sleep problems in people with psychosis and those at ultra-high risk. Sleep therapy could also prove beneficial as a preventative measure reducing transition to psychosis. You will be contributing to knowledge of how and for whom the treatment works.
What will taking part involve?
If you are interested in taking part in the Sleeping Better trial, you will attend a screening meeting to see whether the trial is suitable for you. If you are eligible and wish to take part in the study, informed consent will be obtained. It is entirely your choice whether to take part in the research or not. Even if you decide to take part, you will be free to withdraw at any time, for any reason. Your usual treatment will not be affected in any way by your decision. For people aged 14-15 years old, both the young person and their parent/guardian will be provided with the study information and will be asked to consent.
Everyone who takes part will be asked to complete an assessment at the beginning, then repeat it after 12 and 24 weeks. There is a small payment of £15 for each of these assessments. You will also be reimbursed for any reasonable travel costs for attending the assessments.
You will either be assigned to receive the sleep therapy or not, meaning half the people who take part will receive the intervention. This is decided randomly by a computer (a bit like flipping a coin). This allows us to find out if the sleep therapy is helpful – since we can see how people have got on with and without the sleep therapy. Everyone in the trial will also continue with the usual care.
The therapy is provided in approximately eight sessions over 12 weeks, with the number and length of sessions varying according to individual need. These sessions can take place in clinics, at home or remotely. There are booklets that you will work through with your Sleeping Better therapist. The treatment aims to help achieve regular sleep at the correct time of day. It helps a person build up the need for sleep during the day, develop an evening wind-down routine, and then helps your body learn to fall asleep in bed at the right time. The treatment is personalised for you. For example, if nightmares are occurring then these might be addressed too. Sleeping Better is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
At the end of the study, you may be invited to take part in an additional meeting to talk about your experiences of the study.
Who can take part?
Sleeping better is for NHS patients who have current problems with their sleep. You may have also had distressing experiences such as worrying that others may be trying to harm you or hearing voices.
If you are interested in Sleeping Better, we would check to see whether it would be suitable for you.
How can I take part?
If you are interested, please speak to your care team/care co-ordinator who can get in touch with the research team.
Contact details
We are very happy to provide further information about Sleeping Better. If you are interested or have any questions, then you can contact us:
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
The SloMo2 study will explore how well SloMo therapy works when used in everyday NHS mental health services. SloMo is a digitally supported talking therapy designed to help people who have worries about harm from others. It works by helping people slow down fast thinking habits that can contribute to worries, to find ways of feeling safer and living well. Previous research has shown that people find SloMo helpful, easy to use, and enjoyable.
This study will assess how SloMo can be delivered by NHS therapists and whether it improves outcomes for service users. The target is to deliver SloMo therapy to 150 service user participants (50 per NHS Trust site), recruited over an 18-month period.
We will measure SloMo's impact on service user's mental health, how well it fits into routine care, and its value for money. If successful, SloMo could be made more widely available across the NHS.
Who is running the study?
The SloMo2 study is led by King’s College London in collaboration with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT), and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust (CNTW).
The Chief Investigator is Dr. Amy Hardy, supported by a team of co-investigators, specialists, and NHS therapists across these trusts. The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust.
What is the possible impact?
The possible impact of the SloMo2 study includes:
- Improved support for paranoia
- Wider availability of SloMo across the NHS
- More engaging therapy
- Cost savings
- Reduced inequalities
What are the benefits of taking part?
In the previous SloMo trial, people found that the therapy helped them to slow down their thinking and worry less. They also reported improvements to their wellbeing. People found it enjoyable and easy to use. As we have evidence that SloMo can be helpful, and it is being offered within NHS care, we will not provide financial reimbursement for participation. With your consent, we will let you know about opportunities to participate in related research in future (e.g., an interview about your experience of SloMo), for which you will be reimbursed for your time.
What will taking part involve?
SloMo includes 11 one-to-one sessions with a therapist, typically lasting one hour each. Sessions will be supported by an online therapy platform which will includes videos of people sharing their worries, with tips about what can help you feel safer. You will be encouraged to try out these tips in sessions and find what works for you. Between sessions, the SloMo mobile app will help you identify worries and use the tips to feel safer. The app also provides a summary of your therapy sessions, and helps you keep track of progress. We recommend use of the SloMo mobile app to support your learning, however how much you use it is up to you.
Who can take part?
SloMo is for adults (18+), who are experiencing fear of harm from others. It has been co-developed with individuals with lived experience of these difficulties, to be as helpful and user-friendly as possible, including for people who do not feel confident using technology. The therapy is suitable for use by people who are currently under the care of NHS services.
How can I take part?
- If you are interested in trying SloMo, contact your care co-ordinator, doctor or local NHS SloMo team. If a SloMo therapist is available, they will help you consider if the therapy is suitable for you. You will be given an information sheet and can ask any further questions before deciding whether to try SloMo. Your usual care will not change whether or not you take part.
Click here for a short film with more information about SloMo therapy
- If you are a clinician, to refer somebody for SloMo therapy, contact your team’s SloMo trained therapist directly.
- If you are unsure if your team has a SloMo-trained therapist, or would like to find out about therapy training opportunities, please contact spft.slomotherapy@
nhs.net
Contact details
Lauren Alff, Research Assistant
E: l.
Prof Kathy Greenwood, Principal Investigator
E: k.e.greenwood@
Further information
Click here to find out more on the SloMo website.
Co-designing technology to improve psychological therapy for psychosis: SloMo, a blended digital therapy for fear of harm from others.Hardy, A. et al. (2024). Schizophrenia Research.
Optimising SloMo, a digitally supported therapy targeting paranoia, for implementation using inclusive, human-centred design.Gant, T. et al. (submitted). JMIR Human Factors.
What is the study about?
The SHARE study is exploring how people experience Mental Health Act (MHA) assessments and how to improve what happens after the assessment.
Many service users describe the assessment as confusing, frightening, or unfair, and most say they never had a chance to talk it through afterwards.
The study aims to co design and test a new type of post assessment support — a structured, compassionate discussion between staff and service users that:
- helps the person understand what happened,
- strengthens trust and relationships,
- increases feelings of fairness and involvement (procedural justice),
- supports planning for future care, including advance care planning.
This research responds to the ongoing rise in detentions and the lack of existing post MHA assessment support.
Work Package 1 – Understanding Experiences
March 2026 to September 2026
- Up to twenty service users will take part in an interview about their Mental Health Act assessment and what happened afterwards.
- Up to twenty staff will take part in a focus group or interview.
- The research team will look at all the interviews to understand people’s experiences and what helps or gets in the way of having good conversations after an assessment.
Work Package 2 – Co Design Workshops
September 2026 to January 2027
- Two workshops will bring together service users, carers, staff, voluntary sector organisations and policy leads.
- Together, the group will design a first version (prototype) of a new type of post assessment support.
- Training and guidance materials for staff will also begin to be developed.
Work Package 3 – Testing and Improving the Prototype
February 2027 to September 2027
- Six staff members will test the prototype in role play sessions with members of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel.
- The prototype will then be used in real world conditions with six staff and six service users.
- Feedback from everyone involved will be used to refine and improve the intervention until a final version is ready for a future feasibility trial.
Who is running the study?
• Chief Investigator: Professor Bryn Lloyd Evans, UCL
• Lead Researcher: Louise Blakley, NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellow
• University: University College London, Division of Psychiatry
• NHS Sites:
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- North London NHS Foundation Trust
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF)
• Involvement: Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) throughout all work packages
What is the possible impact?
The study aims to:
- Improve service users’ experience, understanding, and sense of fairness after MHA assessments
- Strengthen therapeutic relationships between staff and service users
- Increase involvement and voice in decisions about care
- Support advance care planning to reduce future crises
- Provide services with a practical, evidence based intervention ready for feasibility testing
- Identify systemic barriers and opportunities for improving MHA related practice
- Potentially reduce repeat detentions over time, improving outcomes and reducing costs
Louise Blakley explains why she is running this study;
“This study began with something a service user said to me: that nobody had ever spoken to them about their Mental Health Act assessment, even though it was confusing, distressing and had a big impact on their recovery. People often don’t understand who was there, why decisions were made, or what their rights were. By creating a safe space to talk afterwards, I hope we can improve people’s sense of fairness, strengthen relationships with staff, and help make this part of the mental health system work better for those who experience it.”
Why should you take part?
For service users (Work Package (WP) 1 Interviews + WP3 Testing of new type of support):
- A chance to reflect on and make sense of their experience
- Feeling listened to and contributing to change
- Helping improve the process for others in future
- Option to receive anonymised transcript of their interview
- £20 voucher as thanks for each activity
For staff (WP1 Focus groups, WP 2 Workshops, WP3 Testing):
- Protected reflective space on complex MHA work
- Opportunity to influence the design of a new post assessment process
- Contribution to NIHR funded research and future NHS practice
- Professional development in communication and participating in research
- £20 voucher as thanks for participation in WP1 and WP3.
What will taking part involve?
Work Package 1 (Service users + Staff)
- Service users: One interview (30–60 min), online or in person
- Staff: One online focus group (60–90 min) or interview if unable to attend a group
Work Package 2 (Stakeholders)
- Two co design workshops (up to 4 hours each), in person
- Activities include: creative idea generation, developing components of the intervention, reviewing prototype materials
Work Package 3 (Service users + Staff)
- User testing:
o Staff use prototype in a recorded role play with a LEAP member
o Short interview afterwards
- Real world testing:
o Staff and service user complete the prototype session together
o Separate interviews afterwards
o Optional joint interview
Who can take part?
Service users (WP1 interviews + WP3 testing of new type of support)
- Aged 18–64
- Have experienced and remember a Mental Health Act assessment
- Capacity to consent
- Able and willing to talk about their experience
Staff (WP1 + WP3)
- AMHPs
- Section 12 Doctors
- Psychiatrists
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- Occupational therapists
- Crisis, community and inpatient staff
Stakeholders (Workshops to design support)
- Service users and carers with experience of MHA assessments and who have used their lived experience previously in research, service development or teaching
- Mental health staff
- Senior clinicians, managers, policy leads
- Voluntary sector organisations
How can I take part?
For service users:
- Talk with your mental health team or email Sussex Partnership research department e: spft.
research @nhs.net - If interested, with permission, your contact details are shared with the researcher
- You can contact the SHARE research team
- You will then receive an information sheet and have time to decide
- You will also speak to the SHARE research team
- Participation is voluntary and will not affect your care
Click here to download a leaflet with more information for patients
For SPFT staff:
- Respond to invitation emails or team meeting announcements
- Contact Sussex Partnership research department e: spft.
research @nhs.net - Contact SHARE research team directly e: Dop.
sharestudy @ucl.ac.uk - Complete expression of interest form
- Then you will be able to check eligibility and the phase of the study
- Attend either a focus group, workshop or interview depending on phase
Click here to download a poster with more info for staff
Publications and articles
Research with service users has made me a better social worker (2024)
Louise Blakley says service users have opened her eyes, improved her listening skills and enhanced her practice
Truly Listening to Accounts of Mental Health Act Assessments: Reflections on my Practice (2023)
This article in he British Journal of Social Work brings a different way of reporting research, which is embedded in the reflective tradition of social work. It explores practitioner research and insider/outsider perspectives. Through reflection, the author examines in depth two participants’ narratives, how this impacted her as a mental health social worker and the changes in her practice.
Waiting for the verdict: service user experiences of Mental Health Act assessment (2022)
The Mental Elf
‘Waiting for the verdict’: the experience of being assessed under the Mental Health Act (2021)
Article, University of Portsmouth
The Critical Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHP) Team - blog
The Barrage of Three
Contact details
What is the study about?
Psychological practitioners (such as assistant psychologists, mental health and wellbeing practitioners etc.) can deliver short interventions to people with psychosis. It is important that these practitioners have the necessary personal qualities to promote trust in patients and colleagues, to facilitate a good therapeutic relationship and to provide effective treatment.
The study evaluates a performance-based screening tool that measures personal qualities of psychological practitioners. Sixty practitioners and undergraduate psychology students were invited to take part in role-play scenarios with actors building on vignettes of patients with psychosis. These role-plays were videorecorded and will be used in this study to assess the non-specific skills of psychological practitioners and whether the identified qualities promote trust in clinicians.
Who is running the study?
This study is being conducted by Miriam Hiersch (PhD student) and Professor Kathryn Greenwood, from the School of Psychology, University of Sussex. The study sponsor is the University of Sussex.
Who can take part?
Sussex Partnership staff members working with psychosis patients (excluding Assistant Psychologists and Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners).
We are surveying 180 staff members working with psychosis patients.
Why should you take part?
- You may contribute valuable input into personal qualities needed to deliver psychological treatment.
- You may also learn more about personal qualities needed in psychosis treatment.
What will taking part involve?
Taking part would involve watching one 5-minute video of a role-play scenario. You would then rate the practitioner’s personal qualities. You will also be asked to rate your trust in the practitioner in the video. This should take about 15 minutes to complete, and your responses will be anonymous.
How can I take part?
If you are interested, please access the participant information sheet and consent form using the following link: https://
Contact details
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Miriam Hiersch
E: mkh29