Take part in a research study
Please consider taking part in one or more of the research studies below, to help build the research evidence we need to effectively support young people’s mental health.
Mental health trajectories following pharmacological and psychological treatment
Young people, aged 16-25 years
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh want to find out what happens after young people with depression are given medication or cognitive behavioural therapy etc? How does their mental health change over time and into adulthood? Could we build models which help us predict who will respond best to what and when? The research team are producing an open-source digital tool, which will allow researchers (and possibly in the future, doctors), who don’t have specialist statistical knowledge, to model possible outcomes for specific individuals / groups of people. This work is only possible thanks to thousands of young people (now adults) who have already donated their data to research.
Who is this for? Young people aged 16-25 who have experienced mental illness (particularly depression) but who are currently well. This is a short project, so people do need to be available immediately.
What does the study involve? We will host three online meetings, where young people will meet the team, hear about the research and give their perspectives. There will also be an in-person training session on Data Science in Edinburgh, where participants will learn more about data science and how it is used in research.
If participants have a continuing interest in data science, we will support and assist them financially to take part in additional data science courses. There will also be optional opportunities to hear about and advise on other youth mental health projects that University of Edinburgh Division of Psychiatry is working on.
Find out more: If you want to know more or get involved in this project contact the research team members, Iona Beange (iona.beange@ed.ac.uk) or Alex Kwong (akwong@exseed.ed.ac.uk) directly by email.
Mental Images Photo Study
Young people, aged 14-17 years
Researchers from the University of Sussex are leading a creative photo study exploring mental images of the self. By mental images, we mean the pictures you see in your head such as memories of the past flashing to mind or visualisations of the future.
Who is this for? Young people aged 14-17 and based in the UK with lived experience of depression for a creative photo study exploring mental images of the self. By mental images, we mean the pictures you see in your head such as memories of the past flashing to mind or visualisations of the future.
What does it involve? The study involves taking photos that represent the mental images you experience of yourself, and taking part in an online interview about the photos, your experiences of mental images and depression. Participants will receive a voucher to as a thank you for your time.
Find out more: For more information or to sign up, please click below to visit the study website or contact Becca at mentalimagerystudy@sussex.ac.uk.
Digital support for young people with their mood and wellbeing
Young people, aged 13-19 years
‘MoodHwb‘ is a digital programme that has been developed to support young people (and their families/carers) with their mood and well-being. It aims to promote self-help, help-seeking and social support. MoodHwb has been co-developed with young people, parents/carers and professionals working with young people.
A team led by Dr Rhys Bevan-Jones at Cardiff University and Prof Sharon Simpson at the University of Glasgow are interested in how young people might use MoodHwb compared to a digital information pack. They are looking for young people aged 13-19 years who are experiencing low mood or other depressive symptoms to take part in the trial. Their parents/carers can also take part. They will be asked to complete an online questionnaire at the start, and then again after two months, and some will be asked whether they would like to meet (e.g. by video) to discuss the programme.
If you are a young person, or work with young people who might be eligible and want to find out more about the study, please visit our website to find out more.
If you are working on a research study related to young people’s mental health that you would like to post here please email the TRIUMPH team
