PhD Mental Health

Our research strength is identifying the causes of mental disorders and suicide to develop clinical trials of novel complex interventions.

OVERVIEW

Mental disorders are the leading global cause of disability and the World Health Organisation estimates that over 0.8 million deaths are due to suicide associated with mental disorders. Therefore, research on mental disorders and suicide is vital to reducing the global burden of disease.

Our more fundamental research examines the contribution of psychological, biological and social factors to the causation of mental disorders and suicidal behaviours. Postgraduate research students working in this area can develop cutting edge, skills relevant to experimental, epidemiological, qualitative and neuroimaging research methods.

A translational approach makes use of the evidence from fundamental research to develop innovative therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders and suicidal behaviours. We have expertise in clinical trial methodologies to evaluate complex interventions and implementation science.
Interdisciplinary research groups provide postgraduate research opportunities in these themes:

• suicidal behaviour research
• psychological therapies
• bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression
• big data and mental disorder
• neuropsychology of neurological disorders
• autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities
• attachment, childhood maltreatment and mental disorders.

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within the Institute of Health and Wellbeing. Our supervisors are from clinical and scientific backgrounds and use a variety of approaches including experimental psychology and psychophysiology, functional neuroimaging, multilevel modelling of complex datasets, health services research, qualitative, and clinical trial methodologies. We have excellent engagement with the NHS and with service user and carer organisations.

Specific areas of interest include:

• Experimental approaches to understanding suicidal behaviours and self-harm
• Acceptance and commitment therapy for severe mental disorders
• Interpersonal and attachment based models of affect regulation
• Developing interventions for detecting, responding to and preventing relapse in psychosis
• Mother-infant attachment in depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis
• Psychological therapies for negative symptoms of schizophrenia
• Neuroinflammatory models of mental disorders
• Low intensity psychological therapies for mental disorders
• Understanding the outcomes of traumatic brain injury
• Autism spectrum disorders and comorbid mental disorders
• Longitudinal studies of the health of people with intellectual disabilities
• Multimorbidity and mental disorders
• Physical activity and weight management programs for people with intellectual disabilities
• Assistive technologies for adults with specific neuropsychological impairments
• Identifying shared genetic risk factors for mental disorders and cardiovascular disease
• Attachment, Childhood maltreatment and mental disorders
• Socio-ecological models of stigma and discrimination in vulnerable populations.