THE IMPACT OF EARLY ADVERSITY ON TRAJECTORIES OF BRAIN MATURATION AND MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUNG ADOLESCENTS
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Psychosis Studies
Abstract
WHAT IS THE PROPOSED STUDY ABOUT?
Psychiatric disorders, like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety affect millions of people around the world. They disturb thinking, mood, and behaviour, and can interfere with daily life with devastating effects. They usually strike at a young age and it is very important to understand how early in the life of an individual we are still able to intervene and modify the risk of developing these disorders. For example, the risk is higher in those who have experienced trauma and adversity, and in those living in deprived social conditions. However, we do not know if the brain develops differently in those adolescents with adversity, and whether this explains why they are more likely to experience certain types of mental health problems. Furthermore, we do not know whether factors such as growing up in a very supportive family environment, or having higher general intelligence, may protect some adolescents from the effects of early adversity, preventing the brain from developing differently and from experiencing psychiatric symptoms later on.
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS AREA?
We know that individuals who have suffered traumatic experiences, and those with mental health problems, show alterations in the structure of the brain. For example, regions involved in memory (frontal lobe, hippocampus) are smaller in volumes. However, we do not know when these alterations start, or whether they stay the same throughout adolescence. Also, we do not know whether they particularly occur in those adolescents that have an activation of the body's response to stress. In fact, the activation of the stress system triggers a response in the "immune system", the system dedicated to fight infections in our body. This is a situation also seen in patients with depression and schizophrenia, whose bodies behave as if they were fighting an infective agent, even though they do not have an ongoing infection.
Therefore, it is possible that social adversity and this immune response interact with an underlying vulnerability in the brain, causing the brain to develop differently across adolescence, and making the person more likely to experience certain mental health problems, such as depression or psychosis. Unfortunately, the development of the brain throughout the full adolescence, and its relationship with the environment, and the immune system, in adolescents from the general community has never been studied. This is what we are planning to do in this study.
WHAT WILL THE STUDY INVOLVE?
We propose to evaluate and follow up 440 school adolescents (age 11-14 years), with and without an experience of adversity, who are already participating in other studies on risk factors for poor mental health. These studies are being conducted in the UK and in six other European countries. We will evaluate these adolescents three times, over a few years. Each time, we will assess brain structure and immune response. We will use an approach called "magnetic resonance", which allows us to look at the brain structure without using radiations, and to look at how brain changes over time. We will measure immune response in a blood sample. This study has the big advantage that more than half of these adolescents have already been evaluated with these measures in the two studies, and we will simply access the existing assessments.
HOW WILL THE STUDY HELP PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?
We are confident that this study can help us understand what are the times when adolescents are most vulnerable to mental health problems, when interventions (talking therapy or medications) can reduce risk of adverse mental health outcomes.
Psychiatric disorders, like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety affect millions of people around the world. They disturb thinking, mood, and behaviour, and can interfere with daily life with devastating effects. They usually strike at a young age and it is very important to understand how early in the life of an individual we are still able to intervene and modify the risk of developing these disorders. For example, the risk is higher in those who have experienced trauma and adversity, and in those living in deprived social conditions. However, we do not know if the brain develops differently in those adolescents with adversity, and whether this explains why they are more likely to experience certain types of mental health problems. Furthermore, we do not know whether factors such as growing up in a very supportive family environment, or having higher general intelligence, may protect some adolescents from the effects of early adversity, preventing the brain from developing differently and from experiencing psychiatric symptoms later on.
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS AREA?
We know that individuals who have suffered traumatic experiences, and those with mental health problems, show alterations in the structure of the brain. For example, regions involved in memory (frontal lobe, hippocampus) are smaller in volumes. However, we do not know when these alterations start, or whether they stay the same throughout adolescence. Also, we do not know whether they particularly occur in those adolescents that have an activation of the body's response to stress. In fact, the activation of the stress system triggers a response in the "immune system", the system dedicated to fight infections in our body. This is a situation also seen in patients with depression and schizophrenia, whose bodies behave as if they were fighting an infective agent, even though they do not have an ongoing infection.
Therefore, it is possible that social adversity and this immune response interact with an underlying vulnerability in the brain, causing the brain to develop differently across adolescence, and making the person more likely to experience certain mental health problems, such as depression or psychosis. Unfortunately, the development of the brain throughout the full adolescence, and its relationship with the environment, and the immune system, in adolescents from the general community has never been studied. This is what we are planning to do in this study.
WHAT WILL THE STUDY INVOLVE?
We propose to evaluate and follow up 440 school adolescents (age 11-14 years), with and without an experience of adversity, who are already participating in other studies on risk factors for poor mental health. These studies are being conducted in the UK and in six other European countries. We will evaluate these adolescents three times, over a few years. Each time, we will assess brain structure and immune response. We will use an approach called "magnetic resonance", which allows us to look at the brain structure without using radiations, and to look at how brain changes over time. We will measure immune response in a blood sample. This study has the big advantage that more than half of these adolescents have already been evaluated with these measures in the two studies, and we will simply access the existing assessments.
HOW WILL THE STUDY HELP PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?
We are confident that this study can help us understand what are the times when adolescents are most vulnerable to mental health problems, when interventions (talking therapy or medications) can reduce risk of adverse mental health outcomes.
Technical Summary
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Mental disorders usually develop in young individuals, and the risk is increased by exposure to early adversity, such as childhood maltreatment, adverse life events, and area-level disadvantage. We will establish: 1) How and when individual and area-level early adversity affects brain development (i.e., longitudinal growth trajectory of brain areas involved in psychiatric disorders, built on three longitudinal brain MRI scans); 2) Whether these alterations in growth trajectory are associated with the onset of specific psychopathology domains; and 3) If these alterations in growth trajectory are explained by persistent alterations in the levels of inflammatory markers.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We will study n=440 children and young adolescents (age 11-14) from two funded school-based longitudinal cohorts. We will enrich the existing data by collecting additional neuroimaging and immune markers measures in n=220 subjects from each cohort, selected for presence (n=110) or absence (n=110) of early adversity:
- In REACH (UK; original sample n=4010), with three MRI assessments over three years, and serum samples for immune biomarkers;
- In IMAGEN (Six EU countries; original sample n=2000) (three MRI assessments already available), with measures of immune markers in already collected serum samples;
We will model the relationship between early adversity, brain growth, psychopathology domains, and immune markers, using multivariable statistical models.
APPLICATION OF RESULTS: Characterising the biological changes associated with risk of mental health problems can ultimately provide evidence for targeting interventions to the most vulnerable individuals.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We will study n=440 children and young adolescents (age 11-14) from two funded school-based longitudinal cohorts. We will enrich the existing data by collecting additional neuroimaging and immune markers measures in n=220 subjects from each cohort, selected for presence (n=110) or absence (n=110) of early adversity:
- In REACH (UK; original sample n=4010), with three MRI assessments over three years, and serum samples for immune biomarkers;
- In IMAGEN (Six EU countries; original sample n=2000) (three MRI assessments already available), with measures of immune markers in already collected serum samples;
We will model the relationship between early adversity, brain growth, psychopathology domains, and immune markers, using multivariable statistical models.
APPLICATION OF RESULTS: Characterising the biological changes associated with risk of mental health problems can ultimately provide evidence for targeting interventions to the most vulnerable individuals.
Planned Impact
The lack of knowledge on the neurobiological link between early individual and environmental adversity and poor mental health has hindered the development of targeted, cost-effective prophylactic and therapeutic interventions for those most at risk. Therefore, the impact of this study will go far beyond that of academic research (see Academic beneficiaries for details on this aspect), starting to pave the way for novel interventions and personalised medicine where treatment decisions can be made based on the individual's characteristics.
IMPACT ON NATIONAL HEALTH:
- We will benefit young people with a history of early adversity and poor mental health, offering a model that may help identify the most vulnerable individuals, at a crucial developmental point. We will offer them a rationale for stress management and innovative pathways for potential future drug discovery (such as anti-inflammatory agents). We will benefit patients' families and loved ones will benefit from improvement in the conceptualisation of how adversity drives poor mental health and how resilience can be strengthened, with available intervention strategies. The timescale for this is medium to long-term: if brain and immune markers can reliably help identifying times of maximum vulnerability for the onset of psychopathology, anti-inflammatory agents could be trialled in this population as they are currently trialled in clinically manifest depression and psychosis; furthermore, stress-coping strategies could be delivered in a cost-effective way in the context of limited health care resources.
- The lay public will also benefit from our work: a non-stigmatising approach based on a sound biological basis to understand vulnerability to poor mental health, and an explanatory model that emphasises not only risk factors but also resilience and possible future therapeutic interventions. The time-scale for this is therefore immediate, as we intend to vigorously disseminate our findings to the general public.
- Stakeholders in health care, such as charities and non-governmental organisations, will benefit from the model we propose. Understanding how neurobiological changes at specific time points in adolescence allow early adversity to drive poor mental health can inform how interventions could be used in a more selective and personalized way, potentially improving mental health outcomes and avoiding unnecessary exposure to drugs or long-term psychological interventions. The time-scale for this is also immediate, and we have an effective communication strategy to reach stakeholders and third-sector organisations.
- Research & Development leaders, from service developers, pharmaceuticals and biotech companies, will benefit from the evidence offered by our study: it will guide them in prioritizing resources, in the difficult times ahead, identifying potential new mechanisms for novel agents relevant to brain plasticity, neurodevelopment and peripheral biomarkers, as well as biomarkers for personalised medicine and stratification. With effective communication, the time-scale for this is medium/long-term.
IMPACT ON NATIONAL WEALTH:
- Mental health problems in adolescence often persist into adulthood and consequently have long term impacts on individuals and their families and friends, with knock on effects on productivity, use of health care services, and demand for welfare assistance. That is, there are large associated direct costs to individuals, families, and health and other services, and indirect costs for the loss of productivity. Any study that can help elucidate the processes underpinning the development of mental health problems and inform strategies for prevention and intervention, will be beneficial to society at large. This is particularly important at a time when healthcare and social resources are increasingly stretched.
IMPACT ON NATIONAL HEALTH:
- We will benefit young people with a history of early adversity and poor mental health, offering a model that may help identify the most vulnerable individuals, at a crucial developmental point. We will offer them a rationale for stress management and innovative pathways for potential future drug discovery (such as anti-inflammatory agents). We will benefit patients' families and loved ones will benefit from improvement in the conceptualisation of how adversity drives poor mental health and how resilience can be strengthened, with available intervention strategies. The timescale for this is medium to long-term: if brain and immune markers can reliably help identifying times of maximum vulnerability for the onset of psychopathology, anti-inflammatory agents could be trialled in this population as they are currently trialled in clinically manifest depression and psychosis; furthermore, stress-coping strategies could be delivered in a cost-effective way in the context of limited health care resources.
- The lay public will also benefit from our work: a non-stigmatising approach based on a sound biological basis to understand vulnerability to poor mental health, and an explanatory model that emphasises not only risk factors but also resilience and possible future therapeutic interventions. The time-scale for this is therefore immediate, as we intend to vigorously disseminate our findings to the general public.
- Stakeholders in health care, such as charities and non-governmental organisations, will benefit from the model we propose. Understanding how neurobiological changes at specific time points in adolescence allow early adversity to drive poor mental health can inform how interventions could be used in a more selective and personalized way, potentially improving mental health outcomes and avoiding unnecessary exposure to drugs or long-term psychological interventions. The time-scale for this is also immediate, and we have an effective communication strategy to reach stakeholders and third-sector organisations.
- Research & Development leaders, from service developers, pharmaceuticals and biotech companies, will benefit from the evidence offered by our study: it will guide them in prioritizing resources, in the difficult times ahead, identifying potential new mechanisms for novel agents relevant to brain plasticity, neurodevelopment and peripheral biomarkers, as well as biomarkers for personalised medicine and stratification. With effective communication, the time-scale for this is medium/long-term.
IMPACT ON NATIONAL WEALTH:
- Mental health problems in adolescence often persist into adulthood and consequently have long term impacts on individuals and their families and friends, with knock on effects on productivity, use of health care services, and demand for welfare assistance. That is, there are large associated direct costs to individuals, families, and health and other services, and indirect costs for the loss of productivity. Any study that can help elucidate the processes underpinning the development of mental health problems and inform strategies for prevention and intervention, will be beneficial to society at large. This is particularly important at a time when healthcare and social resources are increasingly stretched.
Organisations
- King's College London (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Melbourne (Collaboration)
- University of Pennsylvania (Collaboration)
- National University of Singapore (Collaboration)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) (Collaboration)
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) (Collaboration)
Publications
Aas M
(2020)
Biological stress response in women at risk of postpartum psychosis: The role of life events and inflammation.
in Psychoneuroendocrinology
Aas M
(2021)
Synergistic effects of childhood adversity and polygenic risk in first-episode psychosis: the EU-GEI study
in Psychological Medicine
Ajnakina O
(2021)
Structural Covariance of Cortical Gyrification at Illness Onset in Treatment Resistance: A Longitudinal Study of First-Episode Psychoses.
in Schizophrenia bulletin
Alexander L
(2023)
Preliminary evidence that ketamine alters anterior cingulate resting-state functional connectivity in depressed individuals.
in Translational psychiatry
Alexander L
(2021)
The anterior cingulate cortex as a key locus of ketamine's antidepressant action.
in Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
Alexandros Lalousis P
(2023)
Inflammatory subgroups of schizophrenia and their association with brain structure: A semi-supervised machine learning examination of heterogeneity.
in Brain, behavior, and immunity
Amasi-Hartoonian N
(2022)
Cause or consequence? Understanding the role of cortisol in the increased inflammation observed in depression.
in Current opinion in endocrine and metabolic research
Baandrup L
(2022)
Scalability of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in first-episode schizophrenia assessed by Rasch models.
in Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
Biaggi A
(2021)
Maternal perceived bonding towards the infant and parenting stress in women at risk of postpartum psychosis with and without a postpartum relapse.
in Journal of affective disorders
Title | Implementation of Melodies for Mums in in-patient setting |
Description | We have run a 6-month project of singing for mother in the Mother and Baby Unit at the Bethlem Royal Hospital. |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | We are in the process of performing a formal evaluation of the outcomes, but preliminary evidence shows that the signing was well attended and found positive by both patients and staff. |
Description | Application to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) panel |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | The establishment of Postpartum Psychosis as a specific nosologic category in the most widely used diagnostic manual will have important implications for training of professionals and affected individuals. |
Description | Elected President of the Schizophrenia International Research Society |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
URL | https://schizophreniaresearchsociety.org |
Description | Expert Evaluator of National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Italian Ministry of University and Research |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Member of Clinical Training and Career Development Panel |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | As part of this panel, I evaluate and contribute to supporting outstanding clinical researchers and strengthening diversity while building capability in clinical research. This contributes to develop the next generation of clinical academic leaders that can advance knowledge in all aspects of health, from basic to clinical and implementation science. |
URL | https://mrc.ukri.org/about/our-structure/research-boards-panels/clinical-training-and-career-develop... |
Description | Member of MRC Prize Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
URL | https://www.ukri.org/about-us/mrc/who-we-are/awards-and-recognition/ |
Description | Member of the MRC Prize Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://www.ukri.org/about-us/mrc/board-and-panel-membership/mrc-prize-committee/ |
Description | Program Chair of 2022 Conference of the Schizophrenia International Research Society |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | Secretary of the Schizophrenia International Research Society |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | I worked to change the criteria for Symposia Evaluation of the Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, bringing the Conference to having an equal number of female/male speakers at the Conference for the first time, as well as increased representaiton of early career researchers. This work to improve diversity continues and is a priority for the Society. |
Description | BIPP: Brain, Immunity and Psychopathology following very Preterm birth |
Amount | £1,071,483 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2019 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | Brain Travel Award |
Amount | £600 (GBP) |
Organisation | Guarantors of Brain |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2024 |
End | 02/2024 |
Description | CO-PRODUCING A FRAMEWORK OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ENGAGING REPRESENTATIVE AND DIVERSE COHORTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN MENTAL HEALTH |
Amount | £908,695 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/X003078/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2022 |
End | 10/2024 |
Description | Impact: Implementation of a multisectoral programme to improve Indigenous adolescent mental health in Brazil and Dominica |
Amount | £967,737 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/Y009983/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2023 |
End | 06/2026 |
Description | King's - China Scholarship Council PhD Studentship |
Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | King's College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | Mental Health and Neuroscience Board |
Amount | £1,251,418 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/S003444/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2019 |
End | 01/2023 |
Description | Mind & Skin: Understanding the neurocutaneous axis in atopic eczema |
Amount | £515,168 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MRF-176-0002-RG-FLOH-C0929 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | Medical Research Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2022 |
End | 05/2027 |
Description | Mind and Skin - The neuro-cutaneous axis in severe atopy |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | King's College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 05/2021 |
Description | NIHR Maudsley BRC |
Amount | £28,560,796 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2022 |
End | 11/2027 |
Description | PRECOGNITION: Learning latent cognitive profiles to predict psychosis |
Amount | € 1,049,830 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 226706/Z/22/Z |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2023 |
End | 04/2026 |
Description | PRECOGNITION: Learning latent cognitive profiles to predict psychosis |
Amount | £907,255 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 226706/Z/22/Z |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2023 |
End | 05/2026 |
Description | Professor Paola Dazzan |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NIHR205076 |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 03/2027 |
Description | Scaling-up Health-Arts Programmes: Implementation and Effectiveness Research (SHAPER) |
Amount | £1,999,998 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 219425/Z/19/Z |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2024 |
Title | dCVnet software tool for prediction modelling |
Description | The dCVnet is a software tool (R package) for prediction modelling that produces cross-validated prediction performance measures for elastic-net regression models. This tool was developed with BRC support and has proved useful for psychiatric research. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The tool has been used by other researchers. |
URL | https://github.com/AndrewLawrence/dCVnet |
Description | Collaboration with GUSTO cohort |
Organisation | Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) |
Department | Genome Institute of Singapore |
Country | Singapore |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Please note that the Department with which we collaborate is not the Genome Institute but the Translational Research Group. The system did not allow me to modify what it entered automatically. The collaboration also involves National University of Singapore (Department of Psychological Medicine). We are collaborating on the analysis of data that have been acquired in a similar way across the two studies. We have one PhD student that is using the two cohorts in her project. In addition, the PI (Dazzan) has spent time at AStar in Singapore discussing and conducting analysis of data from the two cohorts. We are planning some publications together, with one already undergoing second revision in Biological Psychiatry. Several presentations have been given to International conferences. |
Collaborator Contribution | The AStar partners are making available their dataset for the purpose of the collaboration. We are conducting new analyses either merging the two datasets or using one to validate the other. One AStar academic is second supervisor of a PhD student working with data from this MRC funded study. |
Impact | We have presented data to several conferences. We currently have a joint manuscript undergoing revision in Biological Psychiatry. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with GUSTO cohort |
Organisation | National University of Singapore |
Country | Singapore |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Please note that the Department with which we collaborate is not the Genome Institute but the Translational Research Group. The system did not allow me to modify what it entered automatically. The collaboration also involves National University of Singapore (Department of Psychological Medicine). We are collaborating on the analysis of data that have been acquired in a similar way across the two studies. We have one PhD student that is using the two cohorts in her project. In addition, the PI (Dazzan) has spent time at AStar in Singapore discussing and conducting analysis of data from the two cohorts. We are planning some publications together, with one already undergoing second revision in Biological Psychiatry. Several presentations have been given to International conferences. |
Collaborator Contribution | The AStar partners are making available their dataset for the purpose of the collaboration. We are conducting new analyses either merging the two datasets or using one to validate the other. One AStar academic is second supervisor of a PhD student working with data from this MRC funded study. |
Impact | We have presented data to several conferences. We currently have a joint manuscript undergoing revision in Biological Psychiatry. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | PHENOM Consortium |
Organisation | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have contributed to establish a network of longitudinal studies in first episode psychosis. We have given intellectual contribution to the use of the partner innovative imaging analysis approaches to test hypotheses relevant to psychosis. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have provided innovative pipelines and analytical approaches to the use of neuroimaging data in the study of psychosis outcomes. |
Impact | We have published three high impact papers together and have another one in submission. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | PHENOM Consortium |
Organisation | University of Melbourne |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have contributed to establish a network of longitudinal studies in first episode psychosis. We have given intellectual contribution to the use of the partner innovative imaging analysis approaches to test hypotheses relevant to psychosis. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have provided innovative pipelines and analytical approaches to the use of neuroimaging data in the study of psychosis outcomes. |
Impact | We have published three high impact papers together and have another one in submission. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | PHENOM Consortium |
Organisation | University of Pennsylvania |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have contributed to establish a network of longitudinal studies in first episode psychosis. We have given intellectual contribution to the use of the partner innovative imaging analysis approaches to test hypotheses relevant to psychosis. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have provided innovative pipelines and analytical approaches to the use of neuroimaging data in the study of psychosis outcomes. |
Impact | We have published three high impact papers together and have another one in submission. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | "Homeless But Friendly, It's Good To Talk" - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/profile/sorcha-alford/profile |
Description | "Keep it down, I've got a social hangover" said the introvert - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog article written for Inspire the Mind, by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/keep-it-down-i-ve-got-a-social-hangover-said-the-introvert |
Description | 'Ted Lasso' and the Conversation Around Mental Health - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/ted-lasso-and-the-conversation-around-mental-health |
Description | Apple's Commitment to Mental Health? - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/apple-s-commitment-to-mental-health |
Description | Ark All Saints Academy - Careers in STEM workshops |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Workshops delivered to class groups in Y7, 8 and 9 regarding careers in STEM |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Ark All Saints Academy - Mental Health Sessions for Citizenship day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 4x workshops for Y7 and Y9 students in small groups about managing stress and anxiety. These sessions prompted excellent discussion amongst the students about managing stress and we received excellent feedback from the students themselves about the usefulness of the content. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Ark All Saints Academy Careers sessions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Pre-recorded presentations about careers in mental health and clinical research delivered to students in Years 8 and 11 at Ark All Saints school. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Ark All Saints Academy Staff presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 20 staff members at this school attended this presentation about the impact of early life adversity on adolescent mental health as part of a staff training day |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Behind the Science - A column introduction - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/behind-the-science-a-column-introduction |
Description | Blog - "Stop being so difficult"?-?Why we need to rethink puberty |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written by Svenja, a PhD student on the eBRAIN study about puberty and mental health which is closely related to her PhD topic. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Blog - Being the Change You Want to See?-?Growing Together for Children's Mental Health Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog about by Maryam, a research assistant on the eBRAIN study about children's mental health week, published in Inspire the Mind |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Blog - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Mind over Matter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog on personal experience of Chronic Fatigue syndrome and its parallels with long Covid - published in Inspire the Mind blog. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Blog - Does What We Eat Impact Our Mental Health??-?The Role of Polyphenols |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A blog by Xuemei, a PhD student on eBRAIN about her research topic - the role of polyphenols in good mental health that was published on Inspire the Mind |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Blog on maintaining good mental health during COVID 19 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a blog on how make sure we maintained good mental health during the first lockdown of the pandemic. It was read more than 800 times. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/blog/staying-sane-at-home-in-the-time-of-the-corona-virus |
Description | Blog on women safety |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A blog on issues related to women safety and mental health problems generated by concerns over this. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/blog/sarah-everard-was-just-walking-home-a-conversation-on-womens-saf... |
Description | Blog: "Stop being so difficult"?-?Why we need to rethink puberty |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Discussion on challenges of puberty and relevance to mental health |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/blog/stop-being-so-difficult-why-we-need-to-rethink-puberty?rq=kretze... |
Description | Blog: Being the Change You Want to See?-?Growing Together for Children's Mental Health Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Increasing awareness on the importance of mental health in Children Mental Health Week. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/blog/being-the-change-you-want-to-see-growing-together-for-childrens-... |
Description | Blog: Finding Tranquillity in the Raging Sea of Suicide |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Discussion on management of suicidal thoughts |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/blog/finding-tranquillity-in-the-raging-sea-of-suicide?rq=matter |
Description | Blog: Imposter Syndrome and How We Can Overcome It - Part 1 & Part 2 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written for Inspire the Mind by eBRAIN team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Born in Bradford Stall |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | In July 2023, we had a CELEBRATE project stall at the Born in Bradford 'BiB Fest.' BiB fest is run by the Born in Bradford project who set up the event to share findings about how our society, our lifestyles, our genes and our environment shape our lives. At this event, we had a stall with merchandise and interactive games to engage with young people and stakeholders about the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Canary Wharf College Crossharbour - Managing Anxiety Workshops |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Small group workshop delivered to mixed age group of students about managing anxiety and stress. This prompted good discussions between students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Career evening @ Harris Boys Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Attended a careers evening with 30+ other professionals at HBAED, spoke to young people about what it's like to work in research/science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Careers day at Archbishop Lanfranc Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Hosted a stall at a careers event at a local school which was attended by >300 students, chatted to students about our research and the researcher career. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | ChatGPT: The AI Wonder Bot That Could Transform Your Mental Health and Productivity - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/chatgpt-the-ai-wonder-bot-that-could-transform-your-mental-healt... |
Description | City Heights Academy - Careers in STEM talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Presented an assembly to City Heights Academy (virtually) to Key Stage 3 students about careers in STEM. The school reported good discussion from students afterwards regarding the session and said "It was a really interesting session and the kids were inspired". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Expressing the Mind: reflecting on my experience of writing a blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog previously written on Inspire the Mind by current eBRAIN project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/expressing-the-mind-reflecting-on-my-experience-of-writing-a-blo... |
Description | From Anxiety to Pride: Growing up Bilingual and Losing My Mother Tongue - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/from-anxiety-to-pride-growing-up-bilingual-and-losing-my-mother-... |
Description | Futures Week at Ark All Saints Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Two e-BRAIN researchers gave a presentation about a Career in Science to approximately 80-100 Year 8 pupils. The students were very engaged and asking a lot of questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' perfectly captures how it feels to be a woman - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/greta-gerwig-s-barbie-perfectly-captures-how-it-feels-to-be-a-wo... |
Description | Harris Academy Peckham - Careers in STEM sessions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Delivered 4 x workshops to Y9 students about Careers in STEM which generated excellent discussion about the realities of working in research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Harris City Academy Crystal Palace Mental Health Assembly |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 4 presentations/sessions pre-recorded and delivered during assemblies at Harris City Academy focusing on Mental health awareness, Recognising anxiety and depression, Managing anxiety and depression, and Mindfulness. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Harris City Academy Crystal Palace Mood Regulation Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A one-hour workshop with students at Harris City Academy from a mix of year groups. The workshop focussed on mood regulation skills with interactive activities and discussion within the group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Harris Girls Academy Careers event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A careers event where a number of members of the public submitted videos speaking about their careers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | How do you keep sane as a creative? An interview with our new columnist, novelist Natali J Simmonds - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project Investigator |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/how-do-you-keep-sane-as-a-creative-an-interview-with-our-new-col... |
Description | In for 2024: Tackling stress by embracing the power of routine - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/in-for-2024-tackling-stress-by-embracing-the-power-of-routine |
Description | Inflammation might be one of the keys to unlock depression - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/inflammation-might-be-one-of-the-keys-to-unlock-depression |
Description | Is it on Brand? Sexual Harassment Within, and Beyond, the Comedy World. - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/is-it-on-brand-sexual-harassment-within-and-beyond-the-comedy-wo... |
Description | It's More Than Just a Sport: A Self-Discovery Journey - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/it-s-more-than-just-a-sport-a-self-discovery-journey |
Description | Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty and a History of Hate Speech - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/karl-lagerfeld-a-line-of-beauty-and-a-history-of-hate-speech |
Description | Key note speech |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Key note speech at the event "Women on the Move through Relationships", organised by University of Bologna |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Language We Should and Shouldn't Use When Talking About Mental Health - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind but CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/language-we-should-and-shouldn-t-use-when-talking-about-mental-h... |
Description | Managing Anxiety Workshops - Canary Wharf Crossharbour School |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We were invited to the school to lead a series of workshops to small groups of students in Key Stage 3; 4 workshops for 3 groups. Participants in the workshops learnt about anxiety and had good discussions about what anxiety feels like, how to manage anxiety. Participants in the workshops made |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Managing Stress Workshops - Harris City Academy Crystal Palace |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Presentations to students in Y7, 8, 9, 10, 11 at City Academy regarding mental health awareness, managing anxiety and stress management. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Managing stress |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed by a member of News.UK on stress, consequences of stress, and top tips to cope with stress and burnout, and my research on the topic. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Mental Health Assembly @ Harris Academy Peckham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 30 minute long assembly to whole year group at Harris Academy Peckham about mental health and the eBRAIN study |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Mental Health Assembly @ Harris Boys East Dulwich |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 45 minute assembly at Harris Academy Boys to years 7, 8 and 9 about mental health and the eBRAIN study at KCL |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Mental Health Awareness Assembly |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We gave a virtual presentation (over Teams) to students in Year 7 regarding Mental health awareness and stigma which resulted in discussion with students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Mental Health School Workshops |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Spoke to students at a local school about mental health, stress and anxiety and about the eBRAIN study at KCL |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Mental Health, Young People and the Arts |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | An event discussing the potential role of arts to help mental health problems |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation to Harvard Grand Rounds |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I was invited to give a presentation to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Psychiatry Grand Round. This increased awareness of the challenges of personalised medicine in psychiatry |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Presentation to National University of Singapore |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I gave a presentation on my research and increased awareness on new approaches in neuroimaging applied to psychiatric disorders. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Professor Matthew Hotopf on 'Where is psychiatry going?' - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project Investigator |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/professor-matthew-hotopf-on-where-is-psychiatry-going |
Description | Reach Festival of Young People |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Attended the Young Person Festival in Brixton hosted by the REACH study and Big Kid Foundation. Researchers for eBRAIN spoke at the event, hosted a stall and networked with other 3rd sector orgs and young people people who attended the event. Had many conversations about the eBRAIN study and mental health research in general which generated good discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | School visit (Harris City Academy Crystal Palace) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | About 20-25 teachers attended the Workshop that focused on wellbeing at work, the impact of stress on mental health and stress management. This raised interest in the teachers on the effects of stress on biological mechanisms of response to stress and the consequences on mental health as well as on the developing brain. The audience gave excellent feedback and asked for more of these engagement activities to be carried out in their school. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | School visit (Harris City Academy Crystal Palace), Parents Evening |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We attended a Parents Evening where we had a stand on this MRC funded study and spoke to a large number of parents and pupils about the study as well as about resilience, mental health, brain development and stress coping. We had really positive engagement and this was also an opportunity to see again some of the pupils and parents who had already taken part in the study. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | School visit (Oasis Academy Arena) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | This was a Personal Social Health Education 1-hour talk delivered to about 120 pupils from Year 7 about mental health awareness and destigmatising mental health problems. There was a good Q&A session afterwords, including questions about how to support pupils or friends with mental health problems. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | St Mary's School Croydon - Careers in STEM sessions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Workshops given to small groups of Y9 students regarding careers in STEM. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | St Mary's School Croydon - Mental Health Workshops |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Workshops on managing anxiety and stress to Y9 students in small groups. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | St Thomas More School - maintaining boundaries workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We provided an hour long workshop to classes in KS3 at St Thomas More School in Eltham by request of the wellbeing lead at the school. The workshops lead to good discussion between the students and resulted in us being invited back for further sessions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Supporting blog writing from one of my research team members |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Series of blogs in the IoPPN on a section on Postgraduate Studies, covering academic life and mental wellbeing. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://blogs.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn-students/author/k1803052/ |
Description | Supporting blog writing on mental health topics related to our work |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I encourage blog writing from my researchers. This has been a blog on how to destigmatise and find support when having suicidal ideation, a very important topic for both our adolescent population and youths with mental health problems.. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/blog/finding-tranquillity-in-the-raging-sea-of-suicide |
Description | The Burden of Catcalling and Street Harassment - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-burden-of-catcalling-and-street-harassment |
Description | The Met Police to Stop Attending Mental Health Callouts: The Inspire The Mind View (Part 1) - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-met-police-to-stop-attending-mental-health-callouts-the-insp... |
Description | The Met to Stop Attending Mental Health Callouts in London: The Inspire The Mind View (Part 2) - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-met-to-stop-attending-mental-health-callouts-in-london-the-i... |
Description | The Trials and Tribulations of Moral Perfectionism - Blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written for Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-moral-perfectionism |
Description | The eBRAIN Study: My Thoughts and Experiences - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by former participant of the eBRAIN study about their why they wanted to take part in the study and their experience of taking part. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-ebrain-study-my-thoughts-and-experiences |
Description | The life of a Third Culture Kid - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-life-of-a-third-culture-kid |
Description | The status of psychiatric research - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project Team Member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/the-status-of-psychiatric-research |
Description | Training Day for L2 Biomed students at Brunel University London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Host a stall at a careers event at Brunel University London which was attended by >100 undergraduate and postgraduate students who were studying Biomedical Sciences and were interested in doing a placement year. I spoke to them about my work experience abroad during my undergraduate studies, my experience working as a research assistant on the eBRAIN study and provided advice and help with career development. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Twitter account |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I use Twitter to disseminate information about mental health and diversity and inclusion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020,2021 |
URL | https://twitter.com/paola_DZN |
Description | Voices of Tomorrow: A CELEBRATE Project Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | One of our YEWG members, Kirsten, moderated and co-facilitated a panel discussion. She asked our panel members questions including "How can young people benefit from being involved in mental health research?", or "What is the role of social media in helping or hindering mental health online? What role can influencers play in addressing these issues?". Fera, another YEWG member, spoke about her personal experience surrounding inclusivity in research and represented today's youth. Including our YEWG members on the panel was a great opportunity for the audience to actively engage and hear all about their experiences, as well as their opinions on the CELEBRATE project. Niyah Campbell, our youth involvement co-lead from the University of Birmingham was on our panel, which also included Dr Gillian Brooks who co-moderated as our representative of King's Business School. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.kcl.ac.uk/voices-of-tomorrow-a-celebrate-project-event |
Description | Voices of Tomorrow: Celebrating young people in mental health research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We held a CELEBRATE project event which included a panel discussion and networking opportunities. ~80 people attended, including some young people, academics, influencers, and members of the general public. The event was an opportunity to promote the project and highlight the importance of including young people in research. New partnership opportunities have arisen from the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | Work Experience Students |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Hosted 5 students for 1 week long work experience placements at IoPPN |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Workshop for school children |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | About 50 pupils attended the school visit, oriented towards providing an introduction to science, laboratory work and how the brain works. This stimulated discussion on mental health and how to remain healthy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | World Refugee Day: Mental Health after Fleeing - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/world-refugee-day-mental-health-after-fleeing |
Description | Year 11 School Visit (Harris City Academy Crystal Palace) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We delivered a 30 minutes talk on How to Manage Exam Stress to approximately 150 Year 11 pupils, followed by a lively Q&A session. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Year 12 School visit (Harris City Academy Crystal Palace) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We delivered two workshops, lasting 2 hours each part of a Career Day, to an audience of school Year 12 pupils, as well as representatives from industry, business, counselling and supporters, as well as general public. The workshop focused on managing your mental health throughout University and while developing your career. This was a very lively session, with many questions and positive feedback. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Youth Expert Working Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | We have set up a Youth Expert Working Group (YEWG) which includes young people interested in research, aged between 11-18. In this group, the YEWG members are active contributors to the research and dissemination of the project. We have monthly meetings, were the YEWG members are updated on the project and asked to provide input and feedback. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
Description | Youth Expert Working Group Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Assisted in forming a youth expert working group of young people from across the country, including a number of young people from London who have participated or been involved with eBRAIN. The primary function of the working group was to help co produce a new study 'CELEBRATE' which aims to investigate the barriers and facilitators for young people being involved with biological research. Meetings of this YEWG are ongoing. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
Description | e-BRAIN Spring Newsletter May 2023 - Newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | A newsletter that is created by members of the eBRAIN research team and sent out to participants and their families so that they can find out about any outcomes of the research, provide updates related to the study as well as digestible scientific information and small activities like quizzes or crosswords etc. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ebrainstudy.com/blog |
Description | e-BRAIN Winter Newsletter December 2023 - Newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | A newsletter that is created by members of the eBRAIN research team and sent out to participants and their families so that they can find out about any outcomes of the research, provide updates related to the study as well as digestible scientific information and small activities like quizzes or crosswords etc. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ebrainstudy.com/blog |
Description | eBRAIN Facebook page |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | eBRAIN Facebook page set up to disseminate information about the study. Highest reach for a single post was over 1000 people. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/ebrainstudy |
Description | eBRAIN Spring newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | First edition of the eBRAIN newsletter published, emailed to study participants, their parents and collaborating schools. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.ebrainstudy.com/blog |
Description | eBRAIN twitter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | eBRAIN Twitter feed set up to disseminate information and news about the study, and generally share information regarding youth mental health and related topics. Tweet impressions have peaked so far at 17.5k in March 2021. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://twitter.com/e_brainstudy?lang=en |
Description | eBRAIN website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | eBRAIN study website contains information about the study and how to participate, an option to get in touch with the study team, and links to additional resources including blogs and information about mental health. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://www.ebrainstudy.com/ |
Description | eBRAIN winter newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Winter edition of the eBRAIN study newsletter emailed out to participants, parents, and collaborating schools. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.ebrainstudy.com/blog |
Description | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/like-the-white-rabbit-we-re-late-or-so-says-social-media - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/like-the-white-rabbit-we-re-late-or-so-says-social-media |
Description | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/stuck-in-the-spiral-of-what-if-understanding-the-basics-of-catastrophising - blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written on Inspire the Mind by CELEBRATE project team member. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/stuck-in-the-spiral-of-what-if-understanding-the-basics-of-catas... |
Description | • The Johnny Depp Defamation Trial: The Media's Damaging Portrayal of Personality Disorders |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Blog written for Inspire the Mind written by eBRAIN team member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |