Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Psychology

Abstract

Mental health problems typically develop at the critical age between 12 and 25 years and if left untreated can have serious social and developmental consequences leading to poorer prognosis and greater disability over the life course. This highlights the importance of providing timely treatment and developing special services for youth focusing on improving long term mental health through ensuring consistency in care. However, the current organisation of mental health services in the UK and worldwide means that young people typically attend a children's service until the age of 18 but at that point must transfer to adult care without any support to make the transition. This raises serious concerns about the quality of services offered to young people at the most vulnerable stage of their lives.

These concerns have highlighted globally the need for the reform of mental health services so that they are developmentally appropriate and responsive to the needs of youth. In response to this, various national and international associations have been established to promote the health and wellbeing of young people. However, these groups work in isolation and fail to integrate partners from diverse disciplines and organisations to exchange knowledge and best practice in this field. The proposed seminar will bridge this gap by creating a multi-disciplinary network of national and international leading experts in youth mental health to:
1. identify the big questions around youth mental health and highlight challenges in systems change related to the development of youth friendly mental health services
2. highlight exemplars of new and ongoing research and best practice in youth mental health
3. generate consensus on what the gold standard of a "youth mental health model" should consist of
4. promote public and professional interest and awareness around youth mental health issues and the importance of developing targeted, evidence based mental health services for young people
5. raise awareness of the importance of stigma reduction as a way to maximise service use, treatment adherence and positive peer relationships
This network was initiated by a UK and Irish group of national and international academics, practitioners, researchers and service users who share the same vision of improving mental health outcomes for young people. The applicants have built upon their expertise to develop in consultation with young people a seminar programme on key themes of youth mental health including: a) youth mental health and stigma b) e-health and new technologies for youth mental health and c) the development of youth friendly mental health services.
The seminar will comprise nine one day events over a three year period including talks by leading experts and poster presentations by PhD students and early career researchers followed by discussion groups to promote dialogue, debate and decision making. The seminars will be held in different geographical locations in the UK and Ireland to reflect the international nature of our work and enable wider participation.
Year 1
1. Stigma and prejudice: Advances in theory and research (Nottingham December 2014)
2. E-mental health: What is happening and where are we heading? (Surrey May 2015)
3. Mapping out existing and new service models and systems of care for youth (Ireland August 2015)
Year 2
1. The experience of public stigma and self-stigma in young people (Dublin December 2015)
2. The use of technology to promote young people's mental health: National and international innovations (Nottingham May 2016)
3. Theoretical models of service change and their application to youth mental health (Birmingham September 2016)
Year 3
1. Interventions to tackle stigma and discrimination (London December 2016)
2. E-mental health and young people: Challenges and ways of moving forward (Surrey May 2017)
3. Youth Mental Health: Moving towards a gold standard service model (Birmingham September 2017)

Planned Impact

Various youth mental health associations operate in the UK and Ireland. However, most of these work in isolation with very few initiatives to gather people from diverse disciplines, countries and organisations to exchange knowledge and best practice on key issues in this field. The seminar will bridge this gap by creating a multi-disciplinary network of national and international collaborators which is expected to significantly benefit the following groups:
Researchers
The seminar will foster collaboration and communication regionally, nationally and internationally between researchers and academics from varied disciplines and career stages working towards advancing research in the field of youth mental health. We have secured 15 places for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. It is expected that this group will benefit from inter-disciplinary interactions which will raise theoretical and methodological issues in this field.
Mental health practitioners
Providers of mental health services will benefit through the interactive process of knowledge exchange about best practice internationally. The seminar will raise awareness about system innovations and best models of care and will provide the platform for dialogue on ways of reforming services. This will encourage reflective practice and critical examination of existing systems and whether they address young people's needs. This process of continuous learning will facilitate professional development and improvement.
Primary care providers
The seminar will highlight GPs' important role in the early identification and management of mental illness in youth. GPs will gain knowledge and understanding of issues around help seeking, early detection and the need for collaboration with secondary mental health services to ensure integrated care pathways.
UK and Irish government organisations and policymakers
The seminar will provide the evidence base for the development of mental health services for youth aged 12-25 years. By doing so, it will feed into UK's No Health without Mental Health strategy and Ireland's A Vision for Change policy framework on the importance of commissioning for early intervention to prevent ill health in young people and ensuring youth participation in the redesign of services.
Third sector
Third sector organisations including charities supporting the health and wellbeing of young people and their families will be able to use our work to support their own initiatives. The seminar will bring together academic and non academic partners providing opportunities for charities to develop valuable collaborations.
Young people and carers
Young people and their families will directly benefit through participation in the delivery of seminars. Talks on the lived experiences of young people will ensure that their voices are heard. Young people will gain valuable knowledge about the importance of self-determination in achieving their own health needs which will instil empowerment. The seminar will place young people at the forefront of change as leaders of necessary reforms.
Funders
The seminar will produce new research agendas and highlight to funders of health research the need for a dedicated funding scheme on youth mental health supporting international collaborations.
Industry
Our seminars on e-mental health will most likely attract the attention of the industry and will open the communication channels for collaboration with universities and the health sector.
Learned Societies/professional membership bodies
Our activities will be of interest to the British and Irish Psychological Society both of which will be informed about our work and outputs. Representatives from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Irish College of GPs will be invited to participate in our seminars. Our work will inform guidelines and recommendations published by these bodies in relation to young people's health services.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Title Booklet 
Description Our Youth Advisory Group, New Youth, consisting of young people with experiences of mental health problems have designed a booklet including artwork, poems and other pieces of creative writing as a way of communicating positive messages (e.g. recovery is possible, combat stigma) about their mental health experiences to other young people. 
Type Of Art Creative Writing 
Year Produced 2016 
Impact no impact yet - activity just completed 
 
Title video from ESRC Social Sciences Festival event 
Description Video covering ESRC Social Sciences event "Job skills for youth to provide a boost". 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact Video is uploaded on youtube and disseminate via social media e.g. twitter 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMs8olnhHks&feature=youtu.be
 
Description - To inform policy in Scotland and England re CYP access to mental health services. - To inform youth involvement and participation in research and service delivery.
First Year Of Impact 2018
Sector Healthcare
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Guideline Title Suicide Prevention in Children and Young People: Top Tips for GPs (part of RCGP Mental Health Toolkit)
Description Guidelines for Royal College of General Practitioners
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in clinical guidelines
 
Description Invited expert advisor for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide guidance on key funding priority areas in mental health as part of a mental health expert group
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Activity ongoing - no impact yet
 
Description Invited expert to review Department of Health's emerging Mental Health Research Strategy
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Response to public inquiry Scottish Parliament
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.parliament.scot/S5_PublicPetitionsCommittee/Inquiries/University_of_Birmingham_Institute...
 
Description Childline's assessment and respond to suicide risk in children and young people
Amount £31,000 (GBP)
Organisation National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2020 
End 07/2020
 
Description ESRC DTP PhD Studentship
Amount € 42,000 (EUR)
Organisation Economic and Social Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2018 
End 10/2021
 
Description East Midlands CLAHRC Phase 3 project
Amount £55,000 (GBP)
Organisation National Institute for Health Research 
Department NIHR CLAHRC for East Midlands
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2015 
End 10/2018
 
Description East Midlands Patient Safety Collaborative
Amount £16,000 (GBP)
Organisation East Midland Patient Safety Collaborative 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2016 
End 07/2016
 
Description Patient and Public Involvement Group
Amount £1,500 (GBP)
Organisation East Midlands Academic Health Science Network 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2016 
End 09/2017
 
Description NIHR MindTech Collaboration 
Organisation National Institute for Health Research
Department MindTech Healthcare Technology Co-operative
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The next ESRC seminar on e-mental health and new technologies in youth mental health will be organised and delivered in collaboration with MindTech.
Collaborator Contribution The next ESRC seminar on e-mental health and new technologies in youth mental health will be organised and delivered in collaboration with MindTech.
Impact One joint grant application to the MRC PHIND (unsuccessful).
Start Year 2016
 
Description Norfolk youth mental health service 
Organisation Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Invited speaker to a lunch seminar at youth service in Norfolk to showcase our research programme and establish collaboration with partners
Collaborator Contribution Keynote speech in August 2016 ESRC seminar (Birmingham) on youth-friendly mental health services.
Impact Developing a grant proposal with partners to be submitted to NIHR HS&DR research programme
Start Year 2016
 
Description Research collaboration 
Organisation Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Department Forward Thinking Birmingham
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution ongoing grant application
Collaborator Contribution intellectual input to development of joint grant proposal
Impact ongoing grant proposal
Start Year 2019
 
Description Technology and youth mental health 
Organisation Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre
Country Australia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Vising scholar at Young & Well Co-operative Research Centre. Invited collaborators from the research centre to co-deliver 2015 ESRC seminar on digital technologies and youth mental health.
Collaborator Contribution Keynote speech at 2015 ESRC seminar on digital technologies in youth mental health. Presentation and dissemination of their work at lunchtime seminar University of Nottingham.
Impact n/a
Start Year 2014
 
Description West Midlands Academic Health Sciences Network 
Organisation West Midlands Academic Health Science Network
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Input in organisation and delivery of last ESRC seminar due to take place on the 23rd March 2018
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in digital innovations and youth mental health
Impact n/a
Start Year 2017
 
Description ESRC Social Sciences Festival workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 40 delegates attended ESRC Social Sciences Festival event titled "Job skills for youth to give a boost"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/university/colleges/socsci/events/esrc-festival-2018/events/job-skills-...
 
Description ESRC seminar on stigma and youth mental health 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I have now built a very good relationship with local media and our team is frequently approached by media to provide mental health expert input.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description International Youth Mental Health Conference (Montreal, 2015) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I presented the findings of a NIHR RCF funded research at an international conference on youth mental health. As a result of this, I was approached by academics from UCD, Ireland to collaborate on a cross-cultural study involving a survey with GPs in Ireland and UK about their knowledge, confidence and competencies in assessing and managing suicide risk and self harm in young people. I helped the UCD team develop the survey questionnaire. Data collection is underway. This collaboration is likely to lead to a academic paper.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Interview published: Britain in 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed as an expert in youth mental health for an article titled "No Health without Mental Health" about the work we do as part of the 3-year ESRC-funded programme ending in 2017.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Organised and delivered a youth mental health conference (Nottingham, 2015) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact 1. I was invited as an expert advisor by Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Health Trust to provide guidance on evidence-based interventions for young vulnerable people (e.g. at risk of suicide) as part of the redesign of local services.
2. I was invited as an expert panel member for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust wide working party which reports to the Children, Young People and Families Programme Board. The aim of the group is to scope current practice and make recommendations to the Board and commissioners, identifying key issues and solutions around the development of youth-friendly mental health services.
3. I was invited as a commissioning panel member for Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group. I was directly involved in the evaluation and rating of bids for a new online and face-to-face counselling service for young people who self-harm in Nottingham.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description YMHmattersUCD 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact The aim of this competition is to make the students and staff of UCD more aware of ways to promote positive mental health, of what it means to have a mental health disorder and of the supports that are available. Students are asked to prepare an informative video clip on one of 3 themes; 1) promoting positive mental health, 2) providing information on mental health difficulties, 3) providing information on supports available to staff and students of UCD. The video clip will enter a screening process with the Youth Mental Health Lab members and if shortlisted, will be uploaded to the Youth Mental Health Lab Facebook page. Once uploaded, the amount of 'likes' a video receives will count towards 40% of the overall judgement process. The other 60% lies with the Youth Mental Health Lab team.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.facebook.com/events/1407439079328483/