In the news...
for SEPTEMBER 2025
|
|
from the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the September edition of the Institute of Mental Health newsletter. As the new term approaches, we look forward to welcoming students and University of Nottingham colleagues to the Institute. We began the month with the 7th International Refocus on Recovery Conference, where delegates from 21 countries gathered in Nottingham to explore lived experience, cultural perspectives, policy, and innovation in mental health recovery. Congratulations to the Recovery Research Team for bringing together a lively and thought-provoking event. Also this month, you’ll find updates on our research activity, upcoming events, and collaborations aiming to strengthen the bridge between research, healthcare, and community. Thank you for being part of this journey with us — we hope these stories inform, inspire, and spark ideas as we continue working together to improve mental health outcomes.
|
|
Professor Martin Orrell
Director, Institute of Mental Health
|
|
|
Last week, the Recovery Research Team hosted the 7th international Refocus on Recovery conference at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham. We welcomed over 180 delegates, representing 21 countries! Talks covered lived experience, recovery colleges, co-production, cultural perspectives, public policy, and much more.
Held on the 4th and 5th September, in partnership with the Global Mental Health Peer Network, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Imroc, and the McPin Foundation, the conference focused on three themes, developed with the event partners:
1️⃣ – The role of lived experience in embedding and supporting recovery
2️⃣ – New perspectives around mental health and recovery
3️⃣ – Extending recovery beyond mental health
Alongside our panel and keynote sessions, lightning talks allowed us to hear from many more speakers than we would otherwise. Poster prizes were awarded on the day:
First prize: Dr Kate Quinn, Can I play with madness?
Second prize: Bryher Bowness, Nurturing Creativity whilst Caring: Participatory Action Research with family carers and a Recovery College
Congratulations to both winners, and to everyone who contributed to the event. Well done and thank you to event organisers, partners, venue staff and everyone who helped make the day a huge success.
Explore the programme online.
|
|
|
BAY trial takes to the airwaves
|
|
|
Research Support Officer, Alexandrea (Drea) Wusu, featured on a new podcast from the York Trials Unit, 'The Research Room'. Drea shares her experience of delivering the BAY Trial in Notts Healthcare. Behavioural Activation for Young People with depression in specialist CAMHS (BAY) aims to support depressed young people in developing confidence, to connect with others, and increase activities that are important to them.
Listen now on Spotify.
|
|
|
|
PROSPER trial meets recruitment target ahead of schedule
|
|
|
Congratulations to IMH researchers Clem Boutry and Paulina Hagyari-Donaldson for reaching the recruitment target for the PROSPER trial, 37 days ahead of schedule! PROSPER (Psychological therapy Readiness and resourcing in Oncology – Support to Promote an Enhanced Response: a randomised controlled trial) explores ways of helping cancer patients whilst they wait for psychological therapy.
Read more about PROSPER.
|
|
|
|
Cancer service recognised for involving patients in shaping outstanding care
|
|
|
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's East Midlands Cancer Alliance Centre for Psychosocial Health (EMCA CPH) service (pictured) has been shortlisted in the Picker Experience Network Awards 2025. The team have been shortlisted in the category of 'Engaging and Championing the Public'.
Read this story on the Notts Healthcare website.
|
|
|
|
Midlands Mental Health and Neuroscience Doctoral Training Programme – closing date 29th September
|
|
|
Submissions are still open for projects for the 2026 cohort of the Midlands Mental Health and Neuroscience Doctoral Training Programme for Healthcare Professionals. This PhD programme is led by the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, University of Leicester, and University of Warwick, and our local NHS Trusts in the Midlands.
To find out more, including how to apply, visit our website.
|
|
|
|
Notts Healthcare contribute to 'first of its kind' study
|
|
|
In the first UK feasibility study of its kind, researchers have worked with service users, NHS staff and other partners to co-create and deliver a physical activity intervention in medium secure mental health units. The study, led by Durham University, was conducted locally by Dr Simon Gibbon, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, with support from the Trust's Research Delivery Team.
Read the publication in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
|
|
|
|
Research showcase supports World Alzheimer's Month
|
|
|
In September, we’re supporting World Alzheimer’s Month - an international campaign to raise awareness and understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
This year’s theme is advocating for greater awareness and understanding around dementia. Through research, the aim is to normalise asking questions and learning more about the condition and how it impacts over 55 million people globally and their carers.
How you can help:
✅ Sign up to Join Dementia Research
✅ Post your own content, photos or videos to social media and use the hashtag #AskAboutDementia
✅ Come along to our Centre for Dementia Research Showcase:
❓Rethinking Dementia: collaboration, co-design, and change.
📅24th September 2025, 09:00-17:00
📍Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham NG7 2UH
💳Free
Join us for a day of talks, discussion and insight into how dementia research is changing – with a growing focus on working in partnership with all the communities affected by dementia.
Open to researchers, health and care professionals, charity and community organisations, and anyone with an interest in dementia, the event will explore how inclusive and collaborative research is helping to tackle inequalities and improve support and care.
Expect inspiring sessions, practical takeaways, and opportunities to connect with others shaping the future of dementia research.
Find out more and register on our website.
|
|
|
|
Deprivation strongest predictor of violence - new paper
|
|
|
In a new paper published in the journal Public Health, Centre for Health and Justice researchers, led by Professor Eddie Kane, explore an alternative model for identifying population targets in violence reduction initiatives. Funding for the research was provided by the London Violence Reduction Unit (LVRU) Programme.
Read 'Violence reduction, revisiting a public health approach'.
|
|
|
|
Review explores progress and challenges in dementia research
|
|
|
Dr Michael Craven (pictured, NIHR MindTech and Centre for Dementia), is one of several authors on a new paper from the INTERDEM Artificial Intelligence and Assistive Technology Taskforce. INTERDEM is a pan-European network collaborating in research on psychosocial interventions in dementia. INTERDEM board members include IMH colleagues Professor Martin Orrell, Dr Esther Loseto-Gerritzen, and Dr Aysegul Kafadar. Dr Craven led on the usability theme of this latest systematic review, which summarises progress and persisting challenges regarding digital assistive technologies for people living with dementia. A special mention was given to Naomi Thorpe, Senior Knowledge Specialist, Notts Healthcare, for running the usability search.
Read the review in Digital Health.
|
|
|
|
New Guidance for Mental Health Innovation Partnerships
|
|
|
Our MindTech colleagues are excited to share the Principles of Industry–Academic Partnerships (PIP) — a co-produced framework designed to strengthen collaborations between digital mental health companies and academic institutions. The guidance was developed by NIHR MindTech HRC (Dr Charlotte Hall, Kelly-Marie Prentice, Olivia Hastings, Dr Bev Brown) and Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit (Dr Sophie Hall).
Developed through surveys, focus groups, and expert workshops, the PIP guidance outlines 14 actionable strategies to help overcome common barriers such as misaligned timelines, contracting complexities, and cultural differences. Watch the UNITE video below to learn more.
Whether you're in academia, industry, or supporting innovation in healthcare, you're invited to watch their video (below) and explore and share these resources.
|
|
|
Being Seen: In Art, Words and Dance
📅Saturday 18th October, 2–4pm
📍Coventry Cathedral (Transept)
💳Free, registration essential.
Register via Eventbrite.
The event marks the culmination of seven years of collaboration with survivors of trauma by artist and friend of IMH, Andy Farr. Andy has translated their stories into powerful visual portraits that speak to both pain and personal renewal.
This exhibition and live performance brings together visual art, lived experience, dance, poetry, and testimony. Inspired by real stories of trauma and transformation, Being Seen offers a deeply human look at resilience, compassion, and hope.
Explore Being Seen on our website.
|
|
|
|
Save the date for this year's Trent Study Day: Trauma in secure care
|
|
|
|
📅Friday 21st November 2025, 9.00 – 16.00
📍Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, NG7 2TU
💳A limited number of funded/free places are available for Notts Healthcare colleagues.
Non-Notts Healthcare Trust staff: £130
**This is an in-person only event**
The Trent Study Day is an annual conference hosted by the Forensic Services Division of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Mental Health. The conference is aimed at professionals working in the field of forensic mental health and the criminal justice system, including clinicians, managers, commissioners and others.
The call for poster abstracts is now open! Submit your abstract using this online MS form.
Registration opens 22nd September and will be posted on the Institute of Mental Health website. View the event page online.
📧If you have any queries, email info@institutemh.org.uk
|
|
|
Digital Youth x MindTech - last chance for early bird tickets!
|
➡️ Digital Risk, Resilience and Interventions: co-creating change in youth mental health
📅 Thursday, 13th November 2025
📍 County Hall, London’s Southbank
🎟️ Early bird £50, full price £75, students and charities £20
ℹ️ More information about the event
|
|
|
OPM-MEG - registration now open!
|
|
|
|
➡️ Research Symposium: OPM-MEG - potential applications for clinical research
📅 Friday, 19th September 2025, 09:30-15:45
📍 Institute of Mental Health, NG7 2TU
ℹ️ More information about the event
Register now for this one-day symposium, sponsored by the British Neuroscience Association, bringing researchers together to provide an account of the emergence of OPM-MEG as an exciting new research tool with applications for clinical populations. This event is an opportunity for early career and established researchers to explore incorporating this technology into protocols for clinical research.
|
|
|
📅 24th September 2025, 09:00-17:00
📍 Institute of Mental Health, NG7 2UH
💳 Free
📥 More information on the IMH website
Join us for a day of talks, discussion, and insight into how dementia research is changing – with a growing focus on working in partnership with all the communities affected by dementia.
|
|
📅 26th November, 09:30-15:30
📍 Institute of Mental Health, NG7 2TU🎟️ £120
📥 More information on the IMH website
Registration is now open for the November 2025 edition of the ADHD SENCO Training Programme ran by members from our Centre for CANDAL
|
|
|
📅 !9th September 2025, 09:30-15:45
📍 Institute of Mental Health, NG7 2TU
📥 More information on the IMH website
Register now for this one-day symposium, sponsored by the British Neuroscience Association, bringing researchers together to provide an account of the emergence of OPM-MEG as an exciting new research tool with applications for clinical populations.
|
|
📅21st November 2025, 9.00 – 16.00
📍Institute of Mental Health, NG7 2TU
🎟️A limited number of free places are available for Notts Healthcare colleagues.
Non-Notts Healthcare Trust staff: £130
📥 More information on the IMH website
Trent Study Day is aimed at professionals working in the field of forensic mental health and the criminal justice system, including clinicians, managers, commissioners and others.
The call for poster abstracts is now open! Submit your abstract using this online MS form.
**Registration opens 22nd September**
|
|
|
We would love to hear from you.
Please visit our website or follow us on our social media pages to
keep up to date with our news and updates. |
The Institute of Mental Health brings together healthcare staff and academics to lead mental health research designed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care. We are a partnership between two highly respected organisations, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Nottingham. |
|
|
|
@institutemh institutemh.org.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
