In the news...
for JUNE 2026
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from the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham
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As we head into summer, I’m pleased to share another month of impressive work from across the Institute of Mental Health, alongside our partners Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Nottingham. This edition showcases the impact of our research and the commitment of our staff, students, and lived experience contributors.
From advances in early psychosis care to national recognition for our digital mental health innovation, the breadth of activity reflects our shared ambition to improve mental health support across the NHS and beyond. Thank you to everyone whose hard work features in these pages.
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Professor Martin Orrell
Director, Institute of Mental Health
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Early psychosis diagnosis tool launched in three major cities, including Nottinghamshire
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A national digital platform that helps clinicians track information related to early psychosis care has launched in Birmingham, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.
The Early Psychosis Informatics into Care (EPICare) study, is a patient registry platform developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC). It tracks information related to patient care and will hold relevant data to help deliver better care to over two thousand patients living with psychosis.
Dr Zia Katshu, lead for the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust site, emphasises that:
“EPICare is the product of genuine partnership between people with lived experience of psychosis. A partnership with their families and carers, frontline clinicians, and researchers. It offers, for the first time within Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services, a quick, easy-to-use, and reliable way to assess cognitive functioning - a key factor influencing day-to-day wellbeing, recovery, and quality of life"'.
Read the EPICare story on our website
Visit the NIHR website
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New animations from the DIORA project
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The Digital Youth project Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA) have published a series of short animations (see above).
Co-created with young people, the films explore online experiences and what digital balance means to them. The result is 5 short animations, discussing screen time, social comparison, daily life, handling tricky online interactions and what adults need to know.
Read more and watch the DIORA films on the Digital Youth website
Meanwhile, interviews from the Digital Youth x MindTech conference in November 2025 are now available to watch on the Mental Elf YouTube channel.
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Two Buckingham Palace parties for PhD student
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PhD student Rianna Patterson (pictured) attended two parties at Buckingham Palace in May!
On 6 May, Rianna was invited to the King’s Garden Party as an associate member of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Whilst there, she met Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster MBE, who is organizing several events for Windrush Day in Nottingham this month.
Following that, Rianna, as a former Youth Ambassador for the King’s Trust, attended the 50th anniversary for the King's Trust Garden Party on 14 May. Congratulations Rianna!
Rianna is currently studying for a PhD in Applied Psychology at the Institute of Mental Health, focusing on dementia narratives. Her supervisors include Centre for Dementia colleagues, Professor Martin Orrell and Dr Linda O'Raw, alongside Magdalena Opazo Breton
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Publication success for PhD student
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Congratulations to Lucy Hitcham, MindTech PhD student, on the first publication from her research into Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHI).
The paper explores the adoption of digital mental health technologies across NHS services in England, Scotland and Wales using Freedom of Information requests. In it she reveals how procurement of DMHIs has declined in the past decade, and considers possible reasons for this.
Lucy’s PhD supervisors and co-authors include IMH colleagues, Dr Aislinn Gómez Bergin, Dr Sachiyo Ito-Jaeger, and Professor Elvira Perez Vallejos.
Read Adoption of Digital Mental Health Interventions in National Health Service England, Scotland, and Wales: Freedom of Information Questionnaire Study
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Tourettes Awareness Month
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Tourette Syndrome (TS) remains one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions. Too often, public perceptions are shaped by stigma, snap judgements, jokes, and misinformation.
This Tourettes Awareness Month, Tourettes Action is asking people to pause, reflect, and recognise a simple truth: people with TS cannot choose their tics – but everyone else can choose how they respond. Find out more about the #NoChoice campaign and how you can take part
We're proud to host the National Steering Group for Tics & Tourette Syndrome, led by experts in the field. Throughout the month we've been sharing their posts on LinkedIn. Don't miss out - follow us on LinkedIn
Read more about the National Steering Group for Tics and Tourette Syndrome
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Institute research informs government report
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ADHD SENCO Training Programme - June 2026
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📅 Wednesday 17 June 2026, 09:30 to 15:30
📍 Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham
🎟️ £120
ℹ️ More information on the IMH website
Special Education Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) play a key role in the development of SEN policy and code of practise in schools, and it is crucial that they are knowledgeable in all aspects of SEN.
We have created a new ‘train the trainer’ method to educate whole schools about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
💠Hear the latest evidenced-based research
💠Comprehensive overview of ADHD
💠Learn the science of ADHD
💠Understand your local care pathway
💠Use your new knowledge to train the teachers in your school
Find out more and buy tickets
If you can't make June, we're also running the programme in November - details for the November cohort
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NHS CHECK latest findings
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The latest findings from the NHS CHECK study are out now, exploring the mental health of healthcare workers in England during the Covid-19 pandemic. They highlight the need for mental health support for vulnerable healthcare worker groups, embedded within routine NHS practice rather than limited to crisis periods.
NHS CHECK was led locally by Professor Richard Morriss of our Centre for Mood Disorders, alongside the Research Delivery Team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Thousands of NHS workers took part in this nationwide study, leading to recommendations in planning for future pandemic preparedness.
Read the article here in Psychological Medicine
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Two new webinars from SoFU - available to watch now
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Free lunchtime webinar from the Centre for Dementia
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You're warmly invited to the next Centre for Dementia lunchtime webinar. Dr Kate Gridley from the University of York will present evidence from her recent research:
💠What next? Accessing support and navigating social care after a diagnosis of dementia
📅 Wednesday 10 June 2026, 11.30am to 12.30pm
💳 Free
📍 MS Teams - registration essential
Kate’s presentation draws on qualitative evidence from her research into the ways people living with dementia access social care and support, with a specific focus on those who don’t qualify for state funded care.
This webinar is open to anyone who is interested, so please share with your networks and communities,
Find out more and register
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NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Mental Health (MindTech) |
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Two MindTech led projects featured in NIHR20 celebrations
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MindTech industry partnership featured as an NIHR case study
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Two groundbreaking MindTech studies have been recognised as part of the NIHR 20‑year celebration of life‑changing research.
Both projects, gameChangeVR virtual reality therapy for people with psychosis and QbTest digital assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), have now been recommended for use across the NHS.
These successes highlight MindTech’s leading role in partnering with both industry and the NHS, while delivering research that directly improves people’s lives and strengthens mental health care across the NHS.
Read Celebrating 20 years of life-changing research
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The Lumi Nova project has been published as a case study on the NIHR website.
MindTech partnered with BfB Labs Ltd in 2019-2020 to develop and evaluate their digital therapeutic mobile game, Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage, and advise on implementation. The game helps manage difficulties with fears, worries or anxiety for children aged 7-12 years with mild to moderate needs, helping them learn skills to self-manage their mental health in an app.
In 2023, Lumi Nova was recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a first line treatment for children and young people with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety, and has since been implemented into over 20 NHS services in the UK.
Congratulations to the MindTech Lumi Nova team, led by Dr Joanna Lockwood. This is an excellent example of MindTech's industry partnerships and collaborations. Read the case study in full
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INVOLVEMENT AT THE INSTITUTE
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Kate Horton showcases PPI at national event
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Our Patient and Public Involvement Lead, Kate Horton (pictured), presented a poster at this year's Research and Development Forum (RDF) in Birmingham recently.
Kate's poster, 'Improving Culture in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) within research' was a fantastic opportunity to share details of her CPD accredited PPI training programme.
The event was attended by around 900 delegates, including healthcare industry representatives. Kate was heartened to meet so many people engaging and recognising the value of public contributors in health research. Well done Kate!
Find out more about our PPI training programme or email Kate Horton for more information.
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DETERMIND project seeking support
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The DETERMIND research project is exploring the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people affected by dementia, a highly underserved population, with the aim of improving future dementia care pathways to be more inclusive, responsive, and accessible.
Researchers are currently seeking support with recruitment for this study, which involves interviews with LGBTQIA+ people living with dementia anywhere in the UK. Carers are also welcome to take part if the participant wishes.
To learn more or get involved, email Ben Hicks
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ADHD study for young people - now open
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IMH researchers are inviting children and young people with ADHD (11-16 years old) and a parent to take part in two creative workshop sessions. Participants will work together with the research team to develop early ideas and create simple prototype designs for sensory‑based tools that may support self‑regulation. Each workshop will last approximately three hours and be held during the weekend.
Participants (both the young person and the parent) will receive £45 in shopping vouchers per session. The parent/carer will stay with the child throughout.
To find out more, including eligibility criteria, read the expression of interest form or email Dr Sachiyo Ito‑Jaeger
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Study using AI to detect early-stage post-natal depression is seeking participants
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Could you take part in a study investigating an AI-powered app monitoring mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the postpartum period?
Participants from 12 weeks pregnant to 12 weeks postpartum will use the TrueBlue app on their mobile devices over 12 weeks. The goal is to assess whether the app is safe, usable, acceptable, and how far predictions from the technology agree with standard clinical measures of depression and anxiety. The technology behind this trial has been developed by the study's partner BlueSkeye AI and was featured in a BBC Panorama episode in August 2023, exploring the positive future uses of Artificial Intelligence.
This study is led by Dr Neil Nixon in the Centre for Mood Disorders, and run in close collaboration with experts in Public Patient Involvement (PPI) and senior specialist clinicians at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
For anyone interested in the trial, email the TrueBlue team or call 0115 748 6749. Alternatively view and complete the TrueBlue expression of interest form
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Take part - brain imaging study
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Our Forensic Research Nottingham colleagues are inviting participants to take part in a brain imaging study, exploring how the brain processes empathy.
Take part
💠 Are you aged between 18 and 59?
💠 Can you attend the University of Nottingham for two days?
💠 Travel expenses and lunch will be provided.
💠 Participants will be paid minimum wage for their time.
💠 The study will involve screening for mental disorders, including an interview, having an MRI brain scan, having an OPM-MEG brain scan and doing tasks using a touchscreen device.
To find out more visit our website or telephone 0115 7485865
Alternatively, email Asha White or email John Tully
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➡️ Save the date!
📅 9 and 10 September 2027
📍 Crowne Plaza, Nottingham
💠 Details coming soon
Building on the success of Refocus on Recovery 2025, dates for Refocus on Recovery 2027 have now been confirmed.
Last year's event aimed to provide inspiration and network space for people interested in recovery research, with an intention to appeal to new audiences. It featured presentations from invited keynote speakers and through selected abstracts, providing a platform for both lived experience perspectives, and empirical research studies.
Check our events page for updates
Read the Refocus on Recovery 2025 report
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📅 9 September 2026 to 7 October 2026, 1pm to 3pm
📍 Online via MS Teams
🎟️ £250
📥 More information on the IMH website
Our spring 2026 Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) training programme is now underway, but the dates for the next programme cohort have been confirmed. This CPD accredited course is led by Kate Horton, our PPI Lead, and takes place on weekly two-hour sessions, via MS Teams.
This programme is designed for Early Career Researchers, future PPI facilitators and those people expected to deliver PPI within their research. The learning is designed to help you consider and embed meaningful PPI within your systems so you can incorporate living experiences, peer researchers and patient and public contributors to improve the relevance, acceptability and accessibility of your research.
To find out more, visit our website or email Kate Horton
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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. |
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@institutemh institutemh.org.uk
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