Blogs by Ian Bradshaw
2 2017
Research in the News
by Ian Bradshaw
When we wrote our last ‘Research in the News’ update in early April the General Election was not even in prospect. It’s fair to say that there has been a lot of news since. The jury is still out on the impact it will have on mental health research.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More18 2017
“Good Work” and good mental health
by Ian Bradshaw
Our jobs are central to many of our lives. They provide us with money; but also social interaction, an identity, a sense of worth or value. It is not surprising that our work and our mental health are often inter-connected. Generally unemployment is bad for your mental health.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More30 2017
Why I’m doing Ride London to support Mental Health Research
by Ian Bradshaw
Our policy manager Ian writes about why he is doing RideLondon, and the special challenges of doing it whilst in recovery from anorexia.
‘You are MAD…’
That was my Mum’s response to the news that I am doing RideLondon 100 mile bike ride at the end of July.
Read More19 2017
Manifesto Commitments To Mental Health Research Are Great – Action Will Be Even Better.
by Ian Bradshaw
We have reached the stage of the General Election were the main parties have published their manifestos and charities check whether their issues have made the cut. When the election was called we worked with the Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders to send a joint letter to all the parties setting out the case for including mental health research in their manifestos (read it here).
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More7 2017
Depression: Let’s Talk (About How We Talk About It)
by Ian Bradshaw
Today (7 April) is World Health Day, organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). They have picked the theme of “Depression: Let’s Talk”.
It would be easy to be cynical. Yet another campaign about talking about mental health. Between Time to Talk Day and the new HeadsTogether campaign it feels like we are not short of people urging us to open up about our mental wellbeing.
Inclusion and combating stigma
Read More23 2017
Why we should include everyone and everywhere in mental health research
by Ian Bradshaw
Our new policy briefing Everywhere and Everyone Included? describes the wide disparities in the research activity of NHS mental health trusts in England. This is despite the government’s commitments to create a “culture of innovation and research that is embedded at every level” of the NHS, with a “workforce that embraces research and innovation”.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More16 2017
“Yes, and” – mental health research funding needs both better evidence and better public and patient involvement
by Ian Bradshaw
Ian examines a call for a new ’empirical’ approach to mental health research funding, and finds that the voice of people affected by mental health problems seems to be missing.
The Lancet Psychiatry published a comment piece last week arguing that in a ‘post-truth era’ mental health research funders should adopt a more ‘empirical’ approach to their work [requires registration].
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More9 2017
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s speech on Mental Health
by Ian Bradshaw
Today’s speech by the Prime Minister on mental health is important, but delivering her promises will need a new commitment to evidence and research.
My conclusion on mental health policy in 2016 was that we should see it as a glass half full.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More16 2016
Mental health policy and research in 2016 – a glass half full?
by Ian Bradshaw
At McPin we know that research and evidence are vital to improving the lives of people affected by mental health problems. But research does not take place in a vacuum. Decisions about what questions are seen as relevant, and what research (and how much) is funded are driven by people and how they respond to events in the outside world such as Brexit.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More16 2016
McPin Methods
by Ian Bradshaw
The 30th of November saw the first of what we will hope will be a series of methods workshops. It brought together over 70 researchers to discuss how to integrate ‘lived experience expertise in mental health research teams’. The event was massively oversubscribed and if the fact that we had to cut short discussions before we were physically kicked out of the venue is any guide, it succeeded in its aim of stimulating debate and the sharing of ideas.
Collaborating with people with lived experience
Read More1 2016
First thoughts from the first #McPinMethods Workshop
by Ian Bradshaw
Yesterday afternoon saw the first of our methods workshops on ‘integrating lived experience expertise in mental health research teams’. The event was massively oversubscribed. If the fact that we had to cut short discussions before we were physically kicked out of the venue is any guide it succeeded in its aim of stimulating debate and the sharing of ideas.
Read More11 2016
Is Scouting really the answer to mental wellbeing?
by Ian Bradshaw
As a former Scout (and Cub Scout) with a history of mental health problems my eye was naturally drawn to the headlines declaring that ‘Scouts and Guides provide ‘mental health boost for life’. Yet again I am the exception to the rule!
Read More14 2016
New Investment in NHS Research Infrastructure shows Mental Health research is gaining traction
by Ian Bradshaw
On Wednesday the Government announced the next five years of funding for NIHR’s 20 Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs). These are collaborations between universities and NHS trusts that provide facilities and support for medical research, and in particular experimental medicine. What is exciting is the prominence that Mental Health is now getting.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More1 2016
Drawing up Research Priorities – different perspectives
by Ian Bradshaw
One of the most significant aspects of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health was the Department of Health’s commitment to develop a ten year strategy for mental health research. We at McPin are now working with the Department on the process for drawing up the strategy.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read More28 2016
Brexit and Mental Health Research: making the best of uncertain times
by Ian Bradshaw
As we recover from Thursday’s referendum our thoughts at McPin have started to turn towards what it means for our mission to transform mental health research. As we enter a period of uncertainty it is easy to be downhearted. But it is also an opportunity to think again about how we make the case for research at a time when it is going to be needed more than ever.
Mental Health Policy & Strategy
Read MoreTopics
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Bloggers
- Agnes Hann
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