News

M-RIC hosts national experts on mental health research co-production

The Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) recently welcomed senior representatives from the Mental Health Mission and charity MQ Mental Health Research to see our pioneering approach to co-production.

M-RIC’s newly appointed service users and carer representatives met Mental Health Mission Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation Lead Lesley Booth and MQ Mental Health Research Director of Research Partnerships and Development Emily Wheeler.

The service user and carer representatives talked passionately about their new roles which involve working side-by-side with our research leads on our six work package themes. They cover areas such as data and digital innovations to support patients and solve problems in mental health, trialling new medicines and investigating new ways we can reduce the social determinants or non-medical factors that can affect mental health. They also provided an overview of the training, support and processes that have been put in place so they can be equally involved in planning and decision-making.

During their visit, Lesley Booth and Emily Wheeler also met with M-RIC Co-Directors Prof Nusrat Husain and Prof Iain Buchan, research leads and the patient and public involvement and engagement team.

M-RIC is one of two demonstrator sites, alongside the Midlands Translational Centre, in the national Mental Health Mission. The mission was launched in 2023 to increase mental health research capacity and capability in areas where it is needed most.

Lesley Booth and Emily Wheeler meeting the M-RIC team

Lesley Booth said:

It’s inspiring to visit M-RIC and see firsthand how they are not just involving people with lived experience of mental health services but championing their voices as a vital part of the research process. It is also encouraging to hear about the work taking place within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust to support more staff and service users to get involved in research activities such as clinical trials. This inclusive approach ensures that the research is not only innovative but also genuinely reflective of the needs and experiences of those it aims to help.

Emily Wheeler added:

MQ is supporting the mental health mission to advance mental health research. We are strong advocates of patient and public partnerships that are on an equal footing so to come and see this in action on a range of innovative new projects is fantastic. It has the potential to be a become a best practice model for use across the country.

Video of Emily Wheeler discussing her visit to M-RIC

Find out more about M-RIC patient and public involvement and engagement.