News The importance of partnering with community groups
In her latest article, M-RIC Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead Jahanara Miah, explains why partnering with community groups in Liverpool City Region is vital to help increase mental health research participation
In mental health research, one of the key challenges is making sure our studies include and represent all communities, especially those that are often overlooked, these communities may include ethnic minorities, low-income populations, rural residents, vulnerable immigrants, people who are homeless, people who misuse substances, prisoners, and low-income populations. These groups are often left out of research even though they are more likely to face mental health problems. To counter this, it’s important to develop strong partnerships with grass roots community groups that support and have established links with these populations.
Who do we mean by underserved?
People are ‘underserved’ if their social circumstances, language, culture or lifestyle prevents adequate access to resources, services, or opportunities that are widely available to others.
These community groups know their community well – they understand their concerns and needs. When researchers team up with these groups, they can use this trust to make people feel more comfortable and valued. This is particularly important in mental health research, where the topics can be very personal and sensitive.
Mental health is experienced and understood differently in different cultures and communities. What one group sees as a mental health issue might be seen differently by another. Community groups know these cultural differences and can help researchers design studies that are respectful and relevant to each group. For example, they can advise on how to ask questions, what language to use, and how to talk about sensitive topics. This cultural understanding not only shows respect but also makes people more likely to participate in research because they see that it reflects their own experiences and values.
Underserved communities often face unique mental health challenges that are not well understood because they are not studied enough. By partnering with community groups, researchers can make sure these voices are heard and play an active role in shaping the research. This approach leads to more complete and inclusive results, which can help create better and more effective mental health support.
Working with underserved communities should be an ongoing effort, not just a one-time thing. Building long-term relationships with community groups is crucial for keeping people involved in research. These lasting partnerships allow researchers to share their findings with the community, which can make people feel more involved and interested in continuing to participate in future studies.
How does M-RIC work with community groups?
Pictured: M-RIC staff and public advisors at the Savera UK International Women’s Day event in Liverpool.
Savera UK is a group working to end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and all harmful practices. Earlier this year, Savera UK held a community event in Liverpool in celebration of International Women’s Day and a collective action to address ongoing inequalities. The theme, #InspireInclusion, resonated deeply throughout the event, bringing together women and allies from various sectors to stand in solidarity.
Savera UK worked closely with longstanding partners like Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, RASA Merseyside, WHISC, Mary Seacole House, Women Reach Women CIC, and Lajna Ima’illah (Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association). This year also saw the formation of new collaborations with the M-RIC, Maria Fogg Family Law, and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival. The success of the event was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of these partners in terms of both financial support and resources.
One of the highlights of the day was the participation of guest speakers from M-RIC, who shared valuable insights on research participation and the important role of inclusivity and the importance of ensuring that research and community initiatives are accessible and representative of all voices.
The event attracted over 200 women from diverse backgrounds, communities, and organisations, all coming together to celebrate, engage, and continue the crucial work of addressing inequalities.
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