MindWise partnering with Queen's University on new mental health study

Tue, 09 - March - 2021

MindWise is delighted to be partnering with Queen's for a collaborative study of mental health, suicidal behaviour and resilience in post-conflict NI. 

We're working closely with the School of Nursing and Midwifery, as well as the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, to look at how effective resilience can be to protect against poor mental health and consequently reduce the risk of suicide.

Background:

Suicide is more common in post-conflict settings - however, the extent to which exposure to political conflict is related to suicide in NI has not yet been assessed. In addition, little is known about the role of resilience as a protective mitigating factor. Addressing this gap in knowledge on resilience can make an impact across public mental health, as well as mental health service development and delivery, in post-conflict settings.

Our study has three goals:

• To review literature on the role of resilience in reducing risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour, and impacts of bereavement, in post-conflict settings. 
• To carry out a survey of mental health, suicidal behaviour and resilience after exposure to trauma in NI, in people with and without experience of mental health services. 
• To translate our findings into recommendations for practice through a co-design workshop process.

We're thrilled to be partnering with QUB:

Anne Doherty, CEO of MindWise says, "MindWise is very excited to partner with QUB. The launch of this PhD opportunity is another significant step we're taking to strengthen our research capabilities and more importantly to bring home the traumatic impacts of living in a post-conflict society. We know suicide is more common in post-conflict settings - however, the extent to which exposure to political conflict is related to suicide in NI has not yet been assessed. In addition, little is known about the role of resilience as a protective mitigating factor. Addressing this gap in knowledge on resilience can have impact across public mental health, as well as mental health service development and delivery, in post-conflict settings."

Get involved - opportunity for PhD student

We're looking for an experienced PhD student to work with us to address the risk of suicide in post-conflict Northern Ireland. We're looking for someone with experience of working with individuals with mental health challenges, experience of survey methods and experience of co-design methods. 

This full-time studentship is funded by the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy (DfE). If you meet the criteria, we'd love you to apply here today! Closing date is 19 March.