We have had quite a few requests to share research projects recently so we thought the best way to share them was to put them all together on a page here.

If you are a researcher who wants to request that we share information about your research please click here

Before we share research we ask to the ethical approval received by researchers, the information they will give to participants and the questions they will be asking. We only share research that aligns with our organisational approach and values.

Remember that agreeing to find out more about research or starting to take part in a project doesn't mean you can't change your mind - it is always important that you feel comfortable and safe taking part, so if you change your mind, just let the researcher know

Research Projects Looking for Participants:

More information can be found here.

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Looking at what young people (16-25) use to manage distress and moments of crisis.

Contact: Dr Clare Fenton, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. [email protected] 

Link to survey here. 

"I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist working within the NHS and involved in research into self-harm in young people through my work with COMIC (an NHS research team: https://www.comic.org.uk/). Although there is a much better understanding of self-harm in young people I am very concerned at how little research has been conducted to help organisations and young people know the best way to use self-help resources. One example of this is the "safety plan" which is often created to help people in crisis who are struggling to manage the urge to self harm. These safety plans have been almost exclusively created with older adults rather than young people. The survey I have designed with the help of young people and clinicians with expertise in this area aims to look specifically at what young people (16-25) use to manage distress and moments of crisis. In itself this will be very valuable information for clinicians and self-help websites wanting to give helpful information for young people. The survey will then also feed into further research that is planned around how to create a child and young person friendly safety plan through use of a self-soothe box."

Twitter accounts: @shrinkable1 @COMICResearchUK

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Research project: Engagement and experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Services

Link to the questionnaire can be found here [click for link].

This study aims to explore and understand how mothers* experience Perinatal Mental Health Services. The “perinatal” period spans from the moment a person becomes pregnant to 1 year after giving birth. It is well documented that this can be a challenging time for many mothers*, with research noting between 20-30% of mothers experience poor mental health. However little attention in research has focused on how mothers experience NHS Perinatal Mental Health Services and the support they offer.

*Please note we are using the term “mothers” as it is the most widely recognised English terminology to describe people who have been pregnant and given birth. However, we understand that this is a gendered term, and do not wish to exclude those who do not identify with this term from this project. We are interested in capturing all views of those who are currently or have recently been pregnant and have received perinatal mental health support.

 Who can take part?
1. People who are currently pregnant and were referred to an NHS service for mental health support during their pregnancy
2. People who have given birth in the past three years and were referred to an NHS service for mental health support during their pregnancy or during first year after giving birth.

We are interested in hearing people’s experiences and thoughts about NHS mental health services during pregnancy and/or the first year after giving birth. You do not need to have attended any mental health appointment to take part in this study, but you do need to have been referred to a mental health service during your pregnancy and/or first year after giving birth.

There is more information for people considering taking part in the study here.

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Seeking research participants!

Are you over 18 years old with experience of repetitive self harm? (We define repetitive self harm as more than 5 times within a year). We are keen to hear about your experiences of repetitive self harm and your thoughts about factors that contribute to repetitive self harm, through 1:1 interviews. 

Contact Millie to find out more, on: [email protected]

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We are looking for individuals who have experience of self-harm* to take part in an online research study about online support.

Many people who have hurt themselves on purpose turn to the Internet for help, and we want to see what types of online support for self-harm are most helpful.

The study will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. After taking part, you can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win one of four £50 Love2shop gift vouchers.

The study is conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol. For further information, and for details on how to take part, please visit this link: https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/F7276A95-FE55-4E9A-86B4-AE67381997C1.

You can also contact the main researcher Jennifer Ferrar at [email protected] with any questions about the study.

Please note, the content in the study does not include any physical details of self-harm, but it is possible the subject matter may be triggering or upsetting to those who have experience of self-harm. It is up to you to decide if you would like to take part and you are free to exit the study at any point if you change your mind. You will also be provided with a list of support services.

*To be eligible for this study, you will need to have self-harmed in the past year. You will also need to be at least 16 years of age, a resident in the United Kingdom, and fluent in English.

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How do self-esteem, self-disgust and body experience relate to self-harm?

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What are the triggers and functions of self-harm?

Contact: Alexandra Rabjohns - [email protected] 

I am a current PhD research student from Sheffield Hallam University in my final year of study. One of my research studies is exploring the triggers and functions of self harm in community populations via a series of online questionnaires. If you decide to take part you will be asked to complete online surveys taking around 30-45 minutes including questions about your emotions, your experiences of self-harm, your thoughts in relation to self-harm and how you feel before self-harm.

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