Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Pamela Qualter Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Urban Posted:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the UK’s mental health, particularly loneliness. Data from spring 2021 found a million more adults were feeling lonely “often” or “always” compared to spring 2020. Now, a recent evidence review for DCMS, led by Professor Pamela Qualter, has set out what we know – and don’t […]
By Pamela Qualter and Anna Sanders Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
Evidence makes it clear that exposure to adversity and stress has vast potential to negatively influence the trajectory of a person’s health and wellbeing throughout their life. In this blog, Professor Pamela Qualter and Dr Anna Sanders present the key findings of a Child of the North report, co-authored with colleagues from Newcastle, Bradford, Sheffield, […]
By Jo Neill Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:
The last decade has seen a new focus on psychedelics as powerful medicines for treating severe mental health issues, including the use of psilocybin for conditions such as PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. However, many of these potentially life-saving treatments, including psilocybin, remain difficult to research due to overly strict drug laws. In this blog, Professor […]
By Laura Watt, David Gadd, Maria Pampaka, Filippo Varese and Rabiya Majeed-Ariss Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Health and Social Care Posted:
Around 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault at some point in their life. The results can be devastating for victims and survivors. They not only have to deal with the psychological trauma of the assault, but often suffer physical harm and social consequences, including financial ones, as a result. The impact of these […]
By Katherine Berry Filed Under: All posts, Health and Social Care Posted:
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended psychological therapies for severe mental health problems. Mental health trusts prioritise spending money for therapy on outpatient services instead of inpatient services, as ward staff often think that inpatients are ‘too unwell’ to benefit from talking-based treatments. In this blog, Katherine Berry and colleagues explain […]
By Neil Humphrey Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Education, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care Posted:
As children and young people return to classroom education, schools have a vital role to play in assessing and supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Here, Professor Neil Humphrey from the Manchester Institute of Education argues that schools should routinely collect reliable mental health and wellbeing data, with which they can ‘build […]
By Billy Haworth Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide-ranging effects for people across the UK. However, some groups have felt the effects of the pandemic and its associated lockdowns more than others. In this blog, Dr Billy Haworth, from the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, shares their recent research into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ populations during COVID-19. They […]
By Ola Demkowicz, Emma Ashworth and Terry Hanley Filed Under: Education, Health and Social Care Posted:
For older teenagers, the COVID-19 pandemic has come at a key moment in the transition to adulthood. In “normal” times, this age group are becoming more independent and are taking steps towards their futures – sitting exams, beginning new studies, and entering the workforce. In 2020, things have been rather different. In this blog Dr […]
By Jo Biglin Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
Spending time in an allotment was permitted as a form of exercise throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, and as it eases, provides a physically distanced way of socialising. In this blog, researcher Jo Biglin outlines the vital role these spaces play in the mental and physical wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees, and suggests policies to […]
By Jill Rubery Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:
The need to build back better has received widespread endorsement, not only because the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for change but also because it has revealed the high price paid by those facing inequality in the labour market, including inequality by gender. Here, Professor Jill Rubery, Director of the Work and Equalities Institute, discusses […]