How we're working with patients and the public
Explore the different ways we are working with patients, the public and people with lived experience of mental health to shape mental health research – from co-produced projects and papers to engaging the public through arts and events.
Below are highlights of our research projects which involve people with lived experience. You can see a full list of our latest news stories and blogs about PPIE on our news pages here.
RE-STAR
The paper describes the RE-STAR group’s pioneering new approach to the translational science of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD which places the insights and experiences of neurodivergent young people themselves at the very heart of their scientific endeavour.
The RELAX Study
This study aims to see if a new web-based training, RELAX can reduce anxiety in pregnant women and new mothers. Here some members of the RELAX study patient and public involvement and engagement group introduce themselves
Experts with lived experience address mental health stigma
The community engagement event, “Voices of Experience: Breaking Mental Health Stigma”, was hosted at Peckham Levels in May 2025 and explored themes of mental health, diagnosis, stigma and spirituality. It featured a creative showcase of visual artwork, poetry and spoken word performances developed by lived experience experts and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) colleagues drawing on their own mental health and wellbeing.
Pioneering dance performance explores ‘living well with technology’ at King’s Chapel
The performace showcased Feedback Loops, an arts and science collaboration in the area of living well with technology. It combines dance and music that is generated from live human body data collected from a wearable device and lived experience stories to provide insight into the relationship between mind, body and technology.
Co-development of patient reported-outcome measures
Niamh Molloy, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre PhD Student is working with people with lived experience to research how they are contributing to developing outcome measures in mental health research.
Read an interview about our Service User Advisory Group
Jo Evans and Sally Strange discuss what supports meaningful patient and public involvement in mental health research and what can get in the way.
Changing the face of autism research
Changing the face of autism research
Changing the Face of Autism Research Together was an initiative to bring together autistic people and scientists to share ideas and influence the research agenda. 21 participants worked with an artist and a podcaster to create a series of thought-provoking portraits and conversations, which are showcased here.