The 38 people who attended the event on 28 January 2010 included service users and carers, as well as staff from the voluntary and university sectors. Together they explored themed research issues and identified crucial questions to be answered through further research. The lively discussions also provided delegates with valuable insights into the experience of other experts involved in mental health research.
Dr Angela Sweeney, from the Social Care Institute of Excellence and lead editor of This is Survivor Research and Dr Louise Morgan, a survivor researcher based in York, delivered the keynote address, that both outlined how service users can be come involved in research and urged attendees to collaborate on the development and delivery of high quality, methodologically sound, research proposals that would address the needs of service providers, service users and their carers.
The group included representatives from Anuerin Bevan Health Board; Bangor University; Caer Las, Swansea; Glamorgan University; Hafal; Involving People; Kings College London’s Service Users In Research; Swansea University’s Wellbeing Services, School of Human and Health Sciences and School of Medicine; Swansea Network User Group; and the User-Carer Led Research Development Group, MHRN-C (Mental Health Research Network Cymru).
During the plenary session, delegates were encouraged to debate ‘the way ahead’ before committing to a plan of future action, including the development of high quality research proposals to be submitted to research funding bodies.
Phil Jones, Research Portfolio Development Fellow for the Mental Health Research Network Cymru at Swansea University’s School of Medicine, concluded: "The Evidence for Change event proved to be a great success in bringing together service users, cares, the voluntary sector and professional researchers in an equal partnership.
"From the high level of commitment shown, I am confident that the high quality research proposals can be developed for submission to major funding bodies When completed the finds will provide a sound evidence base that will inform policy making and help to transform future mental health service provision in Wales and further afield."
The groups’ proposals for further mental health research will be progressed, over the forthcoming weeks and months, in line with the agreed action plan. In addition, the key findings of relevant research, including evidence-based outcomes, will be presented at future events to be held in the region and across Wales.
Note:
The Mental Health Research Network aims to coordinate and facilitate the delivery of large-scale research projects that will inform policy and practice as it develops; coordinate and facilitate the delivery of large-scale research projects that will translate basic science into practical ways of helping people; broaden the scope and capacity of research in mental health, including full involvement of service users and carers as well as frontline staff; help identify mental health research needs (particularly in health and social care); develop research capacity through a range of initiatives at a local, regional and national level and raise the standard of mental health and social care research throughout Wales, the UK and internationally. For further information, visit: www.mhrnc.org