Welcome to the NCMH UpdateWe’re very proud to have delivered some fantastic successes over the last few months, with many thousands of individuals across Wales now having participated in our research.

This year will bring some very exciting developments, as NCMH enters a new phase involving colleagues in Swansea and Bangor Universities. We have big plans for the year ahead, and through collaboration we will accomplish far more than we could individually.

We wouldn’t have achieved as much as we have without the help and support of so many of you, whether as volunteers or through your help in promoting our cause – a heartfelt thank you to you all.

By working together I’m sure we can achieve even more in 2015.

Professor Ian JonesNCMH Director

Volunteer numbers double in 2014

www.ncmh.info

January 2015UPDATE

Almost 2000 people of all ages have come forward in the last year to help us with our mental health research, taking the total number of participants to nearly 4000.

Volunteers of all ages from across Wales have given their time to help researchers learn more about the causes of mental health problems.

A better understanding is crucial in helping to improve diagnosis, treatment and support mental healthcare, a key goal for NCMH.

Professor Ian Jones, director of NCMH said: “We can’t thank our volunteers enough - it’s only through their contribution that researchers

can do the work that will lead to real improvements for people affected by mental illness in the future”.

We are still looking for more volunteers and anybody can take part – whether they have lived experience of a mental health condition or not.

The process is quick and simple with a researcher visiting you at home for a short interview and to take a small blood sample. It generally takes less than an hour.

If you haven’t already volunteered head to www.ncmh.info/help-us to find out more, or phone us on 029 2068 8401. You can also text TIME to 60777.

/walesmentalhealth

@ncmh_wales

Renewal provides £3m boost for Welsh mental health research

whether you have lived experience of a mental health condition, work in mental health care/support, or even if you have a friend or relative with a mental health problem.

To share your suggestions, complete the online form at www.ncmh.info/tellncmh before 4pm on Friday 13th February 2015.

#TellNCMH, our online survey allowing you to help shape future mental health research in Wales, will close for entries on 13th February.

We want you to suggest up to 5 research areas and topics that you think research in Wales should focus on in the future.

Your suggestions can be detailed or general, and there’s also space on the survey for you to add any other comments.

By letting us know about the research areas that are important to you, you can help us to build up a better picture of what mental health research in Wales should be doing in the years to come, sparking new ideas and suggesting new avenues for study.

After we receive your suggestions, we will identify the most popular research themes and topics.

We will then make these anonymous suggestions publicly available, so that they can help inform the direction of mental health research in Wales.

We are keen to hear from anybody with an interest in mental health,

info@ncmh.info2

Time is running out for you to #TellNCMH

Mental health research in Wales will receive a £3m boost over the next three years thanks to renewed funding for the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH).

The new round of funding will be provided by the Welsh Government’s National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR).

The centre will continue to recruit thousands of people to take part in mental health research, and will also work to promote understanding of mental health issues among the Welsh public in order to help tackle stigma.

From April 2015 onwards NCMH will create new partnerships with the Health Information Research

Unit (HIRU) at Swansea University and the Centre for Mental Health and Society in Bangor University. The centre will also incorporate the successful activity of the Mental Health Research Network Cymru (MHRN-C) and the Learning Disability and Autism Network (LDAN). These exciting developments will make NCMH a truly Wales-wide organisation.

NCMH director Professor Ian Jones said: “We are very pleased to be able to continue the fantastic work that NCMH has been involved in, and we’re looking forward to some very exciting new developments in the coming years.”

“The renewal is a testament to the commitment and hard work of all

involved with NCMH – both our staff and our research volunteers. This is a very exciting time for mental health research in Wales, and we look forward to taking NCMH forward to the next stage of its evolution.”

Laura Dernie, 31 from Cardiff, is a mum of two and an NCMH research volunteer. Her experience of depression led her to take part in the Centre’s research. Now she acts as a Research Champion helping to recruit new volunteers. “I think it’s brilliant that NCMH will be able to carry on with the work it’s doing” said Laura.

“Their research has the potential to change lives, and one day in the future, the research they’re doing now could benefit my children, and thousands of others”

Insufficient care for women experiencing pregnancy related mental health problems costs the UK economy over £8 billion per year of births, according to a report released in October 2014.

The report, Maternal Mental Health – an economic case for action, was published by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA).

Speaking on the report, NCMH director Professor Ian Jones said “This report illustrates just how much of a priority that suitable, high quality mental healthcare in pregnancy and following childbirth needs to be. The figures can only account for the financial cost – the personal and emotional toll of mental health problems in pregnancy and following childbirth can be tremendously high.”

Dr Sarah Jones, a clinical fellow at NCMH was in London to support the official launch of the report. She said “The truth is that up to 20% of women develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth and suicide is a leading cause of death during this period.”

“Yet despite mental health issues being both common and crippling for mothers, babies and families, access to perinatal psychiatry varies enormously throughout the UK.”

“Women in around half of the UK have no access to specialist perinatal mental health services at all.”

“These services need to be developed so that all women get equal access to specialist services throughout the UK”.

The report suggests that it would cost around £238 million to develop services in line with national guidance.

NCMH is working to find out more about mental health conditions, including those around pregnancy, so that we can make diagnosis, treatment and support better in the future.

A paper by Professor Ian Jones was recently published in The Lancet discussing the care of illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia during the perinatal period. Childbirth can be a powerful trigger of severe mood disorders such as mania, depression and psychosis, particularly in women with a history of bipolar disorder.

The paper advises that all women of reproductive age with a history of severe mental illness should be properly counselled about the risks and the care needed during pregnancy and after childbirth due to the risk of relapse.

NCMH Pregnancy and Mental Health Resources

We have a number of resources available around mental health and pregnancy.

n Mood disorders in pregnancy and childbirth web page

n Bipolar disorder, pregnancy and childbirth leaflet

n Online module on maternal mental health for midwives.

Access all these resources and moreat www.ncmh.info/pregnancy

Counting the cost of poor maternal mental health care

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Mental health problems around pregnancy and childbirth are common.

PlusOne not enough for volunteer Lydia

extremely helpful in learning more about the causes of mental health problems.”

Become a PlusOne today - complete the online form at www.ncmh.info/PlusOne, or call us on 029 2068 8401.

When Lydia Niziblian from Cardiff volunteered to take part in NCMH research in support of her husband, she wasn’t content to just be a PlusOne - so she single-handedly recruited 13 more people to take part too.

When Lydia found out about the PlusOne scheme, which encourages friends and families of people with mental health problems to get involved with research, she was keen to take part in support of her husband, Lann.

“My husband has bipolar disorder, and for the last five years the process of seeking help, being diagnosed, and finding treatment has been a tremendous battle for him, and for our whole family” explains Lydia, a mum of two who runs her own business making silver jewellery.

“I got involved with the PlusOne research at NCMH because it was something I could practically do to help.”

But Lydia wanted to do more, so she encouraged friends and family to take part too.

“We all know someone who has suffered, or is suffering from mental health problems” says Lydia. “As with any illness, the more we know about it, the better equipped we will be to treat it. It is so easy to help, and could make a vital difference to someone you love in the future.”

Professor Ian Jones said: “Everyone at NCMH is extremely grateful to Lydia for the fantastic contribution she’s made. We launched PlusOne so that friends and family of volunteers could help make a difference, and she’s gone above and beyond our expectations.”

“I’d urge anyone who wants to make a difference for those with mental illness to get involved with our research, even if they’ve never experienced it themselves. Their information allows us to make important comparisons, so it’s

NCMH research contributes to REF successNinety percent of Cardiff University’s Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience research has been deemed ‘outstanding’ in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment.

NCMH’s work forms part of the university’s portfolio in this field, which received acclaim for its impact in terms of reach and significance.

Cardiff University’s research into these areas is now ranked as second only to Oxford in the UK.

REF examines the research output of UK universities, and looks at research outputs from 2008-2014. REF

takes into account the significance, rigour and originality of the work, and it’s impact both nationally and internationally.

The results of REF play an important part in determining research funding.

While NCMH is funded by NISCHR, Welsh Government, it is hosted by Cardiff University at its flagship Hadyn Ellis Building, and works closely with several of the university’s research projects.

NCMH research was considered as part of the REF process, along with that of colleagues and collaborators at the MRC Centre

for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (MRC CNGG) and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI).

“We are extremely pleased to see Cardiff University attaining such impressive results, and very proud to have played a small part in this achievement” said NCMH Director Professor Ian Jones.

“Successes like this are only possible through collaborative working, and we are honoured to work alongside some of Cardiff University, and indeed the world’s, most talented researchers.”

info@ncmh.info4

Lydia recruited 13 PlusOne volunteers

Knighthood for Professor Mike Owen

received include the 2012 Lieber Prize and the William K Warren Distinguished Investigator Award for schizophrenia research in 2013, both of which were awarded jointly with fellow NCMH Principal Investigator Professor Mick O’Donovan.

NCMH Principal Investigator Professor Mike Owen has received a knighthood for services to neuroscience and mental health.

Speaking to the BBC, Professor Owen said that the award recognised Cardiff University’s work to ‘put psychiatry on the map’. He also acknowledged the importance of his colleagues and support team, and the University as a whole.

NCMH director Professor Ian Jones said “We are delighted that Professor Owen has been awarded this honour.”

His exceptional work in understanding the genetics behind conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease has been nothing short of groundbreaking.”

“It’s only with the support of exceptional academics like Professor Owen that organisations such as the NCMH will succeed in researching a better future for the millions of people affected by mental illness.”

Professor Owen has published over 600 scientific papers and is the director of the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (MRC CNGG)

Professor Owen also heads the School of Medicine’s Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences.

Past honours Professor Owen has

Professor Sir Mike Owen (above) receiving the Knighthood (right)

Centre appoints new Deputy DirectorNCMH has appointed a new Deputy Director - Dr James Walters.

Dr Walters replaces Professor Ian Jones in the post, who succeeded Professor Nick Craddock in the role of Director at the Centre last April.

Dr Walters is a clinical senior lecturer and honorary consultant psychiatrist at the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University. He trained in the South of England, London and Sydney before returning to Cardiff.

Dr Walters’ main area of research interest is psychosis and

schizophrenia, in particular the cognitive impairments related to these conditions, and the role played by genetics.

James’ work has been recognised by the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation with the Sidney Baer Prize for Innovative Schizophrenia Research and he has also received the British Medical Association Margaret Temple Research Award.

“It’s an honour to be appointed to the role, and I’m very excited to take on this new challenge” said Dr Walters.“NCMH has achieved a great deal already, and I hope to play an active part in its future success.”

Professor Ian Jones said: “Dr Walters’ expertise will be invaluable for the centre as we go forward into our next phase. I look forward to working closely with him at this very exciting time for our research.”

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Dr James Walters

info@ncmh.info6

Theatre company makes ‘monstrous’ contribution to mental health researchNCMH sponsored theatre company Monstrous Productions raised thousands of pounds for Alzheimer’s research in 2014. Now they’ve kicked of a new year with another contribution to mental health research - becoming NCMH volunteers.

Monstrous Productions’ Director and Co-owner Amy Davies invited the NCMH team along to a rehearsal earlier this month to conduct interviews and take blood samples. Amy is a former member of the NCMH team herself, and often provides guest blogs for the centre’s website.

“Having previously worked on the NCMH project I understand the importance but also the difficulties in recruiting people to help with research” says Amy. “There have been a few changes since I left, and people can now take part as PlusOnes, which made it the perfect time for me to take part myself.”

“We’ve always encouraged our followers and our audience to take part, so I thought ‘why not take part ourselves?’ I know my members, and I know the best way to get them to take part in things is to make it as easy as possible for them to do so, which is why I brought the researchers to them! We loved having the team along to our rehearsal, and around half the company took part.”

Jordan, who took part with her mum and is herself a genetics student, said: “I took part to show my support for this research on mental health and look forward to seeing where the research will go in the future. The experience was very relaxed, easy and painless. If you are considering getting

involved, just go for it. The lovely researchers were happy to answer any questions – and it’s all for a good cause.”

John, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 10 years ago, also volunteered. “I wanted to help with research into the condition, and other mental health problems, as they have an impact on so many people” said John. “The interview was quick and simple and you can say as much or as little as you like. The staff were very friendly and helpful too.”

NCMH Director Professor Ian Jones said: “Amy’s company has made a fantastic contribution to our work, both by promoting research through their productions, and now by taking part themselves. We’re grateful to have their support and hope they enjoy every success in the future.”

Rave reviews for Wyrd Sisters

Monstrous Productions’ adaptation of Wyrd Sisters came close to selling out its four day run, and received glowing reviews: “I don’t know how they did it, but with no scenery and very few props, just the odd table or teapot, the Monstrous Productions Theatre Company managed to magic up the Discworld” said WalesOnline’s Adam Walker.

The success of the play, which follows productions of Carpe Jugulum and Mort, brings the total raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK to over £7000.

The company’s next adaptation, Witches Abroad, will run between 8th and 11th April 2015. For ticket information, visitwww.monstrousptc.com.

Amy with the cast of Wyrd sisters, (top) and the Monstrous Productions team take part in research (bottom)

www.ncmh.info/our-champions

Ceri’s Story

I’m Ceri. I’m married with two children and I live in Powys. I used to be a

I heard about NCMH online, and I wanted to volunteer because I think we

can’t travel far anymore, so I like to take photographs of my garden

better, educate the public and find ways to help other people.

find them a bit scary but they make excellent pets!

My life completely changed after an accident left me with PTSD. The

I was a bit worried before I did the research because I can’t travel, but

very quickly, so there was no problem.

People do try to help, saying ‘tell me if you’re having one’ but they don’t

trouble with PTSD is that it’s invisible. Many people think that if someone

a really friendly researcher came out to see me at home. They

I definitely think more people should do it - we need to know more about

always grasp that when you’re having a flashback, sometimes you don’t

looks okay they must be fine. But flashbacks and other symptoms can

interviewed me and took a blood sample - we had a bit of a hiccup withthis, so they had to come back with a smaller needle, but it was done

mental health conditions so that we can help people recover and also stop the stigma which holds people back.

even know they are with you.

be completely debilitating. How can you drive or cook for instance if you think you’re back in a traumatic accident?

graphic designer, but I’m medically retired now with severe PTSD. I

need to know more about PTSD. By learning more we can deal with it

to help take my mind off things. I also keep tarantulas - some people

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Latest stories from the NCMH blog

New leaflets available at www.ncmh.info

Our blog brings together posts on mental health from a range of viewpoints, including scientists, patients, clinicians and carers. Find out more about our latest posts below, and read the full stories at www.ncmh.info/blog.You can also email us with your suggestions for future blogs at info@ncmh.info.

Donating my brain to science (sort of): Part 1

NCMH Communications Officer Lee Eynon took part in the 100 Brains neuroimaging research project in December 2014. What exactly is it like having your brain scanned?

23andMe - Risky Business?

Genetic Counsellor Dr Andrew Cuthbert discusses the potential pitfalls of home genetic testing after the UK launch of 23andMe. Do these kits work? What happens to your data and who owns it?

From Copacabana to Cardiff: A story from Brazil

Brazilian psychiatrists Paula and Carolyne share their experience of working with NCMH after spending a month with the team. What did they think of working in mental health in the UK?

NCMH is part of the research infrastructure for Wales funded by NISCHR, Welsh Government www.wales.gov.uk/nischr.

National Centre for Mental HealthCardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building

Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

New NCMH information leaflets on both Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, Pregnancy and Childbirth are now available.

The leaflets include information on the nature of each condition, its causes and potential treatments, as well as where to get help. They also feature practical tips on dealing with the conditions for both the person affected and their loved ones.

The leaflets are available for download as PDF files in both English and Welsh from www.ncmh.info/leaflets. You can also request paper copies by completing the form on our website.

www.ncmh.info/walesmentalhealth

@ncmh_wales

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