Ali Bryant, M-RIC Service User and Carer Representative, recently attended the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Alliance conference in Liverpool. Read her blog sharing her powerful account of this inspiring event: https://ow.ly/qLgv50Zmjch

Today, Mersey Care innovation Manager Anika Neill and M-RIC Research Associate Jess Weaver were excited to be at the OPSI Lab Fundamentally Different event to present our work on examining how young people can be better supported to positively move into education, employment and training.

Have you seen our 'What is M-RIC' animation? 👀 We created the short animation below so service users and carers, local communities, partner organisations and beyond can learn more about our groundbreaking work: https://ow.ly/Jn4F50WFlYj

The Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Mood Clinic is a specialist service to support patients in Cheshire and Merseyside who have experienced difficult to treat depression. Watch our new video to learn more: https://ow.ly/ZQWC50Z7fMI

Tomorrow, Dr Oladayo Bifarin, Research and Effectiveness Lead for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, is speaking at the Future Proofing Northern Prevention Research event in Manchester! Oladayo’s presentation will explore his work in M-RIC to build research capability amongst NHS staff.

We have launched a mental health app directory to offer online support for children and young people in Cheshire and Merseyside. Featuring apps covering topics from anxiety and low mood to challenges with sleep problems and eating plus much more. Visit the directory at: https://ow.ly/AwHk50XZAIC

We want all patients, service users and carers to have the chance to take part in research - that's why we launched Count Me In. Watch the video below to learn about Count Me In helps widen participation in mental health research: https://ow.ly/ia9W50Zf7jN

Last week, M-RIC service user and carer representatives on our mood disorder care innovations research Matt Copple, Carmen Browne and Jeanette Murray were proud to be on a panel at RCPsych International Congress. They represented how we embedded co-production in the development of the Mood Clinic.

M-RIC is a co-lead in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Alliance with Liverpool John Moores University. Tomorrow our annual conference is taking place and Prof Rhiannon Corcoran who leads M-RIC ACEs research will chair a panel: https://ow.ly/nTTF50ZfU9Z

Have you seen our 'What is M-RIC' animation? 👀 We created the short animation below so service users and carers, local communities, partner organisations and beyond can learn more about our groundbreaking work: https://ow.ly/Jn4F50WFlYj

Today is #Red4Research day and to show their support the M-RIC operational team and the clinical trials pharmacy team have wore their best red outfits. #Red4Research is an opportunity to celebrate everyone involved in research and innovation, including all members of our fantastic M-RIC team!

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, with NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group R&I, is recruiting to the ALTO-100-211 research study which is exploring a new treatment for people living with bipolar depression who are currently experiencing symptoms despite ongoing treatment: mric.uk/alto.

Oshn is a brand-new app to help with low mood and motivation . - Are you (or your child) 13-25? - Do you want to try something new for your mood and motivation? - Do you want to help test a new app? We will offer you a small thank you for taking part: https://oshn.app/get-access

"Men's mental health is still surrounded by silence and that silence can be devastating. Sharing my lived experience of bipolar disorder has shown me how powerful it is when men feel able to speak openly and without shame." - Matt Copple, M-RIC Service User and Carer Representative #MensHealthWeek

Recently, we celebrated one year of the Mood Clinic, a specialist service designed for patients who have difficult to treat mood disorders across Cheshire and Merseyside. In our news story, you can read about some of the progress made within the clinic: https://ow.ly/xRq550Zax9u

We have launched a mental health app directory to offer online support for children and young people in Cheshire and Merseyside. Featuring apps covering topics from anxiety and low mood to challenges with sleep problems and eating plus much more. Visit the directory at: https://ow.ly/AwHk50XZAIC

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, with NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group R&I, is recruiting to the ALTO-100-211 research study which is exploring a new treatment for people living with bipolar depression who are currently experiencing symptoms despite ongoing treatment: mric.uk/alto.

Did you know that we have a public newsletter? Sign up now to get all the latest information and updates about the exciting work M-RIC is doing to improve mental health care services and treatments. Visit mric.uk to sign up.

Recently, we marked the first anniversary of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Mood Clinic by inviting M-RIC Service User and Carer Representatives on a tour to see the progress made in the past year. Watch our new video to learn more: https://ow.ly/ZQWC50Z7fMI

We're thrilled to announce that Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new study called QUEST which aims to improve treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Learn more: https://ow.ly/UxZX50Z6FeX

Did you see Dr Jim Hughes recent interview with Thalamos? In it, he speaks about his work to improve the quality of mental health data across the UK and highlights some of the exciting innovations taking place within M-RIC. Follow the link in comments to read more.

We launched Count Me In to give Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust patients and service users the chance to hear about and take part in research that matters to them. Watch the animation below to learn more: https://ow.ly/wqqW50XeO83

This month marks three years since the launch of M-RIC and we are so proud of all the fantastic work we have done so far. To learn about some of the progress we have made and our exciting plans for the future, have a look through our Review of 2025: https://ow.ly/tv5y50Z4iCE

Have you seen our 'What is M-RIC' animation? 👀 We created the short animation below so service users and carers, local communities, partner organisations and beyond can learn more about our groundbreaking work: https://ow.ly/Jn4F50WFlYj

Over the past week we have been delighted to attend the Life Rooms 10 year anniversary open days. It was fantastic to celebrate the wonderful work of The Life Rooms and to speak to people about Count Me In, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s approach to widening participation in research.

We're pleased to share a snapshot of M-RIC Director of Digital and Data Programmes, Dr Jim Hughes’ interview with Thalamos. He discusses his work to improve the quality of mental health data across the UK and highlights the innovations taking place within M-RIC. Read more: https://ow.ly/S4gv50Z2FYK

For #ClinicalTrialsDay we're spotlighting some of the trials currently taking place within M-RIC. This includes the Neuroimmune Profiling for Psychosis study, which aims to design a trial to explore if anti-inflammatory drugs can improve symptoms of psychosis.

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, with NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group R&I, is recruiting to the ALTO-100-211 study which explores new treatment for people living with bipolar depression who are currently experiencing symptoms despite ongoing treatment: mric.uk/alto. #ClinicalTrialsDay

For #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we're sharing an opportunity for children and young people using Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust mental health services in #Halton to join the research study, Arts for the Blues. Learn more: https://ow.ly/M3E050Z04WJ

For #InternationalNursesDay we're celebrating nurses in research such as Walter Ugwuocha, Senior Nurse Researcher. He said, “Nurses are in the perfect position to notice opportunities and solutions to upgrade services for our patients. By getting involved in research we can make a huge difference.”

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, with NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group R&I, is recruiting to the ALTO-100-211 research study which is exploring a new treatment for people living with bipolar depression who are currently experiencing symptoms despite ongoing treatment: mric.uk/alto.

We are inviting young people who are experiencing low mood or struggling with motivation to take part in a new study on an app called Oshn. Participants will receive vouchers as a thank-you. https://oshn.app/get-access

To mark #NationalWalkingMonth the M-RIC patient and public involvement and engagement team went on a wellbeing walk across the University of Liverpool#NationalWalkingMonthcampus this week. It gave them a chance to decompress, explore some of the campus sculptures and discuss how we can all look after our #wellbeing.

Did you know that we have a public newsletter? Sign up now to get all the latest information and updates about the exciting work M-RIC is doing to improve mental health care services and treatments. Visit mric.uk to sign up.

On our patient and public involvement and engagement our stories page, you can read Carmen Browne’s touching poem ‘The struggle is real’. Carmen is an M-RIC Service User and Carer Representative and her poem explores her mental health journey and involvement with M-RIC: https://ow.ly/AKXY50YQYEb

The M-RIC population mental health research team works with service users and partners across the health and care system to gather valuable insights on how we can improve services and support for our local communities.

We're shining a spotlight on the M-RIC neuroimmune therapeutics for psychosis research which aims to put clinical trials and biomedical science at the centre of NHS psychosis services. Read more: https://ow.ly/tapH50YuKwq

M-RIC's child and adolescent digital mental health research work aims to examine how a variety of different digital tools can be used to support children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges.

Our mental health avatar research aims to develop a digital representation of a person’s mental health status. By creating a personalised avatar we can bring your health records to life by capturing new data about your lifestyle, helping you to self-care and interact with care services.

Today we are spotlighting our access to data research work. Our aim is to develop a new way of storing data and information to help us to better understand and solve problems in mental health care. Learn more about our access to data research work on the M-RIC website.

On our ACES voices page, you can find stories, poems and creative work from people who have overcome childhood trauma. One of the pieces is a story by Jackie Lunt, a member of our Liverpool City Region (LCR) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Alliance: https://ow.ly/xFt850YH55H

Prof Rhiannon Corcoran, M-RIC Population Mental Health Co-Lead Investigator and Co-Lead of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Alliance shared her powerful story on our ACEs Voices page: https://ow.ly/ravj50YH49c

Today we remember the 97 supporters who lost their lives at Hillsborough ❤️ Days like this can be hard and can bring up strong emotions, if you’re struggling, support is there if you need it 👇🏽 https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/self-help-guides #Hillsborough #YoullNeverWalkAlone #Liverpool

Have you seen our 'What is M-RIC' animation? 👀 We created the short animation below so service users and carers, local communities, partner organisations and beyond can learn more about our groundbreaking work: https://ow.ly/Jn4F50WFlYj

We know today may be difficult for many as the Southport Inquiry is published 🩷🩷🩷 If you’ve been affected in any way and are struggling, support is available 🎀 https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/southport-incident-support Sefton Council @nhscandm.bsky.social Sefton CVS #SouthportTogether

“The members are all people from diverse walks of life and yet they have formed an understanding of each other by listening to each other’s perspectives.” Dr Gail Faragher is the M-RIC Public Engagement Co-ordinator. She supports M-RIC's service user and carer representatives and public advisors.

“I bring my lived experience lens to inform the team and ensure participant’s needs are at the heart of the way the study is shaped and delivered.” Ali Bryant is a service user and carer representative on M-RIC’s Neuroimmune therapeutics for psychosis research.

“I have never felt more valued and listened to. M-RIC involves the SUCRs 100% always making sure we feel part of the team. Constantly asking for us to give our input. Co-production really does mean co-production!” Jeanette Murray, M-RIC Service User and Carer Representative.

“ We are both driven ultimately by the desire to support meaningful research with possible real-world outcomes, as well as embedding the value of effective PPIE throughout M-RIC.” Terry Bryant and Hilary Tetlow are the M-RIC Co-Lead Service User and Carer Representatives.

Did you know that we have a public newsletter? Sign up now to get all the latest information and updates about the exciting work M-RIC is doing to improve mental health care services and treatments. Visit mric.uk to sign up.