“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.

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.

Earlier this week, M-RIC Service User and Carer Representative (SUCR), Jeanette Murray was proud to attend the mood disorder network away day in London, organised by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration Mission.

We recently held a workshop in partnership with Tend VR so they could gather feedback from M-RIC service user and carer representatives on a new virtual reality (VR) mental health app. In our new video, Mat Rawsthorne, Co-Development Specialist at Tend VR, shares his thoughts on the day.

ACEs voices is a collection of stories, poems and creative work from people who have experienced and overcome childhood trauma, as part of our work on population mental health and Liverpool City Region (LCR) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Alliance. Read more: https://ow.ly/AtMn50YychE

We are pleased to share an exciting new study published by M-RIC researchers which aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the way learnings are gathered from coroner’s prevention of future deaths (PFD) reports. Read more: https://ow.ly/QRxz50Yy2PH

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

Wishing all our Muslim patients, service users, carers, staff, volunteers, partners, and followers a peaceful, joyful, and meaningful Eid al‑Fitr 🌙 Eid Mubarak! May this special time bring peace, happiness, and cherished moments with your loved ones 💛 #EidAlFitr #Ramadan #Celebration

"I am proud to be a part of M-RIC Youth Voices, proving that when young people are included in the conversation, the research becomes far more effective." Read the new blog from Ella Choda, member of the M-RIC Youth Voices research advisory group: https://ow.ly/K82u50YttEm

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.

We're thrilled to share a new video capturing the success of M-RIC's 12 month community research funding project with Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS). It celebrates what was achieved through providing seed funding grants to local organisations. Watch the video here: ow.ly/7s5Y50Ytv8J

Our mood disorder care innovations research involves trialling new services and pathways for people experiencing mood problems and depression. Last year, we opened the M-RIC Mood Clinic as part of this work to support patients struggling with long-term or complex mood disorders.

We've 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

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.

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

Count Me In gives Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust patients and service users the chance to hear about research activities that are relevant to them. It's important that everyone is informed about Count Me In, that's why we have developed an easy read guide. Read it here: https://ow.ly/Thrz50YlMSC

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: https://ow.ly/QVL950YiSiV

Congratulations to Walter Ugwuocha, M-RIC Senior Nurse Researcher, for being shortlisted for the Mental Health Nurse of the Year award from the British Journal of Nursing (BJN)! Walter has had a profound impact on advancing mental health nursing and it is fantastic to see this recognised.

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 M-RIC patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) team were thrilled to be a part of the recent LCR Civic Data Cooperative’s Festival of Data, where they set up the impressive Big Brain installation to spark conversations about research as a public engagement tool.

Last week, we celebrated #TimeToTalk day alongside Sefton CVS and local community organisations. The event marked a year since the start of the M-RIC seed funding project, in which nine community organisations secured funding to deliver research activities. Read more: https://ow.ly/jJT250Yf2ef

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.

For #ChildrensMentalHeathWeek, we're spotlighting our new mental health app directory which helps children and young people to find safe and trusted mental health apps covering topics from anxiety and low mood to challenges with sleep problems and eating. Visit it at: https://ow.ly/U0Gc50Y66Ip

We've 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

Today, the M-RIC team is proud to be at the Netherton Feelgood Factory for our #TimeToTalk mental health research event, in partnership with Sefton CVS.

The M-RIC Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) team is excited to be at the Festival of Data tomorrow! We’ll be setting up our Big Brain installation which is designed to help start conversations about research as a public engagement tool. Book now: http://www.festivalofdata.co.uk/

Last month, the Count Me In team were pleased to attend Liverpool City Council's community champion development day. Michelle Harvey, Programme Manager for Informatics Merseyside, gave a presentation to spread the word about Count Me In to local community organisations.

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're proud to say that the BMJ has published a paper written by Dr Oladayo Bifarin, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Research Effectiveness Lead, and the Count Me In team outlining their work to make mental health research more accessible through Count Me In. Read it at: https://ow.ly/7pHw50Y4bzG

Congratulations to Dr Ashish Kumar, Clinical Director of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust's Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services, who recently won the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists North West Educator of the Year Award 2025.

“It’s not easy to share your lived experiences of mental health, however our public members have come forward because they believe that being involved in mental health research is for the public good.” In our 2025 Review, Dr Gail Faragher reflects on M-RIC’s involvement of public members.

An exciting new paper, co-authored by Professor Dan Joyce, Co-Director of M-RIC, has been published. It explores using AI to assist in triaging patients in mental health care services to tackle the complexities of the referral process which often lead to delays. Read it at: https://ow.ly/PCyU50Y1FyO

Our MH-TRC researchers are looking into a trial design which explore immune problems in people with schizophrenia. The study examines the problem that current drug treatments for psychosis are 30% ineffective, which may be associated with inflammation. tinyurl.com/y8x7knmy

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

“One of the most impressive things about M-RIC is that meaningful engagement with the public (patient and public involvement and engagement or PPIE) was built in from the get-go.” In the M-RIC 2025 Review, hear from Co-Lead Service User and Carer Representatives, Terry Bryant and Hilary Tetlow.

In 2025, the M-RIC Population Mental Health research team research team was proud to help set up the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Alliance to research the prevention of ACEs.

In the last year the M-RIC Neuroimmune Therapeutics for Psychosis research team has moved closer towards putting clinical trials and biomedical science at the centre of Mersey Care’s early intervention for psychosis services. Read more updates in the M-RIC Review of 2025: https://ow.ly/WUlt50XVEoR

One of the M-RIC highlights of 2025 is our work to develop a mental health app library. This will support children, young people and families with low mood, stress and anxiety and has been developed by M-RIC with the clinical input from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

In 2026, we are proud to continue supporting patients through the M-RIC Mood Clinic which offers personalised treatments, hope and support to adults who are struggling with long-term or complex mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

We have launched the Neuroimmune Profiling for Psychosis study. This is an important step towards future medication studies which will examine whether anti-inflammatory drugs can, in some patients with psychosis, improve their symptoms. Read more about the study: https://ow.ly/uxpQ50XVszX

We’re sharing the M-RIC research leads updates from the M-RIC Review of 2025. Our Access to Data research team reached a significant milestone last year, as mental health data from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust was securely linked with GP records from across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Did you know that in 2026, M-RIC will be expanding our portfolio of research themes? We plan to add more programmes of research in priority areas including patient safety, evaluation of innovation and using data to improve clinical service delivery and care.

You may have seen our exciting announcement about Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and M-RIC working with DATAMIND to further establish a Secure Data Environment for NIHR’s UK Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration. Learn more about our plans for 2026: https://ow.ly/FO9K50XLwMW

Happy New Year! We want to start the year by shining a spotlight on some of our plans for 2026. From leading on rethinking treatments for psychosis to researching social prescribing, our year is filled with exciting plans. Read more: https://ow.ly/tXuh50XLwCj

One of our proudest milestones of 2025 was the work we did with Sefton CVS to award seed funding grants to five inspiring community organisations to help them progress mental health research activities. See more of our highlights in the M-RIC Review of 2025: https://ow.ly/Ekrt50XLuLK

For the last week of the year, we're looking back at some of our milestones from 2025. We’re incredibly proud of all we have achieved, including launching the M-RIC Mood Clinic in April within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust to support patients who have experienced problems with their mood.

From the M-RIC team, we wish you a merry Christmas filled with joy, rest and precious time with loved ones. Here’s to a happy, healthy start to the year ahead.