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.

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.