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Researchers and lived experience experts came together to celebrate the latest achievements at the BRC Mental Health and Technology Theme Showcase in June.

Lived experience expertise and involvement set the scene for the day, with an introduction from Senior Patient and Public Involvement Manager, Becky Woodcock, alongside the presentation of Certificates of Achievement for the patient and public partners that have supported the successes of the last year.

By hearing from our early career researchers and lived experience experts about some of the diverse projects within BRC Mental Health and Technology Theme, the focus on both co-production and capacity building ran throughout the day.

Successes included innovative work on combining neuromodulation techniques to offer treatments to people with anxiety, to new and innovative research on vibro-tactile stimulation, delivered simply via a watch and with the potential to reduce tics for young people.

We also heard how children and young people with ADHD were active co-designers, exploring the potential for technology, specifically sensory technologies, to support them in their everyday lives.

Collaboration continued with a focus on working with both industry partners, such as the successful University of Nottingham spin off BlueSkyeAI, and local communities.

BlueSkye AI’s TrueBlue app was introduced as part of the current clinical trial to investigate its potential to address the increased risks to mental health within the perinatal period. With simple and engaging tasks set through the app, the technology maps facial expression and speech against validated assessments of depression, providing the potential for early intervention.

Finally, a new initiative, the Peer Researcher Academy was introduced, where researchers with their own personal lived experience of the health-related topic can benefit from tailored support and capacity-building.

After this whistle-stop journey across different mental health conditions and neurodivergence, the day certainly revealed the power of technology, lived experience and cutting-edge research.

To continue to deliver world-class research that can change the lives of patients, and address real need, members of the BRC Mental Health & Technology Theme know it is essential to build capacity for researchers and lived experience experts alike.