Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
@nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social
Lecturer at Bath | Postdoc at Oxford | Blog Coordinator at The Mental Elf | researching young people’s mental health | views my own | she/her | 🏳️🌈
Pinned
✨Announcement time✨
I am over the moon to announce that I have been successful in receiving a £290k @wellcometrust.bsky.social Accelerator Award! Starting in 2026, for 2 years I have funding to research a topic that is close to my heart: help-seeking for OCD among ethnic minority adolescents 🥳
I am over the moon to announce that I have been successful in receiving a £290k @wellcometrust.bsky.social Accelerator Award! Starting in 2026, for 2 years I have funding to research a topic that is close to my heart: help-seeking for OCD among ethnic minority adolescents 🥳
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
🧵 Does harsh parenting raise the risk of self-harm in young people?
New review in The Lancet Psychiatry looked across 38 cohort studies on parenting, family dynamics & youth suicide risk.
The findings aren’t what you might expect. 👇
#YouthMentalHealth #Parenting #SelfHarm #SuicidePrevention
New review in The Lancet Psychiatry looked across 38 cohort studies on parenting, family dynamics & youth suicide risk.
The findings aren’t what you might expect. 👇
#YouthMentalHealth #Parenting #SelfHarm #SuicidePrevention
August 14, 2025 at 7:26 AM
🧵 Does harsh parenting raise the risk of self-harm in young people?
New review in The Lancet Psychiatry looked across 38 cohort studies on parenting, family dynamics & youth suicide risk.
The findings aren’t what you might expect. 👇
#YouthMentalHealth #Parenting #SelfHarm #SuicidePrevention
New review in The Lancet Psychiatry looked across 38 cohort studies on parenting, family dynamics & youth suicide risk.
The findings aren’t what you might expect. 👇
#YouthMentalHealth #Parenting #SelfHarm #SuicidePrevention
I cannot convey how pleased I am to say that this paper has finally found a home! It’s so tricky publishing COVID-19 research - everyone is “over it”, and yet there is still so much learning that can be transferred to potential future situations.
"It's a good distraction from the mayhem of reality": A reflexive thematic analysis on the role of video games to support coping during #COVID19 crisis by @cybergamepsych1.bsky.social @nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social & Chris Fullwood
www.frontiersin.org/journals/dig...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/dig...
Frontiers | "It's a good distraction from the mayhem of reality": A reflexive thematic analysis on the role of video games to support coping during a crisis
Video games have been shown to o er psychological benefits to gamers during times of stress. One recent, salient example of a stress-inducing event was the C...
www.frontiersin.org
July 29, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I cannot convey how pleased I am to say that this paper has finally found a home! It’s so tricky publishing COVID-19 research - everyone is “over it”, and yet there is still so much learning that can be transferred to potential future situations.
After months of planning, yesterday was the launch of the BRIDGE Peer Mentoring Scheme! The half-day workshop was so well-attended, with wonderful engagement from everyone right up until the end. I can't wait to see these global peer mentoring relationships flourish 🤩 @eleanorchats.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 9:25 AM
After months of planning, yesterday was the launch of the BRIDGE Peer Mentoring Scheme! The half-day workshop was so well-attended, with wonderful engagement from everyone right up until the end. I can't wait to see these global peer mentoring relationships flourish 🤩 @eleanorchats.bsky.social
After an embarrassingly long time spent on my tiptoes trying to put this up…we’re ready! Come and chat with me at D2.043 about the two studies I am conducting with @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social on self-diagnosis. I am also on the conference app if you can’t find me and want to chat! #ESCAP2025
June 30, 2025 at 8:34 AM
After an embarrassingly long time spent on my tiptoes trying to put this up…we’re ready! Come and chat with me at D2.043 about the two studies I am conducting with @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social on self-diagnosis. I am also on the conference app if you can’t find me and want to chat! #ESCAP2025
Delighted to have been able to make it to #ESCAP2025 this year! 😍 Amazing weather for it, too! You will find me at the poster stands tomorrow, presenting the postdoc work I’m doing with @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social @escaponline.bsky.social
June 29, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Delighted to have been able to make it to #ESCAP2025 this year! 😍 Amazing weather for it, too! You will find me at the poster stands tomorrow, presenting the postdoc work I’m doing with @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social @escaponline.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
I’m looking for a small number of secondary schools to help us with a research study exploring self-diagnosis of mental health problems in young people
For more info or to express interest, please email @nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social:
nina.higson-sweeney [at] psych.ox.ac.uk
Or DM us! Thank you 🙏🏼
For more info or to express interest, please email @nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social:
nina.higson-sweeney [at] psych.ox.ac.uk
Or DM us! Thank you 🙏🏼
June 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I’m looking for a small number of secondary schools to help us with a research study exploring self-diagnosis of mental health problems in young people
For more info or to express interest, please email @nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social:
nina.higson-sweeney [at] psych.ox.ac.uk
Or DM us! Thank you 🙏🏼
For more info or to express interest, please email @nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social:
nina.higson-sweeney [at] psych.ox.ac.uk
Or DM us! Thank you 🙏🏼
You have 6 DAYS LEFF to apply to BRIDGE, a 6-month peer mentoring scheme for ECRs to facilitate global collaborations in mental health research!
It is free, remote, and focused in skills development, social support, and cross-cultural networking 👉🏽 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
It is free, remote, and focused in skills development, social support, and cross-cultural networking 👉🏽 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
June 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
You have 6 DAYS LEFF to apply to BRIDGE, a 6-month peer mentoring scheme for ECRs to facilitate global collaborations in mental health research!
It is free, remote, and focused in skills development, social support, and cross-cultural networking 👉🏽 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
It is free, remote, and focused in skills development, social support, and cross-cultural networking 👉🏽 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
I’ve had lots of messages about my Guardian article, in which I argued we should stop universal mental health lessons in schools. The messages have fallen into three categories, and I’m reflecting on this here because I think it exposes something interesting in the field (and research in general)
🧵
🧵
May 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I’ve had lots of messages about my Guardian article, in which I argued we should stop universal mental health lessons in schools. The messages have fallen into three categories, and I’m reflecting on this here because I think it exposes something interesting in the field (and research in general)
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
So proud of the @lampresearchuk.bsky.social phd students who presented their work @psychologybath.bsky.social CMHD group today @nataliakika.bsky.social @sophiedallison.bsky.social @emmachubb.bsky.social
May 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
So proud of the @lampresearchuk.bsky.social phd students who presented their work @psychologybath.bsky.social CMHD group today @nataliakika.bsky.social @sophiedallison.bsky.social @emmachubb.bsky.social
You still have 2 and a half weeks to submit your application to BRIDGE - but why not apply early? 👉 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
BRIDGE will begin with a half-day online workshop led by a trained coach foused on peer men toring skills and global collaboratin! How exciting is that? 🤩
BRIDGE will begin with a half-day online workshop led by a trained coach foused on peer men toring skills and global collaboratin! How exciting is that? 🤩
May 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
You still have 2 and a half weeks to submit your application to BRIDGE - but why not apply early? 👉 mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
BRIDGE will begin with a half-day online workshop led by a trained coach foused on peer men toring skills and global collaboratin! How exciting is that? 🤩
BRIDGE will begin with a half-day online workshop led by a trained coach foused on peer men toring skills and global collaboratin! How exciting is that? 🤩
The post below says it all! @eleanorchats.bsky.social and I have received some seed funding from the MHR Incubator to pilot a global peer mentoring programme for ECRs (including clinicians!) working in mental health research 🌎
If you are an ECR in the UK, Brazil or South Africa, apply below ⬇️
If you are an ECR in the UK, Brazil or South Africa, apply below ⬇️
We're incredibly excited to launch BRIDGE - a community initiative led by Incubator alumni that connects UK #mentalhealth early career #researchers with the Global South!
⏰ Applications are OPEN until 9 JUNE.
For more info & to apply, visit the page below 👇
mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
⏰ Applications are OPEN until 9 JUNE.
For more info & to apply, visit the page below 👇
mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/bridge/
May 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The post below says it all! @eleanorchats.bsky.social and I have received some seed funding from the MHR Incubator to pilot a global peer mentoring programme for ECRs (including clinicians!) working in mental health research 🌎
If you are an ECR in the UK, Brazil or South Africa, apply below ⬇️
If you are an ECR in the UK, Brazil or South Africa, apply below ⬇️
Another brilliant blog by @emmacsullivan.bsky.social on a very hot topic! 👇
Smartphone bans in schools are not associated with better mental wellbeing or reduced screen-time out of school buff.ly/C8Zo4PQ
#Smartphones #Screentime #PhoneBans #Schools #YouthMentalHealth
🧵 THREAD
#Smartphones #Screentime #PhoneBans #Schools #YouthMentalHealth
🧵 THREAD
May 13, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Another brilliant blog by @emmacsullivan.bsky.social on a very hot topic! 👇
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
Our Accelerator Awards are open for applications.
We’re supporting researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage within academia.
Learn more and apply by 15 July 2025 ⤵️
We’re supporting researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage within academia.
Learn more and apply by 15 July 2025 ⤵️
Accelerator Awards | Grant funding | Wellcome
Eligibility and applications details for the Wellcome Accelerator Awards, which will support Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani researchers in the UK to make successful career transitions.
wellcome.org
May 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Our Accelerator Awards are open for applications.
We’re supporting researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage within academia.
Learn more and apply by 15 July 2025 ⤵️
We’re supporting researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage within academia.
Learn more and apply by 15 July 2025 ⤵️
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
⚡NEW PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT COMING SOON⚡
How are mental health problems portrayed in TV shows, films and music, and what impact does this have? Does it help us understand better? Can it ever be unhelpful?
A new project from Dr Lucy Foulkes & Isaac Winterburn
Follow this account for updates!
How are mental health problems portrayed in TV shows, films and music, and what impact does this have? Does it help us understand better? Can it ever be unhelpful?
A new project from Dr Lucy Foulkes & Isaac Winterburn
Follow this account for updates!
April 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
⚡NEW PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT COMING SOON⚡
How are mental health problems portrayed in TV shows, films and music, and what impact does this have? Does it help us understand better? Can it ever be unhelpful?
A new project from Dr Lucy Foulkes & Isaac Winterburn
Follow this account for updates!
How are mental health problems portrayed in TV shows, films and music, and what impact does this have? Does it help us understand better? Can it ever be unhelpful?
A new project from Dr Lucy Foulkes & Isaac Winterburn
Follow this account for updates!
Very pleased to see this paper published open access in BMC Psychology today, where we interviewed 24 young people to discover their thoughts towards online single-session interventions. It is the FIRST qualitative paper to focus on SSIs in UK-based young people 🤯
doi.org/10.1186/s403...
doi.org/10.1186/s403...
Young people’s attitudes towards online self-help single-session interventions: findings from a co-produced qualitative study - BMC Psychology
Background Many young people experience at least subthreshold depression symptoms which impact their functioning. Yet, access to evidence-based help is limited, with barriers such as service threshold...
doi.org
April 25, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Very pleased to see this paper published open access in BMC Psychology today, where we interviewed 24 young people to discover their thoughts towards online single-session interventions. It is the FIRST qualitative paper to focus on SSIs in UK-based young people 🤯
doi.org/10.1186/s403...
doi.org/10.1186/s403...
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
This paper has now been published 🤠
April 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This paper has now been published 🤠
It's been a little while since I've written a Mental Elf blog, and I found this fascinating qual paper on young people's views of CAMHS on TikTok. Give it a read below 👇
“I don’t need a cup of tea, I need some @#$%&! help”: #camhs through the lens of TikTok buff.ly/hGQMOwV
April 15, 2025 at 7:05 AM
It's been a little while since I've written a Mental Elf blog, and I found this fascinating qual paper on young people's views of CAMHS on TikTok. Give it a read below 👇
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
We (@annayahprosser.bsky.social, Nicki Lisa Cole, Tamarinde Haven) are dreaming up an Open Qualitative Research Community.
🤝A co-created space for support & collaboration in open qualitative research
🌍 Focused on the European context (funding, policy)
💖 Open to all
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🤝A co-created space for support & collaboration in open qualitative research
🌍 Focused on the European context (funding, policy)
💖 Open to all
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Expression of Interest: Open Qualitative Research Community
As qualitative researchers, we want a dedicated space to foster support, collaboration, debate and discussion, alongside the sharing of resources to support ethical and appropriate openness and transp...
docs.google.com
April 3, 2025 at 9:20 AM
We (@annayahprosser.bsky.social, Nicki Lisa Cole, Tamarinde Haven) are dreaming up an Open Qualitative Research Community.
🤝A co-created space for support & collaboration in open qualitative research
🌍 Focused on the European context (funding, policy)
💖 Open to all
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🤝A co-created space for support & collaboration in open qualitative research
🌍 Focused on the European context (funding, policy)
💖 Open to all
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
So inspired by the first day of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum 🙌🏽 it’s reminded me of the importance of goal setting and authenticity, as well as having sponsors who champion your work.
A key phrase I’m taking away from today is: what is meant for you won’t pass you by 💡
#MLSFF2025
A key phrase I’m taking away from today is: what is meant for you won’t pass you by 💡
#MLSFF2025
March 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
So inspired by the first day of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum 🙌🏽 it’s reminded me of the importance of goal setting and authenticity, as well as having sponsors who champion your work.
A key phrase I’m taking away from today is: what is meant for you won’t pass you by 💡
#MLSFF2025
A key phrase I’m taking away from today is: what is meant for you won’t pass you by 💡
#MLSFF2025
In sunny Birmingham, ready for the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum tomorrow! Big thanks to @wellcometrust.bsky.social for funding this as part of my Accelerator Award - I can’t wait! Anyone else attending? 👀
March 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
In sunny Birmingham, ready for the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum tomorrow! Big thanks to @wellcometrust.bsky.social for funding this as part of my Accelerator Award - I can’t wait! Anyone else attending? 👀
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
🌟 Exciting News! Our study on our method of Gillick Competence assessment in online, anonymous surveys is published! Empowering 13-15-year-olds to self-consent could overcome barriers to low risk, impactful mental health intervention research. Learn more: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/3...
Consenting for themselves: a qualitative study exploring a Gillick Competence assessment to enable adolescents to self-consent to low-risk online research
Background Providing digital mental health interventions online could expand access to help for young people, but requiring parental consent may be a barrier to participation. We therefore need a meth...
bmjopen.bmj.com
March 5, 2025 at 6:19 AM
🌟 Exciting News! Our study on our method of Gillick Competence assessment in online, anonymous surveys is published! Empowering 13-15-year-olds to self-consent could overcome barriers to low risk, impactful mental health intervention research. Learn more: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/3...
Reposted by Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
Everyone has something to contribute when it comes to mental health research!
Congrats to this team (who met on the GROW programme, woo!) on this paper! 🥳
mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1...
Watch this space for a webinar discussing the opportunities in mixed methods #mentalhealth research!
Congrats to this team (who met on the GROW programme, woo!) on this paper! 🥳
mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1...
Watch this space for a webinar discussing the opportunities in mixed methods #mentalhealth research!
March 10, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Everyone has something to contribute when it comes to mental health research!
Congrats to this team (who met on the GROW programme, woo!) on this paper! 🥳
mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1...
Watch this space for a webinar discussing the opportunities in mixed methods #mentalhealth research!
Congrats to this team (who met on the GROW programme, woo!) on this paper! 🥳
mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1...
Watch this space for a webinar discussing the opportunities in mixed methods #mentalhealth research!
Does anyone know of any good training courses, videos or articles on qualitative framework analysis? Bonus points if it's in the context of psychology and/or mental health! #PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #Qualitative #QualitativeResearch
March 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Does anyone know of any good training courses, videos or articles on qualitative framework analysis? Bonus points if it's in the context of psychology and/or mental health! #PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #Qualitative #QualitativeResearch
I didn't realise how much I needed PeCo until I was in it. Not only do you get taught coaching skills vital for professional development, but you also become part of a cohort of ECRs who are going through similar experiences as you. I have made great friends through this programme 😄 Apply below!
Make real progress on your career goals & build your research network in our peer coaching programme for #mentalhealth #researchers! 👥
📢 Introducing PeCo: mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/peer-coachin...
📢 Introducing PeCo: mentalhealthresearch.org.uk/peer-coachin...
February 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I didn't realise how much I needed PeCo until I was in it. Not only do you get taught coaching skills vital for professional development, but you also become part of a cohort of ECRs who are going through similar experiences as you. I have made great friends through this programme 😄 Apply below!