Dr Barbara Mezes BA, MSc, PhD

Research Overview

My primary interest lies in translational and co-productive mental health research focusing on psychosocial determinants, prevention, and treatment of severe and enduring mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder. I approach mental health problems in a holistic way, considering a wide range of experiences of individuals. I am passionate about research that focuses on tackling health inequalities, preventing mental health problems, and improving mental health services, interventions, and outcomes for young people and adults with mental health problems and their families.

I am especially interested in the following research topics and supervising students on:

• Psychological, social, and environmental determinants of mental health and wellbeing
• The psychology of severe and enduring mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder
• Personal recovery, including personalised care/intervention development and outcome assessment
• Community-based mental health provisions, including social prescribing, creative wellbeing practices, and taking a whole system social justice approach to preventing mental health problems and promoting resilience and mental wellbeing
• Health and social care partnerships, including community-university partnerships, place-based partnerships, Integrated Care Systems, and cross-sector partnership working for better mental health.