Diagnosed with a mental health condition?

SPACES

Supporting physical activity though co-production in people with severe mental illness

SPACES is an interventional study, looking to help people with severe mental illness to become more physically active. Participants may be allocated to a physical activity group, which consists of 18 sessions, 2 hours per week (60 minutes physical activity, 60 minutes of optional discussion and socialising). Groups will consist of exercise that is catered to the population – for example, walks and studio-based exercises, guided by the SPACES study. Participants who are not allocated to the group will be allocated treatment as usual, and all participants will be invited to participate in optional follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 months.

We are recruiting people with a diagnosis of psychosis and bipolar affective disorder. The first session will be held on Thursday 14 August 2025 near Exeter. The groups will take place every Thursday thereafter. For more details, please contact dpt.spaces@nhs.net or call 01392 674117.

VISION-QUEST

VISION-QUEST is a questionnaire study that is looking to develop our understanding of visual hallucinations – through developing a new measure to explore people's beliefs and views about visions, and through exploring the relationships between visions and other issues, such as poor sleep and high worry.

We are looking to recruit people aged between 16-65, currently experiencing visual hallucinations (or have done in the last four weeks).

The questionnaire takes between 30-45 minutes to complete and there is a £10 voucher at the end as a thank you. We will also be recruiting a small number of participants to complete the shorter follow-up measure a week later, which takes around 15 minutes. Participants will be reimbursed with a further £10 voucher. The questionnaire can be completed independently, online. 

If you are interested in taking part, or have any questions, please contact rebecca.park10@nhs.net or samantha.taplin1@nhs.net.

moreRESPECT

The moreRESPECT study aims to develop new ways to help people who use mental health services to consider their sexual health.

The study team want to find out if having sexual health information sessions with a specially trained health professional can improve the sexual health of people with a severe mental illness, compared to usual care alone. These sessions would involve talking through sexual health issues, providing information about healthy sexual activities, and discussing where to get help and advice.

People aged 16 and over with a severe mental health condition and who receive care from one of our community mental health teams are invited to take part

To find out more contact Research Practitioner, Maria Sanchez by emailing dpt.morerespect@nhs.net

GLAD - genetic links to anxiety and depression

GLAD is the world’s largest study of depression and anxiety. It is part of the NIHR BioResource, to explore genetic and environmental factors associated with risks for depression and anxiety disorders and to help better treatments.

The study involves completing an online questionnaire and providing a postal saliva sample.

Take part if:

• you have experienced clinical anxiety and/or depression during your life
• you are 16 years of age or older
• you live in the UK.

Sign up online and please select “Devon Partnership NHS Trust” when asked how you heard about the study.

For more information email the researcher, Davin Turner - davin.turner@nhs.net

PPiP2 - prevalence pathogenic antibodies in psychosis

There is evidence that some cases of psychosis may be caused by a specific problem with the immune system. The immune system normally controls our ability to fight infection. If the immune system goes wrong it may cause a condition called ‘autoimmune’ diseases. We can diagnose some of these diseases using blood tests.

This study aims to see how many people with psychosis may have this specific problem with their immune system. We can find that out by testing a blood sample for specific antibodies.

You can take part if you: 

• are aged 18-70
• have acute psychosis symptoms: lasting for at least the past two weeks, but no longer than two years.

Contact Becky Park- rebecca.park10@nhs.net for more information.

Ventura

The Ventura research study is now open for recruitment for individuals with major depressive disorder and anhedonia who have had an inadequate response to SSRI/SNRI and are about to begin an additional antidepressant treatment. This could include the augmentation of an additional medication, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or other psychological therapies.

This is an observational study involving four scheduled visits over 12 months with a member of the research team. Participants will be compensated £47 for attending each visit. There is also an option to take part in a Reward Learning Task at each visit, for which they will receive an additional £24.

If you would like more information on this study, please contact Lesley Hegarty, Research Delivery Team Manager, at lesley.hegarty@nhs.net, Sian Lison, Clinical Studies Officer, at sian.lison@nhs.net, or Ventura at dpt.ventura@nhs.net or call 01392 674117.