RISE Mood Disorder Research Clinic

We are a research-focused clinic run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) and funded by the Mental Health Translational Research Collaborative (MH-TRC).

We work with people who have mood disorders, including depression and bipolar. The clinic provides a one-off assessment and/ or links the patient to research studies and innovative treatments.  

Our team includes research practitioners (from different clinical backgrounds), a pharmacist and our doctors (consultant psychiatrists).

We work closely with the University of Exeter, who run another clinic focused on psychology treatment of mood disorders and they are called AccEPT.

You (or your GP) are looking for specialist advice because you've had symptoms of depression or bipolar for a long time, and treatment hasn't helped as much as hoped.

You may be referring yourself because you think you could benefit from a review with our doctor and/ or pharmacist, or you're interested in taking part in research.

Sometimes, other services or professionals may suggest our clinic if they believe you might be a good fit.

Currently not open for self-referrals (access will open early 2026)

RISE is for people who are living with depression but haven't found NHS Talking Therapies helpful or haven't been able to get the right kind of support. They also don't qualify for specialist mental health services, and most have only ever had help from their GP.

Our clinic offers an initial assessment with our research practitioner, to see together if our clinic is right for you. We may then offer a full assessment with our doctor, where a review of medication or treatment can be discussed. Your care will remain under your GP but we can offer recommendations for medication changes or alternative treatment.

Whilst we are able to offer this opportunity to be assessed by our doctor we are a clinic set up to look at increasing research activity and supporting people to get involved.

Whether you are seen by our doctor or not we want to encourage more people to consent to us storing their contact details so we can get in touch with you and offer information about new and exciting research opportunities. 

We are non-emergency service. If you need an urgent response, we would advise using the urgent help page which can guide you to appropriate service or links for immediate or urgent help.

We can offer a range of options regarding how we see someone, this includes:

• Face to face assessment at our base Wonford House, Exeter
• Telephone Consultation
• Virtual Meeting (online) 

If you opt for a face-face meeting there is parking onsite at Wonford House in Exeter.

After you have completed a self-referral form, our team will review this. If eligible, you'll be invited for a pre-assessment appointment with one of our research practitioners. This can be arranged either on-line, by telephone or in person. 

During this appointment, we'll ask about your mental health history, diagnosis, family background, and other relevant details. Once this is done, our doctor will review your information and may invite you for a full assessment. If you are invited for assessment, we will share outcomes and recommendations with your GP.

The team will discuss current research studies with you and share information about any that you may be eligible for. We will share new studies as and when they are available and also ask you to consent to be on our waiting list for future studies that may come along.

You may also be asked to complete extra rating scales (questionnaires) and/ or have some physical health checks for example, blood tests or an ECG. These are not compulsory but can be a part of many research studies.

Before your appointment, we'll send you some questionnaires about you and your symptoms.

Please complete these before your appointment - they help us understand your situation and make the assessment process faster.

If you have any access needs or difficulties filling them in, please let us know.

I have been asked to provide an NHS number, how do I find this?
You can complete this quick and easy form to find your NHS number.

I don't live in Devon, can I access your service?
No, unfortunately our service is commissioned to offer treatment to people who live and are registered to a GP based in Devon.

Do you provide treatment for children?
No. Unfortunately the RISE Clinic is a service for adults 18 and over.

What happens to my data?
All our data collection sits in line appropriate, safe and secure storage systems. Data and personal information is only used or shared once consent has been given by any potential participant and this will be checked every two years.