⏰ Don't miss it!
Research conversation: Masking and mental health in neurodivergent young people
🗓️ Tomorrow (25 Feb) 5-6pm, online
Sign up 👉 bristolbrc.nihr.ac.uk/research-con...
#autism #ADHD #neurodivergence #masking #MentalHealth #ResearchConversations
*The study brought together teams from @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), @qmul.bsky.social, @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social
Read more about the findings from the study in the programme report: digitalyouth.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
DIORA (Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence) took place under the UKRI-funded project Digital Youth
#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #DigitalBalance
Today is #SaferInternetDay
The DIORA study looked at what young people do online and how it makes them feel
The animation below designed with young people turns the findings from the UKRI-funded study into bite-sized practical tips looking at how these experiences shape mental health and wellbeing
Flyer. Importance of Public Involvement Research Webinar Series. Webinar 4. This webinar will share findings from two evaluations of young people’s advisory groups (YPAGs), both co-produced with young group members. It will highlight lessons for meaningful and inclusive Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) with children and young people (CYP) and explore practical implications for PPIE professionals, researchers and CYP involved in research. Chaired by Dr Stan Papoulias, PPIE research theme lead at NIHR ARC South London. Facilitated by Dr Elspeth Mathie, Inclusive Involvement in Research theme lead at NIHR ARC East of England. Speakers: Dr Louca-Mai Brady, Reader in Youth Involvement and Health; Dr Helen Abnett and Lauren Denyer, Research Fellows, UH; and young members of the Herts YPAG. Who should attend? Anyone who is interested or involved in CYP’s involvement in research, including young people. Tuesday 17th February, 12:00-13:30. Register now!
📣 @nihrarcs.bsky.social #PPI webinar: Evaluating #PublicInvolvement with children & young people 🌟17/2/26
Presenters incl me, @helenabnett.bsky.social & @hertsypag.bsky.social + hosted by @skourkos.bsky.social & @elspethma.bsky.social
Info & booking: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/involving-...
A person (Lee Waters MS) stands at a podium with two microphones
A debate in the Welsh Senedd highlighted the lack of access to specialist services for young people with tics and Tourette Syndrome in Wales. Lee Waters MS referenced research led by IMH researchers @nottshealthcare.bsky.social and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pik7...
Participants needed! Do you want to help in the understanding of autism and adhd? What are we studying? Hyperactivity, attention, and arousal regulation in ADHD and Autism. How is the nervous system different and how does this cause ADHD/Autism traits? Who are we looking for? Anyone age 18+ with a formal Autism diagnosis or in the process of getting one. Or anyone age 18+ that identifies as Neurotypical. What will you be asked to do? Come to the Institute of Mental Health at the University of Nottingham at a time that suits you (Monday-Friday). Complete 4 short questionnaires about yourself and your symptoms. We will measure your autonomic activity (heart rate, breathing rate and pupil dilation) while you perform a computerised test of attention. This will take around 90 minutes. You will receive a voucher at the end of the study. Interested? Email mbyep9@nottingham.ac.uk
Are you Autistic? Do you identify as neurotypical?
Take part in research and help in the understanding of Autism and ADHD at @institutemh.org.uk @uniofnottingham.bsky.social
➡️Complete some short questionnaires
➡️Perform a computerised test of attention
📧 Please email Eve mbyep9@nottingham.ac.uk
🏆 Day 3 of #ARCEMRewind2025
⏪ Rewinding to March: Dr @CharlotteLHall2 won the first-ever @nihr.bsky.social Impact Prize for her work on digital ADHD assessment (QbTest) now used across the NHS.
🔗 Read here: tinyurl.com/3xvmzkj3
@nihrmindtech.bsky.social @healthinnovation-em.org.uk
Our placement research student Eve has written a brilliant piece for the IMH blog about her experience attending the Digital Youth X MindTech conference that happened this month in London!
'Digital Youth programme report' cover page
The Digital Youth programme report has officially launched!
The programme report collates the findings and research from the last four years of the project, showcasing a wide variety of studies, including CaTS-APP, SPARX, Purrble and DIORA
🔗 Read the report here: digitalyouth.ac.uk/dypr/
Building Digital Tool - drawing by Tom Bailey
Tom live drawing at the back of the conference room
Discussion drawings stuck up on the walls
Tom’s drawings from throughout the digital youth programme
Throughout the day, artist Tom Bailey has been live drawing discussions and conversations between the event delegates
Tom has been a key asset for the duration of the #DigitalYouth programme to visualise takeaways, thoughts and ideas in his fun comic style
Find him on Instagram, @ mrtombailey
Our final panel session is discussing the ‘MindTech Bridge’, find out more about the new initiative on the MindTech website: mindtech.org.uk/news-events/...
Bridging the valley of death’- networking, angel investors and everything next steps 👌🏽 #digitalyouth
Image of a bridge over a ravine with a waterfall
This afternoon we’ll focus on moving research to implementation. In other words “bridging the valley of death”.
First up we have a panel discussion with Prof Chris Hollis, Prof Ed Watkins, Robert Higginson, Barnaby Perks and Dr Aaron Kandola #DigitalYouth
Read the workshop summaries on the Digital Youth website: digitalyouth.ac.uk/dyci/
Easels displaying images from successful projects
Worksheet showing principles of engagement for partnerships
A variety of interactive workshops are currently taking place at the #DigitalYouth event
Exploring topics such as: building industry partnerships, creative approaches to research and PPI, using insights from datasets and challenges and solutions to designing and implementing digital platforms
Rrready...! 😀
Nothing like a young person receiving recognition for all their hard work ✌🏽 #digitalyouth
Play Well for Life (pwfl.): Dragons of Afterlands
EFSim
Zendra Health: ADMiRE ADHD Navigator
We have a number of companies demonstrating their innovations to support children and young people's mental health in our exhibition space
Find out more information about the demonstrators on the #DigitalYouth website: digitalyouth.ac.uk/dyci/
Pictured: Play Well For Life, EFSim and Zendra Health
Fixing the Science of Technology Harms. Professor Amy Orben. Research Professor, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit November 2025
The next talk will be by Professor Amy Orben 👋. She works for the Digital Mental Health Group at the University of Cambridge 🎓
Amy will guide is through a talk on fixing the science of technology harms, which refers to the negative effects that technology can have on people. #DigitalYouth
The Mental Elf is doing amazing coverage of the #DigitalYouth event today - keep an eye on their account throughout the day for the key takeaways from each talk and the Sprouting Minds takeover 👀
Easels showing pages from the report
Purrble (soft therapeutic robot) on a table
Room showing a screen and artworks on easels
Our exhibition is set up - showcasing the findings from the various programme projects
More information will be available in the #DigitalYouth report which is launching at the event today. The report will be available on the website from next week - links to follow
#DigitalYouth
We have an amazing exhibition of all the research projects.
Stay tuned for a video today! #DIGITALYOUTH
Lectern, 'Digital Youth with Sprouting Minds' London 2025
The Digital YouthXMindTech conference is underway
We’re welcoming over 200 delegates to the ‘Digital risk, resilience and interventions’ event, including researchers, charities, innovators, young people and policy makers all in one room together to discuss children and young people’s mental health
Graphic drawing, 'Resilience' what young people think
Last few days to grab a ticket for Digital Risk, Resilience and Interventions: co-creating change in youth mental health
Hear from leading experts in child and adolescent mental health and shape the future of digital MH initiatives through interactive discussions
🔗 mindtech.org.uk/news-events/...
Register your place to attend next weeks 'Involving stakeholders in the development of technologies for Mental Health' webinar
➡️ events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9560ef...
Young girl wearing headphones, studying and using a mobile phone
The DIORA (Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence) project investigates how young peoples online activities shape their mental health and wellbeing
🔊Hear about DIORA from the team at the upcoming Digital Youth Conference
➡️About the conference mindtech.org.uk/news-events/...
🔊 Hear more about SPARX their learnings from the trial and the next steps for the project from researcher Dr Camilla Babbage and team at the upcoming Digital Youth X MindTech Conference
➡️ Find more about the conference and how you can attend on the MindTech website
mindtech.org.uk/news-events/...
SPARX logo, with the fantasy game characters
Clip from the game. Guide saying 'when we say someone 'has depression' it means that: 1. they are feeling down or not enjoying things, It's not just because of one thing that happened recently (like someone passing away). 2. These feelings are causing them problems at school, work or in not getting on with people. 3. It's been going on for weeks
SPARX is a gamified digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention set in a fantasy world offering support to young people with low mood and depression to learn mood-management strategies.
The game is accessed via an app or online and aims to make CBT more engaging to young people
