Volunteering, Media & Research

Latest Research Opportunities

~ See links on the right for further opportunities ~

BBC HORIZON seeks volunteers!

Horizon, the BBC's flagship science documentary series, is producing a programme that will challenge the stigma of mental illness in society. The issue of labelling and stigma is one of the greatest and most under-reported challenges in mental health care today. Horizon is looking for a number of volunteers willing to take part in a series of tests signed to probe the difference between mental illness and health.

We are seeking volunteers with a history of mental illness who are now in a stable condition and feel confident about taking part in a television programme. Volunteers can be of all backgrounds between 18 - 50 years of age living in the UK.

If you would like to find out more about the programme please contact the Horizon team on 0208 008 3978 or email horizonmind@bbc.co.uk

Anxiety Study

My name is Solveig Jonsdottir and I am working on research with my supervisor Dr Gary Brown as a part of my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London.

We have developed a series of questionnaires aimed at unravelling what places certain people at greater risk for developing problems with anxiety. We also hope to better characterize the nature of anxiety problems. The set of measures to date has profited greatly from the input of individuals with anxiety problems. We hope to continue this collaborative relationship, and are currently seeking participants for an online survey furthering this line of research. The Royal Holloway University Research Ethics Committee has approved this study.

The entire study is being administered on the Internet, is anonymous and should take about 30-45 minutes. Those participating will be entered into a prize drawing of one £50 ($100) prize, two £25 ($50) prizes, and three £10 ($20) prizes.

For further information and /or to take part please go to http://tinyurl.com/2pcogs

Anxiety Study - University of Essex

• We are a group of researchers looking for people who are experiencing significant anxiety problems / difficulties to take part in our study.
• Our study examines how a simple computerised programme may affect your anxiety.
• If you are interested in participating, you will be asked to undertake a brief assessment that will further explore the anxiety that you experience.
• If you do then decide to take part, you will be asked to respond to some questionnaires and complete some computer tasks.
• You will be paid for your time and reimbursed for any travel expenses.
• For further information and /or to take part please contact Anna Ridgewell or Kelly Garner on 01206 873784 or email adridge@essex.ac.uk or kgarneb@essex.ac.uk

Magical Thinking in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

My name is Bonnie West and I am a clinical psychologist conducting scientific research comparing the thought processes in OCD and GAD. This research may lead to the development of more effective techniques to help people with particular thinking styles.

Participation will involve completing a few brief questionnaires and returning them to me in a prepaid envelope. The process is ANONYMOUS and will only take about 25 MINUTES of your time. I am looking to recruit two groups for the research – one with OCD and one with GAD.

If you wish to participate and are between the ages of 18 and 65, could you please email Bonnie West at bonnie@amanzi.co.uk or phone 07966331736 and I will send you the relevant questionnaires in the post.

Documentary Research

Do you have an anxiety disorder, and are aged between 13-18? By sharing your thoughts and experiences with me, you could help other young people in your position.

I work for Mosaic Films, which made the award-winning series of documentaries, Animated Minds. We have been commissioned to make a film which explores young people’s experience of anxiety disorders. Its purpose is to promote better understanding of these conditions, break through misconceptions and stigma, and enable those who suffer from anxiety disorders to speak more openly about their experiences. The film will be broadcast first on Teachers TV, then used as a tool for discussion and raising awareness in a range of educational, health and other settings.

For my research I really need to speak to young people aged 13-18, living in the UK, who have an anxiety disorder, to find out more about your thoughts and experiences.

At this point I am researching - rather than interviewing for - the documentary. I will be sensitive and respectful in our discussions and anything said will be held in the strictest confidence.

So if you would be interested in talking about your experiences with me, then please email me on jenny@mosaicfilms.com. Alternatively, please could you pass on my email to young people who may be able to help.

Thank you,
Jenny Saunders
www.mosaicfilms.com

Panic Disorder Research

Greetings All,

I am currently conducting research into panic disorder in London. The protocol is fairly brief (30 minutes or so) and involves self-report measures and a visual imagery task.

Full ethics approval from the NHS. Conducted on NHS premises at Parsons Green. Pay is 15 pounds.

Please be in touch with me at DrRitcheson@aol.com for more info.

Many thanks, Dr.A.S.Ritcheson - Trainee Clinical Psychologist

Laura from Fox TV studios in London writes:

We are currently working on a series about medical mysteries and unusual syndromes for Discovery and The Learning Channel. The series is similar to the "Extraordinary People" strand on Five, and the "Hidden Lives" strand on the BBC.

Each of the films follows a personal story of two or three people coping with life with their condition and then usually follows a medical investigation, an operation, or a course of treatment working towards helping the person. The documentary is intended to inspire curiosity and fascination but also understanding. They are sensitively made, by excellent, professional and largely award winning directors.

We are particularly interested in covering the topic of OCD as part of the series. Since this topic has already been featured in other documentaries we would love to approach the topic from a new angle. We would be particularly interested in following a family or a couple that have symptoms of OCD that are beginning their journey so that they are able to share their experiences with others to show how they manage the highs and lows of their situation and demonstrate that there is hope.

I would be extremely grateful if you would be able to forward my request to your group in the hope that there are families that would be interested in being involved in our film. Anyone that is interested can contact me by email: Laura.capaldi@foxtvstudios.co.uk or by telephone: 020 8996 5678. Anyone can contact me for more information without commitment. Thanks so much for your help,