Mental Wellbeing Research Group

Collaborative research focused on promoting wellbeing in individuals and communities.

Group leaders

Angela Garden - School of Education
Dr Sam Roberts - School of Psychology

About the group

The Mental Wellbeing Research Group at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) unites an interdisciplinary team dedicated to advancing our understanding of mental health and wellbeing. Our diverse projects and themes are all geared towards improving the mental wellbeing of individuals and communities. By focusing on evidence-based research, collaboration, and real-world applications, we aim to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Our research encompasses the full spectrum of mental health and wellbeing, including mental health issues (for example depression, anxiety), wellbeing (for example life satisfaction) and positive psychology (for example flourishing, gratitude). The group’s activities are crucial in fulfilling LJMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all ages. The activity of the Mental Wellbeing group also supports LJMU Strategy 2030, fostering collaboration across LJMU to support research excellence, working with our local, national and international partners to improve wellbeing, and using our research expertise to provide an outstanding student experience.

Overview

Our group focuses on diverse areas within mental health and wellbeing, drawing on interdisciplinary expertise from psychology, nursing, public health, marketing, and business. We explore themes such as:

• wellbeing in marginalised groups
• wellbeing in the university community
• social relationships and wellbeing

Our aim is to help individuals stay well despite adversity, support marginalised groups, and foster environments where mental wellbeing can thrive.

Research themes

Our interests span several key areas, including:

• Positive Clinical Psychology: Exploring how individuals can remain mentally well despite adversity, with a focus on social determinants of mental health.
• Innovation in Mental Health: Developing collaborative, real-world approaches to mental wellbeing, particularly using practice-led research.
• Spirituality and Wellbeing: Investigating the relationship between spiritual practices and mental health.
• Wellbeing in Marginalised Groups: Understanding how mental health is affected by factors like social inequality, focusing on groups such as refugees, asylum seekers, and the LGBT+ community.
• Social Relationships and Wellbeing: Exploring how social networks and relationships impact wellbeing, loneliness, and stress.
• Forensic Psychology and Wellbeing: Investigating the wellbeing of individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Outdoors: Studying the mental health benefits of outdoor activities and Forest School programmes.
• Social Touch and Wellbeing: Examining how positive, interpersonal touch relates to wellbeing and mental health across the lifespan.
• Physical Activity and Wellbeing: Understanding the role of physical activity in wellbeing and how to design effective in interventions to promote physical activity.

Grants and projects

Our team is involved in several recent significant research projects and successful grant applications, including:

Health Matters Project

An ongoing project focused on real-world validation of mental health approaches through rapid cycles of innovation. This project has led to new bids on co-production in mental health, particularly around the use of green spaces for improving wellbeing.

Impact of Gratitude on Wellbeing

Funded by the Mind and Life Institute, this project focuses on the effects of gratitude on social relationships and wellbeing. A new online network tool is being used to examine how changes in social networks over time are related to wellbeing.

Move, Connect, Be Well Project

This project harnesses student survey data to improve physical activity services and enhance the student experience. Given the rising mental health challenges among university students, the initiative explores how physical activity can promote both mental and physical wellbeing by building social connections.

Events

Better Together: Healthy People and Places
29 June 2023

This LJMU Bicentenary Showcase Research Event highlighted the collaborative, impactful research being undertaken by three Institute for Health Research Groups: Social Innovation, Mental Wellbeing and Green Spaces. This event provided opportunities for networking, conversation and engagement around the opportunities and challenges of working in partnership to support people in our communities to live well in healthy places and outdoor spaces.

Download Better Together programme (PDF, 220KB)

LJMU and Commonwealth Association Mental Health and Wellbeing Symposium 2024
26 April 2024

A symposium focusing on mental health and wellbeing, hosted by LJMU and the Commonwealth Association 

Download Commonwealth symposium programme (PDF, 186KB)

Contact Us

For more information about our group or to collaborate with us, please contact the research group leads:

• Dr Sam Roberts
• Ange Garden

Academic and Research Staff

Publications

^{Banner credit: Kimson Doan on Unsplash}