Dr Michelle O’Driscoll to Lead Training for First All-Island Mental Health Research Network
Dr Michelle O’Driscoll is one of the successful co-applicant researchers from University College Cork and the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) who have been central to a transformative investment in mental health announced recently by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler.
This Health Research Board (HRB) funding received will set up CO-PRIME (Co-producing and Promoting Research & Innovation in Mental Health) – the first all-island collaborative research network in mental health.
CO-PRIME, which will receive €1 million over five years, is co-led by Dr Eve Griffin, CEO of the NSRF and Adjunct Professor with UCC’s School of Public Health, alongside Professor Sinead McGilloway of Maynooth University and Professor Brian McGuire from the University of Galway. The initiative aims to reshape how mental health research is conducted and used across the island of Ireland by bringing together people with lived experience, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and community-based organisations in a single, coordinated effort.
Dr O’Driscoll’s role will be in spearheading the development of appropriate training and mentorship structures for early career and lived experience researchers in mental health across the island of Ireland.
Professor Laura Sahm of the School of Pharmacy is a named collaborator, and will provide extensive clinical and mental health research expertise over the project duration. Others involved from UCC represent the School of Public Health, School of Applied Social Studies, Business Information Systems, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, of Psychiatry, School of Applied Psychology and the School of Clinical Therapies.
Collaboration and Improved Outcomes
‘Our ambition is to shape a collective vision for mental health research that is aligned with national and international priorities, in particular Sharing the Vision and the new National Mental Health Research Strategy. Together, our Network will create a community to influence and foster collaborative approaches to ensure that mental health policy is evidence-based and will improve outcomes for everyone,’ says Dr Eve Griffin.
A Commitment to Future Health
This success underscores UCC’s leading role in advancing the national mental health research agenda. The work aligns with key recommendations of the National Mental Health Research Strategy and UCC’s own FUTURES initiatives, particularly in building a more responsive and equitable health system.
Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health, extended her congratulations: ‘This significant achievement highlights the exceptional talent and collaborative spirit of our researchers. Their work is crucial in shaping the future of mental healthcare in Ireland.’
For more information on the CO-PRIME network, visit the HRB announcement here.