Research and Audit at Aware
Research and audit are very important to us at Aware. One of our key objectives is to support and conduct applied research into the development, treatment, and prevention of depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. We want to contribute to the evidence base on better understanding these conditions and their treatment and prevention, based on a biopsychosocial understanding of mental health.
Evaluation of our services is also a crucial aspect of our research strategy, and we are dedicated to understanding the efficacy and impact of all the services we offer.
If you have used Aware’s services and would like to give some feedback on your experience, we would be grateful if you could take the time to share your feedback.
Aware Research Strategy Consultation
Aware are currently reviewing our research strategy for 2024 -2027. As we develop this new strategy, we are inviting contributions from all of our stakeholders including Aware service users, members of the public and healthcare professionals, on what they think should form part of the Aware Research Strategy 2024 -2027.
The development of the Aware research strategy is a priority within our overall plan in how we aim to continue to support people experiencing depression, bipolar and related mood conditions and their loved ones. Please follow this link to contribute.
Collaborate with Aware
We are very keen to collaborate on research in depression, bipolar and anxiety conditions with academic partners, clinical services and fellow voluntary organisations in the sector. Please contact us at info@aware.ie if you would like to propose a research collaboration.
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)
Aware was originally founded with a number of volunteers with lived experience of mental health difficulties. Peer support and services that are underpinned by lived experience have been a central strand of our services since the mid 1980’s and we are dedicated to carrying this into our research strategy. We see PPI as a central pillar of meaningful research into contemporary understandings in mental health.
PPI refers to ‘’research carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ patients, service users, carers, families using health and social care services, people with lived experience of health conditions (who may or may not be current patients), patient advocacy organisations, and members of the public’’(HSE, 2021).
PPI Involvement in research at Aware can include any of the following:
- Being co-applicants for funding for a research project
Being members of a research or advisory group for Aware projects or supported collaborations
Advising and developing patient information leaflets
Advising on service evaluation and audit
Co-researchers e.g. carrying out interviews with research participants
Carrying out user led research
If you are interested in getting involved in any of the above or have ideas about how you would like to be involved, or would simply like further information, please get in touch.
Past Research
- Acceptability, satisfaction and perceived efficacy of “Space from Depression” an internet-delivered treatment for depression – read the paper here