PhD Study : Improving mental health among at-risk young people in a challenging border region.

Summary

The North West of Ireland has very high rates of mental health disorders and suicide. For many people, the symptoms related to these disorders start to develop during their late teens and early 20s. A number of recent studies have documented the increasing incidence of depression, anxiety and other disorders among the student population. In September 2015, we invited first year students to take part in the Ulster University Student Wellbeing study at the beginning of their studies. Over 1600 students participated providing a saliva sample to analyse the biological factors related to mental health disorders and 900 completed a survey to establish their rates of mental disorders. Similar to other recent studies in the UK and Ireland, we found alarmingly high rates of mental health issues among our students with over half of all students reporting that they had experienced a mental health disorder at some point in their life.

Another important finding from our study was that although many students reported problems with their mental health a low percentage of these students were willing to seek help using the on-campus counselling service or other available options. Research has suggested that there may be a reluctance among students to due to embarrassment, fear of stigma or a lack of awareness of their problems. Third level institutions are an excellent place to provide support and assistance to those with mental health problems but results from our study and others suggest that the current support may not be fit for purpose. The internet can play an important role in developing new, alternative interventions that may appeal to young people in particular. Young people use the internet to get information about their symptoms so it could be an important platform to develop new tools. Recently, internet-based programmes that deliver support online based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have shown promise in treating conditions such as depression and anxiety in other settings.

The primary goal of this study is to determine whether a recently developed web-based intervention (iCare) is effective in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and depression. To test this, we will compare the level of symptoms of depression and anxiety in students in a randomised control trial comparing routine campus-based counselling with treatment with iCare. We will determine depressive/anxiety symptoms as well as quality of life before and after the interventions.

The results of this study will determine whether addition of the iCare intervention to the current mental health services would enhance the support options and increase help-seeking among students. We will also collect saliva samples from participating students so that we can analyse biological factors related to mental disorders and examine biological changes that influence adherence and response to the intervention. Saliva samples collected from participants will allow us to obtain information about biological correlates, specifically the genetic and epigenetic factors that are associated with mental illness in this population. Promising preliminary data suggests that epigenetic changes in DNA methylation patterns are associated with depression, and we will explore if these can be used for patient stratification and/or prediction of response to therapy.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living