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Andrea Mechelli

Professor Andrea Mechelli

Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health

Research interests

  • Mental Health

Biography

After training in Clinical Psychology at the University of Padua (1999) and completing a PhD in Neuroscience at University College London (2002), I joined the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London, where I am Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health.

Research Expertise:

  • How living in urban areas affects the mental health of urban communities (www.urbanmind.info)
  • Impacts of climate change (e.g. more frequent heatwaves) on mental health
  • Nature-based solutions to the intersectional challenges of mental health and climate change
  • Development and validation of smartphone apps to monitor and support mental health in real time
  • Development and validation of psychosocial interventions to target social stress and support social functioning in people with mental health conditions

Teaching Activities:

  • I have extensive experience supervising MSc and PhD students

Public Engagement:

I see public engagement as a critical aspect of my work, and have extensive experience discussing research findings in the national and international media. For example:

People who live near green spaces are less likely to struggle with mental health issues - The Guardian

Prof Andrea Mechelli: ‘People who live near green space are less likely to struggle with mental health issues’ | Science | The Guardian

Why diversity in nature could be the key to mental wellbeing – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/why-diversity-in-nature-could-be-the-key-to-mental-wellbeing-227939

Contact with Nature improves mental health – BBC One Breakfast https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/951092282555535362

Bird and birdsong encounters improve mental health – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/27/bird-birdsong-encounters-improve-mental-health-study

Contact with Nature reduces Loneliness in Cities - The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/20/contact-with-nature-cities-reduces-loneliness-study-mental-health

All in the Mind – BBC Radio 4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0018nvv

Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/cities-increase-your-risk-of-depression-anxiety-and-psychosis-but-bring-mental-health-benefits-too-128911

Research Groups: 

Machine Learning in Mental Health Lab

Orchid ID: 

ORCID identifier: 0000-0002-6770-2934

    Research

    Solar panel at sunset thumbnail
    Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s

    King's researchers working across climate and sustainability

    News

    £1.68m Wellcome funding to explore impact of extreme heat on mental health of urban communities

    Wellcome Climate Impacts Award will fund IoPPN-led research aimed at understanding the relationship between extreme heat and mental wellbeing, particularly...

    Heat wave MH 780x440

    Going with the flow: study shows canals help boost your mood

    The study, carried out by King’s College London, Nomad Projects and J & L Gibbons in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, shows that spending time by...

    Canal and River Trust Research BRC

    Feeling chirpy: Being around birds is linked to lasting mental health benefits

    New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has found that seeing or hearing birds is associated...

    bird

    King's research studies mental health of city dwellers

    King's researchers develop app to help with improving mental well-being in cities

    iphone-410311_1280

    Events

    20AprDenmark Hill campus sign

    Demystifying Impact

    This event is an opportunity to hear from others on their journey toward research impact, with sessions on how to maximise your own impact.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too

    The detrimental effects of urban living on physical health have long been recognised, including higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease. More...

    The Shanghai skyline

    Health and self for 2020

    Kick start your New Year’s resolutions with these top tips based on research from King's

    health-tips banner

    Early intervention in mental health; impact of the built and social environment on mental health; machine learning applied to brain disorders; methods and applications of neuroimaging. 

      Research

      Solar panel at sunset thumbnail
      Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s

      King's researchers working across climate and sustainability

      News

      £1.68m Wellcome funding to explore impact of extreme heat on mental health of urban communities

      Wellcome Climate Impacts Award will fund IoPPN-led research aimed at understanding the relationship between extreme heat and mental wellbeing, particularly...

      Heat wave MH 780x440

      Going with the flow: study shows canals help boost your mood

      The study, carried out by King’s College London, Nomad Projects and J & L Gibbons in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, shows that spending time by...

      Canal and River Trust Research BRC

      Feeling chirpy: Being around birds is linked to lasting mental health benefits

      New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has found that seeing or hearing birds is associated...

      bird

      King's research studies mental health of city dwellers

      King's researchers develop app to help with improving mental well-being in cities

      iphone-410311_1280

      Events

      20AprDenmark Hill campus sign

      Demystifying Impact

      This event is an opportunity to hear from others on their journey toward research impact, with sessions on how to maximise your own impact.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too

      The detrimental effects of urban living on physical health have long been recognised, including higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease. More...

      The Shanghai skyline

      Health and self for 2020

      Kick start your New Year’s resolutions with these top tips based on research from King's

      health-tips banner

      Early intervention in mental health; impact of the built and social environment on mental health; machine learning applied to brain disorders; methods and applications of neuroimaging.