As usual, the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce annual Mental Health conference took place the week of World Mental Health Day (10 October) although this – the 7th annual conference – was the first to be held online.

Chaired by HSCWRU Director, Professor Jill Manthorpe, 80 participants gathered on 8 October to hear and discuss three excellent presentations.

Jo Welford, Research Manager at CFE Research, outlined the findings of her evaluation of the Fulfilling Lives programme, which has been Improving access to mental health support for people experiencing multiple disadvantage. Martin Stevens, HSCWRU Senior Research Fellow, presented findings from the first phase of HSCWRU’s research focusing on Coordinating Mental Health Act assessments: securing the involvement of section 12 doctors. A joint presentation from the McPin Foundation by Faith Amasowomwan, Trainee Peer Researcher and Tanya Mackay, Research Manager, introduced the Black Thrive Project in Lambeth, which is pioneering Community-led change to improve employment outcomes for Black people with long-term health conditions.