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:
- Since 2012 I lead the world’s first MSc Early Intervention in Psychosis
- 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
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
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
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...
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...
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...
King's research studies mental health of city dwellers
King's researchers develop app to help with improving mental well-being in cities
Events
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...
Health and self for 2020
Kick start your New Year’s resolutions with these top tips based on research from King's
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.
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...
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...
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...
King's research studies mental health of city dwellers
King's researchers develop app to help with improving mental well-being in cities
Events
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...
Health and self for 2020
Kick start your New Year’s resolutions with these top tips based on research from King's
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.