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King’s People

Biography

Dr Cerisse Gunasinghe is a postdoctoral researcher and Counselling Psychologist in the Department of Psychological Medicine, IoPPN at King’s College London and is project co-ordinator for the HYPE (improving the Health of Young PeoplE) Project. The HYPE Project is a web-based recruitment, risk assessment and resource platform for young adults (aged 16 and over) that will facilitate young people’s involvement in research and improve access to online and community-based social and health-related resources.

Cerisse’s work is underpinned by a holistic model of care, and an appreciation of the impact of societal and cultural practices on individual experiences. Cerisse’s research interests focus on reducing barriers to social and psychological support and educating community populations to help early identification and treatment of mental and physical health difficulties.

Cerisse’s clinical experience includes working within the Probation; National Affective Disorders; Primary and Secondary Care Mental Health and Sleep Disorders services.

Cerisse joined King’s as a placement student in 2002 and was employed as a Research Worker in 2004.

Doctorate in Counselling Psychology: University of East London

MSc in Health Psychology: Middlesex University

BSc in Psychology & Diploma in Occupational Studies: Middlesex University

Research interests

  • Young adult mental health
  • Health inequalities
  • Interface between physical and mental health
  • Sleep and affective disorders
  • Culturally sensitive approaches to health services
  • Accumulative stressors and mental health over the life course

Teaching

  • MSc Affective Disorders and MSc Clinical Neuropsychiatry programmes: Introduction to Qualitative Research
  • IMPARTS Mental Health Skills for Non-Mental Health Professionals: Persistent Physical Symptoms
  • MSc Mental Health Studies – Research Project Supervisor
  • BSc Psychology – Research Project Supervisor

Expertise and public engagement

Cerisse is a co-lead of the Health Inequalities Research Network (HERON), a public engagement network that promotes collaborative community approaches to knowledge dissemination, action and youth outreach. The range of engagement activities can be found on the Health Inequalities Research Network (HERON) website. Follow Heron on Twitter.

Cerisse has taken part in the following panel discussions:

  • Our City Together: how culture, collaboration and creativity can support Londoners wellbeing
  • Academic Class Ceiling
  • Money on the Mind
  • Mental Health Support: is anybody there?