The impact of COVID-19 has created more strain on mental health among the general population, with an estimated 500 calls a day to Mind’s (https://www.mind.org.uk) helpline in October: twice the number it would usually see at this time of year. In turn, due to social distancing, support available for those seeking help has altered, with limited ‘in person’ counselling services available, leading to an increase in antidepressant prescriptions. However, best practice is that medication is offered after non-pharmaceutical intervention treatments, such as counselling, have been explored or at least been provided hand-in-hand with antidepressant use. At the present time, this approach is currently limited by restrictions on face-to-face activities.
There are unique factors that had already put those living in remote and rural communities at greater risk of mental health illness, pre-COVID-19. These include limited provision of and access to mental health services, for example lack of public transport enabling an individual to seek treatment. Research in this demographic before the pandemic is limited, however, Support in Mind Scotland (https://www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk) published a report in 2019, based on an independent survey and focus group data from those based in remote and rural communities, which stated that supportive communities, low-level non-clinical support, existing useful support, connections and local assets and getting access to services quickly and efficiently were key priorities regarding managing and improving their mental health. How COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health and affected health and social care services providing mental health support, in person and online, in remote and rural communities is unknown. In addition, how coping mechanisms and resilience that exists, and existed, within such communities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to their remote and rural situation, which might inform practice among urban communities is unknown.
This research will focus on the delivery and organisation of remote and rural mental health and social care, during COVID-19 and beyond, to explore factors unique to remote and rural communities that can be improved upon, and to inform the provision of ‘forced remote’ mental health and social care during COVID-19 as services have had to adapt and will do going forward as we continue to navigate this pandemic. An ethnographic study to elicit the views and experiences of mental health and mental health and social care support during and post COVID-19, in Stornoway and on the Western Isles, will be conducted. Both the research topic/population and methodological approach are novel when combined and partnership with NHS Western Isles, national charities and local community groups will strengthen this in-depth, immersive (online) fieldwork, which will explore experiences, perceptions and strategies from the points of view of health and social care service users and providers in the Western Isles during COVID-19 and beyond in relation to mental health. Observational, documentary and supplementary qualitative and quantitative techniques will be employed to elicit insights into relevant remote and rural health and social care organisation and delivery issues (drawing on previous approaches such as those used by the lead supervisor in three NIHR-funded research projects (https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/103102/#/; https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/103102/#/ and https://dev.fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/15/18/14). We will pay specific attention to demographics and contexts that factor into those seeking, using and benefiting from help, or not, and how, and will identify areas for improvement for remote and rural mental health and social care, as well as urban mental health and social care.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCE. Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php.
You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Health Science, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct person for processing.
NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE ON THE APPLICATION FORM.
Candidates should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project in advance of submitting an application, as supervisors will be expected to provide a letter of support for suitable applicants. Candidates will be informed after the application deadline if they have been shortlisted for interview.
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