In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor and Craig spoke to a Professor of the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, Professor Ellen Townsend.

Ellen currently leads the Self-Harm Research Group, which researches psychological factors associated with self-harm and suicidality, and interventions that promote recovery, especially in young people.

Recently, Ellen has been a part of the Digital Youth project, which is working to find practical solutions through understanding the complex risks and opportunities for mental health associated with young people’s engagement with the digital world.

In this conversation, they discussed the issues young people may face online, current research into self-harm, and why lived experience is vital in research.