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Research

The Academic Institute at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) aims to promote research and to build a strong research culture.

It will play a crucial role in exploring how best to deliver and improve mental health treatment and evidence-based practice.

The Academic Institute oversees hospital-based research activity and works to ensure that the wellbeing and rights of service users, their families and staff, as well as SPMHS’ resources, are safeguarded at all times. The Academic Institute also aims to promote and raise awareness of the importance of research to our service users.

You can learn more about our Research Strategy for 2023 to 2027 here. This strategy was developed by in partnership with the Academic Institute’s steering group, led by service users and carers, and our Clinical Advisory Group.

We also have a number of strong research partnerships, including with Trinity College Dublin’s School of Psychiatry, University College Dublin’s School of Psychology, and University College Cork’s School of Pharmacy. 

You can see more on our research projects and publications below.

Research Repository

SPIRE (St Patrick’s Institutional Repository) is our online research hub, storing and sharing mental health research from staff across our services. It aims to enhance the quality of mental healthcare and inform future developments in mental health treatment.

See more on SPIRE here

Current Projects

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Logo of the CARE-Dep Study which aims to predict a good therapeutic response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

CARE-Dep Study

The CARE-Dep Study aims to identify clinical characteristics that may predict a good therapeutic response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Find out more
Logo for the KARMA-Dep trial which explores the using ketamine to treat people with severe depression.

KARMA-DEP (2) Trial

The KARMA-DEP (2) Trial explores the use of ketamine as an adjunctive therapy for people with severe depression.

Find out more
The research department of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services are currently investigating the effect of eating disorders on the ageing process. The effects of prolonged dietary restriction on the telomeres and mitochondriae within our cells may mediate these adverse outcomes.

Impact of Eating Disorders on Biological Ageing

The research department of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services are currently investigating the effect of eating disorders on the ageing process.

Find out more

Queries

For general queries, please call us. For more on mental health and our services, see our frequently asked questions (FAQs).

01 249 3200 See our FAQs

Referrals

Contact our Referral and Assessment Service for queries regarding referrals to our services.

01 249 3635 See more from our referrals team

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