Building upon Dr Ruth Naughton-Doe's Mental Health Fellowship, the University of York and Dr Naughton-Doe have launched a new project to enhance mental health support for young mothers and birthing parents under 25. Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Programme for Social Care, the study evaluates the effectiveness of local community services, such as social prescribing and peer support, in improving the well-being of young parents.
The research involves collaboration with four community-based services across the UK and seeks to include parents from diverse backgrounds. By involving both service providers and young parents, the project aims to develop evidence-based strategies to better support this vulnerable group.