At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to advancing mental health research to effect meaningful change in individuals’ lives, their communities, and workplaces, particularly in relation to services and policy development.
Our contributions to the mental health evidence base are realized through:
Our research extends across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With offices located in London, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Belfast, we undertake a variety of evaluations and research projects within these regions.
Purpose: Understand why people delay or avoid seeking help — whether due to stigma, cost, wait times, or cultural disconnect.
Why it matters: This could shape advocacy, new programs like Semicolon Helps, or policy campaigns.
Purpose: Measure how effective non-clinical support (like PS peer supporters, online communities, or local chapters) is for people in crisis or recovery.
Why it matters: Helps validate PS’s model and promote alternatives when traditional therapy isn’t accessible.
Purpose: Explore how writing, tattooing, or publicly sharing stories impacts healing, connection, and stigma.
Why it matters: This could turn into a signature study that shows why PS’s core idea works.
Focus: What psychological/emotional effect do semicolon tattoos and rituals like World Semicolon Day have?
Why it matters: Connects identity, community, and action with mental health outcomes.
Purpose: Study how reaching young people through games (e.g. Apex Legends badge) changes awareness, attitudes, or even behavior.
Why it matters: This could fuel future partnerships and expand PS’s reach.
Purpose: Investigate how digital safety plans (like the one PS uses – Create a Safety Plan) impact suicidality, planning, or follow-through with help-seeking.
Why it matters: Offers data that could influence broader mental health tech practices.
