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Cambridge Public Health

 
Mother and child play with sensory fidget toy

Research and collaboration to achieve positive mental health outcomes

What we do

We aim to raise awareness that mental health affects everyone, at all stages of life. Improving public mental health cannot fall to any single discipline—it requires a multidisciplinary approach that brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, policymakers, and communities.

This area emphasises early prevention over late intervention. The sooner we can identify risks and respond to emerging issues, the better the outcomes across the population. We focus on understanding the underlying causes of mental health problems—not just treating symptoms. This includes identifying the factors that influence risk, resilience, and recovery, as well as those that promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

Improving public mental health means translating research into frontline practice and policy. We work to support better mental health outcomes across the life course through collaborative, evidence-based approaches grounded in prevention, systems thinking, and equity.

Blog: Supporting parents to enhance young people’s mental health

This blog, originally published by the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP), explores the critical role parents and caregivers play in shaping young people’s wellbeing—and how public health approaches can better equip them. Drawing on insights from research and lived experience, it highlights practical ways to strengthen support systems for families, from early prevention to targeted interventions. Read the blog

Mental Health and Wellbeing team

 

Related groups


Enurture Network: Multi-institution network promoting young people’s mental health in a digital world.

Rudd Centre: Interdisciplinary research and teaching centre based at the Faculty of Education that focuses on vulnerable children, families and improving the life chances of young people.

SPHR Cambridge: As part of the NIHR School for Public Health Research partnership, researchers at Cambridge are conducting various projects relating to public mental health and children, young people and families.