EASE-MH Study

Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is important to help stop the spread of infections and maintaining good sexual health. It’s also important that everyone can access reproductive healthcare, like contraception, so they can make safe and informed choices about their bodies and relationships. However, there is limited research about how easy it is for people with mental health difficulties to use sexual and reproductive health services. This study will look at what makes it harder or easier for people to get the care they need in the West Midlands. The results will help services understand how they can do better and support more people.

• Dr Charlotte Spurway
• Professor Louise Jackson
• Professor Jonathan Ross

This research will answer the following questions:

1. 1. What is the existing evidence relating to knowledge and access to STI testing and provision of contraception for people with mental health difficulties?
   2. What are the barriers and facilitators affecting knowledge and access to STI testing and provision of contraception in people with mental health difficulties in the West Midlands?

This study has two work packages.

The first will review existing research to understand what’s already known about the topic and where there are gaps in knowledge. We will investigate how people with mental health difficulties find out about sexual and reproductive health services, how they use these services and their experiences.

The second work package will involve carrying out in-depth interviews with people who use (or might use) sexual and reproductive health services, as well as healthcare professionals and others who work in the field. We want to understand what helps or makes it harder for people with mental health difficulties to access these services, and how accessible finding out information about services is.

Once we’ve completed the first two parts of the project, we will hold an in-person workshop in Birmingham to help turn our findings into practical recommendations. Around 20 people will take part, including healthcare professionals, people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, community organisations, and patient representatives. Together, they’ll help shape ideas for improving services and suggest areas for future research.

The study is being run across the West Midlands, with support from Umbrella at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). 

We are looking for people to share their views to help improve sexual health and contraception services for people with mental health conditions in the West Midlands.

Take part as a service user or potential service user

We’re inviting adults who have experienced mental health conditions to take part in a one-to-one research interview.

We want to make sure sexual health and contraception services work for everyone. You do not need to have used sexual health services to take part, and you will not be asked to discuss your personal health.

Your experiences matter, and we welcome your views whether or not you have used these services before. If you take part, all information will be treated confidentially.

Who can take part?

You can take part if you:

• Are aged 16 years or older
• Have a mental health condition (diagnosed or self-identified)
• Live in the West Midlands

How do I get involved?

Contact the researcher, Charlotte:

• Phone: 0121 464 6486
• Email: c.m.spurway@bham.ac.uk

Or complete the expression of interest form: EASE-MH study service user/ potential service users expression of interest form – Fill in form

You can also read the Service User / Potential Service User Participant Information Leaflet (PIL) for more information.

Take part as a healthcare professional or stakeholder

We are inviting healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders to share their views on sexual and reproductive health services and how accessible they are for people with mental health conditions in the West Midlands.

We are asking a range of people who work in, or are connected to, sexual and reproductive health services or mental health services, including clinicians and allied health professionals, service managers, community and third-sector organisations, commissioners or other relevant stakeholders to take part in a one-to-one interview.

How do I get involved?

Contact the researcher, Charlotte:

• Phone: 0121 464 6486
• Email: c.m.spurway@bham.ac.uk

Or complete the expression of interest form: EASE-MH Study healthcare professional and stakeholder expression of interest form – Fill in form

You can also read more about the study and the Healthcare Professional and Stakeholder Participant Information Leaflet (PIL) for more information.

Contact the Study Research Team for more information.