Title
“Finding strengths from within” – a global approach to utilising resources to overcome mental distress.
Abstract
Across the globe, mental healthcare is increasingly embracing a resource-oriented perspective that recognises the diverse strengths and capacities that support mental wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on illness, symptoms, or deficits, this approach seeks to identify and mobilise resources—within individuals, families, peer networks, communities, and wider society—that can help to reduce distress and promote wellbeing. This talk will bring together insights from global examples of resource-oriented mental health initiatives, exploring how different resources can be activated to improve mental health outcomes. A particular focus will be given to the ways in which communities can help to nurture and sustain these resources, creating networks of care that complement and extend formal mental health services. By drawing together evidence from across contexts, the talk will highlight the potential of resource-oriented frameworks to reshape how we understand and respond to mental distress, especially in lower-resourced settings where access to traditional services is limited. The presentation will conclude by outlining a new programme of research within the Essex region that aims to build research capacity and develop innovative, resource-based approaches to improving mental health among marginalised young people. This initiative seeks to deepen understanding of how existing strengths and supports can be leveraged to foster wellbeing, resilience, and social inclusion.
Biography
Professor Victoria Bird is a Professor of Mental Health Research at the Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex. She currently leads a large-scale NIHR funded programme to grow and establish applied mental health research capacity within the Essex region. Prior to joining the University of Essex, she was based at the Centre of Psychiatry and Mental Health where she led the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry at Queen Mary University of London. Her research focuses on community-based mental healthcare, particularly arts-based and engagement methods in Latin America, South Asia, Europe and Africa. Acting as a principal investigator for several research programmes funded by NIHR, MRC, Wellcome Trust, and ESRC, she develops interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals experiencing mental distress. Currently leading as Co-Director at the NIHR Global Health Research Centre: Community Management of Long-term conditions in Latin America, she also advises funding bodies, including the EU Horizon Europe programme and the Norwegian Research Council, and collaborates with clinical services in East London and beyond.
Zoom details:
https://zoom.us/j/93711378882?pwd=ONUDhocbW7ucS5dRak0RGdZBC27ynz.1
Meeting ID: 937 1137 8882
Passcode: 845614
Posted on 12/11/2025
