This 12-part video series aims to bust common myths that might be a barrier for parents and carers getting involved in research.

It’s been created by parents and carers who have been there – supporting their child with mental health difficulties, and getting involved in research to help their families and others, to improve children and young people’s mental health in the future.

• Do you need medical knowledge to get involved in research?
• Is research dull or like a job interview?
• Does your child need a diagnosis?
• Do you have nothing new to add or contribute?
• Is getting involved just to tick a box, where you get nothing back?

The answer is no!

Myth 1: I have to have medical, academic or research knowledge to be part of research.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Lisa, Kevin & Kirstin

Myth 2: I have to be good at writing or reading to get involved in research.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Kevin, Kirstin, Nikki & Lisa

Myth 3: Parents and carers taking part in research is just for show (to tick the box).

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Nikki, Hansa, Lisa & Kevin

Myth 4: You need to have a lot of time with no distractions to contribute to research.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Kevin, Hansa, Kirstin, Lisa & Olive

Myth 5: I need to go where the researcher is or works.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Nikki, Kirstin & Lisa

Myth 6: I have to know all the words or language to contribute to research.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Lisa, Olive & Kirstin

Myth 7: I don’t have anything new to add or contribute.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Lisa, Emma & Kirstin

Myth 8: My child needs to have a diagnosed mental health condition so I can’t be involved.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Nikki, Lisa & Hansa

Myth 9: My child has to be struggling with their mental health for me to contribute to research.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Lisa, Kirstin & Emma

Myth 10: Research is really formal and it will feel like a job interview.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Kevin, Lisa, Emma & Kirstin

Myth 11: Research is dull.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Nikki, Kirstin, Hansa & Lisa

Myth 12: Research is all about me giving my time, experience, effort, and I don’t get anything back.

It’s not true! Busting this myth: Kevin, Kirstin, Lisa & Nikki

This series was developed by the Parent Carer Research Network, which is facilitated and funded by the Charlie Waller Trust, the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre Mental Health in Development theme, and the Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research.

This video series was funded and supported by:

• The Office for Life Sciences and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) via The Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration Mission and the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre Mental Health in Development theme
• the Paul Foundation via the Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research
• and the Charlie Waller Trust.

Animator & Editor: Lottie Mason; Director: Heather Dyer