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Mental Health Research Group

We are an interdisciplinary research group that draw on a range of different research methods to develop new knowledge and understanding of mental health from a life course perspective.

We engage in applied research projects and contribute to university education programs, inform policy and support the development of practice. We use methods that ensure broad collaboration between all stakeholders involved in services, education and relevant practice environments.

We share our results in a range of different forms to reach members of the public, practitioners, policy-makers and researchers nationally and internationally.​

Research topics and projects

  • Mental health is an integral aspect of everyday life and the family and homelife is a significant aspect of people’s lives. We conduct research that explores the experience of children, young people and their families in a range of contexts to develop knowledge on what contributes to healthy environments to grow up in.

    Selected research projects

    IAS | Increasing Accessibility of Integrated ECEC-services​

    Contact persons:
    Ingunn Skjesol
    Eva Cathrine Lyngstad
    Kristin Berre Ørjasæter

  • The experience of belonging and participating in communities is important for mental health. We conduct research that is concerned with what promotes participation in communities and how social communities are established and maintained.

    In a society where there people increasingly feel isolated and disconnected from their community it is important to better understand the significant aspects of belonging, particularly for people with mental health challenges. ​

    Selected research projects

    Together in the growing-up community - parent meetings with room for everyone
    ​​​HOME Rural to urban migration among older people

    Contact persons:
    Ingunn Skjesol
    Tommy Haugan

  • There is a growing interest and awareness of how art and cultural activities can contribute to a meaningful everyday life, social inclusion the coping with adversity. The research group undertakes research to generate knowledge in the field of art, culture and mental health.

    Our focus is on performing arts and cultural activities; participation in such activities can be an important aspect of the recovery process for people with mental health problems. We adopt a critical perspective and also consider how factors in the performing arts can potentially also have a negative impact on health.​

    Selected research projects

    Performing recovery
    The Meaning of Art-based Vocational Rehabilitation (REACTIVATE)

    Contact persons:
    Else Marie Lysfjord
    Kristin Berre Ørjasæter
    Jonas Rennemo Vaag

  • Our research supports the development of services to help ensure collaboration with different parts of society to provide more holistic services that promote health and wellbeing for all. Innovate forms of collaboration between the public, private and voluntary sectors involving users of services are increasingly accepted as the way forward in mental health and additional services.

    The research group explores different factors that influence practice including settings, professional competence, organizational​ structures, service user involvement and public policy.

    Selected research projects

    Experiences of Individual Placement and Support (IPS)- how does IPS affect everyday life and health situation? A collaborative user involved study

    Illness Management and Recovery in Specialised Mental Healthcare: Experiences from Professionals

    Contact persons:
    Hege Rasmussen Eid
    Cathrine Fredriksen Moe
    Marianna Agata Borowska
    Kristin Berre Ørjasæter
    Ingunn Skjesol
    Wenche Wannebo

The team

  • Kristin Ørjasæter, leader
    Mike Slade, Professor
    Cathrine Fredriksen Moe, Associate Professor
    Jannike Karlstad, Associate Professor
    Siv Grav, Associate Professor
    Else Mari Lysfjord, Associate Professor
    Ingunn Skjesol, Associate Professor
    Hege R. Eid, Associate Professor
    Lena Mari Sjøblom, Associate Professor
    Heidi Haug Fjone, First lecturer
    Odil Sætertrø, First lecturer 
    Runar Johanessen, University lecturer
    Trine Walderhaug, University lecturer
    Elin Sivertsen, University lecturer
    Toril Grevskott,University lecturer
    Marthe Bjørgum, University lecturer
    Eva Aldefer-Lundefer, Scholarship holder
    Marianna Borowska, Scholarship holder
    Kristin Sørensen, Scholarship holder
    Kristin Øksendal Børresen, Scholarship holder

  • Jonathan Tritter, Professor
    Tommy Haugan, Associate Professor
    Grethe Johansen, University lecturer
    Malik Dimbei Halidu, Scholarship holdert
    Hege Sofie Ledang Follestad, Scholarship holder
    Ingunn Bosnes, PhD & psychologist specialist, Namsos Hospital, VOP
    Inger Lise Rasmussen, Dr.phillos, Namsos Hospital, BUP
    Wenche Wannebo, Associate Professor

Research group leader