Siobhán has carried out a number of focus group for the next Consortium research paper which is on Women and Mental Health. 

The aim of the research is to highlight a number of areas:

• The problems with poor mental health in Northern Ireland.
• Women’s increased likelihood to experience poor mental health.
• The contributing factors to poor mental health and the impact of poor mental health on women’s lives.
• What supports women are currently receiving with their mental health including from their local Women’s Centre and what further supports they feel are needed.
• To highlight the role of Women’s Centres and women’s organisations in helping women with poor mental health to live better lives and take the opportunities open to them.

Women participants in the research either have a diagnosed mental health condition or are undiagnosed but struggling with their mental health, anxiety and low mood.

Siobhán is in the final stages of the focus group research and has held a number of focus groups including with a group of rural women and a group of ethnic minority women.  Siobhán plans to publish the final paper in time for International Women’s Day in March 2026.