Lucy Biddle

Dr Lucy Biddle, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Sociology at Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol. Her research focuses on mental health and self-harm, with a long-standing interest in the prevention of suicide. She was the principal investigator of a recent large-scale UK Department of Health funded study investigating the impact of the internet and social media on suicidal behaviour; and a collaborative programme of work with Samaritans (Suicide Prevention charity), which aimed to improve online safety for those who are suicidal. Other work (previous and on-going) includes research examining: factors influencing choice of suicide method; reasons for non-help-seeking amongst mentally distressed young adults; the potential for media to deter use of high-lethality suicide methods; strategies for involving self-harm patients in research; and child and adolescent experiences of CAMHS psychiatric liaison services.