After training in Clinical Psychology at the University of Padua (1999) and completing a PhD in Neuroscience at University College London (2002), I joined the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London, where I am Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health.

Research Expertise:

How living in urban areas affects the mental health of urban communities (www.urbanmind.info)
Impacts of climate change (e.g. more frequent heatwaves) on mental health
Nature-based solutions to the intersectional challenges of mental health and climate change
Development and validation of smartphone apps to monitor and support mental health in real time
Development and validation of psychosocial interventions to target social stress and support social functioning in people with mental health conditions

Teaching Activities:

Since 2012 I lead the world’s first MSc Early Intervention in Psychosis

I have extensive experience supervising MSc and PhD students

Public Engagement:

I see public engagement as a critical aspect of my work, and have extensive experience discussing research findings in the national and international media. For example:

People who live near green spaces are less likely to struggle with mental health issues - The Guardian

Prof Andrea Mechelli: ‘People who live near green space are less likely to struggle with mental health issues’ | Science | The Guardian

Why diversity in nature could be the key to mental wellbeing – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/why-diversity-in-nature-could-be-the-key-to-mental-wellbeing-227939

Contact with Nature improves mental health – BBC One Breakfast https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/951092282555535362

Bird and birdsong encounters improve mental health – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/27/bird-birdsong-encounters-improve-mental-health-study

Contact with Nature reduces Loneliness in Cities - The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/20/contact-with-nature-cities-reduces-loneliness-study-mental-health

All in the Mind – BBC Radio 4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0018nvv

Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/cities-increase-your-risk-of-depression-anxiety-and-psychosis-but-bring-mental-health-benefits-too-128911

Research Groups:

Machine Learning in Mental Health Lab

Orchid ID:

ORCID identifier: 0000-0002-6770-2934

Anai Sarkis

Contact details

Biography

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