Professor Damien Ridge

Damien is Professor of Health Studies at the University of Westminster. He previously worked in the Health Experiences Research Group (HERG) at the University of Oxford. There, he developed research that set up a support website for people with depression, and fleshed out for the first time what recovery from depression entailed for patients. In 2010, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) subsequently adopted this research extensively in their guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults in the UK. He has published over 50 academic papers in leading journals, and a book on how people actually set about recovering from depression (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2009). Damien has broad research interests in health, leading research into the patient experience, mental health, HIV, chronic pain, health services, masculinity and men’s wellbeing. He also provides patient-centred psychotherapy in the community for a reduced rate. He is passionate about translating research into direct benefit for patients.