I am a first year PhD student within the Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Warwick Medical School. My research focus is on young offenders (16-20 years) with established or emerging mental health problems in transition within the criminal justice system.The aims of my research are the followings:

• the nature and prevalence of mental health problems in young offenders
• the avilability and organisation of mental health provision for early identification
• the process and outcomes of transition across agencies in terms of policy, practice, and user experience
• risk and protective factors related to resilience in this group
• intervention strategies to improve menal health problems

I obtained a First Class Honors Degree in Forensic Psychology (summa cum laude) from John Jay College, City University of New York. I have worked as a research assistant for the past 4 years in several projects in forensic experimental psychology (deception detection) and in clinical psychology (suicidal behaviors) as well. My research interests are forensic child and adolescent psychiatry, and mental health problems in this population (self-harm and suicidal behavior). I am particularly interested in young offenders' mental health and how to build resilience in this group to avoid recidivism.One of my projects explored the relationship between dysfunctional families, suicidal behavior, and borderline characteristics in young individuals. I am also interested in social justice research and, thereby I have been involved in an interdisciplinary project that examined LGBT Youth of Color and their mental and physical health.

My Phd is supervised by:

Professor Swaran Singh (WMS)

Dr. Vivek Furtando (WMS)

This research project is funded by NIHR CLAHRC West Midlands

and is a collaboration with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust

Maria Livanou

M dot I dot Livanou at warwick dot ac dot uk