“Research involves lots of different people, not just scientists. It wouldn’t happen without the support of funders and collaboration partners, as well as the people who take part in the research itself and those who advocate for and share it.”
Acknowledgements:
Support comes in many shapes and forms. We want to give a special thank you to everyone who has taken part in our research programme as a participant or contributed time and involvement to our engagement activities.
The DAISy-PCOS team would in particular like to gratefully acknowledge the vital funding and generous support received from the Wellcome Trust, both for our research activities and for our associated public engagement programme.
Thank you!
Collaborators
Science Communication: Thank you to the Sci Comm Ladies (Chiara and WeiWei) for their support collaborating with us to creatively illustrate PCOS science concepts. Visit the Research page on this site for these illustrations.
Photography: Many of the photos of the DAISy-PCOS Leaders and our team were taken by Brum-based photographer Hayley Salter, who we highly recommend! Thank you Hayley for your fantastic work and please check out her site here.
Charity Partners: We would also like to express our deep thanks to the following PCOS charities: Verity, Cysters and PCOS Vitality. Each of these charities provides important grass roots community support for women with PCOS in the UK & Ireland, and beyond. Please see their websites for more information about these organisations and the support they offer.
Resources
If you have PCOS and need support, we encourage you to speak to your GP and to ask for a second opinion if you feel you are not being listened to. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of misinformation about PCOS online, so always look for reputable sources of evidence to back up any claims you read about. You may however find the resources and support organisations listed below helpful:
Cysters
http://cysters.org/
Cysters is a grassroots charity, dedicated to supporting individuals & improving the health, education & welfare of those with reproductive & mental health issues. We aim to educate the public about reproductive health & education so that they can make informed choices around their treatment options & challenge the cultural misogyny behind reproductive health.
Verity – The UK PCOS Charity
https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/
Verity is a self-help group for those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The group was established in 1997 to share the truth about the condition and improve the lives of individuals living with PCOS. The charity is run by a dedicated board of Volunteer Trustees supported by a team of further volunteers, who all support thousands both in the UK and internationally.
PCOS Vitality
https://www.pcosvitality.com/
PCOS Vitality was founded as a non-profit association in 2017. It aims to raise awareness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome & support those with the condition. We do this through social media (Facebook Support Group, Twitter, Instagram & TikTok) & in collaboration with other women’s health organisations, clinical researchers & healthcare professionals.
PCOS Club India
https://www.pcosclubindia.com/
PCOS CLUB INDIA is the most Trusted, Holistic and Complete platform for PCOS management in India. Our purpose is to empower women to manage their PCOS in the most holistic way. We are the only PCOS-specific platform that gives women the knowledge, products, professionals and community they need to diagnose, treat and manage their condition. Read here to know more about our Mission & Story
PCOS Awareness Association
https://www.pcosaa.org/
PCOS Awareness Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The organization and its volunteers are dedicated to raising the awareness of this disorder worldwide, providing educational and support services to help people understand what the disorder is and how it can be treated. The Association also provides support for people diagnosed with PCOS to help them overcome the syndrome and decrease the impact of its associated health problems.
The AskPCOS App
https://www.askpcos.org/
AskPCOS is the most trustworthy and comprehensive PCOS app available that was developed by leading PCOS experts from around the world and co-designed with women with PCOS.
Monash University: Resources for women with PCOS
https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/mchri/pcos/resources/resources-for-women-with-pcos
Monash has a number of useful resources for women with PCOS, including infographics on emotional well-being, fertility and pregnancy, lifestyle, treatment and more. A Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) information booklet is provided in digital format. This booklet is easy to read and is based on the best available evidence and written by leading experts
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/gynaecology/pi-pcos.pdf
RCOG have produced a patient information about polycystic ovary syndrome and what it means for your long-term health.
The PCOS Doctor
https://www.instagram.com/thepcosdr
Evidence based Educational posts on PCOS By a doctor living with it. The PCOS Doctor is GP, Dr. Amina Hersi. Amina is passionate about the care of women with PCOS and we are proud to have her involved in the DAISy-PCOS Leadership programme. Amina’s Instagram is well worth a follow!
South Asian Therapists
https://southasiantherapists.org/
Southasiantherapists.org was founded by Raj Kaur in June 2020. It has quickly become the largest South Asian mental health community in the world. There are over 30,000 followers across it’s social media channels and the website attracts over 160,000 views each month. More than half of the therapists in the directory are from the US and 90% of the website’s traffic comes from the US, Canada and UK. southasiantherapists.org is now key in helping mental health providers serve the mental health needs of the South Asian diaspora.
Black Broke Anxious Podcast
https://linktr.ee/blackbrokeandanxiouspodcast
This podcast was created June-Ann as her own therapeutic journey to healing. Black, Broke and Anxious focuses June-Ann learning about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and trying to figure out life living with it. The name is on the can I’m Black, Broke and Anxious follow me on this journey.
We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Local Mind services supported over 425,000 people across England and Wales this year. Their services include talking therapies, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, employment and training schemes, counselling and befriending.
Young Minds
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
We want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
Rethink Mental Illness
https://www.rethink.org/
Our vision is for equality, rights, the fair treatment and maximum quality of life for all those affected by mental illness, their carers, family and friends. As one of the largest charitable providers of services for people living with mental illness, we are well placed to make a direct impact on the care people receive.
Blurt It Out
https://www.blurtitout.org/
Blurt are a social enterprise dedicated to helping those affected by depression. Think of us as the knowing nod. You’ve seen it – a slight bob of the head, often accompanied by a smile. A little movement that says, “I understand”, “I’m listening” and “I’m here for you”. That’s us.
Anxiety UK
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Anxiety UK is a national registered charity formed in 1970, by Katharine and Harold Fisher, for those affected by anxiety, stress and anxiety based depression.
Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org/
Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
DAISy-PCOS 