Up to £50m in funding is to be invested in mental health research, the Government has announced.
The funding will be delivered over the next five years under the Government’s Mental Health Goals programme, which was set up to speed up the pace of development of new medicines and technologies around mental health.
The Medical Research Council will deliver the investments.
This £50m funding will be used to:
- Set up a cohort of 20,000 volunteers, whose health data can be securely used for mental health research. To provide a data-driven, understanding of how biology links to mental health.
- Enable the creation of an Industry Alliance Team: a new point of entry for innovators to get streamlined support to access to the UK’s mental health research facilities, health data, as well as wider support in rapidly standing up clinical trials.
- Launch a new Lived Experience Industry Partnership, to ensure that people who have experienced mental health problems are ‘at the heart’ of how research is undertaken by industry.
Poor mental health affects around one in four people in England, and costs the UK economy around £300bn a year through unemployment, staff absence and the cost of care, according to the Government.
Science minister, Lord Vallance, said: ‘Mental health problems blight the lives of millions of people across the country. This isn’t something we should just accept. Scientific research has led to breakthroughs that are changing the game for physical problems, like cancer, and heart disease. We should be every bit as ambitious for what science can do in tackling mental health challenges as well.
‘That is why this funding matters and what our Plan for Change delivers. By making the right resources readily accessible we can look to a future where mental health is tackled faster, more precisely, and more effectively.’
The Government has also pledged to hire 8,500 extra mental health workers, with almost 7,000 recruited over the past year.
Co-chair of the Mental Health Goals programme, Professor Kathryn Abel, added: ‘This programme goes far beyond funding research – it’s about creating a step change in the way we deliver innovation for improved mental health outcomes.
‘Building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to make the UK the most attractive place in the world for mental health innovation is key for the investment needed for change. At its heart is a new kind of collaboration between people with lived experience and industry, built on mutual respect, aligned priorities and shared purpose. We cannot deliver meaningful progress without industry, and industry cannot succeed without listening to those most affected. This is how we change the system – together.’
Responding to the announcement, president of the British Psychological Society Dr Roman Raczka said: ‘It is encouraging the government has committed to investing in mental health research. With over two million people on waiting lists for NHS mental health support in England, this pledge comes at a crucial time.
‘Although developing more effective treatments is vital, we must not forget that these can only be delivered if you have a big enough workforce to meet demand. The recruitment of nearly 7,000 mental health workers since July last year, is a welcome step forward but there is still a long way to go.
‘Expanding and supporting the mental health workforce should be a priority for government in the upcoming budget if we are to reduce mental health waiting lists and ensure people receive the support they need and deserve.’
In September, the Government also announced funding for 17 projects aimed at supporting people’s mental health, including smart glasses that help those struggling with severe depression.
