UKRI announces eight new Mental Health Networks

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the creation of eight new Mental Health Networks to address important mental health research questions.

Embracing a collaborative ethos and bringing together researchers from a wide range of disciplines, the £8 million Networks will progress mental health research in themes such as the profound health inequalities for people with severe mental ill health, social isolation, youth and student mental health, domestic and sexual violence, and the value of community assets.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Mental health problems can strike at any time which can lead to fear and isolation, with one in four of us experiencing a mental health problem every year. The government is transforming its approach to mental health and has committed record levels of investment to research, support and treatment. These new Mental Health networks are another step forward in bringing leading public and private organisations together to better understand the causes, develop new treatments and tackle social isolation.”

Professor Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UKRI, said: “Mental ill health is the single largest cause of disability in the UK, and it is estimated that almost a quarter of the country’s population are affected by mental health issues each year. The UKRI Mental Health Networks will take a new approach to addressing this challenge by bringing together researchers across a wide range of disciplines with people who have experienced mental health issues, charities, health practitioners and other organisations. Through their work, the new Networks will further our understanding about the causes, development and treatments of a wide range of mental health issues.”