The UK government has unveiled up to £50 million in new funding to advance research into mental health treatments and technologies, marking one of the largest public investments in the field. Announced to coincide with World Mental Health Day, the initiative seeks to place individuals with lived experience of mental health issues at the core of scientific innovation, influencing the development of future therapies and medicines.
This funding forms a part of the government’s Mental Health Goals programme, designed to expedite the testing, approval, and implementation of new mental health treatments within the NHS. The Medical Research Council (MRC) will oversee the programme’s execution through UK Research and Innovation, with an emphasis on enhancing access to Britain’s premier health data and research infrastructure.
The plan outlines an investment of up to £50 million over the next five years to establish a 20,000-person volunteer cohort whose securely managed health data will be utilised to investigate the effects of biology, lifestyle, and environment on mental wellbeing. Additionally, an Industry Alliance Team will be formed to connect innovators and companies with NHS research facilities, trial networks, and data platforms. A Lived Experience Industry Partnership will also be launched, ensuring individuals who have experienced mental health issues directly influence research priorities, design, and delivery.
Science Minister Lord Vallance described the investment as a significant shift in ambition for mental health research. He emphasised the potential for scientific research to achieve breakthroughs in mental health comparable to those in physical health challenges like cancer and heart disease. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock highlighted the funding’s role in supporting the NHS to develop breakthrough treatments tailored to patients’ needs, alongside plans to hire 8,500 additional mental health workers and expand access to talking therapies and digital support.
The initiative is co-chaired by Professor Kathryn Abel and Professor Husseini Manji, who regard the programme as a landmark investment that will bring together science, data, and lived experience to drive substantial progress. Professor Abel aims to position the UK as the leading destination for mental health innovation, advocating for a collaborative approach built on mutual respect and shared purpose. Professor Manji expressed optimism about transforming mental health care through cutting-edge science.
Mental health issues affect one in four people in England, representing the leading cause of disability in the UK. The estimated economic cost is £300 billion annually, driven by lost productivity, staff absence, and care expenses. The government views improving mental health outcomes as central to its Plan for Change, which aligns health and economic growth missions. The funding also supports broader initiatives such as the Life Sciences Sector Plan and the 10-Year Health Plan, aiming to transition the NHS from treatment to prevention by leveraging data, genomics, and digital health technologies.
Mental health charities and research groups have welcomed the announcement. Rachel Hastings-Caplan of Rethink Mental Illness commended the government for addressing the need for greater investment in mental health research and involving those with lived experience. Dr Vanessa Pinfold, co-founder of the McPin Foundation, noted the focus on lived experience as a commitment to enduring system change.
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