As reported by the National Health Executive, the National Institute for Health and Care Research is expanding its mental health research programme with a £55 million investment in five new Mental Health Research Groups, aimed at tackling inequalities in care and evidence across England
According to the Mental Health Foundation, people living in the most deprived communities are 64% more likely to experience a common mental health disorder than those in the least deprived areas. The NIHR said this disparity highlights the need for research that is rooted in communities with the greatest burden of mental ill health.
To address this, the new research groups will be located in areas with historically limited research capacity and higher levels of unmet mental health need. The investment brings the NIHR’s mental health research pipeline close to full capacity and marks a significant scaling up of its flagship programme.
Each group will focus on working directly with populations that are often under represented in research, including mothers and parents, rural and coastal communities, people with intellectual disabilities, individuals with complex emotional needs, and groups that frequently struggle to access consistent local services.
All projects were required to demonstrate meaningful collaboration with local residents, patient groups and stakeholders, ensuring research priorities reflect lived experience and real world challenges rather than academic agendas.
The NIHR said the funding represents a long term commitment to strengthening mental health research where it is most needed, with the aim of improving care and outcomes across underserved communities.
