A first-of-its-kind centre will develop a world-leading learning system to advance treatments for people with mental health problems.
The Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) will give service users the opportunity to co-design the innovations they need and want, alongside health professionals, researchers, industry partners, and public advisers.
The centre, in Liverpool, will create a world-first learning system where treatments improve the more they are used, studied and refined.
The focus will be on under-researched areas such as early intervention in psychosis, depression, and children and young people’s mental health.
The centre, created through a partnership between the University of Liverpool and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, will be awarded £10.5million of Government funding as part of the national Mental Health Mission to accelerate mental health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration.
M-RIC’s research also deliver much-needed support within Liverpool City Region, providing easy access to clinical trials and increasing their involvement in better care, closer to home.
Professor Iain Buchan, the University of Liverpool’s Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, explained: “Mental health is vital to us as individuals, families, and communities, yet despite advances in public health and healthcare, mental health has been declining, particularly in disadvantaged areas like Liverpool.
“Our Centre will have particular depth in mental health data science and engineering, driving innovations for a connected world – continuously improving as the research underpinning them is embedded in mental health services.”
Professor Joe Rafferty CBE, Mersey Care’s chief executive, said: “Investment in mental health research has huge potential to boost economic growth, reduce health inequalities, and address the associated £13billion per annum the UK economy loses in productivity to poor mental health.
“To improve mental health, the Centre will advance understanding of how mental, physical, and social conditions are interlinked, and trial new interventions with industry in real life settings.”
The data-sharing required for the project will be facilitated by Liverpool City Region’s Civic Data Co-operative (CDC) which uses data to deliver better care for residents.
Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the health inequalities that exist in our society today – few more so than the extreme disparities in mental health support and funding.
“Coupled with the spiralling cost of living, it is little surprise that our country is now in the midst of a mental health crisis – which is costing the UK economy nearly £118billion every year.
“It is one of the many reasons that we invested in an ethical CDC, to allow local experts to analyse our residents’ health and wellbeing needs and to help us improve care and service delivery locally.
“Our area has been a global leader in health research and innovation for centuries, and it is fantastic to see this legacy continue today with the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre. I am really looking forward to seeing how it helps us identify and explore new, improved ways to treat the mental health and wellbeing of our 1.6million residents.”
Professor Nusrat Husain, Mersey Care’s director of research and innovation, added: “The investment for innovation in mental health provides important opportunities to build upon our existing work to address mental health inequalities.
“For example, digital technologies are helping to improve access to mental health services and becoming an important part of our clinical practice. These innovations in the way we deliver mental healthcare will not only have an impact on Liverpool City Region, but also nationally and globally.”
