Mental health patients could receive improved care from major study

The three-year GlobalMinds study is recruiting up to 49,000 people in England and Wales to link genetic samples, questionnaires and NHS records to study severe mental illness.

Researchers have launched GlobalMinds, a three-year study aiming to improve knowledge of severe mental health conditions. The project is recruiting up to 49,000 participants and is supported by ten NHS trusts. Eligible patients will be identified through NHS England's DigiTrials service and invited to take part. Collected information will include genetic samples, questionnaire responses and linked NHS medical records. Key details: - GlobalMinds aims to recruit 49,000 participants and has initially launched in England and Wales. - The study is supported by ten NHS trusts and is led by Akrivia Health in partnership with Cardiff University. - NHS England's DigiTrials service will identify and contact eligible patients with severe depression, psychosis and related conditions. - Participants will receive at-home sampling kits for blood or saliva, and their genetic data will be combined with questionnaires and routine clinical records. - About 2,000 people are already enrolled and around 1,000 people with dementia will also take part. Summary: If completed, the project would create a large dataset linking genetic and clinical information that officials say could improve understanding of conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression. Charity and research partners described the study as an opportunity to inform more personalised approaches to care. Recruitment and data collection are ongoing, and leaders plan to expand the study beyond England and Wales during the project period.