£11m boost for mental health research in the community.

Lancaster University has been awarded almost £11m to establish a community-focused Mental Health Research Group, one of five across England funded through a £55m NIHR investment. The programme aims to move research out of clinical settings and work alongside local groups to develop more preventative, accessible care.

Lancaster University has been awarded almost £11m to move mental health research into the community. The grant names Lancaster as one of five new Mental Health Research Groups across England. The programme is funded as part of a £55m investment by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Researchers will partner with local organisations and primary care to reach people who have not typically taken part in research. Key details: - Lancaster received almost £11m to create a community-based Mental Health Research Group. - The funding is part of a £55m NIHR investment that created five regional groups across England. - Partners include the University of Manchester and King’s College London. - The initiative aims to embed researchers within community groups and primary care services to reach under-represented people. - Focus areas include support for people with severe and complex needs, mothers, and those affected by substance abuse, and encouraging GP health checks. - Local context cited: more than 13,000 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, and Blackpool is reported to have the highest rate of deaths linked to addiction and suicide in England. Summary: The programme is intended to shift research from traditional clinical settings into communities and to develop more proactive, preventative models of care while working to reduce stigma and increase participation in research. Undetermined at this time.