Exeter part of £11million national funding to improve mental health of young people

A new NIHR Mental Health Research Group involving the University of Exeter will work with young people to provide timely support in key stages of development.

The significant funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) brings together researchers from the University of Bath in partnership with experts from the University of Exeter and the University of Bristol with a focus on tackling mental health challenges in children and young people in the region.

The newly established NIHR Mental Health Research Group at the University of Bath is part of a wider £27million NIHR initiative which aims to address mental health research inequalities across the UK.

The study will actively collaborate with children and young people who will be invited to shape integral aspects of the research, designing research activities and participate in the studies.

Professor Barney Dunn, co-lead and professor of clinical psychology at Exeter, said: “The University of Exeter is ideally placed to partner with the universities of Bath and Bristol as part of the new NIHR Mental Health Research Group.

“Our expertise in developing, evaluating and implementing novel methods and technologies, designed to improve wellbeing and functioning across a range of mental health conditions, clearly lends itself to improving mental health research for young people and addressing the needs of the region.”

The research will cover four key areas:

• Evaluating and implementing digital treatments for young people experiencing depression and anxiety
• Improving mental health treatment for young people who have additional needs such as autism and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Developing new ways to reduce the harm smoking, drinking and drug use may cause to mental health.
• Finding ways to help young people who have had difficult early experiences, to stop this leading to poor mental health when they get older.

Dr Pamela Jacobsen, Director of the  NIHR MHRG at University of Bath, said: “We’re focusing on prevention and early intervention because we know most mental health difficulties start in childhood and people often do not receive the help they need, at the time they need it.

“Our focus is on supporting key transitional periods in a young person’s life as they become young adults and experience important life events such as starting university, entering the workforce, leaving home, or forming new relationships. These are crucial times in their lives and by providing good mental health support can help people stay on the right trajectory and help them build healthier futures.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said: “Mental health issues can affect any of us. We know that more researchers and research participants will lead to better treatments and support for people and communities affected by mental health issues.

“These Mental Health Research Groups will target the mental health research to the areas that need it most, meaning we can quickly start to make a real difference in key areas such as young people’s mental health and addiction.”