£150,000 mental health grant set to aid Bristol research and local well-being

A boost for Bristol’s mental health research aims to enhance support services and tackle pressing local issues

People in Bristol and the surrounding areas will soon receive better mental health support tailored directly to their needs, as Government announces £150,000 to invest in vital mental health research.

South West England is one of nine regions to receive a share of £27 million to explore the issues that most affect local people and better understand how to tackle them, in a bid to increase mental wellbeing and boost local productivity.

Nearly one in 10 work sick days are attributed to poor mental health, which is estimated to cost the economy £300 billion per year. This government is prioritising mental health to better support people and businesses, understanding that boosting productivity will help bolster the UK economy.

The funding awarded to the University of the West of England will support academics as they explore and address key mental health research challenges in the region.

The research will form part of NIHR’s Mental Health Research Initiative, which seeks to help improve care and outcomes for local people, by building a sustainable infrastructure and regional capability in applied mental health research.

Baroness Merron, minister for mental health said: "Mental illness is one of the biggest challenges we face, but most research into these conditions hasn't reflected the breadth of experiences faced by different communities in different parts of the UK.

"There's no 'one-size-fits-all' solution to mental health, so it's really important that health leaders in Bristol and elsewhere have the evidence they need, based on research, to provide the most effective care.

“We're committed to giving mental health the focus it deserves, and this funding is a huge step forward for mental health research right across the country.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of the National Institute for Health and Care Research 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.”

NHS England data published earlier this month shows that more than 1,950,000 people in the UK were in contact with mental health services in July 2024, a rise of over 100,000 compared to the year before.

The data also reveals stark inequalities across the country in access to effective mental health support, with many regions experiencing high rates of mental health conditions unable to participate in research.

Prathiba Chitsabesan, national clinical director for Children and Young People's Mental Health, at NHS England added: “Mental health problems are on the rise and the need for innovation in prevention and treatment has never been greater than now.

“Mental health research can contribute to saving lives, reducing distress and improving outcomes for our local communities. We must be collectively ambitious to achieve parity of esteem in mental health.”

Across the UK, the government has committed to making mental health support available in every school and local community and recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers across child and adult services.

Reducing waiting times for mental health services forms a key part of the ten-year plan for the future of the NHS, which will ensure that patients get help faster and pressure on hospitals is eased.