IAMHRF members represent the world’s largest funders of mental health research. They are government funders, philanthropic foundations, and fundraising charities who invest their resources across the full research spectrum from basic biomedical sciences to translational and health services research, as well as health promotion and illness prevention. The past year has been marked by significant developments in their work - advances that address pressing challenges and set the stage for sustainable, evidence-based solutions with tangible impact on mental health. Each of these achievements is impressive in its own right – and collectively, they show a breadth and depth of strength in mental health research right now. Their successes, of course, include new innovations – but they also showcase what it takes to create the strategy, culture of collaboration, and infrastructure to make research happen in a way that creates equity in who benefits from them.
Strategy lays the groundwork for sustainable change addressing both immediate needs and long-term challenges. USAID’s Mental Health Position Paper emphasised the importance of social determinants and commits to integrating mental health across all its programs as an intersectional priority. Meanwhile, HRB finalised its first-ever National Mental Health Research Strategy, placing mental health research at the centre of system transformation.
Collaboration that unifies people and organisations behind a common goal can help create the shared understanding and embedded networks that are critical for real-world impact and sustainability. In Canada, the Integrated Youth Services (IYS) movement, led by GBF and CIHR, has provided accessible, community-driven care to young people. Globally, the Being Initiative has mapped youth mental health landscapes across 13 countries, empowering youth-led organisations to address local challenges.
Infrastructure is an important enabler of collaboration and knowledge exchange across researchers and communities. MRC, on behalf of UKRI, launched a Mental Health Research Platform to support an integrated, holistic approach that aims to break down traditional silos in mental health research. It will link and collaborate across disciplines—including biological, social, computational, and medical sciences—and work internationally to unlock new opportunities for advancing care and treatment for severe mental illness.
Innovation in the form of new evidence-based interventions that can be implemented in the real world is the prize. The Wellcome-funded AVATAR2 trial demonstrated the potential of digital therapy for individuals who hear voices. MQ Mental Health Research challenged assumptions about the internet’s effect on youth mental health, emphasising the importance of safe online spaces, and ZonMw’s Action Program “Grip on Misunderstanding” focused on evidence-based interventions for individuals with misunderstood behaviour, bridging gaps in care.
Equity in mental health research means taking proactive steps to address known inequities and disparities – whether between groups of people or across regions. An equitable approach centres on lived experience – including those ‘on the ground’ whose experience of the specific context is critical to ensuring research (and its implementation) meets the needs of that setting. MHI’s Holding Space manual supports inclusive care for individuals with invisible disabilities, while GCC’s Being Global Gathering brought together youth voices and innovators to scale mental health solutions in low- and middle-income countries.
We recognise that there are still challenges to overcome in mental health research – but we also hope that reflecting on our successes can provide inspiration and fuel for the future. We’ve loved seeing NIMH do just this as they celebrate the impact they’ve had as part of their 75th anniversary.
Read on to learn more about all these successes, and we look forward to working together to build on them in 2025.
Wishing all our members, partners and readers a happy festive season and New Year!
USAID's Mental Health Position Paper
USAID has long supported initiatives that increase access to mental health services. The Agency now elevates this commitment with the USAID's Mental Health Position Paper. The policy document strongly emphasises the social determinants of mental health and commits to integrating mental health across all its programs as an intersectional priority.
At its core, the paper underscores the importance of creating sustainable enabling environments that actively support mental health initiatives. It also highlights the need for contextually-appropriate approaches to ensure interventions are tailored to the unique needs of the populations they serve. Additionally, the paper addresses key barriers to effective programming, including mental health stigma, lack of resources, and systemic inequities.
This document is the result of over two years of collaborative work and input from nearly 200 participants, representing a wide range of geographic, thematic, professional, and experiential perspectives.
Mental health remains one of the most overlooked health concerns in many countries, and this paper signals USAID's commitment to advancing mental health globally. By setting clear priorities and a framework for action, it lays the groundwork for further research, funding, and collaboration aimed at addressing mental health challenges worldwide.
Ireland’s National Mental Health Research Strategy – Driving Innovation and Impact
Ireland’s National Mental Health Research Strategy, led by the Health Research Board (HRB), is a groundbreaking milestone in mental health research, marking a transformative step forward for both Ireland and the global mental health research community.
The Health Research Board’s mission is to foster research that improves health and social wellbeing. This strategy represents the culmination of extensive collaboration, public consultation, and expert input, reflecting the HRB’s commitment to putting people at the centre of research. By providing a comprehensive, evidence-driven framework, this strategy will ensure that mental health policies and practices are informed by robust evidence.
Ireland is the first country in Europe – and only the second globally after Australia – to develop a national mental health research strategy. This pioneering initiative showcases the power of aligning efforts across government departments, stakeholders, and communities. The strategy is designed to be a national framework for all funders, uniting diverse stakeholders across sectors towards an ambitious but achievable vision: an Ireland with a thriving mental health research system that strengthens our understanding of mental health and positively impacts mental health and wellbeing for all. It also places a strong emphasis on maximising the impact of mental health research, and in doing so Health Research Board is paving the way for actionable insights that will benefit individuals, families, and communities for generations to come.
Transforming Youth Mental Health in Canada
When organisations unite to tackle pressing challenges, meaningful progress can be achieved. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Graham Boeckh Foundation (GBF), along with other partners, have worked together to transform youth mental health care in Canada. This decade-long effort has culminated in the pan-Canadian movement called Integrated Youth Services (IYS), supported by a recent $74 million investment to ensure every youth in Canada has access to mental health services. Guided by community needs and evidence-based principles, IYS provides rapid, community-based access to comprehensive care for young people aged 12-25. The IYS landscape now includes nine provincial initiatives and around 150 community sites, offering integrated support that includes mental health, addiction, physical health, vocational, and social services—all in one accessible location.
This innovative model is being advanced through the Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net) Initiative, created through a unique public-philanthropic partnership between CIHR and GBF. IYS-Netconnects and supports provincial and territorial networks across Canada, including a dedicated Indigenous-led network. This initiative applies a learning health system approach, leveraging research and real-time data, and cross-network collaboration to drive innovation and health equity.
Beyond increasing accessibility, IYS addresses other critical mental health care gaps. It has facilitated the creation of a transdiagnostic system that supports young people through the transition to adulthood, as well as the delivery of culturally relevant and equity-focused services. Its holistic approach also prioritises continuous quality improvement, ensuring services evolve to meet the needs of young people effectively.
This work underscores how research-to-practice initiatives can rapidly transform mental health systems, setting a benchmark for innovation and collaboration in youth mental health care globally.
Mapping Youth Mental Health Landscapes
The Being Initiative —a partnership that includes IAMHRF members and partners including Fondation Botnar, GCC, UNITED, and Orygen — published a new Public Good Report, Mapping Youth Mental Health Landscapes: Local Insights from 13 Countries that builds on a year-long research study on the drivers of youth mental health across 12 countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Vietnam) and based on consultations with over 3,000 stakeholders. Nearly 40% of respondents were youth, and the study also included inputs from government officials, health professionals, researchers, academics, representatives of non-governmental organisations, and individuals with lived experience.
The report emphasised that improving youth mental health requires multi-stakeholder collaboration, investment in youth-led solutions, and the creation of enabling environments for wellbeing. By highlighting the unique drivers of youth mental health as perceived by local communities and young people themselves, the report underscored the importance of tailoring solutions to country-specific contexts.
This milestone marks a shift from research to action for the Being Initiative, centring on the voices of young people to better identify needs, barriers, and effective solutions. The insights gained have informed investment priorities and programming strategies, leading to the launch of Being's first Request for Proposals (RFP) in April 2024. These projects invite youth-led organisations and innovators to tackle the challenges and priorities identified in the landscape analysis.
Through Proof-of-Concept, Transition-to-Scale, and Ecosystem Catalyst grants, Being aims to advance solutions that address the root causes of youth mental health challenges while fostering an ecosystem where mental health initiatives—and young people—can thrive. The initiative also emphasises capacity-building and mentorship, supporting youth innovators in creating scalable and impactful programs.
This coordinated, evidence-informed approach positions Being, its partners, and youth innovators as catalysts for sustainable change within national and global mental health ecosystems.
MRC/UKRI Mental Health Research Platform
The Medical Research Council (MRC), on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has established a £22.5 million Mental Health Research Platform. This initiative is supported by funding from the Securing Better Health, Ageing and Wellbeing theme, one of five UKRI-wide initiatives that aim to harness the full power of the UK's research and innovation system to tackle large-scale, complex challenges.
Severe mental illness (SMI) can significantly impact many aspects of life. Providing early, effective treatment and support can help those affected to live full and productive lives. To accelerate progress in this area, the MRC has launched this platform to deepen understanding of how and why mental illnesses develop, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals and communities.
The platform adopts an integrated, holistic approach, breaking down traditional silos in mental health research. It will link and collaborate across disciplines—including biological, social, computational, and medical sciences—and work internationally to unlock new opportunities for advancing care and treatment for SMI.
Under this initiative, the UKRI Mental Health Platform comprises six hubs, each funded for five years. These hubs connect over 20 research organisations across the UK, creating a cohesive framework for addressing the complexities of SMI. This ambitious effort aims to push the boundaries of innovation, providing insights and solutions to help individuals with SMI to live well and thrive.
Transforming Mental Health Care
In October 2024, the results of the Wellcome-funded AVATAR2 trial were published in Nature Medicine.
In AVATAR therapy, a person who hears distressing voices works with a therapist to build an avatar – a digital representation of the voice inside their head. The avatar is programmed to sound and look like the voice inside their head. The therapist communicates through this avatar, mirroring the typical statements the voice might say. Supported by the therapist, individuals engage with the avatar, standing up to negative statements and taking control of the conversation. These sessions are designed to empower individuals, helping them reduce the distress associated with hearing voices and regain a sense of agency.
The trial data demonstrated the therapy's effectiveness. Participants who received either the Brief or Extended versions of the AVATAR therapy experienced significant improvements in the severity of the voices heard and the associated distress compared to those receiving standard treatment. The Extended version, in particular, showed stronger and more sustained effects, with participants reporting a notable reduction in the frequency of hearing voices over time
Following the success of AVATAR2, Wellcome is now funding a follow-on study until 2027 to culturally adapt and test the feasibility and acceptability of the technology in Ethiopia and India. Additionally, Wellcome is supporting the development of an AI-driven version of the therapy, in English, designed to provide automated dialogues. This innovation could enhance scalability, reducing the training requirements for delivering the therapy and broadening its accessibility.
The success of AVATAR2 highlights the transformative potential of combining cutting-edge technology with evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Navigating the Digital Frontier
In today's digital age, social media is deeply ingrained in our daily lives and provides a space where people can connect, learn, and express themselves. However, as its influence grows, so do concerns about its impact on mental health, particularly for young people. According to the International Telecommunication Union, 75% of 15-24-year-olds use the internet, which is 10% higher than any other age group. This highlights the need to understand the implications of internet use on youth well-being.
This year, MQ Mental Health Research, in association with Melbourne University, Harvard University and the Oxford Internet Institute, released a report examining the scientific evidence on the internet's effects on youth mental health.
Contrary to popular belief, the report indicated that increased screen time isn't inherently harmful. While excessive online activity can negatively impact mental health if it replaces healthy habits like sleep, education, or social interactions, the report also highlighted how digital spaces can foster positive experiences. Activities such as joining supportive groups or accessing mental health resources online can alleviate negative emotions and provide much-needed community.
The report also identified crucial gaps that need addressing, including the ethical use of behavioural data, transparency in algorithmic processes, limiting addictive technology features, and reducing exposure to triggering content. These factors significantly affect the mental health of young users and require urgent attention.
‘Social media cannot be used as a scapegoat for the MH crisis in youth, which seems to be better correlated with other health and socio-economic factors.
However, this does not mean that big tech is off the hook. There are clear indications of how commercial practices of monetization of attention, algorithmic-recommendation systems and hyper-targeted content - which are increasingly pervasive - can be detrimental to mental health. What this calls for is the need for more cooperation between big tech and independent research to guide and regulate the economic models and designs behind those practices.’ - Mariana Bolivar, Research Programme Lead.
With technology evolving rapidly, the report warns of a swiftly closing window to guide future advancements towards responsible innovation. MQ calls for informed, context-sensitive strategies that promote youth wellbeing, urging collaboration among policymakers, educators, tech developers, and mental health professionals to create a healthier digital ecosystem for young people worldwide.
Advancing Evidence-Based Approaches in Support Systems
The research led by ZonMw's Action Program "Grip on Misunderstanding" initiative fosters collaboration between police, municipalities and organisations that offer help or care to people with misunderstood behaviour. This cooperative approach is critical to creating effective, person-centred solutions.
The term 'people with misunderstood behaviour' was developed in partnership with people with lived experience, ensuring inclusivity and authenticity. It encompasses people with psychiatric disorders, undiagnosed dementia, or those facing chronic stress. These challenges can escalate, often leading to avoidable interactions with the judicial system.
Boosted by an additional €116 million investment from government departments in the Netherlands, in 2024, the program started practical research projects and opened a further grant call, which closed on 4 December 2024.
The practical studies support the generation of new evidence to support working methods, investigate the causes of misunderstood behaviour, and assess the effectiveness of different approaches. Examples of these projects include:
Encouraging professionals and students to work in a person-oriented and careful collaboration,
Analysing retrospective research on the recovery process of people with misunderstood behaviour with an addiction component,
Exploring the impact of very complex non-congenital brain injuries,
Developing psycho-education to support loved ones, and
Developing toolkits to support practice based on regional insights.
These initiatives are pivotal in shaping evidence-based practices that address misunderstood behaviour effectively, driving systemic change and improving outcomes for individuals and their communities.
This practical example is part of a broader program of work that ZonMw is investing in regarding misunderstood behaviour via regional knowledge centres, early detection and care and safety.
Improving Inclusive Mental Health Care
The Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI) continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and supportive mental health system. This year, together with Rising Flame, they launched Holding Space: Understanding Invisible Disabilities and Intersectionality – Part 2, a self-learning manual designed to support understanding of ableism's impact on individuals with invisible disabilities and intersectional marginalisation.
This resource, designed for mental health professionals and practitioners, explores the systemic barriers faced by marginalised communities. It offers multimedia exercises and reflective practices, equipping caregivers with the tools to adopt inclusive and compassionate therapeutic approaches.
Despite significant progress, stigma continues to pose a challenge, and the launch of this manual represents MHI's continued commitment to addressing systemic inequities in mental health care.
Strengthening Youth Mental Health Innovations
Since 2011, Grand Challenge Canada has invested in 132 mental health projects across 42 low- and middle-income countries. In November 2024, GCC convened partners and innovators in the Global Mental Health portfolio in Rabat, Morocco.
After more than a decade of investing in mental health innovation, the first-ever Being Global Gathering brought together youth mental health advocates and innovators from across the globe for three days of intensive learning, sharing, and connection-building to strengthen youth mental health innovations.
The gathering was an important opportunity to reflect on successes and challenges related to evidence generation, sustainability, and scale for mental health innovations. Key takeaways included:
More needs to be done to support an enabling ecosystem for mental health innovations. Funding innovations in isolation isn't enough to enable the scale and sustainability of these interventions in the long term. It takes a coordinated effort to address existing country-level barriers that prevent innovations from being successful.
Measuring individual outcomes at scale is a challenge. Solutions require context-specific approaches and flexibility among donors to allow for deeper research, qualitative studies, and measuring outcomes that extend beyond donor reporting requirements.
Leveraging technology, traditional and social media is essential in amplifying the positive impact of youth mental health programs and services;
Schools and public education play a critical role in supporting positive youth mental health outcomes.
Innovators have a wealth of insights about the best practice approaches to youth participation. Creating spaces for sharing and collaboration is crucial for their success.
Gatherings like these are essential for advancing youth mental health; they create rare opportunities for researchers, funders and innovators to exchange insights, align efforts, and foster the collaborations necessary to achieve sustained impact.
Celebrating NIMH’s 75th Anniversary
Since its establishment by Congress in 1949, NIMH has played a pivotal role in driving mental health research, fostering innovation, and transforming #MentalHealthCare worldwide. Over the last year, NIMH has celebrated its 75th Anniversary, marking decades of advancing the understanding and treatment of mental disorders (Learn more about NIMH's history and impact here).
The 75th-anniversary celebrations offered an opportunity to reflect on NIMH’s legacy while looking toward the future. Highlights included a series of three symposiums that brought together leading experts, individuals with lived experience, clinicians and communities to reflect on the challenges and achievements of the past 75 years.
NIMH has not only supported research that led to the advancement of mental health research care but has also played a role in mental health education. NIMH offers accessible, evidence-based resources that provide individuals and communities with a better understanding of mental health conditions and available treatments.
The 75th-anniversary celebrations honoured these achievements and reaffirmed NIMH’s commitment to advancing mental health research. Visit the NIMH website to learn more about NIMH’s achievements.