Making clinical trials work for patients

The IAMHRF was invited to the Clinical Trials in Mental Health Symposium in Berlin, Germany. Our Programmes and Partnerships Director, Anna Zecharia, shares the highlights.

It’s been an inspiring and thought-provoking few days in Berlin at the Clinical Trials in Mental Health symposium, hosted by The Good Clinical Trials Collaborative (GCTC) and the Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit (DZPG).  

The event brought together a diverse group of researchers, funders, clinicians, regulators, journals, ethicists, and—crucially—people with lived experience to tackle the big question: how can we make mental health trials more relevant to clinical practice and everyday life?  

Several moments stood out. Martin Landray reminded us that “good guidance doesn’t tell you what to do, it tells you how to think.” A principles-based approach offers the flexibility we need to navigate complex realities rather than rigid rules. 

Falk Schuster’s observation was equally powerful: “Clinical trials maps might be heaven for researchers—but imagine trying to navigate these with depression, while trying to find a trial that might help you.” If we want more people to participate in trials, especially those who may benefit most, trial information must be accessible and easy to understand.

And from a publishing perspective, Joan Marsh of The Lancet made clear what journals really want: “We will publish negative findings, don’t think you need to spin it. We want an honest appraisal of the results and clinical significance.” This kind of transparency is essential for both science and trust.

I was honoured to represent the International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders (IAMHRF) on the closing panel, where we explored how to embed lived experience early in the process, use secondary outcomes as a research playground to explore and innovate, and the responsibility to include the patients who need to benefit from the research – and not be satisfied with pushing the risk into the clinical domain.

The work doesn’t stop here. Together with GCTC and other partners, we’ll be developing a roadmap for practical, coordinated action. Many thanks to Stefan Gold, Nick Medhurst, and all involved for organising such a stimulating and, in the best sense, challenging event. 

Learn more about the symposium: https://www.dzpg.org/clinical-trials-in-mental-health-symposium

Anna Zecharia

Director of Programmes and Partnerships

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