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.

This is one of our Members’ success stories from 2024. Learn more about the campaign and other members’ achievements here.