Shared goals for mental health research: what, why and when for the 2020s

Abstract

Mental health problems bring substantial individual, community and societal costs and the need for innovation to promote good mental health and to prevent and treat mental health problems has never been greater. However, we know that research findings can take up to 20 years to implement. One way to push the pace is to focus researchers and funders on shared, specific goals and targets. We describe a consultation process organised by the Department of Health and Social Care and convened by the Chief Medical Officer to consider high level goals for future research efforts and to begin to identify UKspecific targets to measure research impact. The process took account of new scientific methods and evidence, the UK context with a universal health care system (the NHS) and the embedded research support from the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network, as well as the views of individual service users and service user organisations. The result of the consultation is a set of four overarching goals with the potential to be measured at intervals of three, five or ten years.

Medical Research Council supports ambitions targets for mental health research

“…Mental health research is an ongoing strategic priority for the Medical Research Council (MRC) and is a core theme of the current MRC Delivery Plan. We are delighted to support these Goals (Wykes et al, 2021) which are well aligned to priorities set out in the MRC Strategy for Lifelong Mental Health research published in 2017. Indeed, we have already made a number of investments in relevant research, and have ongoing strategic collaborative programmes focused on adolescent mental health, multi-morbidities and prevention research.…”

Reflections on “Shared goals for mental health research: what, why and when for the 2020s”

“…We read the paper "Shared goals for mental health research: what, why and when for the 2020s" (Wykes et al, 2021) with keen interest here at One Mind, a U.S.based non-profit organization that aims to accelerate mental health research at home and abroad. We strongly endorse the overall message and applaud their efforts to produce such a compelling article.…”

Why mental health research matters: a commentary on ‘shared goals for mental health research: what, why and when for the 2020s’

“…The development of four overarching national goals for mental health research is to be welcomed. As the review by Wykes et al (2021) highlights, the urgent need to promote good mental health in our community and develop innovative treatments for mental health problems has never been greater. My sense is that the time is ripe for genuine innovation in mental health research.…”

“…The goodwill is there and we are at a moment of incredible opportunity to really make a difference to our nation's mental health. As the paper by Wykes et al (2021) demonstrates: mental health research does matter. We now need to make it happen.…”