£11m awarded to Keele University for mental health research hub

According to BBC News, the funding is part of an initiative aimed at ensuring world-class research is conducted in communities that are likely to benefit the most. Local data shows that rates of common mental health issues in Stoke-on-Trent are significantly higher than the national average.

The Keele hub will focus on proactive and preventative care, moving research beyond traditional clinical settings. NIHR officials highlighted that individuals living in England’s most deprived areas are 64% more likely to experience common mental disorders.

The hub will operate in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and King’s College London, targeting mental health inequalities and under-served populations. Researchers will explore how community organisations, charities, and healthcare providers can better support older adults, people with both mental and physical health conditions, and those with complex emotional needs.

By situating researchers within local communities, the programme aims to include groups that have been previously under-represented in health studies.

“Mental health challenges can be isolating, particularly in under-served regions,” said Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR chief executive. “Bringing research directly into the communities where people live and work represents a fundamental shift toward a preventative model of care.”

The NIHR launched the hub programme in 2023, focusing on areas with high mental health needs, limited research infrastructure, and low participation in mental health studies. The other universities selected to host the new hubs are located in Huddersfield, Lancaster, Lincoln, and Plymouth.