Mood Disorders

Workstream leads

Research focus

The Mood Disorders workstream is a nationally coordinated initiative within the MH-TRC Mission, focused on advancing clinical research in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), also known as difficult-to-treat depression (DTD). This condition presents a significant challenge in mental health care, with limited access to specialist services and few effective treatment pathways available across the UK.

The workstream has established the Mood Disorder Network, a UK-wide platform of NHS-embedded research clinics delivering experimental medicine, early-phase studies, and commercial trials at scale. By integrating clinical care with research, the Mood Disorder Network supports more consistent study delivery and aims to improve outcomes for individuals affected by complex mood disorders.

Regional context

The Mood Disorder Network spans 15 locations across England, Scotland and Wales, providing broad geographical coverage through NHS-embedded research clinics. This includes research clinics within the two MH-TRC Mission demonstrator sites, the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre in Liverpool and the Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre in Birmingham.

Alongside these core sites, an Affiliate Membership model extends participation across the UK, enabling NHS organisations and Higher Education Institutions to engage in research and collaborative activity. This approach increases opportunities for participation and strengthens national clinical and academic collaboration.

Mood Disorder Network Clinic Locations

• Birmingham: University of Birmingham, Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust and Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre (MHM MTC)
• Bristol: University of Bristol and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
• Cambridge: University of Cambridge and Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
• Cardiff: Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Visit Clinic page: National Centre for Mental Health
• Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian
• Exeter: University of Exeter and Devon Partnership Trust. View Clinic page: AccEPT Clinic
• Glasgow: University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
• Liverpool: University of Liverpool, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre(M-RIC). View Clinic page: Mersey Care Mood Clinic
• London (North): University College London and North London Mental Health Partnership
• London (South): Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. View Clinic page: National Affective Disorders Service
• Newcastle: Newcastle University and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Centre for Mood Disorders. View Clinic page Care Pathway Enhancement (CaPE) Clinic
• Nottingham: Nottingham NIHR BRC and University of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. View Clinic page: Nottingham Specialist Depression Service
• Oxford: University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. View Clinic page: Depression Research Centre
• Sheffield: University of Sheffield and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
• Southampton: University of Southampton and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. View Clinic page: Mood Disorders Clinic at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.    

Research aims

ThThe primary aim of the Mood Disorders workstream is to deliver a coordinated network of research-focused clinics dedicated to TRD/DTD and related mood disorders. Current objectives include:

• Clinic Delivery: Supporting the delivery and refinement of research-integrated mood disorder clinic models across sites.
• Network Governance: Maintaining oversight and coordination to ensure consistent delivery and strategic alignment.
• PPIE: Embedding patient and public involvement at local and national levels to inform priorities and clinic development.
• Expansion and Inclusion: Extending reach to underserved regions and communities and improving recruitment and representation.
• Data Infrastructure: Delivering standardised data collection cross the Network, supported by a cohort study. This enables collection of demographic, clinical and biological data, alongside consent for recontact into future studies, strengthening recruitment and stratified research.

These work packages are designed to build a sustainable infrastructure for mood disorder research and to support the development of personalised treatment approaches.

Impact

The Mood Disorders workstream is delivering translational impact by improving access to specialist care and advancing the evidence base for TRD/DTD. Participation in research is associated with improved clinical outcomes, and the establishment of dedicated NHS-embedded research clinics are enabling more patients to access and benefit from innovative interventions.

The Mood Disorder Network supports experimental medicine, early-phase studies and commercial trials at scale, with an active and growing research pipeline across sites.

It also serves as a national resource for training the next generation of clinical researchers, fostering expertise and innovation across the UK. By integrating clinical care with research within a coordinated national infrastructure, the workstream is contributing to more effective, equitable, and evidence-based treatments for mood disorders across the UK.

More details about ongoing workstream initiatives can be requested from Mary Wilson, Mood Disorders Workstream Project Manager.