The Mental Health Mission’s Capacity Development (CD) workstream have recently published a report on barriers and enablers to mental health research in the UK, led by Aiste Adomaviciene, Project Manager for the CD workstream.
The report, “Scoping report on barriers and enablers within the mental health research in the UK”, involved the review of relevant literature, policies, the central National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio national database, and consultation with 30 stakeholders including research delivery managers and clinical academics.
Identified barriers included a lack of mental health researchers in the UK and limited research training and funding opportunities. Significant geographical inequalities were also identified in the amount of mental health research carried out and a general perception of research not being seen as a part of routine clinical care.
Opportunities identified to support future mental health researchers include training and placement opportunities, support for mental health trusts to build their research capacity and capability and schemes to integrate research into clinical training and practice.
