Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made on developing novel, seamless funding mechanisms for programmes of mental health research as recommended in the Framework for Mental Health Research published by his Department in 2017.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is developing funding mechanisms for mental health research through various programmes and initiatives. The NIHR works with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to reduce delays and identify promising interventions and is funding a number of mental health studies based on earlier investment from the MRC.

We are also funding the Mental Health Research Initiative, which is a substantial investment to expand current mental health research activity. This initiative is working across the NIHR’s programmes and infrastructure schemes, to build capacity and capability in mental health research in regions which are currently underrepresented.