MyAV范

The new Institute鈥檚 mission is to unite researchers, from a range of relevant disciplines, behind the goal of improving the understanding of mental health and its disorders.

鈥淢ental health is one of the biggest challenges facing our society today 鈥� each year, close to one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem,鈥� said Professor Tony David, who joined MyAV范 Psychiatry last year as inaugural Director of the MyAV范 Institute of Mental Health.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to be working with colleagues from within MyAV范 Brain Sciences and other faculties and from NHS providers to leverage our research expertise and develop new approaches to prevention, treatment and care that can improve the lives of people not only here in London, but across the globe.鈥�

At the launch event, MyAV范 staff and students, clinicians and people from the wider mental health community heard from some of MyAV范鈥檚 leading researchers in the field, including:

• Professor Ludvic Zrinzo (MyAV范 Queen Square Institute of Neurology) spoke about how neurosurgery for psychiatric disorders has progressed over the years, highlighting the evidence of how effective some surgical interventions can be, such as MyAV范-led findings into deep brain stimulation for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Professor Sir Michael Marmot, director of the MyAV范 Institute of Health Equity, presented evidence on the strong links between social inequalities and mental health.
• Professor Sonia Johnson, director of the NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit at MyAV范, spoke about how academics can use their research findings to improve mental health service provision.
• Professor Essi Viding (MyAV范 Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience) discussed the development of psychopathology, the evidence of how behavioural problem in children can predict later anti-social behaviour, and how to foster resilience to mental health problems.
• Dr Daisy Fancourt (MyAV范 Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) spoke about the importance of being involvement in community groups, and how engagement in activities such as choirs can have a positive impact on mental health.

After a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges in building a successful Institute of Mental Health, author Nathan Filer came to the stage for a conversation with Professor David about his experience of writing about people with mental illnesses.

The Institute has already begun work in fostering closer collaborations between MyAV范鈥檚 faculties.

Researchers from MyAV范 Psychiatry, the MyAV范 Institute of Education and the MyAV范 Centre for Transport Studies are working together on a project addressing the role of the physical environment in the development of aggressive behaviour among children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Another project brings together researchers from the MyAV范 Institute of Child Health, the MyAV范 Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and MyAV范 Psychiatry to better assess how people respond to cognitive behavioural therapy.

The Institute is also developing connections with colleagues across the globe. Last month, a MyAV范 delegation hosted an IdeasLab at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Dalian, China, where researchers from MyAV范 Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, MyAV范 Psychiatry and MyAV范 Computer Sciences discussed research into electronic medical records for mental health, modelling the brain to inform diagnoses and treatment and developing resilience to mental health problems.

The Institute has also been involved in the development of the MyAV范 Mental Health Strategy, which underpins the work of the Institute.

鈥淎fter years of hard work with colleagues across MyAV范 and with our NHS partners to plan the Institute鈥檚 formation, it has been very encouraging to see the beginnings of the important work needed to achieve the Institute鈥檚 ambitious goals,鈥� said Professor Alan Thompson, Dean, MyAV范 Faculty of Brain Sciences.

鈥淭he Institute will play a key role in raising the profile and impact of MyAV范鈥檚 exemplary mental health research, and, crucially, be a part of training the next generation of clinical academics.鈥�

Links

• MyAV范 Institute of Mental Health
• MyAV范 Brain Sciences
• MyAV范 Psychiatry
• Professor Tony David's academic profile
• MyAV范 Mental Health Strategy

Image

• Professor Alan Thompson speaking at the launch event.

Media contact听

Chris Lane

tel: +44 20 7679 9222

E: chris.lane听[at] ucl.ac.uk