The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research has been launched, bolstered by support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This new initiative is a collaboration involving the University of York’s Institute of Mental Health Research, the University of Hull, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London.
According to recent estimates, one in four adults and one in ten children in the UK experience mental illness. Additionally, approximately 340,000 individuals require assistance for opiate use, while over 600,000 seek treatment for alcohol-related issues. A significant number of adults and young people face both mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
Clinical Study Focused on Solutions
Researchers at the Centre will embark on a clinical study aimed at addressing the intricate relationship between addiction and mental health conditions among both young people and adults. The team is committed to elevating the voices of those with lived experience, as well as their families and caregivers, to inform their research agenda.
Professor Cynthia Iglesias, Associate Director of the Faculty of Sciences at the Institute of Mental Health Research at the University of York, stated, “Our initial focus will be on young individuals and adults grappling with substance use and mental health issues, in addition to adults suffering from alcohol-related cognitive impairments. Many of these individuals struggle to access health services, often remaining hidden or excluded from the critical treatments they need.”
She emphasized the Centre’s mission to ensure that these marginalized groups are heard and recognized across various services aimed at supporting their physical and mental health, ultimately working to reduce the risks of future relapses.
Addressing Diverse Needs in the Community
The Centre is strategically positioned to serve a diverse population of approximately 1.7 million people across the Humber and North Yorkshire region, which encompasses urban centers, market towns, rural areas, and coastal communities, including some of the UK’s most deprived populations.
Professor Lina Gega, Director of the Institute of Mental Health Research at the University of York, remarked, “Addressing the complex challenges posed by addictions—both substance-related and behavioral—requires the collaborative knowledge, skills, and insights of various disciplines and professions. The Institute of Mental Health Research will leverage its interdisciplinary expertise to support the Centre’s goals, ultimately enhancing the care and lives of those affected by addiction and mental health issues in the Humber and North Yorkshire area.”
Urgent Need for Research and Resources
Despite the growing public health crisis stemming from substance use, research in this area has represented less than three percent of overall mental health research activity over the past decade. Professor Thomas Phillips, Director of the Centre from the University of Hull, highlighted this urgent need for improvement.
“Research in numerous areas of addiction remains underdeveloped and under-resourced,” he noted. “We must identify effective ways to enhance treatment provision for individuals facing coexisting substance use and mental health conditions. Crucially, we will engage young people, patients, caregivers, families, and local communities as active partners in our research, enabling us to collectively foster positive change in health and well-being both in our region and beyond.”
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