NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration

The NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) was established in 2017. Our BRC joined with the NIHR Oxford Health BRC to create and lead a TRC based around mental health. TRCs act as hubs, rallying research communities across the UK.

Today, the MH-TRC brings together leading investigators in experimental medicine and early-stage translational mental health research from across the UK to accelerate discoveries into clinical practice.

It connects centres of excellence across the UK, bringing together world-leading research expertise with infrastructure funded by the NIHR located in major universities and NHS Trusts.

In addition, the NIHR MH-TRC brings together:

• People with lived experience of mental health conditions and researchers as part of our PPIEP work
• World-class mental health clinical research facilities across the NIHR’s Biomedical Research Centres and Clinical Research Facilities
• The NIHR Mental Health MedTech Co-operative
• Additional centres of excellence across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration Mission

The Mental Health Mission (MH-TRC Mission), announced in May 2023, develops innovative new treatments and technologies. It is being delivered via the NIHR’s MH-TRC.

The Mission works with patients, NHS staff and clinicians and innovators to make the UK a leading location in which to test and trial new products. 

MH-TRC Workstreams and Leads

*Workstreams which are also part of the MH-TRC Mission

• Capacity Development* – Dr Shruti Garg and Dr Kate Saunders
• Children and Young People’s Mental Health* – Professor Helen Minnis and Professor Rebecca Elliot
• Data and Digital* – Professor Ann John and Professor John Ainsworth
• Early Psychosis* – Professor Graham Murray
• Mood Disorders* – Professor Mike Browning and Professor Hamish McAllister-Williams (Emeritus)
• ‘Omics, Biobanking and the NIHR Bioresource – Professor Gerome Breen
• Substance Use and Addictions – Professor Sir John Strang