Keele University Launches Mental Health Research Group with £11 Million Funding

The MHRG is centered at the Centre for Community and Primary Care Mental Health Research (COMPAS) and aims to meet the mental health needs of individuals in the North West Midlands over a five-year research program.

Collaborating with the University of Birmingham, King’s College London, and the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, the research group will also partner with various community, voluntary, and primary care organizations.

During the launch, attendees were introduced to the research themes guiding COMPAS’s initiatives. A “world café” session facilitated discussions on critical topics such as Research Inclusion, Public Partnerships, Policy, Impact, and Wellbeing.

Co-Directors Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham OBE and Dr. Gary Lamph highlighted the group's focus on underserved populations. These include older adults, individuals with co-occurring mental health issues and long-term physical ailments, and those with complex emotional needs requiring tailored care. Mental health issues represent a significant disability cause in the UK, particularly impacting areas like Shropshire and Staffordshire, where poverty and unemployment exacerbate these conditions.

Professor Chew-Graham stated, “We are excited to launch COMPAS, which began on 1st April 2023. Recruitment for our research and professional posts is progressing well, thanks to support from Keele systems, and we are on the verge of beginning the actual research.”

Dr. Lamph emphasized the collaboration among researchers, public contributors, and partners, noting that the launch event allowed them to officially present the center and share their vision, while also learning from participants through interactive discussions. He remarked, “The investment from the NIHR will greatly enhance the focus on the mental health needs of underserved groups receiving support in the North-West Midlands.”