WORCESTER, England — The University of Worcester has been awarded a £2.2 million grant to address mental health inequalities, specifically in rural communities. The funding, provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of the Mental Health Research Leader Award, will establish a new Rural Mental Health Research Unit.
The unit will focus on investigating the risks of poor mental health in rural areas, developing preventive strategies, and identifying early signs of mental health issues. The initiative aims to address the growing concerns about mental health in these communities, where factors such as poverty, social isolation, and limited access to services exacerbate the challenges.
Over the next five years, the grant will support the creation of three key positions: a Professor of Rural Mental Health, an Associate Professor of Suicide Prevention, and a Research Fellow. Additionally, two PhD students will be funded annually as part of the program.
Professor David Green CBE DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, expressed his enthusiasm about the grant. “I am delighted that the National Institute for Health and Care Research has awarded this major grant to establish the new Rural Mental Health Research Unit at the University of Worcester,” he said. “The research conducted by this unit will benefit thousands of people living in rural communities for years to come.”
Mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression are increasingly prevalent, particularly in rural areas with high poverty rates. These conditions often go undiagnosed due to stigma, social isolation, and limited healthcare access.
Professor Eleanor Bradley, Director of Research in the University’s College of Health and Science and Principal Investigator on the program, emphasized the importance of this research. “We need to better understand the experiences of people living in rural communities through research that reflects their daily lives and challenges with mental ill-health,” she said. “We’ll be working closely with our voluntary and community sectors, as patient and public involvement is central to our approach.”
The research is expected to have far-reaching implications for mental health service delivery in rural areas. The program will be delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Mental Health and various regional health bodies, including the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, and Public Health Teams.
