Institute of Mental Health opens new £7 milion facility
By Ian Birch
The Institute of Mental Health, formed in 2006 to promote research, innovation and best practice in mental health, has opened a new £7 million facility at the University of Nottigham. The building was officially opened by Professor Dame Sally C. Davies, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health.
The Institute is a partnership between Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and the University. It currently attracts £6 million each year in external research grants to fund its work, has 20 professors among its staff and publishes about 175 peer-reviewed journal papers a year.
One such project into bipolar disorder is called PARADES - which stands for Psycho-education, Anxiety, Relapse, Advance Directive Evaluation, and Suicidality. The Institute is involved in two aspects of the programme – psycho-education and examining the impact of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Nottingham-based work is being led by Prof Richard Morriss.
Professor Nick Manning, Director of the Institute, said:
“The Institute was only formed in 2006 and we can now be considered as the UK’s prime location for inter-disciplinary research in the mental health field. This move into purpose-built accommodation demonstrates the huge achievements we have made during that time and these excellent new facilities should provide the springboard for greater success.”
Professor David Greenaway, University of Nottingham Vice Chancellor, added:
“This innovative new building will accommodate the Institute of Mental Health and high profile complementary practice-based programmes such as the NHS East Midlands Leadership Academy. It enables us to bring together outstanding academic research and world-class clinical practice. The investment confirms our long term commitment to mental and integrated health and will underpin further growth in our research capacity and the creation of a centre of excellence for mental health teaching.”
