The University of Strathclyde and the Mental Health Foundation have formalised a long-standing partnership to share expertise and collaborate on research, public communication and policy in the sector.
Both institutions aim to amplify their collective impact and to tackle complex challenges and align their efforts toward shared social missions.
Best practices
Joint research will include how structural inequalities such as poverty and racism affect mental health and will seek to identify best practices for early mental health interventions for vulnerable populations.
It is intended that the projects will generate evidence to inform policy and practice, and coordinated placements will be arranged for students within the Foundation, with PhD and Masters opportunities being targeted.
Previous joint research includes examining the impact of social media and creating resources for building healthier self-perceptions, integration of mental health and physical health research, and evidence-based suicide prevention toolkits. ‘Men Minds’ was a unique peer-led research project which explored mental health, help-seeking and mental health research for young men aged 16-24.
The Foundation, the UK's leading charity for research, policy and social interventions into the prevention of poor mental health, will also partner with the University’s Social Innovation Cluster as a Social Mission partner, to support interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange. The cluster aims to foster engagement and collaboration among researchers, industry partners, public and voluntary sector organisations and communities.
Joint commitment
A Memorandum of Understanding between the two was signed at Strathclyde on February 6, and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, said:
This agreement is the next step in a long-standing relationship based on a joint commitment to improve mental health outcomes.
“We are looking forward to developing our strategic collaboration further by building on previous successful joint research bids, as well as the promotion of staff and student wellbeing through joint initiatives, and opportunities for knowledge exchange.”
Julie Cameron, Associate Director at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “We have collaborated with the University of Strathclyde over many years on many important projects and we are delighted to formalise this partnership today. Working together we will be able to take large strides towards a future with good mental health for all.”