NHS Launches Landmark Genetic Study Into Severe Mental Illness Treatment

The NHS has commenced recruitment for a substantial research initiative examining severe mental illness, with scientists aiming to analyse the DNA of thousands of participants to advance personalised treatment approaches for conditions including schizophrenia and major depression.

The GlobalMinds study represents the largest mental health research project of its kind globally. Researchers intend to examine genetic material alongside comprehensive questionnaire data to identify factors that may elevate both the risk and severity of serious mental health conditions. The three-year programme seeks to enrol approximately 49,000 eligible adults living with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis or major depression across England and Wales, with 2,000 participants already registered.

NHS England’s DigiTrials service will identify suitable patients through existing medical records and extend invitations to participate. The study provides at-home sampling kits and targeted support for severely affected individuals or those facing technological barriers. Participants will contribute blood or saliva samples, complete online questionnaires and permit access to their NHS medical records, creating a comprehensive dataset linking genetic factors, personal background, biological markers and mental health outcomes.

Dr Adrian James, NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, emphasised the transformative potential of the research. He noted that individuals with severe mental illness experience daily impacts from their conditions, often resulting in preventable physical complications and reduced life expectancy. The initiative could fundamentally alter treatment approaches for these conditions, he suggested.

Akrivia Health Ltd, a mental health data science company, leads the study in partnership with Cardiff University. Ten NHS mental health trusts currently support the project, with international expansion planned following the initial phase. The research will also include 1,000 dementia patients recruited through NHS hospitals, care homes and a partnership with Cera Care, a digital home healthcare provider.

Professor James Walters from Cardiff University, serving as Chief Investigator for GlobalMinds, positioned the study as an opportunity to identify personal and biological factors underlying mental health conditions. He drew parallels with precision medicine advances in cancer treatment and rare diseases, expressing ambitions for comparable breakthroughs in mental healthcare. The dataset combining genetic information with detailed clinical records represents an unprecedented resource for developing personalised treatment strategies.

The charity Rethink Mental Illness has committed support to the initiative, with Deputy Chief Executive Brian Dow highlighting the study’s collaborative structure. The partnership between researchers, the NHS and charitable organisations enables integration of data analysis with lived experience, ensuring that patient perspectives remain central to the research process.

Patient involvement has been prioritised throughout the study design, with a dedicated Patient Public Involvement and Engagement group providing input. Akeela Mohammed, an adviser to the programme and founder of Healthy Her, stressed the importance of incorporating voices from vulnerable and underrepresented communities to ensure outcomes benefit diverse populations.

Eligible participants aged 18 or over with diagnosed severe mental health conditions in participating areas can register through the GlobalMinds website. Following eligibility verification, participants complete digital questionnaires and provide biological samples through at-home kits or arranged visits. All contributors receive vouchers worth up to £50 as acknowledgement of their participation, with the option to withdraw at any stage without explanation.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research supports the study, with funding provided by the Wellcome Trust and Johnson & Johnson. Participating NHS trusts include South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and six additional organisations across England and Wales.

Akrivia Health, founded in 2019 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford and the NHS, currently partners with 20 NHS secondary care mental health organisations. The company curates electronic medical records for more than 6.3 million patients, transforming unstructured clinical information into structured data points accessible for research purposes. This service, provided without charge to NHS organisations, enables improved evaluation of treatment pathways and novel research into mental health conditions.

No patient data will be shared with researchers without explicit knowledge and permission from participants. The study protocol emphasises data protection and participant autonomy throughout the research process.