UKRI Invests in Immersive Technology to Revolutionize Mental Health Care

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has allocated funding to advance mental health care services through immersive technology. This initiative falls under the Mindset XR programme, aimed at developing digital mental health solutions. A total of 17 projects have been identified as capable of enhancing the UK’s formal mental healthcare framework.

The projects will focus on various conditions, including emotional-based school avoidance (EBSA), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and addiction recovery. For instance, a consortium based in Northern Ireland is working on a virtual reality (VR) programme designed to provide virtual coaching for individuals facing challenges related to substance abuse. This innovative programme simulates real-life therapy sessions, offering users a unique approach to recovery.

Lord Vallance, the UK’s Science Minister, expressed enthusiasm for the potential impact of these projects. “These projects are shining examples of how innovation can transform people’s quality of life, by helping those with severe mental health conditions to take on everyday tasks that can otherwise feel impossible,” he stated. He highlighted the use of smart glasses to assist individuals with debilitating depression in navigating their daily lives, as well as games that promote social skills in children.

Dr. Cynthia Bullock, Director of Healthy Lives at Innovate UK, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the immersive technology sector and mental health providers. She noted that this latest investment aims to move beyond general wellbeing tools towards more targeted and effective treatments for individuals with mental health conditions. “These research and development projects are designed to improve the impairment, disability and distress experienced by individuals at any stage of life across the UK,” she added.

Part of UKRI, Innovate UK functions as the UK’s innovation agency, with a mission to assist companies in growing through the commercialisation of new products, processes, and services. Since its establishment in 2018, UKRI has operated as a non-departmental public body under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The Mindset XR programme is positioned not only to support the National Health Service (NHS) but also to bolster the UK economy by fostering advancements in mental health care. As these projects progress, they hold the promise of creating scalable solutions that can significantly enhance the mental health landscape in the UK.