It's Time to Catch Up
Why Mental Health Research?Researchers have made extraordinary advances in treating many physical health conditions. But we’ve lagged behind in treating mental illnesses — even though these conditions will affect 1 in 4 of us. Research into the causes, treatment and prevention of mental illness is nowhere near where it should be, leaving behind millions of people worldwide.
up to
1 in 4
of us experiences mental illness each year.
Up to 1 in 4 of us experiences mental illness each year.
That’s why MQ is taking a new approach. By connecting a community of supporters with a world-class network of international scientists, we can bring real change to millions of people affected by mental illness.
How MQ Works
Our purpose
Together with supporters and a global network of scientists, MQ works to create a world where mental illness is understood, effectively treated and ultimately prevented.
What we do
We fund much-needed scientific research to transform the lives of everyone affected by mental illness.
How we do it
With supporters like you and the brightest scientists, we tackle the fundraising challenge to uncover better understanding and treatment of mental illness.
Learn more about how MQ funds critical mental health research programmes.
We strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated and, maybe someday, prevented.
Research is the first step towards making that a reality. That’s where your donation makes a difference.
For every gift that MQ receives, we funnel it to mental health research programmes at the world’s top universities, where mental illness is meticulously studied to gain a better understanding of it. This is our best chance for more effective treatments, faster diagnoses and better care for your loved ones. Help us make these life-changing breakthroughs.
DONATE
Because mental health needs a champion.
Mental illness affects up to one in four of us, yet funding for this health crisis has stagnated. Your gift will change that by funding research into better understanding, diagnosis and treatment for years to come.
Our focus
We champion and fund world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. Between 2020-2025, we are honing our focus on the areas we believe are most vital and where we can have the greatest impact. After years of learning and listening, we believe this new five-year framework offers the opportunity for innovative and lasting change in the mental health landscape.
Growing Talent
In order to transform mental health, we need a cadre of highly skilled researchers passionate about using their expertise to benefit people’s lives. Mental health research is constrained by the scale of the workforce, with an urgent need to increase its size and diversity. We support talented, early career researchers with bold ideas from across the globe, who aspire to be the next generation of leaders in mental health research. We will be funding bold ideas by future leaders with a combination of direct funding and development opportunities. Critically, we will ensure they are embedded in a truly interdisciplinary mental health science.
Investing in Impact
MQ’s research and publications, alongside our work leading and convening experts at the local and international levels, have sharpened the focus of governments, institutions and funders.
We must continue to put research to work for those affected. We must drive rapid innovation and development, particularly new remote and digital interventions, and radical new ways to think about depression. We need "live" research that can transform policy and practice on the ground.
Engaging People
MQ uniquely exists to bring people and researchers together to drive forward mental health research. We believe that, while the stigma attached to mental health is decreasing, there is more to do to help people talk transformatively about mental health; to access improved services and treatments more easily; to take part in research; and invest their support in helping the next generation of those experiencing mental illness. MQ has seen over 16,000 people donate to support mental health research over the last six years, as well as engaging people in mental health research and seeing firsthand what impact research can have on the future of mental health.
Challenging Inequality
We will have maximum impact by focusing our efforts on substantial unmet need. A cluster of interconnected structural inequalities drastically impact how people experience mental illness and treatment.
We will put research to work so that vulnerable groups can flourish. We will target the rising tide of youth mental illness, the injustice of racial inequalities in mental illness and treatment, and the scandal of lives cut short through failing to integrate mental and physical health care.
Make an impact
We can’t change what we don’t understand, and research is the first step. Get involved today.
Donate
You can fund research that has the power to change lives for years to come.
Participate
Take part in a mental health study to help shape the future of research.
Get help
If you or someone you know struggles with mental health, find help and advice here.
Conditions we support
Learn more about mental health conditions, their prevalence in society and the research we're doing to transform the lives and families of those affected.