Advancing Research in Severe Mental Illness: Accelerating Progress

Researchers in Sheffield, Plymouth, Oxford, Cambridge and Exeter, together with lived experience experts will help discover new approaches for diagnosis, treatment and support for Borderline Personality Disorder. 

Severe mental illness (SMI) refers to patients with psychological problems that are often so debilitating that their ability to engage in activities is severely impaired. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex, common and disabling SMI that impacts approximately one in every 100 people in the UK.

People with BPD often experience difficulties in relationships, managing emotions and impulsiveness, as well as self harm and suicidal feelings. Around 10 per cent of those diagnosed with BPD die by suicide, meaning that is a life-threatening condition.

People who experience the problems associated with BPD often find it hard to get help and encounter a great deal of stigma. Although psychological treatments help, these can be difficult to access, with long waiting lists. There is no clear evidence that medications help, and none are currently licensed for the treatment of BPD.

To discover new ways to help people with BPD, a new research hub led by Professor Scott Weich from the Healthy Lifespan Institute, at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust will take a patient-led approach by placing those with lived experiences of the illness at the heart of the research.

“We want to include people who might not necessarily identify with the diagnosis, or who might not yet have been given a diagnosis, and are currently excluded from mental healthcare settings. This will include working with drug and alcohol services, prisons and probation services,” explains Professor Scott Weich.

This research is part of a £22.5 million mental health platform established by The Medical Research Council (MRC), on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).The platform will bring together researchers from across a wide range of medical and non-medical disciplines and institutions. This initiative is supported by funding from the Securing Better Health, Ageing and Wellbeing theme, one of five UKRI-wide initiatives aiming to harness the full power of the UK’s research and innovation system to tackle large-scale, complex challenges.

“We’ll be recruiting participants with symptoms of BPD to carry out both quantitative and qualitative studies. Our research will work towards identifying ways to provide real-time help for people when they are at greatest risk and reduce the waiting time for interventions from mental health professionals,” adds Professor Weich.