In Belgium 3 in 10 people reported mental health issues last year. These problems have a negative impact on individuals and society. Yet scientific research on mental health is consistently underfunded compared to somatic disorders. Therefor the King Baudouin Foundation created a new Fund that will support mental health research. A budget of 4 million euros is available.
Despite the individual and societal burden of mental health problems, research in this field remains highly underfunded. Globally, only about 4% of health research funding is allocated to mental health. This budget is primarily directed towards (bio)medical and neuroscience projects, with less emphasis on social sciences, public health, and healthcare service research.
To address this gap, the King Baudouin Foundation has created the Fund for Mental Health Research with a budget of 4 million euros. This Fund aims to contribute to resolving three key challenges outlined by the Belgian Superior Health Council (SHC)*: the absence of an overview of existing research in Belgium, the need for improved data quality, and the necessity for a clear research agenda.
*2022 SHC's advisory report “Research in mental health: Bridging the knowledge gap”
Mapping mental health research in Belgium
Answering to the first challenge and in preparation of the future activities of the Fund, the KBF has commissioned a bibliometric study of the Belgian mental health research landscape. The study, conducted by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at the University of Leiden, categorised data from 2018-2021, revealing variations in research productivity across different mental health conditions.
Depression emerged as the most researched category, with a limited representation of other mental health conditions (e.g. bipolar disorders).
The study also evaluated Belgium's performance in comparison to European and global literature, highlighting strengths in personality disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders research but identifying gaps in eating disorders and OCD research. The major part of Belgian research focuses on adults.
Improving the quality of mental health research
The newly created Fund for Mental Health Research will support high-quality, sustainable, and large-scale research. Research should use internationally established Common Measures in Mental Health Science where available.
Setting the agenda
Recognising the gap between mental health research and practice, the steering committee of the KBF Fund plays a crucial role in setting the agenda and strategy to align research efforts with stakeholders' perceptions of mental health research needs.
Interested in cocreating the Fund’s strategy?
Do you have professional or personal expertise in mental health research, a systemic view of the research system? Would you like to take part in shaping the mental health research agenda of the Fund for Mental Health Research managed by the KBF? You’re welcome to introduce your candidacy as a member of the steering committee. Use this link.