The funding will be part of the agency’s Mindset XR for digital mental health programme.
In total, 17 projects are considered capable of delivering “scalable mental health solutions”, it says. These could eventually be adapted into the UK’s formal mental healthcare system.
Conditions being studied include, emotional-based school avoidance (EBSA), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and addiction recovery.
VR programme
For example, a Northern Ireland consortium is developing a VR programme to provide virtual coaching. This is for individuals struggling with substance abuse, and the programme mimics real-life therapy sessions.
Smart glasses
“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,” said the UK’s Science Minister, Lord Vallance.
“From smart glasses helping those with debilitating depression to navigate through the day to games helping children to build their social skills, we are supporting teams across the UK to build cutting-edge tech that unlocks opportunity, supports the NHS and grows our economy.”
“Through this latest Mindset investment, we’re fostering powerful collaborations between the UK’s immersive technology sector and mental health providers, moving beyond general wellbeing tools toward innovative treatments for people with mental health conditions,” added Dr Cynthia Bullock, Director of Healthy Lives at Innovate UK.
“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.”
UKRI
Part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Innovate UK describes itself as the UK’s innovation agency.
It’s goal is to help companies grow through the commercialisation of new products, processes and services. For example, through the use of immersive technology, as in this case.
Dating from 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body. It runs under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Image: Innovate UK
See also: UKRI announces full list of 16 semiconductor projects getting government funding
