Government backs £3.6m investment in XR mental health treatments

The UK government has announced a £3.6 million investment in extended reality (XR) technologies to support people with moderate to severe mental health conditions. 

Delivered through Innovate UK’s Mindset XR for digital mental health programme, the funding will support 17 projects across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

During the next 12 to 18 months, the projects will trial new forms of immersive digital therapeutics – including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, haptics and immersive audio – with the goal of delivering more accessible treatments and easing NHS pressures. 

Arguably, this news couldn’t have come at a better time. Figures show over 3.7 million people were receiving mental health support through NHS services in England during 2023-24, a 40% increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

One of the new projects is a South West-based augmented reality board game that has been designed to help children who suffer with emotional-based school avoidance (EBSA). The project, co-produced with young people and clinicians, is set to test ways to improve accessibility and safeguarding. 

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, a consortium is developing a VR platform that uses a virtual coach to aid recovery from substance addiction and a West Yorkshire-based team is combining XR with physical activity to help adults with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) reconnect with nature.

Science minister Lord Vallance said the projects demonstrate how ‘innovation can transform people’s quality of life,’ while mental health minister Baroness Merron added that ‘technology is transforming healthcare’ and helping to reach communities that are often left behind.

Dr Cynthia Bullock, Director for Healthy Lives at Innovate UK, explained that the programme is ‘moving beyond general wellbeing tools toward innovative treatments,’ with the dual aim of improving lives and stimulating economic growth.

Photo by James Yarema via UnSplash

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