New mental health research institute is national first – University of Reading
16 January 2008A pioneering mental health training and research centre at the University of Reading will be launched next week.
The Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment is the first of its type to train clinicians in proven psychological treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
The training will be delivered by leading national and international experts in the field who have developed and evaluated the treatments.
Mental health problems are estimated to affect one in four people, yet most mental disorders are untreated. People suffer for an average of five-ten years before seeking treatment. Only two-thirds of people receive treatment that could be considered as 'minimally adequate'.
The Institute is named after Charlie Waller, a Berkshire man who took his own life at the age of 28. His parents, Rt. Hon Sir Mark Waller and Lady Rachel Waller, set up a Trust in his memory to raise awareness of the nature and dangers of depression, reduce stigma and train clinicians in effective psychological therapies. Ten years on the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust has grown into a national charity (see www.cwmt.org for further information).
The Charlie Waller Institute, part of the University of Reading, will be formally opened on Monday 21 January at 6pm (see Notes to Editors for details).
Kevin Lewis, Director of Strategic Planning at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is a very exciting development. Training more clinicians to deliver psychological therapies that are shown to work should lead to more people getting the best possible treatment."
Professor Roz Shafran, Chair of cognitive-behaviour therapy at the University of Reading and the Charlie Waller Institute's co-Director, said: "The Government has already committed to spending ₤170m by 2010/11 to improve access to psychological therapies for people with depression and anxiety.
"The aim of the Charlie Waller Institute is to complement this by providing training in proven psychological treatments for the full range of mental health problems. The training will be delivered straight 'from the horse's mouth' by leading national and international clinical academics who are experts in their field."
Dr Craig Steel, the other co-Director at the Charlie Waller Institute, added: "We will constantly evaluate the impact of our training to ensure it is effective, and in line with the latest research findings. We will also be conducting our own research projects to contribute to the development of more effective psychological treatments."
The Charlie Waller Institute has been set up as a result of a three-way partnership between the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Reading. The total investment amounts to more than £400,000 over five years.
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Notes to editors:
1. For more information on the Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment go to: www.rdg.ac.uk/charliewaller.
2. The Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment will be formally opened by Lord Richard Layard, a renowned economist, Government adviser, and author of influential publications on happiness, and Prof David Clark, Professor of Psychology at King's College, London and Director of the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma at the Maudsley Hospital, London.
3. The opening event takes place on Monday 21 January at 6pm. The launch event is in the Agriculture Building, Earley Gate, University of Reading.
4. Media are welcome to attend, but places are limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Lucy Ferguson on 0118 378 7388, or email l.ferguson@reading.ac.uk to arrange.
5. Professor Shafran and Dr Steel are available for interview. To arrange an interview, please contact Lucy Ferguson as above.
6. Kevin Lewis is available for interview. To arrange an interview or find out more about Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, please contact Martin Leaver, tel. 07966 174 183 or via email on Martin.leaver@appleinter.net
7. Courses run by the Institute include the first certificate and diplomas in evidence-based psychological treatment in the UK.
8. Lord Layard returns to Reading on 5 February for a national conference for health professionals at the Town Hall. The event, hosted by the Healthcare Commission, will focus on the new national investment in effective psychological therapies. Further information: Nick Kerswell, tel. 0207 448 1747 or nick.kerswell@healthcarecommission.org.uk