Scientists and campaigners have outlined why they are backing a declaration that calls for a large increase in mental health research.

The declaration, part of the Research Mental Health initiative, a new collaboration between the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, and the Mental Health Foundation, has already been signed by dozens of leading scientists and public figures. They say that with proper research the breakthroughs necessary for new treatments will be made in the next 20 years.

Research Mental Health says that the economic, social, and human cost of mental illness totals £100bn (€110bn; $160bn) a year in the United Kingdom. It says that a tripling in mental health research investment is needed, from about …