Federal government is investing massively in mental health research!

Federal government is investing massively in mental health research!

On June 4, 2025, it was announced that the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) would support the expansion of the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG) with funding of around 120 million euros. This investment applies to a five-year expansion phase in which, among other things, the Bochum and Marburg locations are to be included in the DZPG's research activities. Prof. Dr. Silvia Schneider, spokeswoman for the DZPG, emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to develop effective solutions in the field of mental health.

Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär emphasizes the social relevance of this investment. Mental illnesses are among the most common widespread diseases today, and the need for intensive research is enormous. The focus of the DZPG is on transferring scientific findings into practice more quickly, especially for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. The goal is clear: people should benefit more quickly from the research results.

Research approaches and collaboration

The DZPG will conduct active research at six different locations and pool the expertise of scientists. This is intended not only to promote the integration of research results into care, but also to ensure the active participation of patients and relatives in research projects. The aim is to develop prevention and early intervention tools that can be integrated directly into care practice. One lighthouse project is particularly in focus: it is about developing new methods for the prevention and detection of mental illnesses.

At a kick-off meeting in April 2023 in Berlin-Brandenburg, leading researchers, young scientists and experience experts came together to plan and evaluate joint projects for prevention and early intervention in mental illnesses, especially in children and adolescents. Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Heinz from the Charité emphasized the uniqueness of the collaboration between different institutions, including the Free University of Berlin, the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Robert Koch Institute.

Long-term objectives

An important feature of the DZPG is the involvement of experience experts in the planning and design of research projects. This takes into account diversity in people's living conditions and ways of living, as well as individual developments in physical and mental health. The collaboration is supported by an International Board and a triological advisory board, which includes representatives of relatives and those affected as well as the Federal Medical Association and the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists.

Another advisory board ensures that the implementation of the knowledge gained into practice is specifically supported. This includes representatives from regulatory authorities, industry and start-ups. This is intended to ensure that findings from research do not remain just theoretical, but are actively integrated into the care structures. The DZPG's research activities have the potential to significantly improve the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses in Germany, making it the central point of contact for innovative solutions in this important area.