Why do we need a research network?

Historically mental health research has not led or supported practice development. 
Reliance on small, localised studies prevented researchers from drawing valid general conclusions. In the past there has been little or no active involvement of those at the front line: service users and carers.

As a result, research has failed to inform policy, lacking coherence, relevance and crucially credibility with users and professionals. Without an efficient infrastructure, research findings suffer poor dissemination. Poor integration of resources, experience and expertise has meant that mental health research has been unable to attract the valuable support from major funding bodies that it deserves.