Mental Health Catalyst

Towards new and better interventions for depressed mood

The Mission

Depressed mood remains a major global challenge. While scientific understanding has advanced, translating research into real-world impact has been too slow.

The Mental Health Catalyst, supported by Wellcome and led by IfM Engage, exists to close this gap.

Our goal is to make depressed mood a short-lasting condition that does not affect lives in the longer term.

Our Approach

We use a structured approach to accelerate the identification, development and adoption of more effective, scalable interventions.

Understand

Map the social, psychological and biological drivers of depressed mood.
Identify the most effective points for intervention.

Innovate

Generate and prioritise high-potential interventions.
Build portfolios across digital, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches.

Implement

Enable adoption at scale.
Address systemic barriers and strengthen the environments required for sustained impact.

Outcome

Coordinated action to identify, develop, validate and scale interventions that improve outcomes.

Join the Mental Health Catalyst

We are currently developing the Mission Map—a strategic framework to align intervention opportunities and coordinated action across the mental health ecosystem.

We invite stakeholders to contribute their expertise and help shape the future of mental health. We are looking for: