Mental Health
Mainstreaming Genomics in Mental Health
Over 2.8 million people has contact with Mental Health Services between 2020 and 2021 and there is increasing evidence for the role genomics may play in mental health treatment as well as in dementia and intellectual disability. However, little is known about genetic testing activity within mental health services or about the level of genomic literacy amongst mental health professionals.
Mental Health diagnoses are a broad and common range of conditions which can impact on an individual’s mood, cognition and behaviour. Identifying the genes involved can help predict the progression of the disorder and help clinicians to screen for other health issues and tailor treatments.
How will this project make a difference?
Our mental health team aim to increase the number of genetic tests requested by mental health teams. We aim to do this by developing clear testing pathways, developing local governance structures and resources. We will also work with teams across our region to provide genomic education and training to help increase understanding and build confidence within the workforce.
Impact of the project so far
We worked with teams across the GMSA to map mental health services within the North Thames region. The results of this exercise highlighted the substantial and general need for embedding of genomic investigations in these mental health service lines.
Model testing pathways have been developed under the Clinical Pathway initiative framework. Extensive consultation with stakeholders (patients, carers, members of the mental health services multidisciplinary teams, and GMS professionals) has been carried out to inform the pathway development.
Our team have attended regional and national events to broaden genomics knowledge within Mental Health teams. We visited every community Learning Disability Team within North London for bespoke training.
Our team have been supporting on the development of content for Mental Health GeNotes.
Supporting the development of Mental Health GeNotes.
We are collaborating with teams at the East London NHS Foundation Trust to begin a genomics working group.
We are establishing a network of peer-to-peer support groups to allow mental health teams to discuss complex cases and any challenges they are facing ordering genetic testing.
We are working with informatics teams within East London NHS Foundation Trust to improve the documentation and requesting process for Genetic test requests / results.