Mental illnesses are among the most prevalent and burdensome diseases, imposing substantial social and economic costs. Yet, compared to other major health conditions, mental health research remains significantly underfunded. Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Heinz, founding spokesperson of the DZPG, stresses: "The challenges we face demand scientifically grounded solutions to counteract societal uncertainty and fears of change. This is particularly crucial for the mental well-being of the population." The DZPG therefore calls on the new federal government to make a firm commitment to structurally strengthening this field through targeted support for interdisciplinary, translational, and long-term research initiatives. Heinz emphasizes: "Investing in mental health is investing in the future of our country."
Securing long-term research funding
As a key institution in the development of new approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illnesses, the DZPG requires a stable long-term funding framework and institutional security. Only through stable funding and support can innovative solutions be effectively translated from basic research into clinical practice. However, the federal and state governments have yet to agree on the structure of future joint funding for the DZPG. It has been decided that long-term funding will be determined after an external evaluation of the established German Centers for Health Research (DZG) in 2026, based on recommendations from the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat, WR). "The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has pledged to continue sole funding of the DZPG until then," says Prof. Dr. Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, also a founding spokesperson of the DZPG. "We expect the federal government to honor this commitment, even under the current constraints of provisional budget management, to ensure uninterrupted financing for the DZPG. Only continuous and long-term funding can elevate the DZPG to the level of existing DZG centers and establish sustainable, high-impact structures for translational mental health research." This is essential to effectively address the increasing burden of mental illnesses. "A strong political signal is needed to recognize mental health research as a fundamental part of the national research strategy," Meyer-Lindenberg concludes.
Press Contact
Dr. Cordula Baums
MASTERMEDIA GmbH
+ 49 151 70125839
presse@dzpg.org
