Mental health & neurodiversity One in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness. Health Innovation KSS is working with NHS commissioners and systems leads, the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS), industry partners, other health innovation networks, voluntary and community sectors, and those with lived experience to support the spread and adoption of innovation in mental health. Our work Health Innovation KSS is helping to tackle mental illness and improve mental wellbeing by focusing on key priorities including: Children and young people’s mental health Peri and post-natal mental health Neurodiversity Adult mental health, including community, acute and crisis care We have supported the implementation of national programmes tackling mental health such as the adoption of early intervention models for eating disorders and the roll-out of an objective test for diagnosing ADHD. We have also supported the implementation of key mental health programmes locally, such as the evaluation of the introduction of Mental Health Practitioners in Kent and Medway as part of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). We enable digital mental health innovation by supporting innovators and helping local systems to identify and evaluate digital interventions that could benefit their mental health services. Current programmes 1/1. Children and young people’s mental health About one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 years old have a probable mental health disorder (NHS Digital, 2023). Read more News and case studies FREED (First episode Rapid Early intervention for Eating Disorders) Supporting mental health teams across England to speed up diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in young people aged 16 to 25 through FREED. Case Study 24 Jan 2022 More FOCUS ADHD Health innovation networks worked with mental health trusts and community paediatric services to improve the assessment process for ADHD. Case Study 4 Mar 2023 More Peer support workers in eating disorder services The South East health innovation networks (Wessex, Oxford and Kent Surrey Sussex) undertook research to explore the potential role of peer support in the management of eating disorders. Case Study 1 Jan 2022 More National Institute for Clinical Excellence Publishes Medical Innovation Briefing Appraising QbTest The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a Medical Innovation Briefing (MIB) highlighting the benefits of objective testing technology (QbTest) when used as part of a comprehensive ADHD assessment. News 7 Mar 2023 More Sussex Youth Summit 2023 The 2023 Sussex Youth Summit brought together representatives from across the sector to further progress plans for improving community-based emotional wellbeing and mental health services and support for people aged 16 to 25. News 25 Sep 2023 More Implementing the Mental Health Practitioner role in Kent & Medway Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) are patient-facing primary care mental health specialists funded by the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) and ICB funding since April 2021. Case Study 3 May 2024 More Sussex partners join forces to improve young people’s mental health Around 90 people from in and around Sussex came together at an event held on 16 June to pledge their support and help develop ambitions around community-based emotional wellbeing and mental health youth interventions for 16-25 year olds. News 21 Jun 2022 More Whole School and College Approach The Whole School and College Approach (WSCA) Measurement Toolkit help schools and colleges measure and self-assess the impact of their whole school and college approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health. News 1 Jan 2022 More Collaborative approach to address student mental health challenges Representatives from across health services, higher education sector and students have come together to discuss ways to improve local students' wellbeing and mental health. News 24 Feb 2022 More ← → Contact us If you’d like to find out more about our work in mental health and neurodiversity or are interested in collaborating with us, get in touch. Meet the team Get in touch