New initiative launches to develop extended reality solutions for mental health care

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The University of Liverpool has launched a new initiative to promote the development and use of Extended Reality (XR) – including virtual and augmented reality - to support mental healthcare.

Around 1 in 4 people in England and Wales will experience a mental health problem each year, according to the Big Mental Health Report published by Mind. Research shows that mental wellbeing is getting worse and service providers are struggling to cope with demand. The report highlights that over 2 million people were on the waiting lists for NHS mental health support in England alone, with nearly 30,000 vacant posts in the mental health workforce nationwide. In Liverpool, the biggest increase in major illness is projected in the number of people diagnosed with depression, which is expected to more than double to 164,200 people by 2040.

The global immersive technology market is growing rapidly and XR technologies are being developed to help tackle these challenges - with applications in staff training and therapeutics such as exposure therapy and mindfulness practices. The initiative will map the national XR healthcare landscape and develop a practical framework to support the development of XR for mental health service commissioners and providers working in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Dan Joyce, Professor of Connected Mental Health at the University of Liverpool, said: "XR technology has the potential to improve the delivery of care for people with mental illness. We are delighted to partner with industry experts at Holovis to understand how contemporary XR technology can be designed and deployed for the benefit of patients and staff."

The project is part of the University of Liverpool’s Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone (CHI-Zone), funded by the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme. Anchored by the University of Liverpool’s Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL), this project will focus on two main areas:

Mapping XR Use in UK Healthcare

Working in partnership with the XR Health Alliance and NIHR Mindtech, the University’s Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) will carry out a comprehensive review of the ways in which XR is being used to deliver and augment healthcare throughout the U.K.

The project will

    • Collect and publish data and case studies about XR use in healthcare;

    • Analyse activity across businesses, universities and healthcare organisations using XR;

    • Assess the scale, capabilities and potential of the UK XR healthcare sector;

    • Identify existing innovations and opportunities for growth; and

    • Provide insights to guide XR developers in assessing the market’s value and future direction.

Developing an XR Framework for Mental Health Services

Holovis, a global leader in immersive technology, will work with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust to create a practical framework to assist mental health service providers in adopting XR technologies.

This framework will:

    • Improve understanding and use of XR in mental health services;

    • Propose innovative XR use cases and help define the requirements of prototypes;

    • Align with Mersey Care’s plans for a Mental Health Digital Research Centre in Maghull.

Those who use extended reality, interactive or immersive technologies in therapeutic or healthcare contexts, are invited to participate in the research by completing a Challenges and Opportunities survey here. Insights will directly contribute to shaping a more connected and informed XR health ecosystem in the UK.

CHIL will, also, draw on this work to inform the design of a small grants and technical support programme which will help businesses prototype XR applications tailored to the needs of people experiencing mental ill-health. The CHI-Zone, funded by the Liverpool City Region Health and Life Sciences Innovation Zone Programme, is designed to drive economic growth, improve population health, and position the Liverpool City Region as a leader in digital health innovation.

Alison Walshe, Director of Innovation at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “We believe that integrating XR technologies into mental health services presents a unique opportunity to transform care pathways and improve outcomes for service users. By collaborating with forward-thinking partners and harnessing the power of immersive innovation, we are laying the groundwork for a future where digital solutions enhance both patient experience and clinical effectiveness.”