Mental illness and brain disease can be devastating. They cause profound distress not only to their sufferers but also to their families and friends. Sufferers often have to endure personal humiliation and social disadvantage which can make recovery even more difficult. Mental illness and brain disease are more common than many assume - they are part of everyone's life in some way.

The Psychiatry Research Trust was formed in 1982 with the sole aim of raising funds for research into mental illness and brain disease.

Since that date the Trust has raised in excess of £6m which has been used to fund:

• Research projects covering a wide spectrum of mental health conditions and brain disease

• Lectures in aspects of mental health

• Bursaries to enable students to study and also to carry out research projects

• Prizes to encourage excellence in research by trainee psychiatrists and basic scientists

• The purchase of essential research equipment

This work is vital not only because it is directed at securing better treatment for sufferers but also because it seeks to understand the underlying causes of mental illness and brain disease with the aim of finding means of prevention and cures for these illnesses.

I strongly support the work of the Trust. If you would like to donate please click here.