Plans for a health centre which aims to understand the triggers behind a range of mental illnesses have been announced.
The National Centre for Mental Health will receive £3m of funding from the Welsh Government and will focus on conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The unit is collaboration between the university and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and will be led by Cardiff University Professor Nick Craddock.
Professor Craddock, a bipolar disorder expert, told BBC Wales: “People with mental health problems need help and support to enable them to cope with their illness.
“These investments will make a major contribution to our understanding of a range of common diseases.
“Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or social background.
“That is why it’s crucial that we have a national centre that brings together front-line professionals in all parts of Wales with academics to help develop the best possible treatments for Welsh patients.”
Working with mental health patients, the centre will aim to understand what triggers mental illness.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This investment will help to cement Wales on the world stage as a place for cutting-edge research and development.
“It’s vital that Wales attracts the highest quality research academics, health professionals, students and businesses and to retain that expertise.
“The knowledge gained through a collaborative approach between the NHS and universities will benchmark Wales with the best globally for health and life sciences research.”
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