R2D2-MH

Risk and Resilience in Developmental Diversity and Mental Health

Neurodevelopmental conditions, like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or intellectual disability, have long been studied and understood from a risk-only perspective, often associated with negative outcomes, omitting the variety of life trajectories of neurodivergent people with positive outcomes.
The EU-funded R2D2-MH project proposes to change this paradigm by integrating so-called resilience factors in the understanding of neurodiversity and mental health. The project will investigate at multiple levels two highly prevalent early risks for neurodiversity, preterm birth and genetic liability, and assess the influence of environmental, social and genetic factors on life trajectories of neurodivergent people. Over a 5-year period, R2D2-MH aims to 1) provide the largest European multi-scale dataset on early human brain development and mental health outcomes, 2) identify biological mechanisms of resilience, 3) co-develop new digital tools to increase participatory research / medicine and reduce stigma, 4) establish predictive models to guide healthcare professionals.
The uniqueness and strength of R2D2-MH comes from the involvement of neurodivergent adolescents and adults who will co-create alongside researchers the tools and methods the project aims to deliver. Overall, R2D2-MH proposes a double paradigm shift 1) from risk-only approaches towards understanding and promoting resilience, and 2) from a diagnosis-based approach to a neurodiversity approach, thus contributing to a reduction of discrimination and stigma, which often affect the physical and mental well-being of neurodivergent people.
R2D2-MH integrates interdisciplinary and complementary expertise across Europe, Israel and Australia that covers ethics, epidemiology, sociology, genetics, cell biology, neuroscience, computational modelling, information technology, psychology and psychiatry. R2D2-MH research is highly engaged: It embeds participant involvement in research to ensure that the expected outcomes are truly translational and will help to reduce stigma and discrimination for neurodivergent people.