The Count Me In initiative will allow research teams to directly approach patients if a relevant study arises, rather than relying solely on clinicians to find participants.
The scheme, designed to make research more inclusive and efficient, will offer patients the choice to get involved, ask questions, or opt out at any time.
It is hoped that this will lead to faster recruitment for studies and more opportunities for patients to engage with research.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Research is vital to improving patient care and treatments.
“At Oxford Health, it helps us understand conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and dementia, and develop better treatments.
“But research can’t happen without people. That’s where Count Me In comes in.”
Oxford Health has assured that personal information will remain protected and involvement will always be optional.
The initiative will apply to anyone who has used the trust’s services in the last five years, unless they have opted out.
A pilot project of Count Me In in 2021 showed significant improvements in research inclusivity and recruitment.
In just three months, more than 8,000 patients became contactable, demonstrating a 400 per cent increase.
Around 20 per cent of those contacted consented to participate.