Building consensus between lived experience and professional stakeholders on mental health research priorities: a Delphi study

ObjectiveThe limited research funding available needs to be directed towards stakeholder-identified priorities that will have the largest positive impacts on mental health. This study aimed to identify consensus mental health research priorities across lived experience and mental health professional panels.MethodA modified Delphi study with two panels (lived and professional experience in mental health) was used to identify priorities over three rounds. Priorities were rated on a 9-point scale from not important, important but not critical, to critical. Consensus (>= 80% agreement on items rated >= 6 in importance across both panels) was analysed descriptively.Results1015 initial potential priorities and 18 additional priorities were rated by panel members (N = 120, 52 lived experience, 68 professionals), with 608 priorities achieving consensus across 23 mental health domains. Priority themes included: services; prevention, early intervention, detection and health promotion; intersectionality; determinants of mental health; translation; culture, spirituality and wellbeing (identity); suicide and self-harm; data and technology; capacity building; trauma; physical health; stigma and shame; help-seeking and coping; and co-design.ConclusionsThere was high agreement across stakeholders on mental health research priorities, which may provide a basis for funding allocations for impactful research that would improve the mental health of the community. What is already known about this topic: There is very limited funding for research in mental health.It is essential to identify what areas of mental health research would be most relevant and meaningful to the community.Co-design is important for authentic participation in priority-setting between different stakeholders in the community.What this paper adds: People with lived and/or professional experience identified research priorities across a broad array of mental health challenges, populations, and settings in the Australian community.The mental health research priorities can be used to guide policy, funding, and researchers in conducting future projects.Results pointed to the need for more research in a range of critical areas within the themes of services-based research; prevention, early intervention, detection and health promotion; and intersectionality.