Considerations for supporting meaningful stakeholder engagement in global mental health research

Abstract

The need to ensure that research evidence is adopted by health systems and is informed by lived experience expertise has been increasingly recognised in mental health research. In the field of global mental health (GMH), though some progress has been made, the meaningful engagement of key stakeholders in research remains low. This editorial outlines recommendations to support the meaningful engagement of policy makers and people with lived or living experience of mental illness in GMH research. Recommendations include: increasing funding structures that are designed to support meaningful engagement; urging institutions to consider administrative structures that support engagement with lower resourced partners; promoting capacity development opportunities and resources to support researchers to promote meaningful engagement; developing research governance structures that include key stakeholders; and, taking steps to ensure the needs of diverse stakeholders are met through their engagement in research. Examples of good practice from these areas are provided. Though not an exhaustive list of recommendations, this editorial represents a call to the GMH research community to take a deliberate and proactive approach to prioritising meaningful stakeholder engagement in GMH research with the ultimate goal of improving accessible and appropriate mental health care.

Engaging primary care professionals in OECD’s international PaRIS survey: a documentary analysis

“…The importance of meaningful engagement is highlighted in the literature. Though the topic is relatively new in international literature, frameworks have been developed to improve the inclusion of perspectives of stakeholders [ 4 , 11 , 18 , 25 ]. To ensure a consistent strategy in international studies, a guidance document on stakeholder engagement as recommended by the international PaRIS project management team can help with identifying key primary care professional stakeholder groups and planning meaningful engagement activities with each group in the participating countries/entities.…”

Mixed-methods needs assessment for development of school-based mental health implementation science capacity in low- and middle-income countries: Vietnam as a case example.

“…This may perhaps be best analyzed within more detailed IS research, suggesting possible efficient starting points for both IS research and development. For instance, IS feasibility and acceptability research regarding interventions to increase stakeholder engagement could be useful, for identifying specific solutions potentially useful both for supporting SBMH in Vietnam but also for encouraging IS capacity development itself (Murphy, 2022).…”