Grant: PG - PA: The Science of HSPR: Methods, Theories, Approaches & Frameworks

There is a growing movement toward engaging people with lived experience (PWLE) of mental health challenges and family members in research about them and their needs. The engagement of PWLE and families is an ethical imperative and anti-oppressive practice. However, best practice guidelines to guide authentic, effective, meaningful engagement within the mental health and substance use research field are lacking. This project aims to generate concrete best practice guidelines to support the engagement of PWLE and families in mental health and substance use research. We propose a Canada-wide consensus study. A sample of 84 participants will be recruited, including 28 PWLE with engagement experience, 28 family members of PWLE with engagement experience, and 28 researchers with direct experience in engaging PWLE and family members in mental health/substance use studies. The project team, including PWLE and families, will develop a preliminary list of best practices through co-production, which will then be deliberated on by research participants through an online survey. Three to four iterative rounds of online consultation will occur, where participants rate items and have the option to add new content in open fields. Data from each round will be summarized and analyzed with qualitative comments. After each round, we will identify guidelines to retain, refine, remove, or add in the next round. This projects will engage PWLE and family members throughout. PWLE are included on the applicant team and will be retained to co-lead and advise the work. As research communities work together to expand and enhance the engagement of PWLE and families to democratize research processes, these best practice guidelines will provide the guidance for research teams to conduct mental health and substance use research that is underpinned by stronger, more rigorous, more authentic engagement of PWLE and families.