Setting Mental Health Research Priorities in Norfolk and Suffolk: A Stakeholder Consultation

IntroductionMental health problems disproportionately affect marginalised communities rural, coastal, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This is especially true for Norfolk and Suffolk, UK, where anxiety and depression are above national averages, suicide is the leading cause of death among those with mental ill-health, and access to care is poor. These communities are also underserved by research, leaving significant needs unmet. AimsThis project aimed to establish mental health research priorities informed by the views of key stakeholders in Norfolk and Suffolk, including people with lived experience of mental ill-health, members of the public, clinicians, charities, and policymakers. Methods and analysisWe conducted a mixed-methods research-priority-setting exercise involving an online survey (n=156, of whom 64.7% had lived experience) and two in-person prioritisation workshops with people with lived experience (n=10) and health and social care professionals (n=15). Following Delphi principles and guided by the James Lind Alliance approach, the survey asked participants to rate research priority statements across eight mental-health domains using a 3-point Likert scale (0 = low, 1 = moderate, 2 = high). Statements rated as high priority by [≥]50% of the respondents were shortlisted for the workshops. During the two-day workshops, participants discussed the shortlisted statements in small groups before voting individually on those they considered most important. Scores were calculated separately for each workshop, then combined to produce a final ranked list of the Top 10 research priorities. EthicsThe University of East Anglias Faculty of Medicine and Health Research Ethics Committee granted ethical approval (reference: ETH2324-2542). ResultsOf the 70 original priority statements, 40 met the threshold for inclusion in the prioritisation workshops. Participants in the two prioritisation workshops identified and agreed on the final Top 10 priorities, spanning youth mental health, physical-mental health integration, access to care, impacts of rural and coastal living, social and health inequalities, health promotion and prevention, and big-data solutions. ConclusionsStakeholders in this study identified local mental health needs and highlighted areas where research is urgently required. These priorities will inform future studies, support policymaking, and guide resource allocation to improve mental healthcare and reduce inequalities in rural and coastal communities. Strengths and limitations of this studyO_LIThis study brought together key stakeholders, including people with lived experience, mental health service providers, local authorities, policymakers, voluntary organisations, academics, and members of the public, to identify mental health research priorities specific to Norfolk and Suffolk populations. C_LIO_LIOur in-depth research priority-setting exercise identified the Top 10 research priority areas to inform future research and service planning. C_LIO_LIWhile the current study included family carers or parents of children with mental health difficulties, future mental health research priority-setting involving children is still needed. C_LI