Identifying the Mental Health Research Priorities in Rural Settings, With Implications for Coastal Communities: A...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Rural Health
• Coastal Health
• Systematic Review

Background:

• A spatial gap exists between mental health service demand and uptake in rural areas.
• No comprehensive synthesis of mental health research priorities for rural and coastal settings is available.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and map international evidence on rural and coastal mental health research priorities.
• To address the lack of synthesized research priorities in these specific contexts.

Main Methods:

• A rapid systematic review was conducted following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines.
• Searches were performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar.
• Content analysis using the REPRISE framework identified research priorities.

Main Results:

• 20 publications were included from Australia, USA, and UK.
• Priorities were categorized into interventions, space and place, stakeholder engagement, understanding, data standardization, outreach, and collaboration.
• 16 main priorities and 53 sub-priorities were identified for rural mental health; no priorities were found for coastal contexts.

Conclusions:

• Future rural mental health research necessitates enhanced stakeholder collaboration and participatory approaches.
• A significant gap exists in research priority setting for coastal mental health.
• Findings can guide future rural and coastal mental health research globally.