The National Mental Health Research Strategy is a comprehensive framework to guide and advance mental health research in Ireland. It was developed by the Health Research Board as a whole-of-government strategy. The strategy aligns with Sharing the vision – a mental health policy for everyone and was a key recommendation of the Sharing the vision implementation plan 2022-2024. It reflects the policy's commitment to evidence-informed mental health services and supports. 

P.18 Sharing the Vision recognises that drug and alcohol challenges frequently coexist with mental health difficulties, and that once drug and alcohol challenges become established, they are closely interrelated with mental health difficulties. Given this significant overlap, drug and alcohol challenges and their relationship with mental health are included within the scope of this strategy.

The strategy’s key recommendations include: 

• Increase and sustain funding across the mental health research system. 
• 15 research priority areas to advance mental health research in alignment with Sharing the Vision. 
• Strengthen research infrastructure, research workforce capacity, co-production and lived experience engagement, and collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. 
• Maximise the impact of mental health research on the wellbeing of people with mental health difficulties and their families, supporters, and communities. 

The implementation of this cross-sectoral strategy will be overseen by a dedicated Implementation and Oversight Group, which will be chaired by the Department of Health. The group will collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the strategy’s goals and actions are achieved.