Developing Partnerships in Mental Health to Bridge the Research-Practitioner Gap

PURPOSE: An overview of approaches used in contemporary mental health research to consider when coordinating research agendas is presented. Connections between the research-practice gap and evidence-based practice are explored. Collaboration, as a key concept and practice, is investigated particularly in relation to community and consumer participation in mental health research. CONCLUSIONS: Non-commensurate belief systems, inadequate infrastructure, and institutional tendencies maintain the status quo and constitute significant impediments to widespread planned and integrated research programs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Communication and trust building between researchers and practitioners is central to developing effective collaborations that can deliver more effective health care.