Ireland’s National Mental Health Research Strategy – Driving Innovation and Impact

Ireland’s National Mental Health Research Strategy, led by the Health Research Board (HRB), is a groundbreaking milestone in mental health research, marking a transformative step forward for both Ireland and the global mental health research community.

The Health Research Board’s mission is to foster research that improves health and social wellbeing. This strategy represents the culmination of extensive collaboration, public consultation, and expert input, reflecting the HRB’s commitment to putting people at the centre of research. By providing a comprehensive, evidence-driven framework, this strategy will ensure that mental health policies and practices are informed by robust evidence.

Ireland is the first country in Europe – and only the second globally after Australia – to develop a national mental health research strategy. This pioneering initiative showcases the power of aligning efforts across government departments, stakeholders, and communities. The strategy is designed to be a national framework for all funders, uniting diverse stakeholders across sectors towards an ambitious but achievable vision: an Ireland with a thriving mental health research system that strengthens our understanding of mental health and positively impacts mental health and wellbeing for all. It also places a strong emphasis on maximising the impact of mental health research, and in doing so Health Research Board is paving the way for actionable insights that will benefit individuals, families, and communities for generations to come.

This is one of our Members’ success stories from 2024. Learn more about the campaign and other members’ achievements here.