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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 49(1)

Translational research in Australian mental health policy: a scoping review

Caroline Robertson A B # * , Justin J. Chapman A B C # , Vicky Stewart https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2892-2288 A , Calista Castles A , Victoria J. Palmer B D , Harry Lovelock B , Kerry Hawkins B E , Michelle Banfield B F G , The ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation Investigator Group B , The ALIVE National Centre Intersectoral Policy and Practice Committee B and Amanda J. Wheeler A B H
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Mental Health and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

B ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.

C Addictions and Mental Health Service, Metro South Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

D Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Dentistry, Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.

E National Mental Health Commission, Australian Government, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

F Centre for Mental Health Research, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, ACT, Australia.

G Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

H Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand.

* Correspondence to: Caroline.robertson@griffith.edu.au

# These authors contributed equally to this paper

Australian Health Review 49, AH24259 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24259
Submitted: 17 September 2024  Accepted: 6 December 2024  Published: 14 January 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objectives

The role of translational research in improving mental health care has been highlighted in federal policy; however, an examination of how and to what extent it has been articulated at this level has not been undertaken. The aim of this scoping review was to characterise translational research concepts in federal mental health policy.

Methods

Australian Government websites were searched for federal policy documents that made recommendations for mental health services in primary care and/or community settings. Thirty eligible documents were identified, corresponding with 25 policies. Data extraction was informed by a conceptual model of translational research involving: (1) barriers and enablers and (2) recommendations and priorities codes; each had evidence generation and evidence translation subcodes. Coded text excerpts were further categorised into topics based on content.

Results

In total, 1951 references were coded, about three-quarters of which were ‘recommendations and priorities’. More were related to evidence generation (total = 1163, 59.6%) than evidence translation (total = 788, 40.3%). Most were generic without specific recommendations for how translational research should be supported. Specific recommendations for evidence generation included the use of routine databases, lived experience involvement (e.g. co-design) and strategic responsibilities (e.g. funding, policy). Specific recommendations for evidence translation mostly referred to lived experience, quality improvement and strategic responsibilities.

Conclusion

While the value of translational research is broadly acknowledged, recommendations and priorities in federal policy should emphasise evidence translation with greater specificity about how translational research should be supported. This may further influence state policy and drive improvements in practice to improve mental health care.

Keywords: mental health policy, research translation, system change.

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