‘Sharing the Vision’ (StV) is the new 10-year mental health policy developed by The Department of Health, Ireland and launched in 2021. Our proposal is focused on how recommendations within this policy can best be implemented. Mental health problems are a leading cause of disability globally. StV emphasises the importance of mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and recovery, and recognises the need for a whole of population approach. Our proposed research programme VISTA (Vision to Action for promoting Mental Health and Recovery) seeks to progress the translational “policy to practice” pathway of StV’s implementation plan through six work packages targeting overlapping domains (see Figures 1, 3 and 4). Theoretically informed by Implementation Science, VISTA aims to identify determinants to implementing StV and overcome these through the formulation of tailored implementation blueprints, inclusive of context responsive, feasible and acceptable strategies for the benefit of service users, their family members/carers, and supporters. Given the identified priorities for the State we selected the following 6 topics as key areas for research: (1) social media; (2) physical and sexual health; (3) digital interventions; (4) factors that a person can change to promote recovery; (5) improving involuntary mental health care; and (6) authenticity and diversity in mental health research and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI). These WPs are integrated through their shared focus on policy implementation, youth mental health, promoting mental health and recovery, and commitment to meaningful PPI. We are a multidisciplinary team comprising mental health professionals (psychiatry, psychology, and nursing), researchers (with quantitative and qualitative expertise), policy experts, sociologists, health economists, PPI contributors, and knowledge translation and implementation science experts. The goal of VISTA is to address international and national recommendations and priorities in mental health policy to facilitate a change in practice and improved outcomes in mental health in Ireland.
