Table 4.
Summary of thematic analysis of key informant interviews (n 9) in an integrated, citizen-engaged, mixed-methods initiative to establish a Canadian nutrition and mental health research agenda
| Category 1: Gaps in current nutrition and mental health research |
| Theme 1: Tools for practice – best practices, screening, peer support, educational materials and strategies |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Effective education strategies and materials for mental health populations |
| ∙ How can service providers support nutrition-related behaviour change in mental health populations? |
| Theme 2: Address determinants of health – social, individual behaviours and environmental |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Geographical influence on mental health populations |
| ∙ Link between social determinants of health and mental health: homelessness, addictions, food insecurity |
| Theme 3: Vulnerable populations – children, youth, elderly, homelessness, addictions (including during pregnancy) |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Limited research with nutrition and mental health in vulnerable populations |
| ∙ Pregnant women and use of methadone to manage addictions – impacts on unborn child |
| Theme 4: Knowledge translation |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Knowledge translation to health professionals and staff, including interventions for individuals experiencing metabolic complications from medications |
| ∙ Manual/compendium of different resources and tools easily accessible for mental health workers to utilize |
| ∙ Establishing best practices in nutrition education, skill development, and nutrition literacy related to mental health |
| Category 2: Research priority setting |
| Theme 1: Pragmatic and engaging |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Peers engage peers in nutrition and mental health |
| ∙ Embed a mental health promotion lens to nutrition |
| ∙ Make current nutrition and mental health-related research practical to incorporate on the front line |
| Theme 2: Inclusion and equity focus |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Culturally respectful and accessible by marginalized individuals |
| ∙ Include nutrition components in treatment plans |
| ∙ Inclusion of lived experience mental health stakeholders as part of research |
| Theme 3: Scope of reach – influence policy, address multiple conditions and populations |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Work with food industry to create healthier ‘fast foods’ |
| ∙ Ability to influence policy and/or system change |
| ∙ Impact on multiple conditions related to mental health |
| Category 3: Perceived barriers |
| Theme 1: Systemic changes and messaging – school curriculum, costs, congruence with current public policy, private sector, address all determinants, stigma |
| Examples of comments: |
| ∙ Post-secondary curriculums that include mental health and nutrition |
| ∙ Cost of implementing change, not well received in a ‘business model’ |
| ∙ Overwhelming to address all of the variables affecting this issue (e.g. social determinants of health) |
| ∙ Do research without creating guilt among those with lived experience |