Table 6.

Summary of recommendations for youth engagement in mental health research

Area	Recommendations
Training	Training should include education about the research topic, the research process and the opportunity to practice skills before project start. Training on communication and leadership skills should also be included.
	Training and support should be more intense early in the project, with a gradual reduction of support as youth competency increased.
	When transitioning youth into a project already in progress, be mindful that they are adequately prepared and have the same opportunity for training as youth who begin at the start of the project.
	Experienced youth researchers can lead youth research training.
	Enhance academic researchers' knowledge of youth engagement, for example, include patient engagement as part of a research Masters and PhD curriculum, provide additional training for established researchers.
Youth researcher composition	Consider recruiting several youth at the outset of the project due to difficulty sustaining youth involvement over time.
	Ensure diversity in youth representation when appropriate for the project, including diversity in research experience (include youth naïve to research).
Processes	Engage youth early in the research process to optimize their impact on the project.
	Have a dedicated engagement facilitator or share engagement coordination responsibilities with youth researchers.
	Be strategic about youth engagement activities, plan ahead for engagement during key transitions in research project when decisions will be made.
	Have a flexible budget with a contingency fund for unexpected research activities suggested by youth researchers.
	Build in a mechanism for asking for feedback from youth about the engagement process and how you will incorporate feedback into the process.
Meeting approaches	Provide opportunity for both written and verbal participation in the research process (e.g., nominal group technique, opportunities for written feedback if a youth cannot attend a meeting).
	Use age‐appropriate and engaging activities during consultation meetings.
	Consider having youth co‐facilitate meetings.
	When seeking feedback, use case scenarios and examples to make abstract concepts concrete.
	Use warm‐up activities before consultation meetings.
	Provide small group prebriefs for youth before meetings, explaining meeting objectives, key terms and an opportunity to ask questions.
	Hold small group debriefs after meetings, giving an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback that youth were perhaps reluctant to share with a larger group of research team members.
	Provide refreshments.
Agreement on expectations	Be clear with youth about the objectives of the project and its expected impact.
	Establish clear role expectations, including the responsibilities of both the youth and adult researchers. This includes an agreement about the degree of control that youth have over the project.
Relational elements	To reduce power differential between youth and adults, establish a collaborative relationship between adult and youth researchers, on a foundation of trust, respect and rapport.
	Create a safe space for open discussion (e.g., include social identity in introductions, adult researchers being transparent and genuine).
	Dedicate time and funding for relationship building.
	Demonstrate respect for youth and their impact on the project by following through on their decisions and recommendations and sharing final results.
Engagement conditions	Consider ways of minimizing the potential for distress in youth (e.g., hold sessions at community agencies they are familiar with, provide peer and/or professional support, seek feedback from youth).
	Include caregivers but use separate forums to encourage youth's voice and unique opinions.
	Use youth‐friendly meeting spaces and communication tools (e.g., group messaging apps).
	Flexibility with meeting times and venues to accommodate youth schedules.
	Be flexible about the degree of involvement of youth.
	Be aware of and accommodate physical, mental and emotional needs of youth.
	Share power and leadership responsibilities with youth.
Incentives	Include incentives like course credits and certificates of completion where possible.
	Provide compensation for youth's time and travel for meeting and research activities.