2006 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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The Mental Health Commission
Fiona Keogh
The Mental Health Commission

The Mental Health Commission is an independent, statutory body established under the Mental Health Act 2001 . The Commission has a dual mandate under the Act to ensure the interests of those who are detained are protected, and to foster and promote high standards of care and practice in the delivery of mental health services. Mental health research and information are key to the delivery of high quality, evidence-based mental health care and this is recognised as a strategic priority of the Mental Health Commission.

The Mental Health Commission Research Strategy was published in 2005
( http://www.mhcirl.ie/docs/Research%20Strategy.pdf ).
This strategy recognises the importance of mental health research for service planning, driving service development and in staff development and retention and prioritises mental health services research .

The Research Strategy outlined a four point action plan to address gaps in the current infrastructure for mental health services research:

  • building capacity for mental health services research � two mental health research scholarships are funded by the Mental Health Commission for projects focusing on priority areas in mental health services research each year.

  • recording and disseminating mental health research � The Irish Mental Health Research Network and Database have been developed by the Mental Health Commission as a resource for all those involved in mental health research in Ireland. The aim of the network is to put researchers in touch with each other so that we can build a mental health research community in Ireland. The aim of the database is to collect in one place, information on all the mental health research that is going on in Ireland, to inform the research community and to help researchers keep up to date with Irish mental health research. Both the network and the database are online and have been designed to allow easy access and searching. The network and database are open to all those interested in mental health research in Ireland, whether you are already involved in a study or are interested in carrying out some research. They can be accessed at ( www.mhcresearchnetwork.ie and www.mhcresearchdatabase.ie ).

  • promoting partnership in mental health research � the Mental Health Commission is currently exploring the feasibility of establishing an All Ireland Mental Health Research Centre to support links between mental health services and academic and research institutions and to promote mental health services research.

  • setting the mental health research agenda � the Mental Health Commission recognises the need for national priority-setting in mental health research and has established a multi-disciplinary research committee to assist the Commission in this regard.



The Mental Health Commission is committed to supporting and developing high quality research that is responsive to mental health service needs, involves service users, helps create services that are evidence-based, and which impacts positively on how mental health services in Ireland are planned, implemented and evaluated.

Contact: Contact: Fiona Keogh, PhD.,
Research Consultant,
Mental Health Commission,
St. Martin' House,Waterloo Road, Dublin 4.
E-mail: [email protected]
web: www.mhcirl.ie