Lived Experience–Led Research Agenda to Address Early Death in People With a Diagnosis of a Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Fortuna Karen L. , Lebby Stephanie , Geiger Pamela , Johnson Diane , MacDonald Sandi , Chefetz Ilana , Ferron Joelle C. , St George Lisa , Rossom Rebecca , Kalisa Joseph , Mestrovic Tomislav , Nicholson Joanne , Pringle Willie , Rotondi Armando J. , Sippel Lauren M. , Sica Amie , Solesio Maria E. , Wright Maggie , Zisman-Ilani Yaara , Gambee David , Hill Julia , Brundrett Alison , Cather Corinne , Rhee Taeho Greg , Daumit Gail L. , Angel Jessica , Manion Ian , Deegan Patricia E. , Butler Jason A. , Pitts Nakristia , Brodey Denise E. , Williams Aaron M. , Parks Joseph , Reimann Brie , Wahrenberger J. Todd , Morgan Oscar , Bradford Daniel W. , Bright Nicole , Stafford Elizabeth , Bohm Andrew R. , Carney Tracy , Haragirimana Claver , Gold Alisa , Storm Marianne , Walker Robert 
Published: May 2023

Importance

People with serious mental illness (SMI), defined as a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or disabling major depressive disorder) die approximately 10 to 25 years earlier than the general population.

Objective

To develop the first-ever lived experience–led research agenda to address early mortality in people with SMI.

Evidence Review

A virtual 2-day roundtable comprising 40 individuals convened on May 24 and May 26, 2022, and used a virtual Delphi method to arrive at expert group consensus. Participants responded to 6 rounds of virtual Delphi discussion via email that prioritized research topics and agreement on recommendations. The roundtable was composed of individuals with lived experience of mental health and/or substance misuse, peer support specialists, recovery coaches, parents and caregivers of people with SMI, researchers and clinician-scientists with and without lived experience, policy makers, and patient-led organizations. Twenty-two of 28 (78.6%) of the authors who provided data represented people with lived experiences. Roundtable members were selected by reviewing the peer-reviewed and gray literature on early mortality and SMI, direct email, and snowball sampling.

Findings

The following recommendations are presented in order of priority as identified by the roundtable participants: (1) improve the empirical understanding of the direct and indirect social and biological contributions of trauma on morbidity and early mortality; (2) advance the role of family, extended families, and informal supporters; (3) recognize the importance of co-occurring disorders and early mortality; (4) redefine clinical education to reduce stigma and support clinicians through technological advancements to improve diagnostic accuracy; (5) examine outcomes meaningful to people with an SMI diagnosis, such as loneliness and sense of belonging, and stigma and their complex relationship with early mortality; (6) advance the science of pharmaceuticals, drug discovery, and choice in medication use; (7) use precision medicine to inform treatment; and (8) redefine the terms system literacy and health literacy.

Conclusions and Relevance

The recommendations of this roundtable are a starting point for changing practice and highlighting lived experience–led research priorities as an option to move the field forward.