Abstract
Background & objectives The prevalence of mental health disorders in India is a growing public health concern, yet there is a dearth of initiatives and consensus on prioritising mental health research areas at the national level. This paper presents the findings from the modified Delphi-based exercise undertaken by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to address this gap. By engaging key stakeholders from diverse sectors-including mental health professionals, State programme officers, health care providers, policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives-the exercise aimed to identify critical mental health research gaps and develop a blueprint to guide public mental health research in the country. Methods A comprehensive methodology consisting of four steps was followed, including the initial conceptualisation and desk review, a national level brainstorming meeting, restructuring and finalisation of the questions, and prioritisation process. Results Through a rigorous, iterative process of prioritisation and consensus, the top three mental health research questions were identified. These included (i) implementing suicide prevention interventions in schools and colleges, (ii) integrating mental disorder screening and treatment into non-communicable disease care, and (iii) reducing the treatment gap for mental disorders. Conclusion The outcomes of this exercise shall provide valuable insights for mental health research, policy, and resource allocation strategies at the national level.