Table 1 Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP2) reporting checklist for lived experience engagement in research

1: Aim

People with lived experience were engaged in this study in order to enhance the relevance of the issues reviewed, as well as the research process, interpretations, and reporting.

2: Methods

Multiple members of the project team are PWLE, with a range of levels of experience in mental health and substance use research. The title and abstract screening process and the full-text screening process both included team members who are PWLE. The project was presented at a lived experience advisory committee at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where the discussion included the use of language, overall agreement with the identified gaps, and the importance of continuing the line of work to address the gaps. In addition, the project was presented at a unit meeting of 8 team members for discussion, in which multiple team members were PWLE and had a range of research experience, from junior to senior roles. Feedback from all sources of PWLE was incorporated in all stages of the review.

3: Study results

The engagement of PWLE, including non-academic and academic contributors, ensured that a rigorous understanding of PWLE engagement was brought to all study stages. PWLE co-generated and reviewed the research questions and findings. They agreed with the findings and emphasized the importance of conducting future research to address the gaps.

4: Discussion and conclusions

Members of the research team were PWLE, and additional lay PWLE insights were sought through a PWLE advisory committee meeting, which ensured that PWLE perspectives were embedded through the review; there were no substantial challenges or negative effects of engagement in the conduct of this review.

5: Reflections/ critical perspective

The engagement of PWLE was a core component of this work, which emerged from a research unit specializing in lived experience research. The engagement process is a valuable investment of time and resources that strengthens confidence in the reporting of all research projects in the unit and is particularly important to research focused on PWLE engagement.