ROAMER · A Roadmap for Mental Health Research in Europe

On the regional level, Europe has one of the highest levels of resources for mental health care. Despite this, the high burden and impact of mental disorders in Europe is expected to rise. “ROAdmap for Mental health Research” (ROAMER) is designed to develop a comprehensive, consensus-based roadmap to promote and integrate mental health and well-beingresearch in Europe. Research advances and innovations are to be devoted to decreasing the burden of mental disorders and increasing the mental health and well-being of Europeans. ROAMER will combine a neutral, fact-based methodology withextensive stakeholder involvement in consultation and dissemination. During the kick-off phase, the methodology (including comprehensive EU-wide indicators to assess the current state of the art, gaps and advances) and the desired situation(scoping and objectives) will be finalised. Secondly, the current state of the art will be examined, using these tools. In the third phase, the desired situation will be compared with the current situation to identify gaps and advances. Phase fourprioritises these gaps and advances, as well as solutions. In the fifth phase, this information is translated into roadmaps covering infrastructures, capacity building and funding strategies for scientific areas relevant to mental health and well-being: biomedical, psychological, social, economic and public health. Geographical, interdisciplinary, developmental, gender and age perspectives will be taken into account. To achieve consensus among a broad group of scientists, service users, carers,government and funding institutions and other stakeholders, ROAMER uses web-based survey’s, scientific workshops, scientific advisory board meetings, stakeholder meetings, consensus meetings, and policy meetings. The consortium consists of leading experts in the field, and is well balanced in terms of geographical distribution and complementary expertises across all relevant aspects of mental health research.