Beyond the methodological binary: coproduction as the third pillar of mental health science.

Background: Mental health research has long been structured around qualitative and quantitative methodologies, often marginalising experiential knowledge and reinforcing hierarchies of expertise. Although coproduction has gained traction as a participatory approach, its methodological status remains contested, leading to inconsistent practices and risks of tokenism.

Objective: This paper explores whether coproduction should be recognised not merely as a participatory ideal but as a third methodological pillar in mental health research, with distinct philosophical, ethical and practical foundations.

Methods: This paper critically integrates interdisciplinary sources from empirical research and theoretical literature to examine coproduction as a distinct methodological paradigm in mental health research. The analysis is informed by the author's reflexive engagement as a lived experience researcher.

Findings: Five inter-related challenges to meaningful coproduction are identified: persistent tokenism; the emotional labour required of lived experience contributors; power imbalances in decision-making and recognition; structural exclusions in participation and systemic barriers within academic governance and norms. In response, the paper proposes five strategies for integrating coproduction as a distinct methodological paradigm: creating sustainable fora for dialogue across difference; establishing coproduction as a core research competency; embedding a relational culture of care; fostering methodological innovation and evaluation; and challenging narrow definitions of academic value, authorship and output.

Conclusions: Reframing coproduction as a third methodological pillar offers a way to address the exclusion of knowledge derived from lived experience and can enhance the rigour, relevance and inclusivity of mental health science. This shift requires systemic changes in how research is conceptualised, taught, funded and evaluated.

Clinical Implications: Embedding coproduction as a core methodology can improve the relevance and responsiveness of research to clinical realities. Grounding research in lived experience offers insights that enhance service design, build trust and support more equitable, person-centred care, ultimately contributing to better clinical outcomes and more inclusive mental health systems.