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Non‐consumer researchers collaborating with consumer researchers can benefit from greater relevance of research and improved congruence between research processes and health policy. As with all research collaborations, such partnerships are both constrained and facilitated by research ecosystems. However, it seems that collaborations with consumer researchers are impacted in particular ways by the research ecosystem. Drawing on ecological systems theory, this study aims to improve understandings of how ecological structures impact collaborations between non‐consumer and consumer researchers. Interviews were conducted with 11 non‐consumer researchers from a range of mental health disciplines about their experiences collaborating with consumer researchers. One theme developed through analysis of the data set related to the research ecosystem. Data from this theme were extracted and discursively analysed using the principles of discursive psychology. Findings emphasize distinct factors that influence collaborations at each level of the ecosystem, encompassing both local research culture and broader research systems. Findings suggest that external pressures (such as deadlines for funding applications, or bureaucratic processes) from the broader ecosystemic levels need to be challenged at the local collaboration level. Non‐consumer researchers might support collaborations through, for instance, working to create enhanced flexibility in research timelines, or making time for relationship building, thus fostering more meaningful collaborations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented related to the use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5) in clinical work.

Objective: To introduce, for College Fellows, Associates and Trainees and other readers of Australasian Psychiatry, the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guidelines for Specialist Adult Mental Health Care. Conclusions: For clinical practice guidelines to be applied appropriately and with confidence in practice, their development process, quality characteristics and limitations must be transparent to health systems, guideline users and consumers. Moreover, their status as evidence-based guidelines or consensus guidelines, or mixed-status guidelines, must be made explicit. This introduction to the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guidelines for Specialist Adult Mental Health Care is designed to assist you in implementing the guidelines in your practice. These are guidelines to assist practice. They are not a set of prescriptions about what to do. The process for developing the six guidelines is summarized. It involved over 70 individuals directly, who worked over a 2-year period in six independent guideline development teams to synthesize the research findings and to consult on draft recommendations. The teams included consumer and carer writing panels for most of the consumer guidelines. The series includes titles on schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; depression; panic and agoraphobia; anor­exia nervosa; and deliberate self-harm. Full versions of the guidelines are to be published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychi­atry. Consumer versions are published elsewhere. Extended versions and background material is available on the RANZCP website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]