biostudies-literatureUnknown13(2)Duncan AMental health services continues to be a high priority for healthcare and social service systems. Funding structures within community mental health settings have shown to impact service providers' behaviour and practices. Additionally, stakeholder engagement is suggested as an important mechanism to achieving the intended goals. However, the literature on community mental health funding reform and associated outcomes is inconsistent and there are no consistent best practices for stakeholder engagement in such efforts.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study sought to understand how stakeholder engagement impacts outcomes when there is a change in public funding within community mental health settings.<h4>Design</h4>A realist synthesis approach was used to address the research question to fully undersBMJ opene063994https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9896207biostudies-literatureCommunity mental health funding, stakeholder engagement and outcomes: a realist synthesis.PMC9896207Dainty KNDuncan AWodchis WPStergiopoulos VKirst MfalseCommunity mental health funding, stakeholder engagement and outcomes: a realist synthesis.Mental health services continues to be a high priority for healthcare and social service systems. Funding structures within community mental health settings have shown to impact service providers' behaviour and practices. Additionally, stakeholder engagement is suggested as an important mechanism to achieving the intended goals. However, the literature on community mental health funding reform and associated outcomes is inconsistent and there are no consistent best practices for stakeholder engagement in such efforts.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study sought to understand how stakeholder engagement impacts outcomes when there is a change in public funding within community mental health settings.<h4>Design</h4>A realist synthesis approach was used to address the research question to fully unders2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-05T13:31:31.535Z2025-04-05T13:31:31.535ZS-EPMC98962073672509210.1136/bmjopen-2022-063994