Background We describe the methodological dimensions of community-based participatory research through a description of study design, youth engagement, and methods/processes in the cocreation of knowledge within a Canadian study, the Bipolar Youth Action Project. This collaborative partnership—carried out by a team composed of academic, community, and youth partners—was designed to investigate self-management and wellness strategies for young adults living with bipolar disorder. Objective The aim is to describe the opportunities and challenges of this collaboration and to reflect upon the process of involving youth with bipolar disorder in health research that concerns them, and share lessons learned. Methods The project was conducted in multiple phases over 2 years: (1) grant-writing, with youth contributing to the process; (2) recruitment, in which 12 youth were selected and trained to help shape and conduct two research forums; (3) the first research forum, where more youth were consulted about the strategies they apply to stay well (self-management strategies); (4) data analysis of Forum I findings; (5) research Forum II, which consulted youth with bipolar disorder about knowledge translation of Forum I findings; and (6) data analysis of Forum II findings. Youth peer researchers with bipolar disorder were involved in a significant capacity at every stage in the process. Results Of the initial 12 youth peer researchers, 7 remained on the project from the recruitment phase until the project ended. They collaborated in the creation of two youth research forums that consulted youth with bipolar disorder on their self-management strategies. Conclusions This article shares what was learned from the process of partnering with youth with bipolar disorder in a community-based participatory research study.

Delphi consensus consultation methods and community-based participatory research (CBPR) are distinct approaches that have traditionally been employed separately. This paper explores the integration of Delphi methods with CBPR in a research project that sought to identify effective self-management strategies for bipolar disorder (BD). We introduce our Canadian-based network which specializes in CBPR in BD, and outline the key principles of CBPR approaches. Delphi consensus consultation methods are described and we present the five phases of our Delphi consensus consultation project, conducted within a CBPR framework. Examples of how each project phase incorporated the principles of CBPR are provided, as are personal reflections of community members involved in the project, and broader reflections on challenges commonly encountered in CBPR projects.

BACKGROUND This article describes methodological dimensions of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) through a description of study design, youth engagement, and methods/processes in the co-creation of knowledge within a Canadian study, the Bipolar Youth Action Project. This collaborative partnership — carried out by a team composed of academic, community and youth partners — was designed to investigate self-management and wellness strategies for young adults living with bipolar disorder. OBJECTIVE In describing the opportunities and challenges of this collaboration, the authors reflect upon the process of involving youth with bipolar disorder in health research that concerns them, and share lessons learned. METHODS The project was conducted in multiple phases over a 2-year period: 1) grant-writing, with youth contributing to the process; 2) recruitment, in which 12 youth were selected and trained to help shape and conduct two research forums; 3) the first research forum, where additional youth were consulted about the strategies they apply to stay well (self-management strategies); 4) data analysis of forum 1 findings; 5) research forum 2, which consulted youth with bipolar disorder about knowledge translation of forum 1 findings; and 6) data analysis of forum 2 findings. Youth peer researchers with bipolar disorder were involved in a significant capacity at every stage in the process. RESULTS Seven youth peer researchers remained on the project from the recruitment phase until project end. They collaborated in the creation of two youth research forums that consulted youth with bipolar disorder on their self-management studies. CONCLUSIONS This article shares learnings from the process of partnering with youth with bipolar disorder in a CBPR-informed study.