Myra Piat, PhD

mpiat

Contact

 myra.piat@douglas.mcgill.ca

 

6875 Boulevard LaSalle
Montréal, QC
H4H 1R3

 Office:E-3409, Perry Pavilion

 Office phone: (514) 761-6131 x2521

 Fax: (514) 888-4084

  ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5933-0974

 Twitter: @MyraPiat

Researcher, Douglas Research Centre
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University

Lab name: Mental health recovery, housing, homelessness for people with psychiatric disabilities, and knowledge translation


Division: Mental Health and Society

 

Myra Piat’s research program aims at furthering our knowledge on the development of best practices around mental health recovery, housing, homelessness for people with psychiatric disabilities and knowledge translation.

She is currently working on the following research projects:

  1. For the past three years, she has co-led the Qualitative National Team of the At Home/Chez Soi project. This is a Canada-wide randomized controlled trial comparing the Housing First approach with treatments usually given to homeless individuals with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
  2. She is developing and evaluating a user-friendly tool kit on Housing First to facilitate knowledge transfer with Canadian and international stakeholders.
  3. She is developing and implementing a province-wide knowledge translation program on Eating Disorders for primary care service providers in local CSSSs.
  4. She is participating in a knowledge translation project on mental health recovery and the development of a community of practice on recovery in Quebec and in Canada.
  5. She is evaluating a community peer support program.
  6. She is contributing to a Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) study on how social businesses influence the stigma of mental illness.
  7. She is developing participatory research in Belize on the implementation of recovery-oriented and peer support services.

Myra Piat, PhD, has been working with the Psychosocial Research Division of the Douglas Institute since 1997. Her work focuses on the interface between:

– mental health services (housing, peer support, recovery)
– mental health policy
– and the perspectives of the key stakeholders.

Most recently she has been working on knowledge translation processes involving clinicians, community mental health service providers at local Community Health and Social Service Centres (CSSS).

As Assistant Professor at McGill Department of Psychiatry, she teaches a course on mental health services and policy. She also has a cross appointment in the McGill School of Social Work.

2008 Merit Grant, EJLB Foundation ($25,000).
2004 Awarded Best Abstract, European Network for Mental Health Service Evaluation Conference London, England.

Research Assistants:
Éloïse Bates
Alexis Pearson
Judith Sabetti
Eleni Sofouli
Jessica Spagnolo
Administrative Assistant:
Louise Bénard

Key publications

  • PIAT, M., Wainwright, M.  Cherkas, D., Leblanc, S. et al.  Identifying and understanding the contextual factors that shaped mid-implementation outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in organizations implementing mental health recovery innovations into services.  Implementation Science Communications (2021) 2:101 https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-021-00206-w  
  • PIAT, M., Wainwright, M., Sofouli, E. et al. Factors influencing the implementation of mental health recovery into services: a systematic mixed studies review. Syst Rev 10, 134 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01646-0
  • PIAT M., Wainwright, M, Sofouli, E., Albert, H., Casey, R., Rivest, M-P, Briand, C., Kasdorf, S., Labonté, L., LeBlanc, L., & O’Rourke, J. (2020). The CFIR Card Game: A New Approach for Working with Implementation Teams to Identify Challenges and Strategies. Implementation Science Communications. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-020-00099-1
  • PIAT, M., Wainwright M, Sofouli, E, Vachon B, Deslauriers T, Prefontaine C. (2020). Factors influencing the implementation of mental health recovery into services: A mixed studies systematic review.  Advances in Evidence Synthesis: Special Issue. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;(9 Suppl 1, p.444). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD202001
  • Thériault, J., Lord, M.M., Briand, C. PIAT, M. & Meddings, S. (2020). Recovery Colleges after a Decade of Research: A Literature Review, Psychiatric Services https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900352
  • Caplan, R., Nelson, G., Distasio, J., Isaak, C., Edel, B, PIAT, M., Macnaughton, E., Kirst, M., Patterson, M., Aubry, T., Mulligan, S. (2020).  “Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Parents Separated from their Children and Experiencing Homelessness and Mental Illness in Canada“. Journal of Community Psychology. 
  • DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22455
  •  PIAT, M., Seida, K. & Padgett, D. (2019). Choice and personal recovery for people with serious mental illness living in supported housing, Journal of Mental Health, DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2019.1581338 
  •  PIAT, M., Spagnolo, J., Thibodeau-Gervais, S., Deschamps, C. & Gosselin, Y. (2019). Mental health recovery narratives: Their impact on service users and other stakeholder groups, Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 23(4), 173-184, DOI: 10.1108/MHSI-08-2019-0021
  • Spagnolo, J., Champagne, F., Leduc, N., Melki, W., Bram, N., Guesmi, I., » Rivard, M., Bannour, S., Bouabid, L., Ben Hadj Hassine Ganzoui, S., Mhenni Mongi, B., Riahi, A., Saoud, Z., Zine, E. PIAT, M., Laporta, M., Charfi, F.(2019). A program to further integrate mental health into primary care: lessons learned from a pilot trial in Tunisia. Journal of Global Health Reports, Vol 3 (e2019022). DOI 10.29392/joghr.3.e2019022
  • Spagnolo, J., Champagne, F. Leduc, N., Rivard,M., Melki, W., PIAT, M., Laporta, M., Bram, N., Guesmi, I., & Charfi, F. (2019). Building capacity in mental health care in low- and middle-income countries by training primary care physicians using the mhGAP: a randomized controlled trial. Health Policy and Planning. DOI 10.1093/heapol/czz138  
  • PIAT, M., Sabetti, J., & Padgett, D. (2018). Supported housing for adults with psychiatric disabilities: How tenants confront the problem of loneliness. Health & Social Care in the Community, 26 (2):191-198. DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12508
  • PIAT, M. & Seida, K. (2018). Supported housing for persons with serious mental illness and personal recovery: What do families think? International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1-8, DOI: 10-1177/0020764018806928
  • Spagnolo, J., Champagne, F., Leduc, N., Melki, W., PIAT, M. Laporta, M., Bram, N., Guesmi, I. & Charfi, F. (2018). “We find what we look for, and we look for what we know“: Factors interacting with mental health training program to influence its expected outcomes in Tunisia. BMC Public Health, 18 (1398). DOI 10.1186/s12889-018-6261-4
  • Spagnolo, J., Champagne, F., Leduc, N., Rivard, M., PIAT, M., Laporta, M., Melki, W., & Charfi, F. (2018). Mental health knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy among general practitioners working in the Greater Tunis area of Tunisia. International Journal of Mental Health, 12 (63). DOI 10.1186/s13033-018-0243-x
  • Spagnolo, J., Champagne, F., Leduc, N., Melki, W., Guesmi, I., Bram, N., PIAT, M., Laporta, M. & Charfi, F. (2018). Tailoring a training based on the mhGAP-IG to Tunisia: Process and relevant adaptations. Global Mental Health, 5, e17. DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2018.8
  •  Thaler,L., Freiwald,S., Hodge, C., Fletcher, E., Cottier, D., Kahan, E., Rossie, E., PIAT, M., Lal, S., et al  (2018). A Tertiary-Care/Primary-Care Partnership Aimed at Improving Care for People with Eating Disorders. Community Mental Health Journal 54, 1154–1161 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0290-4
  • Spagnolo, J., Champagne, F. Leduc, N. PIAT, M., Guisset, A.-L., Melki, W., Charfi, F., Guesmi, I., Bram, N. & Laporta, M » (2017). Factors Affecting the Implementation of a Mental Health Training Program in Tunisia: Perspectives of Trainers and Tutors. Annals of Global Health, 83 (1), 144.
  • PIAT, M., Sabetti, J., & Padgett, D. (2017). Emergent leadership among tenants with psychiatric disabilities living in supported housing. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. DOI:10.1111/inm.12428
  • PIAT, M., Sofouli, E., Sabetti, J., Lambrou, A., Chodos, H., Briand, C., & Curran, J. (2017). Protocol for a mixed studies systematic review on the implementation of the recovery approach in adult mental health services. BMJ Open, 7(8), e017080. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017080
  • Aubry, T., Ornelas, J., PIAT, M. & Bradshaw, C. (2014). Investigating the Implementation and Effectiveness of HF as Strategy to Ending Chronic Urban Homelessness in Canada and Portugal, International Colloquium « Intra-Urban Dynamics and Health », Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, Paris, September 2013.
  • Piat, M., Boyer, R., Fleury, M. J., Lesage, A., O’Connell, M., & Sabetti, J. (2015). Resident and proprietor perspectives on a recovery orientation in community-based housing. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 38(1), 88-95.
  • PIAT M., Polvere, L., Kirst, M., Voronka, J., Zabkiewicz, D., Plante, M.-C., Isaak, C., Nolin , D., Nelson, G., Goering, G. (2014). Pathways into Homelessness: Understanding How Both Individual and Structural Factors Contribute to and Sustain Homelessness. Urban Studies, 1-17. http://usj.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/09/09/0042098014548138 doi:10.1177/0042098014548138.
  • PIAT, M, & Polvere, L. (2014). Recovery-oriented Mental Health Policies: Implications for Transformative Change in Five Nations. In G. Nelson, Kloos, B., Ornelas, J. (Eds), Community Psychology and Community Mental Health: Towards Transformative Change (pp. 432). New York, NJ: Oxford University Press.
  • PIAT, M. & Lal, S. (2012). Service Providers’ Experiences and Perspectives on Recovery-Oriented Mental Health System Reform. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 35(4) 289-296.
  • PIAT, M., & Sabetti, J. (2012). Recovery in Canada: Toward Social Equality. International Review of Psychiatry, 24(1) 19-28.
  • PIAT, M., Boyer, R., Cloutier, S., Fleury, M. J., & Lesage, A. (2012). Les conditions d’hébergement favorables au rétablissement : perspective des usagers et usagères. Revue canadienne de santé mentale communautaire, 31(1), 67-85.
  • PIAT, M., Sabetti, J., Fleury, M. J., Boyer, R., & Lesage, A. (2011). “Who believes most in me and in my recovery”: the importance of families for persons with serious mental illness living in structured community housing. Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation, 10(1), 49-65.
  • PIAT, M., Sabetti, J., & Bloom, D. (2010). The transformation of mental health services to a recovery-orientated system of care: Canadian decision maker perspectives. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 56(2), 168-177.
  • PIAT, M., & Sabetti, J. (2009). The development of a recovery-oriented mental health system in Canada: What the experience of Commonwealth countries tells us. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 28 (2), 17-33.
  • PIAT, M., Sabetti J., Couture, A., Provencher, H., Sylvestre, J. & Botschner, R, J. (2009). What does recovery mean for me? : Perspectives of Canadian mental health consumers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 32 (3), 199-207.
  • PIAT, M., Boyer, R., Lesage, A., Dorvil, H., Couture, A. & Bloom, D. (2008). Housing for persons with serious mental illness: Consumer and service provider preferences. Psychiatric Services, 59 (9), 1011-1017.
  • PIAT, M., Lesage, A., Dorvil, H., Boyer, R., Couture, A. & Bloom, D. (2008). Les préférences résidentielles des personnes souffrant de troubles mentaux graves: une étude descriptive. Santé Mentale au Québec, 33 (2), 247-269.

Publications

2025

Piat, Myra; Melville-Richards, Lucy; Wainwright, Megan; Sofouli, Eleni; Albert, Hélène; Rivest, Marie-Pier; Graham, Ian D

Perspectives on internal vs. external facilitation for implementing guidelines for recovery-oriented practice: a qualitative study Journal Article

In: BMC Health Serv Res, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 154, 2025, ISSN: 1472-6963.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Au-Yeung, Christy; Thai, Helen; Best, Michael; Bowie, Christopher R; Guimond, Synthia; Lavigne, Katie M; Menon, Mahesh; Moritz, Steffen; Piat, Myra; Sauvé, Geneviève; Sousa, Ana Elisa; Thibaudeau, Elisabeth; Woodward, Todd S; Lepage, Martin; Raucher-Chéné, Delphine

iCogCA to Promote Cognitive Health Through Digital Group Interventions for Individuals Living With a Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: Protocol for a Nonrandomized Concurrent Controlled Trial Journal Article

In: JMIR Res Protoc, vol. 14, pp. e63269, 2025, ISSN: 1929-0748.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piat, Myra; Melville-Richards, Lucy; Wainwright, Megan; Rivest, Marie-Pier; Sofouli, Eleni; Singh, Kanwar; Richardson, Joël; Albert, Hélène; Graham, Ian

Unpacking the Facilitation Component of a Toolkit for Implementing Mental Health Recovery Guidelines into Services Journal Article

In: Glob Implement Res Appl, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 568–583, 2025, ISSN: 2662-9275.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2023

Caplan, Rachel A; Nelson, Geoffrey; Distasio, Jino; Isaak, Corinne; Edel, Betty; Macnaughton, Eric; Piat, Myra; Patterson, Michelle; Kirst, Maritt; Aubry, Tim; Stergiopoulos, Vicky; Goering, Paula

Parent-child relationship outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of housing first for indigenous and non-Indigenous parents experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and separation from their children Journal Article

In: Psychiatr Rehabil J, 2023, ISSN: 1559-3126.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2022

Piat, Myra; Wainwright, Megan; Rivest, Marie-Pier; Sofouli, Eleni; von Kirchenheim, Tristan; Albert, Hélène; Casey, Regina; Labonté, Lise; O'Rourke, Joseph J; LeBlanc, Sébastien

The impacts of implementing recovery innovations: a conceptual framework grounded in qualitative research Journal Article

In: Int J Ment Health Syst, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 49, 2022, ISSN: 1752-4458.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piat, Myra; Sofouli, Eleni; Wainwright, Megan; Albert, Hélene; Rivest, Marie-Pier; Casey, Regina; LeBlanc, Sébastien; Labonté, Lise; O'Rourke, Joseph J; Kasdorf, Sarah

Translating mental health recovery guidelines into recovery-oriented innovations: A strategy combining implementation teams and a facilitated planning process Journal Article

In: Eval Program Plann, vol. 91, pp. 102054, 2022, ISSN: 1873-7870.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Sofouli, Eleni; Wiltsey-Stirman, Shannon; Groleau, Danielle; Perreault, Michel; Piat, Myra

Identifying and Exploring Sustainability Determinants of Mental Health Recovery-Oriented Interventions: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol Journal Article

In: Glob Implement Res Appl, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 249–261, 2022, ISSN: 2662-9275.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2021

Piat, Myra; Wainwright, Megan; Cherkas, Danielle; Leblanc, Sébastien; Sofouli, Eleni; Rivest, Marie-Pier; Albert, Hélène; Casey, Regina; O'Rourke, Joseph J; Labonté, Lise

Identifying and understanding the contextual factors that shaped mid-implementation outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in organizations implementing mental health recovery innovations into services Journal Article

In: Implement Sci Commun, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 101, 2021, ISSN: 2662-2211.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piat, Myra; Wainwright, Megan; Sofouli, Eleni; Vachon, Brigitte; Deslauriers, Tania; Préfontaine, Cassandra; Frati, Francesca

Factors influencing the implementation of mental health recovery into services: a systematic mixed studies review Journal Article

In: Syst Rev, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 134, 2021, ISSN: 2046-4053.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piat, Myra; Wainwright, Megan; Sofouli, Eleni; Albert, Hélène; Casey, Regina; Rivest, Marie-Pier; Briand, Catherine; Kasdorf, Sarah; Labonté, Lise; LeBlanc, Sébastien; O'Rourke, Joseph J

The CFIR Card Game: a new approach for working with implementation teams to identify challenges and strategies Journal Article

In: Implement Sci Commun, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1, 2021, ISSN: 2662-2211.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2020

Caplan, Rachel; Nelson, Geoffrey; Distasio, Jino; Isaak, Corinne; Edel, Betty; Piat, Myra; Macnaughton, Eric; Kirst, Maritt; Patterson, Michelle; Aubry, Tim; Mulligan, Susan; Goering, Paula

Indigenous and non-Indigenous parents separated from their children and experiencing homelessness and mental illness in Canada Journal Article

In: J Community Psychol, vol. 48, no. 8, pp. 2753–2772, 2020, ISSN: 1520-6629.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piat, Myra; Seida, Kimberly; Padgett, Deborah

Choice and personal recovery for people with serious mental illness living in supported housing Journal Article

In: J Ment Health, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 306–313, 2020, ISSN: 1360-0567.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Spagnolo, Jessica; Champagne, François; Leduc, Nicole; Rivard, Michèle; Melki, Wahid; Piat, Myra; Laporta, Marc; Guesmi, Imen; Bram, Nesrine; Charfi, Fatma

Building capacity in mental health care in low- and middle-income countries by training primary care physicians using the mhGAP: a randomized controlled trial Journal Article

In: Health Policy Plan, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 186–198, 2020, ISSN: 1460-2237.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2019

Hasford, Julian; Nelson, Geoffrey; Worton, S Kathleen; Macnaughton, Eric; MacLeod, Tim; Piat, Myra; Tsemberis, Sam; Stergiopoulos, Vicky; Distasio, Jino; Aubry, Tim; Goering, Paula

Knowledge translation and implementation of housing first in Canada: A qualitative assessment of capacity building needs for an evidence-based program Journal Article

In: Eval Program Plann, vol. 75, pp. 1–9, 2019, ISSN: 1873-7870.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2018

Spagnolo, Jessica; Champagne, François; Leduc, Nicole; Melki, Wahid; Piat, Myra; Laporta, Marc; Bram, Nesrine; Guesmi, Imen; Charfi, Fatma

"We find what we look for, and we look for what we know": factors interacting with a mental health training program to influence its expected outcomes in Tunisia Journal Article

In: BMC Public Health, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1398, 2018, ISSN: 1471-2458.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Piat, Myra; Seida, Kimberly

Supported housing for persons with serious mental illness and personal recovery: What do families think? Journal Article

In: Int J Soc Psychiatry, vol. 64, no. 8, pp. 707–714, 2018, ISSN: 1741-2854.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Thaler, Lea; Freiwald, Shiri; Hodge, Chloe Paquin; Fletcher, Émilie; Cottier, Danaelle; Kahan, Esther; Rossi, Erika; Piat, Myra; Lal, Shalini; Israel, Mimi; Steiger, Howard

Correction to: A Tertiary-Care/Primary-Care Partnership Aimed at Improving Care for People with Eating Disorders Journal Article

In: Community Ment Health J, vol. 54, no. 8, pp. 1162, 2018, ISSN: 1573-2789.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Thaler, Lea; Freiwald, Shiri; Hodge, Chloe Paquin; Fletcher, Émilie; Cottier, Danaelle; Kahan, Esther; Rossi, Erika; Piat, Myra; Lal, Shalini; Israel, Mimi; Steiger, Howard

A Tertiary-Care/Primary-Care Partnership Aimed at Improving Care for People with Eating Disorders Journal Article

In: Community Ment Health J, vol. 54, no. 8, pp. 1154–1161, 2018, ISSN: 1573-2789.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

News

  • Dr. Myra Piat funded through CIHR’s Transforming Health with Integrated Care Program

    October 20, 2023 Dr. Myra Piat was among 13 researchers whose projects were funded through CIHR’s Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC) initiative. This initiative supports health research projects, people, teams and a coordinating hub that together advance knowledge creation, capacity development (training), and knowledge mobilization in pursuit of health care that is coordinated and centered…


  • Dr. Myra Piat named as a 2022 Champion of Mental Health by the CAMIMH

    Dr. Myra Piat has been named one of the 2022 Champions of Mental Health by the Canadian Alliance for Mental Illness and Mental Health. Each year the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) recognizes 7 Canadians whose work has helped to advance the mental health agenda across the country. These remarkable people are recognized…


  • Dre Myra Piat nommée Championne de Santé mentale 2022 par le ACMMSM

    Dre Myra Piat a été nommée une des Championnes de la Santé mentale 2022 par l'Alliance canadienne pour la maladie mentale et la santé mentale (ACMMSM). Chaque année, l'ACMMSM reconnait 7 Canadiens dont le travail a aidé à avancer les programmes de santé mentale à travers le pays. Ces individus remarquables sont reconnus lors du Gala Champions de…


  • HBHL funding supports ground-breaking research at the Douglas

    Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives, recently announced the results of their Discovery Funds Competition 2, which aims to attribute substantial (over $1M) funding allocations to strategic projects within each of its four themes. We are proud to announce that the four funded projects are led or co-led by Douglas scientists, in support of ground-breaking research on…


  • Identifying factors influencing the implementation of mental health recovery into services

    Congratulations to Dr. Myra Piat and her team, who have recently published a systematic review in BMC’s Systematic Reviews journal, on the most important factors that contribute to implementation of innovative practices in mental health. Below is a helpful fact sheet on the 13 key factors to understand and improve implementation of innovative practices in mental health. The full text is…


  • Identification des facteurs qui jouent sur l’implantation des pratiques innovantes en santé mentale

    Félicitations à Dre Myra Piat et à son équipe, qui viennent de publier une revue systématique dans le journal Systematic Reviews, portant sur les factuers les plus importants qui contribuent à l’implantation des pratiques innovantes en santé mentale.   Ci-dessous, une fiche descriptive des 13 facteurs clés (anglais seulement pour le moment) fort intéressante pour comprendre l’implantation des pratiques innovantes en santé mentale.…


  • Congratulations to our CIHR Project Grant Recipients!

    CIHR results for the last project grant competition were published today. Congratulations to all of our researchers named as PIs on successful applications: John Breitner, Alain Brunet, Manuela Ferrari, Marie-Josée Fleury, and Myra Piat! The projects that will benefit from that funding are: Innate immune activity, the aging brain, Alzheimer’s disease pathology and symptoms: a novel approach…