On Feb. 28, 2023, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced that the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), is investing nearly $5 million in 25 research projects to examine existing standards, best practices and guidelines for the delivery of mental health and substance use services for children, youth and young adults.
“As we work to improve Canada’s universal health care system, children, youth and young adults deserve access to the highest quality of mental health and substance use care no matter where they live in Canada. Today’s investment will ensure that the national mental health and substance use service standards that are being developed with provinces and territories are grounded in evidence.” — The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
We are pleased to announce that among the 5 funded projects led by Quebec researchers, 2 are led by Douglas Researchers:
- Manuela Ferrari — Engaging Stakeholders in the Development of Standards for a Canadian Rapid Learning Health System in Early Intervention Services for Psychosis
- Jai Shah — Developing Standards for Implementing Stepped Care Models in Child and Youth Mental Health Service Systems
Additionally, other Douglas Researchers are named in a number of the funded projects, including Dr. Srividya Iyer, who is co-PI on 5 of the funded projects.
Collectively, these projects will provide a better understanding of what is currently in place across Canada, and how care providers and organizations use standards to deliver and improve care.
“All people in Canada should have access to equitable, timely, and evidence-based mental health and substance use health care where and when they need it, and the needs of youth and underserved young Canadians are particularly urgent. These 25 research projects will investigate best practices and guiding principles for the delivery of mental health and substance use health services in various settings to support decision making and ensure the best outcomes for Canada’s children, youth and young adults.” — Dr. Samuel Weiss, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Details can of the announcement can be found at: Government of Canada invests nearly $5M in national mental health and substance use standards for children, youth and young adults & Research funded in Quebec on mental health and substance use service standards for children, youth, and young adults