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Research Banner at ICES

Mental Health & Addictions Research Program

Program Lead: Paul Kurdyak
Program Coordinator: MHAadmin@ices.on.ca

The Mental Health and Addictions (MH&A) Research Program at ICES generates new knowledge generation and produces policy-relevant, population-based research in the area of mental health and addictions services. The program has 12 well-trained and experienced ICES Scientists and numerous trainees mentored by MH&A program scientists. Engagement spans Ontario, including Toronto (University of Toronto), Hamilton (McMaster University), and Kingston (Queen’s University). Our main interests include:

  • access to, delivery of, and cost of mental health and addiction services
  • psychiatric/medical comorbidity
  • child and adolescent mental health
  • reproductive mental health
  • social determinants of mental health
  • addictions

In each of these areas, we take a lifespan or developmental approach, recognizing the importance of transitions (e.g., adolescence to adulthood) and of continuities and changes in the experience of mental health and addiction problems (etiology, chronic course of illness). We also recognize the influence of developmental period on the interactions between individuals with these problems and care providers (micro-, meso-, and macro- levels).


Announcements & Events

View all MH&A Announcements and Events


Recent Publications


Recent ICES Grants


COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Within the Government of Ontario, the MH&A Program has a primary partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Mental health service provision, however, is multi-sectoral. Consequently, the MH&A Program has partnerships with a number of other Ministries, including Children and Youth Services, Education, and Community and Social Services.

The scientists either have affiliations with or have collaborated with a large number of academic institutions:

  • Dr. Kurdyak, the Program Lead, is also a scientist and clinician at CAMH, the largest mental health hospital and research institute in Canada.
  • Dr. Cairney is a faculty member and scientist at McMaster University.
  • Dr. Vigod is a clinician and scientist at Women’s College Research Institute and Women’s College Hospital.

Scientists engaged in mental health and addictions research are also affiliated with the following academic institutions:

  • Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids
  • London Health Sciences Centre
  • Hamilton Health Sciences
  • St Joseph’s Hospital (Hamilton)
  • University Health Network (Toronto)
  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto)
  • St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto)
  • Kingston General Hospital
  • Ottawa Hospital

Other partners include:

  • Ontario Drug Policy and Research Network (ODPRN)
  • Offord Centre for Child Studies
  • CanChild Centre for Studies in Childhood Disability
  • the Canadian Academy of Psychiatric Epidemiology (Dr. Cairney is current President)
  • Canadian Psychiatric Association
  • the Mental Health Commission of Canada

Recent Awards & Recognition


ICES Scientists


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