Current Research Activities
At MDSC, we passionately believe in advancing our understanding of the causes, impact, and treatments of mental illness, through rigorous research that is both relevant and outcomes-based. Our research priorities are driven by a deep commitment to addressing the pressing challenges to improve our collective mental health, ensuring that our findings lead to tangible benefits for those affected.
But our approach to research is distinct. We are firm advocates for the inclusion of persons with lived experience at every stage of research. Their voices, insights, and perspectives are not just a valuable addition; they are essential. We believe that true progress in mental health research can only be achieved when those with firsthand experience are actively engaged in the process. This unique collaboration ensures that our projects are not only scientifically robust but also deeply empathetic and relevant.
Join us in exploring our current projects, understanding our methodologies, and witnessing the transformative power of research that is as inclusive as it is innovative.
Overview
The research activities listed below are only a few examples of what we are currently up to. Want to partner or collaborate with us? Email us at info@MDSC.ca to learn more.
System Broken: How Public Drug Coverage is Failing Canadians with Mental Illness
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A better understanding of the barriers that exist within Canadian drug reimbursement processes for medications for mental illness is needed to identify why Canadians requiring these medications are falling through the cracks. To identify those barriers, Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) commissioned a new report, System Broken: How Public Drug Coverage is Failing Canadians with Mental Illness / Système brisé : Dans quelle mesure la couverture publique des médicaments ne répond-elle pas aux besoins des Canadiens atteints de maladies mentales?, which reveals the stark reality that public access to the newest medications for mental illness is hampered by a complex system that takes too long and results in inequitable access – or in many cases, no access at all. |
MIRA – The Mental Health Virtual Assistant
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MIRA is an intelligent, publicly available, and accessible mental health system navigation chatbot, developed by the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, in collaboration with the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, the APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health, University of Saskatchewan, Western University, Ai4Society, Mental Health Research Canada, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (amii), the International Indigenous Health Research and Training Centre (IIHRTC), Mitacs, and the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions. MIRA is an anonymous, adaptive service, which uses machine learning to improve its services while protecting user privacy. |
CREST.BD – A Canadian Roadmap for Bipolar Disorder
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MDSC recently provided input on the CREST.BD and Daymark Foundation’s Canadian Roadmap for Bipolar Disorder – as they seek to create a new research and care agenda to improve the Quality of Life for Canadians living with Bipolar Disorder. |
The e-COSMOS project
| The Sleep, Cognition, and Neuroimaging Laboratory (SCNLab) at Centre de Recherche de l’IUGM & Concordia University, in partnership with organizations including MDSC, is currently seeking participants for a study looking at online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for individuals experiencing insomnia. MDSC is supporting this work in an advisory role. |
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression: A randomized phase II clinical trial comparing one versus two psychedelic doses of psilocybin
National Surveys
Research Papers & Reports
Stigma Research and Anti-Stigma Programs
What Progress Have we Made Since the Mood Disorders Society of Canada's Stigma Research Workshop in October 2006? Author: Barbara Everett, PhD March 2009 (View original PDF) 1. Summary of [...]
Frequency and Correlates of Gambling Problems in Depressed and Bipolar Outpatients
Problem and pathological gambling are becoming a major public health issue in Canada. Higher rates of psychiatric co-morbidities, most notably bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder have been reported in populations of problem and [...]
Mental Health Patient Wait Time Guarantees
Research Report to Health Canada Submitted by: Phil Upshall, National Executive Director January 2008 (View original PDF) (View Background Paper) (View Roundtable Discussion) 1. Abstract 2. Summary of Findings [...]
Proceedings report: Invitational Exploratory Roundtable Psychiatric Patient Waits in Emergency Departments
January 2008 (View original PDF) (View Background Paper) Hosts Mood Disorders Society of Canada Phil Upshall, Executive Director MDSC Ron Guirguis, Facilitator, Fleishman-Hillard Dr. Barbara Everett, Research/Writer, Consultant Funders Mood Disorders [...]
