CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Kanna Hayashi: Evaluating risk mitigation services during the dual crises of COVID-19 and overdose among people who use opioids

Substance use epidemiologist Dr. Kanna Hayashi was on the verge of evaluating two new opioid crisis interventions – expanded opioid agonist therapy prescription services and risk mitigation prescribing – when the pandemic hit.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Megan O’Connell: Supporting older adults to maintain social connections using technology during COVID-19

Clinical psychologist Dr. Megan O’Connell jokes that while her focus is neuropsychology, her real passion lies in measurement theory. “I care about the tools we have to measure people’s mental health,” she says.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Flora Matheson: Assessing mental health and substance use needs for people released from custody during COVID-19

As a medical sociologist and mental health and addictions specialist, Dr. Flora Matheson’s research interests lie at the intersection of health and the criminal justice system.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Rusty Souleymanov: Community-based study explores mental health and substance use impacts of COVID-19 on 2SGBQM communities in Manitoba

“As a minority in Canada, research with marginalized communities is very personal to me,” says Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, lab director and assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba, and director of the Village Lab.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Jessica Moe: Preventing opioid deaths related to an increase in smoking illicit substances during COVID-19

On the front lines of Vancouver General Hospital’s emergency room floor, Dr. Jessica Moe says she doesn’t shy away from immersing herself entirely in her research.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Michaela Hynie: Promising practices in helping refugees access virtual mental health services during COVID-19

Dr. Michaela Hynie says navigating the Canadian mental health system is a challenge at the best of times — and it becomes even more difficult for newcomers fleeing from their home country during a pandemic, and having to utilize new technology in an unfamiliar country.

Event Summary: COVID-19 and Mental Health Initiative Virtual Learning Series - Impacts of COVID-19 on substance use and people who use substances

Read a summary of the CIHR-INMHA Virtual Learning Series event on the impacts of COVID-19 on substance use and people who use substances.

Event Summary: COVID-19 and Mental Health Initiative Virtual Learning Series - Impacts of COVID-19 on women’s mental health and substance use

Read a summary of the CIHR-INMHA Virtual Learning Series event on the impacts of COVID-19 on women's mental health and substance use.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Naomi Thulien & Mardi Daley: How has the pandemic impacted youth experiencing homelessness?

Naomi Thulien and Mardi Daley are dedicated to tackling the social and structural inequities that cause and perpetuate youth homelessness. As Mardi described it, “Through an intersectional lens, those with the lowest access to social determinants of health are people of colour, Indigenous peoples, and those identifying as LGBTQ2S+. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen these are the most at-risk populations.”

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Stephanie Montesanti: Researching virtual care interventions for those at risk of domestic violence

As a researcher who focuses on complex public health issues such as domestic violence and mental health, Dr. Stephanie Montesanti says it was clear early on the pandemic would cause an increased need for virtual care for individuals experiencing domestic violence.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Anna Gagliardi: Supporting the mental health of patients waiting for procedures delayed by COVID-19

A senior scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Dr. Anna Gagliardi's research typically focuses on women's health, patient/family engagement and person-centred care. But as the pandemic shined a spotlight on inequities and gaps in services throughout the healthcare system, Dr. Gagliardi and her team adjusted their focus to develop a knowledge synthesis on strategies to support the mental health of diverse patients waiting for procedures delayed by COVID-19.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Nazilla Khanlou: Supporting the mental health of racialized women at risk of gender-based violence

As the Women’s Health Research Chair in Mental Health for the Faculty of Health at York University, Dr. Nazilla Khanlou says gender-based violence didn’t start with the pandemic, but the pandemic has made it worse.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Jill Murphy: Harnessing digital mental health to improve equity in mental health care

Dr. Jill Murphy says in terms of mental health, there are very few guidelines to follow in the dissemination of mental health services using technology — especially during the pandemic. These gaps are tackled in her recent knowledge synthesis, funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research’s (CIHR) COVID-19 and Mental Health (CMH) Initiative.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Zahra Goodarzi: Exploring depression telemedicine interventions for older adults

Dr. Goodarzi has dedicated her life and career to helping the aging population both in-person with her clinic work and by advancing research through studies and knowledge syntheses, like her recent research — funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) COVID-19 and Mental Health (CMH) Initiative — which studies depression telemedicine interventions for older adults living in the community.

CMH Research Profiles | Dr. Marjorie Montreuil: supporting children and adolescents’ mental health

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dr. Marjorie Montreuil — a researcher and mother of two based out of McGill University — says it was clear that ensuring children have uninterrupted access to quality mental health care during the outbreak is imperative.

Mental health and substance use impacts of COVID-19: Lay summary of knowledge synthesis projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased mental health challenges and substance-related harms for many Canadians. This report summarizes the results of an in-depth analysis of the final reports submitted by knowledge synthesis grantees in November 2020.