Overview
Mental health research at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) is driven by a profound curiosity and a compassionate approach to understanding the complexities of the human mind. We are committed to advancing the prevention, assessment, treatment, and recovery of mental illness and addiction through innovative research and a deep dedication to improving lives.
Our program is spearheaded by a diverse team of experts who explore a broad range of topics related to mental wellbeing. From the neural mechanisms underlying mental disorders to the societal factors influencing mental health, our researchers are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making a meaningful impact in the field.
We foster a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment that bridges researchers, clinicians, students, trainees and community stakeholders, including those with lived experiences. By integrating diverse perspectives and cutting-edge technologies, we create innovative solutions that offer a comprehensive view of mental health and new approaches to addressing mental illness and addiction.
Research Groups
Our research areas of excellence include:
Our research investigates the impact of stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic on drug use, examining shifts in usage pattern, associated health risk and the effectiveness of intervention strategies and new therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Our teams conduct a wide range of studies to better understand child and youth mental health and improve patient outcomes. This includes studies examining chronic pain.
At Children’s Hospital at LHSC, our Paediatric Chronic Pain Program is dedicated to developing innovative care approaches for equity-seeking populations, including Indigenous people and newcomers to Canada. Mental health research in this area works to address pain expression, barriers to care and preferred treatments for chronic pain. We are also expanding our treatment options with new initiatives specifically tailored for chronic pain.
Our research also focuses on deepening our understanding of paediatric chronic pain, including the prevalence of dissociative symptoms and the interactions between cannabinoids and non-opioid pain medications. Through these efforts, we aim to enhance our care strategies and improve outcomes for children suffering from chronic pain.
The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Research Unit at LHSC is dedicated to understanding the brain mechanisms underlying post-traumatic stress disorder and identifying its various subtypes.
In response to these findings, we have developed and researched innovative brain-guided mind-body treatments for underserved and severely traumatized populations, which have shown significant promise in treating individuals with PTSD. These novel approaches are crucial because approximately 50 per cent of people with PTSD do not respond to conventional treatments. Additionally, we are adapting each treatment for use within Indigenous communities, addressing the profound impact of intergenerational trauma.
Our research area is investigating if new treatments can effectively treat agitation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Agitation in AD is linked to various issues, including physical health problems, progression of disease and increased caregiver burden. Current treatments for agitation are often ineffective or unsafe, highlighting the need for better options. This research aims to find safer and more effective treatments to improve the quality of life for AD patients and their families.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is effective for managing anxiety and depression by reducing negative thought patterns and enhancing self-compassion. In this area of research, we aim to integrate virtual reality (VR) technology with MBCT to improve its accessibility and effectiveness. The VR-based approach allows patients to experience tailored environments that support mindfulness practices, potentially modifying negative thoughts and fears. The goal is to develop a comprehensive VR-based psychiatric treatment protocol.
LHSC’s First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program (FEMAP) aims to calculate the short- and long-term economic impacts of early intervention in mood and anxiety disorders, providing empirical data to inform health-care system decisions on mental health costs and savings.
Additionally, our area is investigating how certain factors like social media shapes patients’ perceptions of psychiatric diagnoses compared to formal psychiatric evaluations. Research also explores the effects of drugs like nicotine on the brain and examines how emerging adults perceive human dignity in relation to their mental health challenges and treatment. Our team is refining a machine learning algorithm to predict medication response for depressed youth based on pre-treatment brain scans.