INMHA Initiatives
CIHR-INMHA is proud of its investments in world-class research, and is committed to tackling brain and mental health challenges facing our country by supporting initiatives that ensure maximum impact. By addressing the Government of Canada’s need for knowledge in areas that fall within the Institute’s mandate, and catalyzing research in areas of emerging need, CIHR-INMHA is effectively informing evidence-based policies and healthcare practices for the benefit of all Canadians.
The CIHR research priorities that fall within CIHR-INMHA's mandate are:
- Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net)
- National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS)
- Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM)
- Research in Substance Use (RSU)
- Integrated Cannabis Research Strategy (ICRS)
- Post-traumatic Stress Injuries among Public Safety Personnel
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium
Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks Initiative (IYS-Net)
IYS-Net will work with partners and stakeholders across the country to fund research to help create a Canada-wide network of provincial and territorial learning health systems for Integrated Youth Services (IYS). IYS is transforming youth mental health and substance use services in communities across Canada and helping ensure that youth (typically in the range of 12-25 years old) have equitable access to the range of services they need, when they need them.
National Standards for Mental Health Services
The National Standards for Mental Health Services Initiative supports research to inform the development of national standards for mental health and/or substance use services so Canadians can access the support they need, when they need it.
Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM)
Intervention for substance use harm is a pressing and complex health issue. To be truly effective, it requires evidence-based approaches, an understanding of biological, psychosocial, and social factors, and an acknowledgement of the important impact of cultural and societal contexts. In response, INMHA launched CRISM, a national research consortium in substance use consisting of five regional Nodes.
Research in Substance Use (RSU)
Substance use health is an urgent and increasingly pressing issue for Canadians. High-quality evidence is needed to prevent and reduce harms, treat substance use disorders, and develop safe and responsible policies and practices, including an evidence-based response to the toxic drug crisis. The RSU initiative is providing critical knowledge to address the broad range of enduring or emerging substance use matters in Canada.
Integrated Cannabis Research Strategy (ICRS)
In close partnership with Health Canada’s Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, INMHA led the development of the ICRS on behalf of CIHR to support the advancement and translation of scientific cannabis knowledge in Canada.
Post-traumatic Stress Injuries among Public Safety Personnel
Budget 2018 committed $20 million over five years to support a joint initiative between CIHR and the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) to address post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) among public safety personnel (PSP) as part of The National Research Consortium for PTSI among PSP.
COVID-19 and Mental Health
To support the mental health of all Canadians and address the increase in needs during this unprecedented time, INMHA led the development of a COVID-19 and Mental Health Initiative – a proactive response to provide urgent knowledge and evidence to support decision-making throughout the mental health responses to the pandemic.
Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium
The Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC) Initiative is co-led by INMHA, the Institute of Genetics and Institute of Cancer Research, in partnership with most of the other CIHR Institutes. The overall goal of this pan-Canadian initiative is to position Canada for the rapid translation of epigenetic discoveries into diagnostic procedures and the eventual development of new therapeutics that can improve human health. This initiative ensures that Canada plays a leadership role in the field of epigenetics by putting research discoveries into practice.
- Date modified: