Global

Division of Global Mental Health and Related Research Activities

The Division of Global Mental Health within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences was created to explore local and global narratives of mental health inequity. The focus of the program is to seek to understand and ameliorate mental health inequities within our communities and abroad. Program activates are intended to address issues of marginalization, stigma, access, culture, and poverty. At the current time, the Division supports activities that integrate clinical work, education, research and knowledge translation. Collaborative partnerships are also highly valued to study and implement solutions that are sustainable and in which we make long-term commitments. The efforts described below highlight the research efforts that are being done within the framework and support of the Division of Global Mental Health.

Initiatives

Local and provincial studies are being conducted examining large samples of school aged immigrant and non-immigrant children to better understand mental health challenges for this group and the role of schools in moderating mental health risk. The findings will be used to inform programs and practices in Hamilton schools to reduce inequality.
The use of a developmental assessment tool is being studied to examine its use in large scale early years, educational interventions in low and middle-income countries.
Studies are ongoing to develop globally applicable and relevant indicators of children’s health (i.e., mental and physical) up to 8 years of age.
Focus groups are being conducted with professionals who are providing care for the LGBTQ community and with those who are exploring interest in providing services to this group. The material from these focus groups will be used to develop integrated online health curricula.

Application to Consumer

Enhanced ability to determine Hamilton immigrant children who may be at risk for mental health difficulties and to collaborate with schools in supporting these youth
Improved global early intervention identification strategies and indicators for children at risk of compromised mental or physical health in low and middle income countries
Expanding abilities to include the LGBTQ narrative within healthcare education

Key Partnerships

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board and Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board
The LGBTQ Community Wellness Centre of Hamilton (The Well)
World Health Organization
UNESCO

Other Faculty

Kathy Georgiades, PhD
- Child and youth mental health inequalities within immigrant children; the role of school in reducing mental health inequalities
Magdalena Janus, PhD
- Developmental health (i.e., mental and physical) of children and related contextual factors
Albina Veltman, MD, FRCPC;
- LGBTQ mental health, developmental disabilities and dual diagnosis, severe and persistent mental illness, traditionally marginalized population, diversity in medical education
Sheila Harms, MD, FRCPC
- Medical education research as it pertains to a national transition to a Competency Based Education, pedagogical advances in this setting and educational capacity building in low-income settings.
Lindsey George, MD, MES, FRCPC