PROJECTS
Concurrent disorders
It is critical to understand the current situation among patients and identify both risk and protective factors to help patients with mental health and substance use challenges in navigating our changing environment. These patients are at increasing risk of overdose and medical and psychiatric comorbidities in community and in hospital. They are also more likely to be stigmatized and receive improper care. Ongoing research seeks to better understand their needs and appropriate treatment options.
Youth as Partners
Given the unique perspectives and knowledge of youth on current challenges and priorities of their demographic, they should be considered necessary stakeholders in health-related research. This moves away from the traditional view that youth should be restricted to positions as patients or research participants. Youth engagement models encourage youth to play an active role in research and healthcare.
Psychedelic-assisted therapies
Recently, psychedelics are re-emerging in research as a therapeutic option for treatment resistant depression. Emerging evidence suggests that psilocybin has a therapeutic benefit for treating mood disorders such as depression. However, there is little consensus over the exact mechanism in which psilocybin elicits these antidepressant effects. In light of the growing role of psilocybin as an effective treatment for depression, this systematic review summarizes the existing evidence of the mechanism of action with which psilocybin alleviates depressive symptoms.
Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Ketamine's psychedelic effects are showing benefits for patients with a variety of diagnoses when combined with psychotherapy. It is used off-label to treat PTSD and depression and is described as the single most important advance in the treatment of depression in over fifty years. These studies explores the Roots to Thrive Ketamine assisted Therapy (KAT) programs. Analysis of pre and post KAT session scores from past years will be conducted including evaluation of validated scales testing.