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Who We Are and What We Do

We conduct world-class research to transform the lives of people with mental health and substance use issues, people who are in custody, and people who have been found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder (NCRMD).

Vision 

The BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute seeks to achieve national name recognition for excellence in mental health and substance use research across the lifespan, with a core focus on adult populations with complex needs.

For more information about how we’re advancing our vision, please see our current Research Plan.

Mandate 

  • Be the research arm of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services
  • To be the face of mental health and substance use research for PHSA
  • Support research across the lifespan that aims to improve the health, wellbeing, and health care of British Columbians at risk for or experiencing mental health and substance use issues and those involved in the correctional system, and their families 

Mission

  • Generate new knowledge and evidence-based solutions that inform and transform the health, wellbeing, and health care of British Columbians at risk for or experiencing mental health and/or substance use issues and those involved in the correctional system and their families
  • Encourage excellence and innovative thinking and approaches in mental health and substance use research
  • Work in partnership with researchers and academic institutions, clinicians, clients and families, and other stakeholders within and outside BC to inspire, inform, and amplify research that is relevant, meaningful, and with potential for positive impact for patients, programs and the health system

Our team

The BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute consists of principal investigators (PIs), trainees, students, lab and research support staff, as well as leaders and operational staff. Most are located at our 14,000 square-foot space on the third floor of the Translational Research Building located on the Oak Street campus  in Vancouver, with a smaller number located at BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services’ clinical program sites, including the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction and the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.

Our researchers have academic affiliations with either the University of British Columbia or Simon Fraser University and hold multiple research institute affiliations, including with the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI) and the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI)

Read our Research Newsletter

Learn more about our research and work in progress in our BCMHSUS Research Newsletter. If you have any content you would like to share, please email us at BCMHSUS_Research@phsa.ca.

BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - September 2023
BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - June 2023
BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - February 2023
BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - October 2022
BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - July 2022
BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - April 2022
BCMHSUS Research Newsletter - January 2022



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