Research Program Overview
Vision
The province of Alberta will be a leader in generating and applying world-class research to improve the mental health of its population.
Mission
To improve mental health outcomes for Albertans along identified research priority themes, by generating evidence and expediting its transfer into mental health promotion, prevention of mental illness, and innovative service delivery.
Goals
1. Generate world class addiction and mental health research in priority theme areas
What it Means: An increase in the number of researchers and research generated will help attract mental health funding. This enhancement in capacity and collaboration will ensure a focus on answers to questions of importance to Albertans, and will be applicable nationally and internationally. The Recruitment of Addiction & Mental Health Research Chairs will be a key step in building capacity in academia and bring new focus, people, and resources to the study area.
2. Increase application of evidence to practice to improve the mental health outcomes for Albertans
What it Means: Many addiction and mental health service practitioners recognize the need for integrating research into practice, but they do not have the capacity or resources to create a strong research culture. The Research Program will increase the accessibility of innovative research to generate policy and apply in service delivery. Improved dissemination and information exchange between the different settings will mean more effective treatments for Albertans.
3. Inform and promote integration in the broader addiction and mental health system through research
What it Means: Health services need to better integrate with other social sectors to support the population’s mental health needs. The Research Program will bring multidisciplinary addiction and mental health research together in universities and mental health institutes and will create a foundation for research through the integration of health and human services data. This will ensure service settings are able to be innovative and that cultural groups are encouraged to participate in mental health research. It will establish greater collaboration across sectors and jurisdictions and address the complex mental health needs through research.
4. Create a virtual centre of research excellence
What it Means: The AMHB and research partners are committed to establishing a virtual research centre as the primary program integration vehicle.
The Alberta Research and Innovation Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will:
- build provincial research capacity;
- provide support for research and activities related to priority research themes and program goals;
- expedite the transfer of findings to service settings;
- connect stakeholders in mental health; and
- measure/report on the accomplishments and impact of the Research Program.
The Centre’s focus on priority theme areas and collaboration with stakeholders and researchers will maximize the impact of the Research Program.