Research Priority Themes

In 2006, a mental health research agenda was established through a roundtable discussion by Alberta stakeholders, including policy-makers, service providers, academics, and consumer groups. The work of this group was then confirmed through a broader on-line provincial consultation. The agenda established four research priority themes:

• Effectiveness of Mental Health Services and the System – making sure the system works to improve the mental health of all Albertans, and getting care to those who need it
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health – ensuring the mental health of the next generation
• Mental Health in the Workplace – ensuring a prosperous economy by addressing mental health issues in the workplace
• Mental Illness and Addictions – addressing the growing problem of this ‘dual diagnosis’ in our society

For the next three years all Research Program activities and initiatives will concentrate on these identified areas.

Cross Cutting Themes

The research agenda also focuses on issues that span across the priority themes. These include: Aboriginal and multicultural populations, suicide prevention, knowledge transfer and the capacity of information systems to support research.

Focus

The focus of the Alberta Addiction and Mental Health Research Partnership Program is on applied health service and population health research, as these endeavors are quickly transferable to system improvements and have the greatest potential to enhance mental health outcomes.