mental health

Challenge Family caregivers of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) often experience stress and mental health difficulties (e.g., anxiety, depression). However, there are few services to support their wellbeing. Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) helps people to cope by increasing acceptance and mindfulness skills, which may help these caregivers. Commitment Training (ACT) Project Summary The [...]

Challenge Kids with autism commonly struggle to regulate their emotions and handle the day-to-day stressors in their lives. As a result, they run a higher risk of mental-health challenges such as depression, anxiety disorders and behavioural challenges. Despite this reality, most community-based services have limited mental health supports for autistic children. Project Summary [...]

Challenge Awareness about infant and early mental health among practitioners in health, social services and education in Canada is low compared to other developed jurisdictions.  In addition, resources and information that respect and support the Indigenous communities in Canada are very limited. This initiative strives to fill both these gaps by creating a one-stop-shop for [...]

Challenge Kids with autism commonly struggle to regulate their emotions and handle the day-to-day stressors in their lives. As a result, they are at increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders and anger issues. Project Summary Secret Agent Society is a cognitive behavioural intervention designed to help school-aged children with autism “crack the code” of emotions [...]

Challenge A gap exists in policy and practice within child welfare systems, where infants in care are at risk for developmental delays and mental health issues. A screening and intervention program for these children is aiming to change the standard of care for this at-risk population. Project Summary The screening program targeted infants aged 0 [...]

Challenge Anxiety is common among children and youth living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and it can be very debilitating. An estimated 40 percent of young people with ASD also have at least one anxiety-related diagnosis, such as a phobia, social anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. We know that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help with these [...]

Challenge Adolescents with autism often struggle with anxiety, depression, stress and attention.  While cognitive behavioural approaches can support many autistic youth, research shows that many participants will fail to respond to these kinds of treatments, and many of these interventions are targeted only at children 12 years of age and younger. Project Summary Based on [...]

Challenge Compared to non-Indigenous Canadians, Indigenous children in Canada have an increased risk of developmental delays and poor mental health. This inequity is due to intergenerational trauma, marginalization and a lack of culturally informed interventions. Project Summary Kids Brain Health Network researchers have found that a screening and intervention program called Hand in Hand can [...]