The Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program is committed to improving mental health outcomes for Albertans. This will be done by increasing the capacity for mental health service and population health research to find innovative solutions that make a difference now and for future generations.
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.
Focus: The focus of the Alberta 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.
Research Priority Areas: 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:
- 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
- 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
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.
For the next three years all Research Program activities and initiatives will concentrate on these identified areas.
To learn more about the Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program visit www.mentalhealthresearch.ca or download the Mental Health Research Partnership Program for Alberta: Three Year Business Plan: 2007-2010.