Page 27 - UHN Centre for Mental Health Impact Report 2023

RESEARCH

Leading the Field Innovative Research

Unique Lines of Inquiry Explored by UHN Psychiatrists.
UHN at the Forefront of Psychedelic Research.

Psychedelic drugs have been held up as UHN that we secured two of the possible SUICIDE’S IMPACT
a potential breakthrough treatment for a three grants available,” says Dr. Susan
range of mental illnesses, with their Abbey, Program Medical Director, Centre Clinician-Researcher Dr. Zainab Furqan was co-author
benefits promoted by everyone from for Mental Health. of a study that explored the impact of patient suicide
celebrities to venture capitalists. on psychiatrists.
“We are taking the lead in this exciting
But medical research on their efficacy is new field with our teams pioneering re- “We know that losing a patient to suicide has a major
still in the preliminary stage. search methodology and advancing pa- impact on psychiatrists, with many calling it the most
tient safety protocols.” significant event of their careers,” says Dr. Furqan.
UHN researchers are working to remedy
that and achieved a significant milestone The research teams aim to investigate the Research revealed that psychiatrists often experience
recently by obtaining two $1 million effects of psilocybin on end-of-life care for guilt and self-doubt after such an event, compromising
grants from the Canadian Institutes of patients with advanced cancer (led by Drs. their ability to assess suicide risk. Up to 80% of psych-
Health Research (CIHR). Sarah Hales, Emma Hapke and Daniel iatrists will have a patient die by suicide at some point
Rosenbaum) and treatment-resistant in their career, but many receive no training on how
These grants were part of a special depression (led by Dr. Joshua Rosenblat), to cope. The authors’ recommend urgent changes,
competition to study the therapeutic contributing to the advancement of including pre-emptive training that identifies practical
potential of psilocybin (the active patient safety protocols and research strategies for supporting colleagues and grieving
compound in “magic mushrooms”) in methodology in this emerging field. families after a patient suicide. > learn more
combination with psychotherapy.
Clinical trials are scheduled to commence
“It’s a testimony to the quality of work at in early 2024.
HEALTH AND HUMANITIES

Drs. Sarah Hales and Joshua Rosenblat
Dr. Suze Berkhout, a Clinician-Investigator, co-leads
The Frictions of Futurity in Transplant Medicine Project,
which brings together the diverse perspectives of
artists, researchers, academics, healthcare providers,
transplant recipients and their support persons.

“Participants not only create, but deconstruct and
challenge knowledge surrounding transplantation
through their artistic practice,” says Dr. Berkhout.

Year-round events showcase digital stories created by
long-term transplant recipients, providing a deeper
understanding of the transplantation experience.
Conversations address topics such as quality of life
pre- and post- transplantation and justice concerns
related to organ failure, long waitlists and supply-
demand issues.
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