Collaborative Specialization in Mental Health and Addictions Research
The Collaborative Specialization in Mental Health and Addictions Research prepares the next generation of scientists and clinician scientists to address the complex challenges of mental health and addictions through transdisciplinary research. Bringing together trainees from diverse graduate programs, the specialization spans the full translational spectrum - from molecules and cells, to clinical care and communities, to population mental health, health systems, and policy. Students develop the knowledge, collaborative skills and translational perspective needed to work effectively across disciplinary boundaries, critically evaluate research through an equity and lived experience lens, and translate discoveries into meaningful improvements in mental health care, policy and population health. Graduates are equipped to become leaders in mental health and addictions research, innovation and system transformation.
requirements
Required Course - Transdisciplinary Perspectives in Mental Health and Additions Research (MHA 9000; Spring/Summer Term 2027):This foundational course provides trainees with a common conceptual framework for understanding mental health and addictions research across disciplines. Designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds, course content is delivered at a level accessible to non-specialists, enabling trainees to develop a shared language and appreciation of different research paradigms. Weekly sessions explore mental health and addictions from molecular, psychological, sociological, public health, anthropological, Indigenous, and health systems perspectives, alongside emerging topics in mental health and addictions (e.g. artificial intelligence, climate change). Whenever possible, sessions are co-taught by researchers and practitioners to bridge theory and practice, with clinical concepts integrated throughout. The course also emphasizes equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, decolonization, lived experience, and strategies to promote student wellbeing and resilience. The course culminates in a community-engaged capstone project in which interdisciplinary student teams collaborate with community partners to develop a knowledge mobilization product that addresses a real-world mental health or addictions challenge.
Students of the Collaborative Specialization will also be required to meet the following Program Milestones:
1) Attendance at Local Seminars in Mental Health and Addictions Research: Students will attend a minimum number of approved seminars, research presentations and continuous professional development events offered across Western University and its affiliated academic hospitals throughout the academic year. Eligible activities may include Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds, department seminar series, institute research presentations, and other approved events related to mental health and addictions research. This flexible approach enables trainees to engage with diverse scientific, clinical, and health systems perspectives while building connections across the broader mental health research community. Students will document their participation by submitting confirmation of attendance for each approved event.
2) Participation in Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day: Students will participate in the annual Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day (JMHRID), co-hosted by the Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, Lawson Research Institute, and the London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute. This interdisciplinary event brings together researchers, clinicians, trainees, people with lived experience, community organizations, and health system partners to showcase innovations in mental health and addictions research. Students will present their research, receive feedback from diverse stakeholders, and develop skills in scientific communication, knowledge mobilization, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
3) Interdisciplinary Representation on Thesis Committee: Students are required to include interdisciplinary representation on their thesis committee through either a clinician working in mental health and addictions who holds SGPS membership or a faculty member from another participating discipline with expertise in mental health and addictions research. This requirement ensures that trainees receive mentorship from complementary disciplinary perspectives, strengthens the translational relevance of their research, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across programs and faculties.
In addition, meaningful engagement with people with lived experience and an understanding of the broader health system are woven throughout the specialization including experiential learning activities within the mental health and addictions system and collaborating with hospital and/or community partners through course-based projects. These experiences help trainees understand how research translates into practice, policy and system improvement while fostering meaningful partnerships with the communities their research aims to serve.
learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this specialization, students will:
- develop broad knowledge in mental health and addictions research from a range of disciplinary perspectives;
- acquire skills to communicate across disciplinary boundaries; and
- be able to identify and critically evaluate the implications of scientific findings across the translational spectrum.
admission requirements
- Current enrollment in a thesis-based graduate program at Western University in one of the participating programs listed. Student must be in good academic standing in their home department.
- A proposed research-based thesis project that is well aligned with the Collaborative Specialization.
- Supervision by a faculty member participating in the Collaborative Specialization.
- Permission of the home department Graduate Chair to participate in the Collaborative Specialization.
How to Apply
The MHA Collaborative Specialization Steering Committee will review potential candidates and select successful applicants. To apply, please follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Complete the MHA Online Application
Step 2: Submit the accompanying documents with your application via the Qualtrics survey
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Support from your Primary MHA Supervisor describing the proposed thesis research, research environment, and why the candidate is a good fit***
The research proposal must be prepared in collaboration with a MHA Supervisor. The MHA Supervisor must be prepared to supervise the applicant, including providing the appropriate facilities/infrastructure, for the duration of the training.
*** Supervisor Letters: Supervisors may provide a PDF version of their letter to the applicant for direct upload at the time of application. Trainees should be identified in the document file name. Alternatively, Letters (PDF file) may be directly emailed to mharesearch@uwo.ca (please indicate student name in subject line).
