We are a research and knowledge mobilization laboratory at McGill University and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, founded in 2018 by Dr. Marie-Claude Geoffroy.

MISSION

  • Conduct research in the fields of epidemiology, psychology and psychiatry, with a focus on children, adolescents, young adults and vulnerable people, including the 2sLGBTQ+ community, victims of abuse and neglect, men and people with debilitating mental health problems.
  • Develop, evaluate and disseminate interventions at all levels of suicide prevention.
  • Train the next generation of researchers by providing advanced supervision for graduate students and research trainees.
  • Develop and disseminate knowledge mobilization tools to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention among the general population.
  • Collaborate with clinicians and people with lived experience in both research and knowledge dissemination.
  • Inform and develop training courses for psychology students and psychologists on the assessment and management of people considering suicide, based on the best scientific knowledge.

AREAS
OF RESEARCH

DEVELOPMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY

MISSION

This area of research uses longitudinal cohorts and coroner records to better understand the emergence of suicide, and identify key determinants.

PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS

This area of research develops and evaluates the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for suicide prevention, targeting risk and protective factors, and mental health promotion.

ISSUES OF INTEREST

  • Suicide mortality
  • Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for suicide attempts
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Non-suicidal self-harm
  • Depression and comorbidity with conduct disorders

RESEARCH
METHODS

COHORT STUDIES

ASSESSMENT AND DESIGN

  • Medical records
  • Educational records
  • Income records
  • Youth protection services registries
  • Geographic information
  • Polygenic risk scores
  • Questionnaires
  • Clinical interviews
  • Ecological momentary assessment
  • Longitudinal studies
  • Randomized controlled trials
  • Case-control studies

FUNDING
RECEIVED

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Fonds de recherche du Québec – Health
  • Fonds de recherche du Québec – Society and Culture
  • Fonds France Canada pour la Recherche
  • Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services
  • Observatory for Children’s Health and Education
  • The McGill University Office of the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation
  • Ministère des Relations Internationales et de la Francophonie du Québec
  • Manulife-Manuvie