Research Projects
Attitudes About Police: Interviews & Surveys
Although the majority of people with mental illness do not commit criminal acts, around 1 in 5 will come into contact with police officers since they are often the first to respond to incidents. A new research project funded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada will study interactions between police and those living with a mental illness. The study is being led by BC Mental Health and Addiction Services and is conducted in partnership with Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division. The findings of this reseearch will inform police training and education for interacting with people who have a severe mental illness.
If you are at least 19 years of age, can speak and understand English, and are living with a severe mental illness (such as schizophrenia spectrum disorder or other psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder) we invite you to participate in this study. People who have had direct contact with the police in British Columbia will be invited to participant in a one hour interview and will receive $10. People who have not had direct contact with the police will be asked to complete a survey and will be entered into a random draw for a $50 gift certificate. The interviews and surveys will ask about your attitudes, feelings, and experiences regarding the police.
If you would like to participate in this project, please email Caroline at cgreaves@forensic.bc.ca, or leave a message at 604-524-7768.
Impact of Bipolar Illness on Employment Experiences
Researchers in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of BC are studying the impact of bipolar illness on employment experiences.
- Have you been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and are you between 19-55 years of age?
- Have you had paid fulltime or part-time employment in the last 2 years for at least 3 months?
- Are you willing to confidentially discuss your employment experiences in a research project, requiring up to 3 hours of your time?
This study involves questionnaires and interviews with experienced researchers, and all information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. Interviews include questions about how you are feeling, what supports and challenges you have faced at work, and how your illness has impacted your work.
If you answered "yes" to all of the above questions and are interested in knowing more about the study and what is involved, please contact Sandra Hale at shale@interchange.ubc.ca or 604-786-9420.
Monitoring Mood in Bipolar Disorder: The '4M' Study
Guidelines for treating bipolar disorder (BD) suggest that 'mood monitoring' (measuring highs and lows in mood on a daily basis) should be encouraged. Dr. Erin Michalak is investigating whether mood monitoring has an impact on quality of life and symptoms in people with BD by comparing mood monitoring using a wireless handheld computer (a Treo) to paper and pencil diary. If you have a diagnosis of BD type I or II and are potentially interested in participating in this study, please contact 604-822-7247 or anniek@interchange.ubc.ca for further details.
Management Strategies for Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Erin Michalak is conducting a 'qualitative' study (using interviews or focus groups) of the strategies people with BD type I or II use to manage their disorder. She and her research team are looking for people with bipolar disorder I or II who feel they require ongoing support and services. If you meet these criteria and are potentially interested in doing an interview or focus group as part of this study, please contact 604-822-7247 or anniek@interchange.ubc.ca for further details.
Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder
We are developing a scale to measure the quality of life in people with bipolar disorder. If you have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and would like to help in the development of this scale by filling out a 15 minute questionnaire, please contact 604-822-7247 or anniek@interchange.ubc.ca.
Genetic Counseling Study
We are investigating the potential benefits to someone with a mental illness of receiving more information about the causes of their illness through a process called genetic counselling. We are interested in hearing the thoughts and opinions of people with mental illness about the genetic counselling process, including input on how it could better meet their needs.
Both men and women with a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder are being recruited to participate in the study. The study involves one or two meetings with a researcher and completing questionnaires at home. The meetings with the researcher will take place at Children and Women's Hospital. Reimbursement for travel expenses will be provided.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Andrea Ringrose at 604-875-2000 x.4733, or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca.
PLEASE NOTE: We also have a very similar parallel study which is looking for family members; parents, brothers, sisters, and children, of individuals with one of the above illnesses.
Stigma Study: Family Members of People with Mental Illness
Stigma can have serious negative effects on people with mental illness and their family members.
We are developing a questionnaire to assess internalized stigma in first-degree family members (parents, brothers, sisters, and children) of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
The questionnaire will gather information about stigma in family members of people with mental illness and, in the long run, will be used with the goal of improving coping skills and enhancing the overall well-being of the family network.
If you have a parent, sister, brother, or child with one of the mental illnesses mentioned above, and would like more information about participating in this study, please contact Emily Morris at mental.illness@ubc.ca or by phone 604-875-2000 x.4733.
PLEASE NOTE: You CAN participate if you have a mental illness yourself, as long as you also have a first-degree family member with one.
Mental Health & Pregnancy Study
We are conducting a research study that aims to understand why some women develop postpartum depression or psychosis and others don't. The research is designed to test the idea that a genetic variation together with folate levels in a woman's blood can influence her risk for postpartum depression. The aim of the research is to find ways to help reduce women's risk for postpartum depression by using nutritional supplements.
Women who are pregnant (at any stage of pregnancy), and who have a history of mental health problems, are being recruited to participate in the study. Participating involves meeting with a researcher 4 times: once during the pregnancy, and 3 times over the first 3 months of the postpartum period. The researchers can offer some reimbursement for travel to participate in the research at either St. Paul's or Children's and Women's Hospitals. Alternatively, study visits can be conducted at participants' homes or by email / phone.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Angela Inglis at: 604-875-2000 x.4733 or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca.