Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Evaluation of Mental Health Problems among Immigrant Populations
Immigrants face a range of challenges that can affect their physical and psychological well-being. Indeed, trauma experienced before, during and after their immigration process can be an important risk factor for the development of mental health problems. Additionally, studies with migrants have shown that culture shock, social isolation, socio-economic difficulties, acculturation, adjustment problems and difficult working conditions can also be risk factors for health problems among migrants. Migrants also face barriers that reduce access to care and services. Lack of knowledge of the health and social systems, limited access to health care for irregular migrants, mistrust of health and social services, and language difficulties are some of the barriers they face.
This project will investigate migrants’ mental health in a complementary, comparative and integrated perspective by highlighting the psychological, family, social, ecological, cultural, and economic factors associated with their mental health. Specifically, it aims to
- assess the prevalence, risk and protective factors associated with mental health problems among two groups of immigrants (immigrants living in Canada for less than 36 months versus immigrants living in Canada between 5 to 8 years);
- document the use of mental health services, satisfaction of services received and their cultural appropriateness;
- finally, the project aims to assess the association between reception conditions, integration process (employment, recognition of diplomas, among others) and mental health.
Participate in the "Evaluation of Mental Health Problems among Immigrant Populations" study
Resources for participants
- Good to talk: 1-866-925-5454
- Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600
- Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team: 1-866-996-0991
- Ottawa Distress Centre: 613-238-3311
Racial Disparities and Over-representation of Black Children and Adolescents in Child Welfare Services: Understanding for Better Action
Developing tools and programs to prevent the over-representation of Black children in care requires an understanding of the risk factors associated with the pathways of these children and adolescents and their families. Based on a holistic and integrated theoretical approach, this project has a triple objective:
- document the risk and protective factors associated with the pathways of Black youth in child welfare care;
- analyze racial, social, demographic, economic and cultural issues in decision-making processes regarding the placement of children from Black communities; and
- develop culturally appropriate, evidence-based assessment tools that address the real needs of both children, families and stakeholders and that are stripped of racial, social and cultural bias.
Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) the project will
- promote knowledge by documenting factors related to racial disparities and the experiences of Black children and youth in the Canadian context;
- it will promote the improvement of professional practices by developing assessment tools adapted to the real needs of Black children in care, their families and stakeholders and stripped of racial, social and cultural biases; and
- by developing these tools, this project will improve services for families in Black communities.
Total funding :
CA$ 75 000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Ebola Virus Disease in the DR Congo and Community Mental Health: Evaluation, Prevention, and Psychosocial Intervention
Conducted in DR Congo, this project aims to:
- document the risk and protective factors and consequences of Ebola virus disease on the mental health of survivors, families and communities, as well as coping strategies, mechanisms and pathways of resilience through a mixed longitudinal representative study;
- develop a prevention kit that addresses the real needs of communities and the social, cultural and economic factors surrounding Ebola virus disease;
- develop an evidence-based psychosocial intervention kit that addresses the specific needs of communities and stakeholders.
This project, carried out according to an inclusive approach involving communities, stakeholders and policy makers, aims to provide effective results that can help to stop the spread of the virus.
Partners:
- Jean-Pierre Birangui (University of Lubumbashi);
- Jacqueline Bukaka (University of Kinshasa),
- Daniel Derivois (Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté),
- Cécile Rousseau (McGill University)
Total funding:
CA$ 350 600
Study of Determinants of Mental Health Among Veterans
This research aims to study difficulties and traumas that veterans faced during their military career and during civilian life and strategies they used to deal with them. It also aims to study how the program based on "redeployment" and wilderness activities implemented by the Hero Lodge Foundation could have helped veterans to face experienced difficulties and traumas. In addition to difficulties and traumas, this research will also assess potential consequences such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression sleep problems, as well as coping strategies and resilience mechanisms.
Resources for participants
- Veteran affairs Canada: 1-800-268-7708
- Good to talk: 1-866-925-5454
- Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600
- Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-866-996-0991
COVID-19 and Preventive Attitudes: A Cross-Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors in Health Systems in Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Togo, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Objectives
Based on a global health perspective, this project aims to (1) analyze the status of COVID-19 pandemic surveillance and epidemiological watch measures in six low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs): Haiti, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Bangladesh, and Pakistan; and (2) examine risk and protective factors related to preventive attitudes among the populations of the six LMICs. Specifically, it will assess the knowledge and false beliefs related to Covid-19 in the populations, their perceptions on the readiness of health systems, the impacts of public health instructions, stigmatization, conspiracy theories associated with COVID-19, and their impacts on preventive attitudes. It will also assess anxiety and depression associated with COVID-19, as well as the community resilience of these populations.
Methods
The study will be carried out using a self-report questionnaire among 3,300 participants, with 300 participants per country (600 in DRC, 600 in Bangladesh, 1,200 in Pakistan) face-to-face. It will also be conducted online in the six countries during the same period to allow greater participation rates.
Implications
A comprehensive report called "Evidence-based Practices to Save Lives" will contain key research findings and clear recommendations for government decision-makers, health and community actors, NGOs, donors, and researchers and health professionals in DRC, Haiti, Rwanda, Togo, Bangladesh, and Pakistan by May 2020. Knowledge transfer activities on social media (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, SMS), including video clips, fact sheets for populations and mental health professionals.
Principal Researcher: Jude Mary Cénat, Ph.D., University of Ottawa
Co-researchers : Lewis Ampidu Clorméus; Cyrille Kossigan Kokou-Kpolou; Jacqueline Bukaka; Jean-Pierre Birangui; Pedro Damien Akansikou Kouami; Ralph Emmanuel François; Assumpta Ndengeyingoma; Vincent Sezibera; Bishwajit Ghose; Tanjir Soron; Irfan Ullah
Resources
Haiti
Covid-19 Line (Coronavirus) : 43 43 33 33 ou 31 04 0008
GHESKIO Centre : 44 47 8738
Urgent Psychotherapeutic Intervention Haiti : 2919 9000.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Covid-19 Line (Coronavirus) : 854 463 582; 841 363 267; 109 ou 110
Mental Health Centre Telema : (+57) 23 70 34 96
Rwanda
Mental Health Crisis Line : 112
Covid-19 Crisis Line (Coronavirus) : 114
Togo
Centre for Mental Health of frères de St Jean de Dieu : +228 22 51 54 17
Medical Psychiatry and Psychology Clinic (CPPM) of CHU-CAMPUS of Lomé : +228 22 25 47 39 / +228 22 25 77 68
Covid-19 Green Number (Coronavirus) : 111
Bangladesh
http://app.dghs.gov.bd/localhealthBulletin2016/publish/publish.php?org=10000010&year=2016&lvl=5
Pakistan
Government of Pakistan: http://covid.gov.pk/covid19
Guidlines on COVID-19 : https://www.nih.org.pk/novel-coranavirus-2019-ncov/
Mental Health of Black Communities in Canada: Evaluation, Prevention, and Intervention Tools
Conducted in the Canada, this project aims to diminish and to improve mental health services for youth in Black communities. Three main objectives are pursued: 1) document social and cultural determinants of mental health among Black youth in Canada; 2) educate, raise awareness, de-stigmatise and mobilise Black communities on topics relating to mental health; 3) elaborate and apply evaluation and intervention tools that are culturally adapted. This project is inclusive, as it encompasses communities (families, children, religious leaders, etc.), policy makers, and stakeholders.
Partners: Assumpta Ndengeyingoma (University of Quebec in Outaouais), Cary Kogan (Centre for Psychological Services and Research), Léopold Ntezurubanza (Conseil de la communauté noire de Gatineau), , Maryse Bermingham (Conseil Économique et Social d'Ottawa-Carleton), Purnima Sundar (Ontario Center of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health), Kim Fenn (Youth Bureau Services), Marie Remy (FAMHAS), Suzanne Obiorah (Somerset West Community Health Center), and Jacklyn St-Laurent (Le Cap).
Total Funding: CA$ 799 265
Health Communication, Sociocultural Diversity, and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to countries worldwide adopting measures such as social distancing, the closing of schools and businesses, and limited access to public spaces. Psychiatrist Dr. Cécile Rousseau, along with collaborators from Concordia University and the University of Ottawa, will conduct surveys and interviews with 4,000 Quebecers to understand how minority status, low socioeconomic status, discrimination/stigmatization, and mental health affect understanding and adoption of COVID-19 public health measures. The goal of the project is to determine best practices for communicating about COVID-19 with different social groups.
Partners: Cécile Rousseau (McGill), Jude Mary Cénat (uOttawa), Vivek Venkatesh (Project Someone and Concordia University), Diana Miconi (McGill), Annie Jaimes (McGill), Rochelle Frounfelker (McGill), Christina Greenaway (McGill), Janet Cleveland (McGill), and Jill Hanley (SHERPA-RAPS).
Total Funding: CAD$ 70 000