The UBC Department of Psychiatry shares a deep concern about the COVID-19 pandemic and its mental health impact on our local communities, Canada and rest of the world. Our thoughts go out to all of those who have been affected by the spread of this virus. We are focusing our research resources towards evaluating the mental health effects of COVID-19 in order to develop new interventions and meet the service needs of our patients and their families, while supporting our staff during this challenging time. |
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Steven Taylor
This study is designed to identify the profiles of fear and anxiety responses to COVID-19, and how they might influence behaviour, using a large multiple time point survey of Canadian and US participants.
Clozapine prescribing and COVID-19
UBC Project Lead: Dr. William G. Honer
An international subgroup of the Treatment Response and Resistance in Psychosis Working Group prepared a statement describing the challenges, and providing recommendations for clozapine prescribing related to COVID-19. The statement is freely available: Siskind D, Honer WG et al. Consensus statement on the use of clozapine during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2020;45(4):200061.
Impact of COVID-19 on a vulnerable, inner city group with multimorbid illness, living in precarious housing
UBC Project Lead: Dr. William G. Honer
People who may be homeless or living in substandard accommodation may be at greater risk for COVID-19, particularly if they have concurrent infections such as with HIV that can decrease the immune response, and capacity for recovery. Living situations can also create challenges for physical distancing, or self-isolation should illness occur. This study assesses the value of regular, monthly check-ins with people living in these situations, and evaluates the potential contribution of a screening blood test for prevention and for public health efforts to support this vulnerable population.
Evolution and predictors of neuropsychiatric symptoms after COVID critical illness
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Will Panenka
The study examines individuals with COVID19 disease admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Vancouver General Hospital. It aims to link fluid biomarkers and indices of severity of acute COVID19 to neurological and psychiatric symptoms during the acute phase and to psychiatric outcomes at 3 and 12 months post-recovery.
Student e-mental health project: Impact of COVID-19 on student well-being
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Daniel Vigo
As part of a survey on student mental health, substance use and wellbeing, this study is tracking the geographical and social proximity of COVID-19 to campus through a weekly online survey of 350 random stratified students. For each student, the study ascertains across time the number of people with COVID-19 they know, their location (outside Canada, in Canada, in Vancouver, in the same course, at home), and whether they are acquaintances, friends, or family. The association of these exposures, as well as financial, health-related, and general stress, is examined in relation to students’ mental health.
Medical Staff Wellness during COVID-19
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Paul Dagg
The study uses a “pop up ECHO” format to address medical staff wellness across the Interior Health Authority.
Tele-psychiatry assessment during COVID19
UBC Project Leads: Dr. David Kealy, Dr. Gabrielle Bosse-Chartier
The study examines the feasibility and effectiveness of tele-psychiatry assessments provided through Access & Assessment Centre, Vancouver General Hospital. The study evaluates patient concerns and characteristics (including distress related to COVID-19 and social distancing) with regards to the tele-psychiatry interview itself as a means of reducing patients' distress and facilitating engagement in further care.
Men's Experiences of the COVID Pandemic
UBC Project Leads: Dr. John Oliffe (Nursing), Dr. David Kealy
Survey using online questionnaires aiming to better understand men's (aged 18 years or older) experiences related to the COVID pandemic.
APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health Disaster Resilience and Trauma Working Group- COVID-19 Response
UBC Project Leads: Dr. Raymond Lam, Dr. Jill Murphy, Dr. Erin Michalak
The APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health, hosted at UBC, has convened a working group of experts from across the Asia Pacific to provide a coordinated response to the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the region. We have submitted a CIHR rapid-response Knowledge Synthesis grant entitled “Harnessing digital mental health to improve equity in mental health care in the context of COVID-19: Needs, best-practices and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.” If successful, this grant will bring together researchers, healthcare providers, policy makers and people with lived experience in nine countries with the objective of synthesizing and mobilizing evidence to inform delivery of digital mental health care for at-risk populations across the region.
Rapid Review: Knowledge Synthesis to Support and Promote Mental Wellness and Resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic
UBC Project Leads: Dr. Haroon Ahmad (PGY2 Resident), Dr. Joseph Puyat (SPPH)
Without a vaccine, effective treatment and herd immunity, public health approaches to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to depend on measures such as isolation, quarantine, physical distancing, and personal hygiene. Some of these measures when prolonged and implemented en masse can have severe unintended consequences on mental health. Because access to the in-person health care system may be limited during the COVID-19 public health emergency, alternative, home-based activities and resources that have potential therapeutic and protective value against symptoms of mental illness need to be explored and identified. Our objective is to synthesize the available evidence on home-based activities and resources that can improve and maintain population mental health in times of public health restrictions.
Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic: Psychological, Social and Behavioral Reactions
UBC Project Leads: Dr. Anita DeLongis, Dr. Nancy Sin, Department of Psychology
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Yue Qian, Department of Sociology
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Joelle LeMoult, Department of Psychology
Healthcare Provider PTSD: The Certain and Uncertain Challenges of COVID-19
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Judy Illes, Division of Neurology
Neurological consequences of COVID-19
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Judy Illes, Division of Neurology
Learning in a Time of Crisis: Creating a Canadian COVID-19 Registry
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Corinne Hohl, Department of Emergency Medicine
Physical activity and well-being during a period of pandemic
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Guy Faulkner, School of Kinesiology
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Julie Bettinger, School of Population and Public Health
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Julie Bettinger, School of Population and Public Health
THRIVE (Tracking Health and Relationships In Varying Everyday contexts) Study
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Christiane Hoppmann, Department of Psychology
COVID Elicited Responses to Sexual Health
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Lori Brotto, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Psychiatry
The study examines the impact of COVID19 on sexual health across Canada.
COVID-19 RESPONSE: Rapid Evidence Study of a Provincial Population Based Cohort for Gender and Sex
UBC Project Lead: Dr. Lori Brotto, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Psychiatry
#TalkBD: Online Community Gathering
CREST.BD has been hosting online community gatherings throughout to support patients with bipolar disorder and their families. For detail please go to https://www.crestbd.ca/talkbd/.
Coping During COVID-19
UBC Project Lead: Heather Fulton
Therapy group (CBT-based) offered virtually through Zoom. The study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the intervention.
Resources for Supporting Clinicians by BC Psych Online
Updates about the COVID19 pandemic and resources for maintaining wellness can be found here: https://www.bcpsychonline.ca/covid-19
Physician Health Program
The Physician Health Program is available to physicians, residents, medical students and their families. Call the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-663-6729 or visit their website for more information. Weekly Physician Peer Support Sessions: Email peersupport@physicianhealth.com for details.
Resources for Supporting Staff, Students, Postdoctoral Fellows and Residents:
Staff: https://www.hr.ubc.ca/covid-19/wellbeing-mental-health/
Students: https://students.ubc.ca/covid19/mental-health-during-covid-19-outbreak
Postdocs & Grad Students: https://grad-postdoc.med.ubc.ca/current-students/student-wellbeing/
Residents: https://postgrad.med.ubc.ca/resident-wellness/covid-19-resident-wellness-resources/
NEW COVID-19 Funding and Information
- VCHRI is funding COVID-19 research. Deadline to apply is May 1 at Noon. More information can be found here.
- The Faculty of Medicine has launched a COVID-19 Strategic Investment Fund. There are two rounds. The deadlines are May 10 and June 7. More information can be found here.
- The Faculty of Medicine has started a running list of COVID-19 research funding opportunities. You can find it here.
- Health Data Research Network Canada has launched a new resource page that provides information and supports for COVID-19 related research across Canada. You can find this here.
More Funding Opportunities and Information
- A list of major funding opportunities can be found here.
- COVID-19 industrial postdoc fellowship. Deadline to apply is May 15. More information can be found here.
- MSFHR COVID-19 program funding information can be found here. Deadline to apply is May 19.
- Resources for researchers studying COVID-19 from the BC Academic Health Science Network can be found here.
- NRC continues to put out COVID-19 funding opportunities here.
- NSERC has extended their Discovery Grants. More information about this can be found here.
- CIHR COVID-19 information can be found here