Major Donation from the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation drives Mental Health Innovation

This collaborative effort is focused on understanding and treating depression and suicidal thoughts, with the goal of developing new preventative strategies that can make a real difference both locally and globally.

In Canada, depression and suicide are major public health issues. Approximately 11% of men and 16% of women will experience major depression at some point in their lives, and suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people. At the Douglas, specialized programs like the Complex Mood Disorders Program offer tailored care for individuals facing these challenges.

Thanks to the support of the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation, five talented researchers at the Douglas are diving into innovative projects to address these urgent issues:

– Dr. Marie-Claude Geoffroy is working on a project that links adolescent clinical records to explore the long-term impact of suicidal thoughts. She’s also comparing the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents with other treatments.

– Dr. Massimiliano Orri is investigating how behaviors like irritability, hyperactivity, and inattention can increase suicide risk in youth. He’s using global data and conducting new research in high-risk clinics to uncover more insights.

– Dr. Reut Gruber is exploring the connection between sleep disorders and adolescent mental health. Her goal is to integrate sleep-focused interventions into treatment plans to improve mental health outcomes.

– Dr. Corina Nagy is looking for new ways to assess suicide risk by identifying biological markers, like extracellular vesicles, in adolescents with depression.

– Dr. Anthony Gifuni is studying how social cognition and emotional regulation affect youth with mood disorders. His work aims to improve interventions and deepen our understanding of depression and its progression.

Together, these projects bring a fresh, multi-dimensional approach to mental health research, helping to improve care for those struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.

In recognition of his unwavering commitment to advancing mental health research, Jeffrey Katz CPA, President & Chairman of the Board of the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation was also honored with our Builder of Hope award. This award celebrates the Foundation’s dedication to improving mental health care and his instrumental role in facilitating the foundation’s generous donation to the Douglas Research Centre. Jeffrey’s leadership and vision have been vital in supporting groundbreaking initiatives that aim to transform mental health treatment and prevention strategies, bringing hope and healing to individuals and communities affected by mental illness.

We are grateful to him and the C.E.S. Dolansky Foundation for allowing us to build hope for all those whose lives have been affected by mental illness.

Mr. Katz as most of us who are passionate about mental health, has had his family touched by this illness. He would like to leave you with the following advice: If you are prescribed medication take it. If you see someone who is suffering help them.  What they have is nothing to be ashamed of.  It’s no different than a broken leg. Don’t sit on the sidelines, you may save a life.