The study “Psilocybin and Mental Health” focuses on the use of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) in Canada among youth aged 15 to 24 in the context of increasing conditions of accessibility of psilocybin-based products on the market. It aims specifically to understand the motivations of adolescents and young adults, the contextual factors of consumption, and experiences associated with mental health.
Rodney Knight, principal investigator. CR CHUM
“Poppers and Health Effects” is a study that aims to document popper use and health harms among GBT2Q men in Canada.
Cameron Schwartz, research coordinator. University of British Columbia
FOCUS is an international study on the well-being of young people under 30 living in France and Canada in the context of the pandemic. Our goal is to highlight young people’s perspectives through research to help shape social, economic, and health policies. Together, we can make our voices heard!
Pierre-julien Coulaud, post-doctoral fellow at CERPOP
Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier
Understanding how chronic pain influences illicit substance use and the risk of harm among people who inject drugs.
Jennifer Cohen Reyes, étudiante au Doctorat en Santé publique, CRCHUM
People who inject drugs (PWID) are a highly marginalized group, exposed to Canada’s synergistic opioid, overdose, and infectious disease crises, with global mortality rates approximately 15 times higher than the general population. Estimates suggest that about 50% of these individuals live with chronic pain (intermittent or continuous pain lasting more than 3 months), a condition associated with significant functional impairment and mental distress. However, we know very little about their chronic pain experience, including links to substance use and adverse events, knowing that PWID are vulnerable to inadequate pain care. Examining these relationships and building an evidence base to guide tailored interventions is a critical frontier in protecting the health of PWID with chronic pain.
This study will generate essential insights for developing appropriate strategies to manage chronic pain and its consequences among PWID, ultimately contributing to the creation of data-driven models of care and guidelines that better address pain in the context of ongoing substance use.
This study examines the co-occurring rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) and substance use among young Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other youth (2SLGBTQI+) youth through a lens of implementation science. Through the intensive study of interventions from within the clinical and policy domains, this study aims to inform the adaptation and scale-up of key interventions. Interventions that concurrently address substance use and sexual harms (e.g., STBBIs, HIV-related outcomes) and other known co-morbidities (e.g., psychiatric comorbidities) are of particular interest.
Anna Carson, Research Coordinator
Partners
Identifying the impact of cannabis use on mental health outcomes among sexual and gender minority youth: A mixed methods study
Caroline Mniszak, Research coordinator
This study explores how young Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) youths’ experiences with cannabis and mental health challenges influence their lives. We are also interested in understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted youth experiences. By participating in this photovoice project and interview, you will have the opportunity to tell your story and help us improve the provision of substance use and mental health policy, programming, and prevention strategies for Sexual and Gender Minority youth in BC.