About the UBC IMHThe UBC Institute of Mental Health (UBC IMH) was established in 2006 with a mandate to provide leadership in creating, applying and disseminating knowledge to improve diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses at all ages. Affiliated with the UBC Department of Psychiatry, the UBC IMH is focused on supporting innovations in research and education, engaging faculty, and building partnerships with local, national and global communities in order to transform mental health care
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The IMH endowment was established to support leading edge research in child and adolescent psychiatry, psychotherapy, and geriatric psychiatry. As more resources become available, the breadth of activities has grown. As an integral part of UBC’s Department of Psychiatry, the IMH is comprised of over 90 basic and clinical researchers in the UBC Faculties of Medicine, Science, Nursing, Education, Law and Arts. Their activities include:
- Building on recent advances in the fields of neuroscience, genetics, pathology, brain imaging, psychology and epidemiology
- Translating these advances into clinically effective preventive and treatment strategies including early intervention, psychotherapy, genetic counseling and medications
- Ensuring, through training and education, their application in everyday clinical practice throughout British Columbia
Through leadership in creating capacity, advancing knowledge, and translating and disseminating knowledge in order to improve the mental health of individuals and those affected with mental health conditions across the life spectrum, the UBC IMH serves as a model for health education, mental health research and promotion of evidence based practice in BC, Canada and rest of the world, benefiting people today and into the future.
As well, with the establishment of the IMH Marshall Scholars and Fellows Program, the IMH is investing in the research training of promising young scholars who will contribute to advancing understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
The UBC IMH is a key partner with the UBC Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Institute, School of Population and Public Health, and the BC Ministry of Health, and aims to collaborate actively with other centers and Institutes within UBC and across the Universities in Canada and internationally.
The UBC IMH is headed by a Director and supported by the IMH Advisory Board, the IMH Executive Board, and the IMH Scientific Advisory Committee.
IMH DIRECTOR
Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham MBBS, DPM, FRCPC, MBA (Exec)
Department Head and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Regional Head of Psychiatry and Regional Program Medical Director, Vancouver Coastal Health & Providence Healthcare
In his role as Director, UBC Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Yatham will provide leadership in teaching and research, and in promoting and improving patient care and clinical service delivery, working in partnership with affiliated Health Authorities across B.C.
Dr. Yatham, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, is also the Regional Head of Psychiatry and Regional Program Medical Director for Mental Health and Addictions at Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care. He has held leadership positions for national and international professional organizations including President of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, and is currently the President for the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and the Editor in Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Dr. Yatham’s major areas of research interest include neurobiology and treatment of bipolar disorder and major depression.
UBC IMH Membership
The IMH’s interdisciplinary membership includes basic and clinical researchers from all UBC faculties, whose activities aim to build on recent advances in the fields relevant to mental health and neuroscience, to translate these advances into clinically effective preventive and treatment strategies, and to train and educate young researchers and clinicians.
If you are interested in joining the UBC IMH as a full member, please download the IMH Membership Application Form, then complete and submit the form per instructions.
Contact Information:
UBC Institute of Mental Health
2255 Wesbrook Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6T 2A1 (View on map)
Executive Coordinator to the IMH Director: Shaelynn Perreault
Phone: 604-822-7310
E-mail: psychiatry.headasst@ubc.ca