Brain & Mental Health

Since the 1950’s, UBC has been the site of groundbreaking discoveries in understanding, diagnosing and treating a number of brain disorders and diseases. It is also home to Canada’s largest integrated research and treatment facility – the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

Today, more than 500 researchers continue to be at the forefront of brain research, pioneering their work around mental health and addictions, dementia, and movement disorders.

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Spotlight

B.C. youth help guide mental health research at UBC

New UBC initiative engages youth with lived experience to help inform mental health and substance use research.
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Empowering young people to live well

Master of Occupational Therapy graduates Natalia Lassak and Emily Brooks develop a new tool to help young adults living with mental health challenges live meaningful lives.
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Online supports for COVID-19 stress are there—but Canadians aren’t accessing them

Many Canadians are not making use of virtual resources that could help them cope with the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The unique mental health and brain impacts of COVID-19

In a new paper, UBC's Dr. Judy Illes examines the unique neurological impacts and neuroethical challenges posed by COVID-19.
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Teens who participate in extracurriculars, get less screen time, have better mental health

A new study found spending less than two hours per day of recreational screen time was associated with lower levels of anxiety.
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The psychological toll of the pandemic – Will we ever shake hands again?

Dr. Lakshmi Yatham explores the psychological toll of COVID-19 and offers his advice on combatting stress and anxiety as society adapts to the new normal.
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Scientists discover gene that increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease

International research team led by Dr. Weihong Song has for the first time identified a gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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8% of school-age children have thought about or attempted suicide

A new study looks at risk and protective factors associated with childhood suicide.
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Light therapy holds promise for people with bipolar disorder

Dr. Raymond Lam explains the growing body of research in this area.
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New study first to show rerouting patterns in the brain post-concussion

Researchers found alternative pathways by which the brain was redirecting information in those who were recently concussed.
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