Annual Report 2022-2023: University Health Network (UHN)

Submitted by Dr. Susan Abbey, Psychiatrist-in-Chief

The University Health Network's Centre for Mental Health has experienced remarkable progress and implemented exciting changes in the past year that will enhance the well-being of our patients.

A number of initiatives are included in our annual impact report. A few highlights we are particularly proud of:

• Two UHN research teams were awarded $1 million CIHR grants to investigate the therapeutic potential of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy. These grants are among the first three open competition grants for psychedelic research offered by CIHR, highlighting UHN's leadership in pioneering research methodology and ensuring patient safety in this emerging field. The studies will explore the effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy on end-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer and the role of psilocybin in patients with treatment-resistant depression. They will be led by Dr. Sarah Hales and Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, respectively.
• Our new pilot service, the Substance Use Intervention Team (SUIT), offers on-call addictions care to hospitalized patients. UHN sees 4,000-5,000 individuals annually for substance-use related issues, often in key service points like the Emergency Department. The multi-disciplinary SUIT provides counseling, medication recommendations, and post-discharge referrals, primarily for opioid and alcohol users. SUIT also provides education and guidance to UHN colleagues who may not have had the opportunity to receive training in addictions care.
• Our newly created Mental Health Academy, developed in collaboration with the Michener Institute for Education, serves as an education hub for healthcare workers. Its purpose is to enhance mental health care knowledge and skills, closing competency gaps and emphasizing patient care that addresses mental well-being alongside physical health. Courses offered to date include Mental Health Nursing and Foundations of Psychedelic Psychotherapy, with future expansion plans. The Academy also promotes public education initiatives, hosting events on depression care and treatment for patients with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), and creating a training module shared across UHN for treating patients with substance use disorders.

We have made significant progress in implementing our strategic plan, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Our plan focuses on integrating physical and mental health, aiming to achieve 'A Healthier World' over the next decade.

Looking ahead, we will continue advancing treatment practices, improving models of care, and ensuring program sustainability. Our dedicated community of healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, administrators, and donors are united in our mission to advance mental health and addictions care. We express gratitude to our exceptional team for their contributions to this vital cause.