A special request for stakeholder snput by the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF BRIEFS AND PROPOSALS:
September 30, 2005

Context: The Why

The Kirby Commission on Mental Illness, Mental Health and Addiction has already published its interim report in December 2004 with a series of recommendations including increased funding for research in mental health in Canada (www.senate-senat.ca/SOCIAL.asp). INMHA has collaborated closely with this important committee on behalf of CIHR, but as the December 2005 deadline for the final report of this important committee approaches, we believe it is critical to get additional input from all our stakeholders. One of our objectives is to work with the Commission to include key elements raised by INMHA community as recommendations in the final version of the Kirby Report. However, TIME IS SHORT. In order to expedite the submission of briefs and proposals from the community, INMHA is launching this special call to action with a submission deadline of SEPT 30.

This appeal for input on a national strategy for research in mental health and addiction in Canada, is also timely because it coincides with preparation of a 2nd strategic plan (2006-2011) for INMHA. As explained in greater detail below, a well reasoned and carefully crafted national research agenda, that identifies major challenges and identifies innovative strategies to truly improve the diagnosis and treatment of the broad range of mental health problems faced by many Canadians, may form an important focus of the final report of the Kirby Commission. As part of INMHA's strategic planning exercise, if the present call for briefs is successful, we plan to issue similar requests for other themes related to INMHA's broad mandate including the neurosciences, vision and hearing, etc.

It is also important to mention here that the new Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently developing its own strategic plan and action plan. Informing this novel national organization as to key challenges facing research in mental health in Canada is indeed most timely. INMHA will work to ensure that the deliberations of PHAC take into consideration any advice or recommendations contained briefs and proposals received under this call.

Context: The Who

We are seeking input from all of our stakeholders including academicians from all pillars, researchers, trainees, policy makers, government officials and voluntary health organizations (VHO). Submissions may be made as an individual or as a group but proper endorsement by the relevant organization (University officials, Ministers, Executives of Hospitals or VHOs, etc) is mandatory.

Context: The What

Input is requested in the form of a 5-page (maximum, single space, 12 points characters) document describing what you see as the SINGLE biggest challenge for mental health and addictions research in Canada over the coming decade. Of course, $$ is always an issue but we hope that you will set this aside at the juncture and encourage you to be highly innovative and go beyond this issue to highlight the greatest research challenge and propose means to resolve it. Examples include, but are not limited to: Translating current knowledge into best practices; patient-oriented research; how to bring Psychiatry into the 21st century; impact of genetic studies in mental health, epigenetic factors, genes and environment, effects of early life events on the incidence of mental illness in adulthood; timely access to services and their organization; stigma facing mental illness; prevention; impact of culture on mental health; development of relevant animal models; etc. Be provocative and imaginative. This is what we need and what will make this call a success.

Context: The How

Submission by September 30, 2005 of your brief (remember: 5 pages single space, 12 points maximum in English or French-longer proposals will be automatically rejected) describing what you see as the SINGLE greatest challenge facing mental health research in Canada over the next decade, with suggestions as to means to resolve it. All proposals will be evaluated by a panel of experts (mostly international) specially assembled for this occasion. Evaluation criteria will focus particularly on innovative aspects, suggestions of where/how to take action, capacity in Canada to resolve the challenge, inclusiveness, timeliness and relevance. The five proposals and briefs deemed to be most innovative and provocative by the panel are expected to be announced by the end of October 2005.

All proposals should be submitted electronically directly to the attention of the Scientific Director of INMHA, Dr Remi Quirion at remi.quirion@douglas.mcgill.ca, Subject: Unique Challenges Proposal. Do not hesitate to contact him by e-mail or phone (514-761-6131 ext 2934) if you have any questions.

Context: Expected Outcomes

It is expected that proposals judged as best by the panel will serve as catalysts in the development of INMHA's strategic plan for 2006-11. Best briefs may also lead to the development of future RFAs focusing on these unique challenges during that period. We are confident that the unique challenges and proposed solutions, identified in these highly ranked proposals, will be helpful to the Kirby Commission and be incorporated as recommendations in their final report. Accordingly, names of applicants or organizations submitting proposals could be made public, and sections of submitted proposals could be used by INMHA and partners in future documents as considered to be in the public domain.

WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU AND YOUR INPUTS ARE NEEDED- THIS IS CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF INMHA AND OF MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH IN CANADA.