Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute

Canada's leading brain science institute, committed to understanding the causes of mental illness, and discovering how to prevent and treat them.

Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, MD, PhD

Director, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute and Vice-President, CAMH Research

One in three Canadians, during their lifetime, will experience a brain-related illness, such as depression, schizophrenia, addiction or Alzheimer’s disease.

Globally, scientists and clinicians are looking at these illnesses through new lenses. We are recognizing the need to understand how the brain works in relation to the rest of the body, to a person’s social context and environment, and across the lifespan. This modernized understanding of mental illness will drive better diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

The Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute has a unique set of resources to contribute to this knowledge. We have expertise in brain imaging, genetics, molecular science and neuroinformatics as well as access to our community, collaborative partnerships around the globe, and the capacity for large-scale and long-term projects.

We are committed to discovering the causes of and cures for mental illness and inspiring hope among our patients, families and communities.

Milestones at the Campbell Institute

2011

A landmark donation

The Campbell Family donates $30 million to create a brain science institute dedicated to mental illness.

2012

New tool for brain imaging

A novel chemical probe is developed to study brain inflammation in mental and neurological illnesses. The Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention opens, offering state-of-the-art brain stimulation treatment.

2013

Gene-guided treatment

Personalized medication treatment, based on patients' genes, is offered through a study across Ontario.

2014

Schizophrenia genes

Campbell scientists join an international team that finds 108 genes linked to schizophrenia.

2015

Advances in depression

Brain inflammation is shown in people with depression. Identical twins, with and without depression, are found to have epigenetic differences.

2017

Genetics of intellectual disability

Researchers identify 26 new genes linked to intellectual disability — a crucial step for improved diagnosis and care — while also revealing insights into brain functioning.