Grants
1) CIHR Operating Grant: National Women’s Health Research Initiative
Stephanie Penney, Tonia Nicholls (PIs), Co-Investigators: Ipsita Ray, Smita Vir Tyagi, Adeyo Alabi, Lucy Barker, Liam Dodge, Juliette Dupre, Cory Gerritsen, Roland Jones, Alexander Simpson, Treena Wilkie, Lisa Monchalin, Martha Kahnapace: What are the unique mental health needs of women in correctional and forensic mental health settings? A virtual community of practice model;
($583,022; 3 yrs)
The Problem: Justice-involved women present with unique mental health needs and carry a greater burden of illness when compared to men; they suffer higher rates of childhood adversities, intimate partner violence and sexual victimization.
Our Goal: Bring together a hub of experts from academia, clinical practice, community partners, and persons with lived and living expertise to co-produce, disseminate and translate research evidence into improved health policies and best practice guidelines for justice-involved women.
2) American Academy of Psychiatry and Law – Institute for Education and Research
Treena Wilkie (PI); Co-Investigators: Sumeeta Chatterjee, Roland Jones, Sandy Simpson, Lisa Ramshaw, Gary Chaimowitz: Factors impacting Recruitment and Retention of Forensic Psychiatrists in Ontario;
($12,320.52 USD; 1 year)
The Problem: The expertise of forensic psychiatrists is highly specialized, and is based on training, clinical experience, and scholarship. In Ontario, there is an increasing demand for forensic psychiatrists in secure hospitals and correctional settings.
Our Goal: We will gather perspectives through surveys and interviews from Forensic Psychiatrists and psychiatry residents to understand factors important for job selection and satisfaction. Data from this project will help to model future need for forensic psychiatrists and make recommendations to the provincial forensic system.
3) American Academy of Psychiatry and Law – Institute for Education and Research
Treena Wilkie, Stephanie Penney (PIs); Co-Investigators: Maryana Kravtsenyuk, Ipsita Ray, Sumeeta Chatterjee: Factors Contributing to Absconding from Forensic Mental Health Care;
($23,059 USD; 1 year)
The Problem: Absconding events or unauthorized leave from the hospital can pose significant risks to patient safety, and often delay recovery efforts. This is particularly concerning in forensic mental health services where patients are mandated to be in a secure therapeutic setting. Absconding events that gain media or government attention can significantly erode public confidence in the system and contribute to stigmatizing and restrictive practices.
Our Goal: We will gather perceptions of both patients, staff and forensic division leadership on an every absconding event over the next two years as well as examine impact of risk and behavioural factors measured within days to weeks of an absconding event. Our findings will inform institution and systems-level policies and interventions to better manage the risk of absconding behaviour, and ultimately, improve patient care and public trust.
