Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders - CHEO Research Institute

Substance use and mental health concerns frequently emerge during adolescence and often occur together, increasing the risk of poor health, social, and developmental outcomes. Early identification and intervention are critical to reducing these harms and improving long-term well-being for young people.

The Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Research Program brings together researchers, clinicians, community partners, youth, and families to design, implement, and evaluate integrated models of care that address substance use and mental health concerns. We work with CHEO and community organizations to advance evidence-based, trauma-informed, and equitable approaches that improve access to timely support for young people. We use a variety of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods and have a strong focus on knowledge translation.

A Collaborative Program of Research and Innovation

We share clinical expertise, data, lived experience, and innovation across healthcare, community, research, and family partners to build integrated systems of care for youth with substance use and concurrent mental health concerns.

Vision

A future where all youth have equitable access to integrated, evidence-based care that supports their mental health and substance use health needs.

Mission

To co-design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches that improve the early identification and treatment of substance use and concurrent disorders in youth.
Advance integrated hospital-community models of care.
Partner with youth, families, and community organizations to drive meaningful system change.
Conduct impactful research that improves outcomes and reduces gaps in care.
Promote equitable, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services for all youth.
Mobilize knowledge to advance health systems.

Current Studies Underway

Evaluation of the Kids Come First Substance Use Health Program, an integrated hospital-community program to increase screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment for adolescents coming to CHEO or 1Call1Click.ca
Mixed methods study of current practices, barriers and facilitators for assessment and treatment of youth nicotine vaping in child and youth mental health and addictions programs at Canadian hospitals
Development of a brief, family-based intervention for youth with substance use health concerns. This intervention will be an adaptation of Family Based Crisis Intervention (FBCI), a successful single session intervention for youth and their families originally developed at Boston Children’s Hospital

Youth and Family Advisory Council

We are committed to partnering with youth and caregivers who have lived and/or living experience of substance use or concurrent substance use and mental health concerns as members of our research and innovation team. We are seeking youth and caregiver partners to ensure our work reflects the needs, perspectives, and experiences of those most directly affected, through shaping research priorities and methods, co-designing programs and services, and informing knowledge translation activities. By working together, we aim to develop more relevant, accessible, and effective approaches to care for youth and families.

Your experiences and perspectives are essential to ensuring our work is equitable and responsive to the needs of those it is intended to serve. We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds, locations, and experiences who are interested in working alongside researchers, clinicians, and community partners to improve youth outcomes.

Contact

For more information, please contact us at: [email protected]

Join our Youth and Family Advisory Council

Youth are eligible to apply if you:

Live in Eastern Ontario
Are between the ages of 18 and 25
Have lived or living experience with substance use health issues before the age of 18
Have experience accessing or attempting to access substance use health services

Family members are eligible to apply if you:

Have supported youth in these contexts as a caregiver or involved family member (sibling, grandparent, etc.)

What advisory council members should expect:

Monthly 1–2 hour virtual meetings
1–2 hours of asynchronous work outside of meeting times
Co-creation in research studies and clinical programming development
Advisors will be compensated at a rate of $40/hour

To begin your application:

Complete the survey: https://redcap.cheori.org/surveys/?s=TT47YRCHA34LKX84

Find out more: [email protected]

Rejoignez notre conseil consultatif des jeunes et des familles

Les jeunes sont admissibles à postuler si vous :

Vivez dans l’Est de l’Ontario
Êtes âgé(e) de 18 à 25 ans
Avez une expérience vécue passée ou actuelle liée à des problèmes de santé associés à l’usage de substances avant l’âge de 18 ans
Avez de l’expérience dans l’accès aux services de santé liés à la consommation de substances ou avez tenté d’y accéder

Les membres de la famille sont admissibles à présenter une demande si vous :

Avez soutenu des jeunes dans ces contextes à titre de proche aidant(e) ou de membre de la famille impliqué (frère ou sœur, grand-parent, etc.)

À quoi les membres du conseil consultatif devraient s’attendre :

Réunions virtuelles mensuelles de 1 à 2 heures
1 à 2 heures de travail asynchrone en dehors des heures de réunion
Co-création dans les études de recherche et le développement de programmes cliniques
Les conseillers seront rémunérés au taux de 40 $/heure