Mental health research receives funding boost in BC

Vancouver, BC – A private donor has provided a $10-million private gift for mental health research, training and policy in British Columbia. The provincial government is now also seeking legislative approval for a matching 10-million contribution to help establish three new research chairs and a new Institute of Mental Health at the University of BC.

The private gift to the university the largest ever for mental health research in Canada was made by a close friend of the university who wishes to remain anonymous.

With the $20 million, the university says it plans to:
– Create three $5-million endowments to support research chairs in child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and depression, and psychotherapy.
– Use the $5-million balance for fellowships, junior faculty positions, and support for communicating research and clinical findings to clinicians and mental health professionals.