Latest news with #BrianComer
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Nova Scotia funds mental health research for equity-deserving groups
Nova Scotia is funding researchers to better understand addictions and mental health. Four early-career researchers were awarded funding through the province's New Investigator in Addictions and Mental Health grants delivered by Research Nova Scotia. Their work examines mental health experiences among equity-deserving Nova Scotians, said a Thursday news release. 'This is one more way we're building universal access to mental healthcare in our province – listening closely to communities to understand diverse addiction and mental health experiences is essential to creating supports and services that meet the needs of Nova Scotians,' said Brian Comer, minister of Addictions and Mental Health. The province will spend up to $100,000 on dedicated research projects over two years. They will use the findings to inform their work creating universal access to addictions and mental health care, the release said. The research projects being funded study: understanding the mental health experiences of Black women in Nova Scotia mental, emotional and social challenges affecting equity-deserving college students the mental health impacts of witnessing identity-based bullying strengthening community-based mental health care in rural Nova Scotia The grants are one of three sources of funding available under the Community Wellness Framework. Equity-deserving groups are underrepresented in mental health research,' said Stefan Leslie, the CEO of Research Nova Scotia. 'This grant expands the potential for early-career researchers to make significant contributions in this field.' Grant recipient Jill Murphy said research focused on equity-deserving groups, 'can help us identify evidence-based strategies to improve accessible and inclusive care for all Nova Scotians.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Nova Scotia Health improving access to psychiatric care through doctor referrals
Nova Scotia Health is improving access to psychiatric assessments for patients referred by their primary care doctors. The Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) is optimizing the pathway for rapid psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, said a news release. 'Over the last two years we have seen the difference quicker access to psychiatry has made in people's lives,' said Dr. Vincent Agyapong. 'Rolling out this pathway across the province will help many more Nova Scotians get the care they need, sooner.' The rapid access pathway will roll out in stages starting at clinics in the eastern zone this summer before moving to northern and western zones, said the release. Psychiatric consultation will continue in mental health clinics across the province. 'The Eastern Zone is well positioned to offer this enhanced pathway as it builds on the successful recruitment of new psychiatrists over the last several years which has allowed us to focus on access to psychiatry consultations in a timely way for those who need it,' said Dr. Faisal Rahman, head of psychiatry for the eastern zone. The province said the changes build on the success of the Rapid Access Stabilization Program (RASP) that was launched in the central zone two years ago. Since the launch of RASP, 2,215 patients have been seen in the zone, said the release. 'Timely access to the right level of support can be lifechanging for Nova Scotians navigating mental health issues,' said Brian Comer, minister of Addictions and Mental Health. Referred patients will be matched to psychiatric services through the Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Intake Service for an outpatient consultation, said the release. 'The enhancement of adult community mental health teams to facilitate rapid and efficient access to the right clinician supports the patient's recovery,' said Dr. Andrew Harris, senior medical director with MHAP. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
