A Centre for Excellence in Mental Health Research
Donna Bryant

The future of Mental Health must include the science of mental illness in a forward looking plan. The key to significant breakthroughs in treatments is through research.

A truly visionary approach to ensuring mental wellbeing for all British Columbians is the creation of a 'Centre of Excellence in Mental Health Research' in Vancouver.

Why mental illness in Vancouver? In our city we have a special situation which we can refer to as our 'Giant Petri Dish'. For researchers, population study is paramount. Uniquely, we happen to have a world-class study sample right here. In an area known as 'Canada's poorest postal code' - our downtown eastside, exists a special socio-demographic population, unique to our city and our province. Co-morbid problems of mental illness and drug addiction are rampant here.

Looking upon the downtown eastside as 'our Obligation and our Opportunity' requires an attitudinal about-turn. We must take responsibility and action to embrace mental illness with compassion, just as with other diseases.

Mental illness is a disease which afflicts more individuals than heart disease and cancer combined. The numbers are one in five. And, tallying peripheral damage to family, friends, and society as a whole -mental illness takes a much larger toll.

Regrettably, mental illnesses as a group have been cloaked in discrimination and left in a funding backwoods. Sufferers correspondingly, hide behind a barrier of social discrimination, untreated or under-treated, self-medicating, often becoming addicted, infected with additional disease, unemployable, out of touch and 'untouchable'.

Now is the time to face the overwhelming need to focus on funding research into mental illnesses and place our dollars accordingly.

A 'Centre of Excellence’ can build on the world-recognized reputations of experts currently working in our city. Working with the best and brightest worldwide, it will attract outside sources of funding from global entrepreneurs and the non-profit sector, both in BC and beyond.  Breakthroughs will develop rapidly once sufficient recognition and funding is in place. As these benefits spread beyond our shores so too will dividend prosperity.

Science and technology is our future in British Columbia. Talented researchers are currently engaged in unraveling the puzzles of the mind. Supporting their research with funding that acknowledges the potential for the future is a win/win. Urgency on this agenda is needed as the burdens of mental illness become ever greater. Placing mental illness at the forefront on our concerns is a goal worthy of immediate attention.

Please note: the opinions expressed in these stories are those of the authors and not necessarily shared or endorsed by Dialogue Programs