Media Advisory - Sudbury Welcomes CAMH's Lab on Wheels Dedicated to Researching Mental Health

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is rolling into Sudbury, Ontario with Canada's first known mobile laboratory dedicated to mental health research.

The mobile research lab provides a unique opportunity for scientists to work with diverse communities across Ontario and gather data on stress, substance use, mental health and service use experiences. The mobile lab, part of CAMH's Researching Health in Ontario Communities (RHOC) Program, has already conducted projects in Welland, Port Colborne, Windsor and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and Aamjiwnaang First Nation.

"Working closely with local partner agencies, we will be randomly selecting households in the community and asking people to complete a survey," said CAMH Scientist Dr. Samantha Wells, Project Lead for RHOC. "We will also be collecting hair and saliva. Hair will be used to measure stress cortisol levels while saliva will be used to look at genetic factors."

The research team will use this information to advance scientific knowledge about stress and mental health. The will also provide data to communities that will be used to improve services. "We believe strongly in giving back to communities," said Wells.

The lab is currently located at the Place Bonaventure Mall in Chelmsford. It will be moved to downtown Sudbury in 2014 to continue research there.

The RHOC team is inviting media and the community to an open house to learn more about the project.

DATE: November 19, 2013

TIMES: there will be four open house sessions:

Session 1: 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Session 2: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Session 3: 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Session 4: 4:30-6:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Place Bonaventure Mall, 4764 Regional Road 15, Chelmsford, Ontario

* Tours of the lab with photo opportunities will take place from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, and one of the world's leading research centres in its field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.  CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit www.camh.net.

SOURCE: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Media contact: Michael Torres; [phone]; [email protected]