Vision & Goals

CDRIN: A Mechanism to Bring Change

CDRIN_SailGraphic
Despite the burden of depression, investment in research and treatment remains low in Canada, relative to other illnesses. As a result, advances in prevention, diagnosis and treatment for depression are not as advanced as they could be.

The Canadian Depression Research & Intervention Network (CDRIN) will serve as a catalyst for innovation, engaging a diverse spectrum of partners, including those with lived experience of depression, with the goal of bringing about measurable change.

The ultimate outcome expected from a 10-year window of CDRIN and partner activity is “to discernibly improve service delivery and outcomes in relation to prevention and treatment for persons likely to experience or experiencing Depression or PTSD.” 

Vision

CDRIN will mobilize Canada’s mental health community, including people with lived experience, to address important issues associated with mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through research network development, capacity building and knowledge translation in order to improve the lives of people with mood disorders and their families.

Goals

To stimulate the creation of knowledge

and to mobilize that knowledge leading to a wide-scale implementation of a range of interventions including: prevention, early intervention, treatment, peer support and recovery. The deployment of these interventions will effectively combat stigma and the enormous personal, social and economic effects of depression.

To create a number of linked intervention and knowledge exchange Regional Depression Research Hubs (RDRH)

across the country. Together with the RDRHs, CDRIN will build and sustain its pan- Canadian and international reach and reputation in a full spectrum of depression-related activities.

To fully engage all CDRIN’s participants

but with a specific and central role for people with lived experience of depression and their families and caregivers.

To educate, train and mentor the next generation of researchers,

clinicians and others in CDRIN’s model, findings and innovations.

To directly influence the development and dissemination of effective care

and treatment that can demonstrate measurable results.

To sustain the Network over the long term

through public and private partnerships.

Operational Goals

  1. Establish the Network. Initial start-up work is devoted to creating a governance model for the Network, along with its key operational elements.
  2. Develop Network capacity. Recruit and engage the Network’s diverse national and international partners to begin the work of developing capacity for:   innovative research, knowledge sharing, mobilization and the translation of this knowledge into the implementation of effective care and treatment. The Network will create opportunities for education, training and mentoring of the next generation of researchers, clinicians and others. The Network will also be linked to up to eight Regional Depression Research Hubs (RDRH) across Canada.
  3. Develop and maintain a focus on knowledge sharing, mobilization and translation. Engage stakeholders in the planning, organizing and implementation of a series of strategies aimed at identifying gaps in knowledge, system failures and interventional needs. Focusing on these gaps, stakeholders will effectively mobilize knowledge into action for maximum effect and measurable outcomes.
  4. Ensure Network sustainability and ongoing relevance. Establish and implement a sustainability strategy which incorporates private sector sources aligned with CDRIN’s goals;
  5. Create a national PTSD CME program for physicians and specialists in partnership between the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association and other stakeholders. The program will educate learners about the disorder, provide resources and supports, change perceptions and attitudes and assist physicians and specialists in the delivery of patient-centered, evidence based care and treatment. The overall goal of the project will be to improve the delivery of health services and outcomes to people diagnosed with PTSD and their families.

Short, Medium, and Long Term Goals

CDRIN has established short, medium and long term goals, as follows:
Short Term Goals (Initial Five Years of Operation)
  • Ongoing, sustained and coordinated research into the prevention of depression and depression-related suicide, and into the treatment of depression and PTSD;
  • Improved targeted mental health research, tools and strategies to prevent, reduce, diagnose and treat depression and PTSD; and
  • Strengthened collaborative networks and information sharing among depression researchers, service providers, researcher trainees, mental health NGOs, persons experiencing depression and PTSD, and their families.
Medium Term Goals
  • A reduction in the associated stigma of mental disorders which, from the perspectives of persons with lived experience, is encountered during service delivery; and
  • A broader adoption of knowledge and innovations resulting in enhanced depression and PTSD prevention / reduction, diagnosis and treatment.
Long Term Goals
  • The ultimate outcome expected from a 10-year window of CDRIN and partner activity is “To discernibly improve service delivery and outcomes in relation to prevention and treatment for persons likely to experience or who are experiencing depression or PTSD.”