Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma gains momentum in 2024

Driven to transform tragedy into positive action, the Hotchkiss Brain Institute's Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma (MIST) achieved a milestone year in 2024, delivering bold, groundbreaking research discoveries, new community connections and meaningful outreach. 

“Our commitment to advancing mental health research and fostering meaningful discussions inspired our researchers to push boundaries for better understanding and treatment of stress, trauma, and brain injuries,” says MIST Chair Dr. Matthew Hill, PhD. 

Driving research breakthroughs

One of the year’s major research breakthroughs came from researcher Dr. Keith Yeates, PhD, who revealed that teen dating violence is associated with increased risk for concussion, particularly for cisgender girls and nonbinary youth in a pivotal study. Published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the finding underscores the importance of early intervention and better clinical screening to protect adolescent mental and physical health. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Lohman, PhD, earned a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant to study how certain brain cells, called microglia, change or adapt their response to signals from their environment in the adolescent brain during traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Chantel Debert, MSc’03, PhD’06, PGME’12, led multiple studies and presentations on neurorehabilitation, post-concussive symptoms and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy. She contributed to new guidelines for treating concussion and secured major grants for projects exploring MRI assessments to predict persistent symptoms after traumatic brain injury. 

Debert also researched brain injury and psilocybin-assisted therapy for survivors of intimate-partner violence with PTSD. 

And Dr. Araba Chintoh, PhD, led the Concussion and Mental Health Needs Assessment, identifying critical gaps in care for people recovering from concussion. 

Critical funding speeds up research 

MIST played a critical role in expediting clinical trials by providing targeted funding to ensure promising research moves forward without delay. 

Among the supported studies:

• Suicidality Risk Assessment: Dr. Alexander McGirr, MD, PhD, developed an implicit test that assesses suicide risk by examining word and image associations, identifying hidden biases, and demonstrating its ability to predict suicidal behaviour. 
• THC and Fear Extinction Training: Dr. Matthew Hill collaborated on a clinical trial exploring the effects of THC administration during fear extinction training, a therapy designed to help people unlearn fear responses. The study looked at how THC, the most-researched cannabinoid, affected brain activity and behaviour during the therapy. 
• Endocannabinoids for PTSD Treatment: Dr. Leah Mayo, PhD, tested the role of endocannabinoids in PTSD treatment. 
• Concussion Research Support: MIST contributed funding to support research conducted by the Canadian Concussion Network.

Life-changing trials supported

MIST members in 2024 also led fully funded clinical trials with great potential to change lives. 

Dr. McGirr launched an innovative suicide-intervention study integrating transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) enhanced by an antibiotic to treat high-risk individuals who have survived previous suicide attempts. Early results show promising improvements in mental health outcomes. 

Drs. Mayo and Debert launched a pilot study on the effects of psychedelics on post-concussion syndrome, investigating whether a full-scale clinical trial is warranted. Drs. Hill and Lohman, meanwhile, are leading foundational science studies exploring how stress exposure and repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries affect the brain’s ability to regulate stress. 

With a solid foundation in place, MIST is ready for the next critical phase of its work. This includes launching additional clinical research to test new medications that enhance the effectiveness of TMS, exploring social anxiety following PTSD, and examining hormonal treatments for male post-concussion patients.

Leading through engagement, outreach and education 

MIST is committed to sharing research findings and advancing mental health awareness through community engagement and education. A highlight of 2024 was Dr. Hill’s appearance on The Huberman Lab, the world’s No. 1 health podcast, where he discussed the effects of cannabis on the brain and body, examining both its potential benefits and risks. 

Throughout the year, MIST scaled up outreach efforts, strengthening support for mental health research through: 

• The Glencoe Club Speaker Series, which featured Dr. Hill discussing the fundamentals of stress and its impact on motivation, mood, memory and habits. 
• The Hustle with Hunt Spin-a-Thon, championed by Calgary dentist Dr. Rob Hunt, which brought more than 150 participants to the rooftop of the King Eddy, raising more than $40,000 in support of mental health research. 
• UCalgary Giving Day donors showed overwhelming support in 2024, with 218 donors contributing $87,719 to help further MIST’s goals.
• Dr. Hill delivered a keynote presentation at the Day1Dads Golf Tournament, raising awareness about MIST and the importance of mental health advocacy.
• MIST was also a featured charity at the FOCOP (Federal Order of Crude Oil Purchasers) wine-tasting event, further expanding its community of support. 

A brighter, healthier future with stronger mental health 

As its researchers reflect on a milestone year, MIST is committed to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world mental health solutions. With continued support from donors and the broader community, MIST is well positioned to build on these achievements and make even greater strides in 2025, says Hill. “These advancements would not be possible without support from the hundreds of MIST donors who are investing in this important work — work that ultimately benefits us all,” he says.