Current Project
The Impact of Cannabis Legalization and Availability on the Frequency and Health Services Utilization for Psychotic Disorders: Population-Based Evidence to Inform Policy Initiatives
Psychotic disorders have a profound impact on the lives of young people. The symptoms of psychosis may include delusions, hallucinations, and erratic or unusual behavior. The onset of these symptoms usually occurs in adolescence and young adulthood, which has a big impact on a person’s social, educational, and career development.
We know that the use of cannabis can increase the chances that a person develops a psychotic disorder. The risks are particularly high for people who start using cannabis at an early age, for those who use cannabis frequently, people with a family history of psychotic disorder, and those who use high-potency cannabis. There is a concern that the legalization of cannabis may lead to more people using cannabis, resulting in a greater number of psychotic disorders across the population.
This project will use data from the health care system in Ontario to see whether there are a greater number of cases of psychotic disorders after the legalization of cannabis. We will also map the location of cannabis retail stores across the province to examine whether there are higher rates of psychosis in areas where cannabis retailers are located. These findings will help to inform public health professionals and decision makers about the potential harms of cannabis legalization, so that policies can be put in place to protect the mental health of Canadians.
Project participants
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (Cannabis and Mental Health Catalyst Grant)
Principal Investigator: Kelly Anderson
Co-Investigators: Suzanne Archie, Jordan Edwards, Tara Elton-Marshall, Jason Gilliland, Robin Murray, Lena Palaniyappan, Chris Perlman, Rebecca Rodrigues, Jamie Seabrook, Salimah Shariff
Students: Maliha Mamun
Completed Projects
The Determinants of Health Service Use and Outcomes for Young People with First-Episode Psychosis (ICES-FEP)
Timely and adequate management of first-episode psychosis is critical to the wellbeing of young people with psychotic disorders. However, prior research suggests that many people with first-episode psychosis have difficulty accessing psychiatric services.
This project is examining the use of health services and long-term outcomes for young people with first-episode psychosis in Ontario. We are using health administrative data from across the province to assess the follow-up that people receive after their first episode of psychosis. The findings from this program of research will allow us to identify where gaps in service provision exist for people with first-episode psychosis, as well as to identify particular groups who might have greater difficulties accessing care.
A Comparison of Users and Non-Users of Early Intervention Services on Trajectories of Health Services Utilization and Long-Term Outcomes (EI Linkage Project)
There is strong evidence to suggest that people who have long delays between the onset of psychiatric symptoms and the receipt of treatment may have worse clinical and functional outcomes. This makes the early stages of a mental disorder a critical period for detection and intervention. This has led to the development and implementation of early intervention services across the province of Ontario and around the world, reflecting optimism about the prospects for recovery if timely and comprehensive services are offered. However, prior research suggests that many people with first-episode mental disorders have difficulty accessing these services, and we do not currently have any information on patients who are missed by these programs or who receive care from other health and social service providers.
This project is aimed at comparing users and non-users of early intervention services on trajectories of service use and long-term outcomes. We are linking data from early intervention programs to health administrative data from Ontario to estimate the number of patients who are not using these specialized programs, as well as what happens to people once they drop-out or are discharged from these intensive services. The findings from this program of research will allow us to identify where gaps in service provision exist for people with first-episode mental disorders, as well as to identify particular groups who might have greater difficulties accessing care.
The Determinants of Health Service Use and Outcomes for Young People with First-Episode Psychosis (ICES-FEP)
This project is examining the use of health services and long-term outcomes for young people with first-episode psychosis in Ontario. We are using health administrative data from across the province to assess the follow-up that people receive after their first episode of psychosis. The findings from this program of research will allow us to identify where gaps in service provision exist for people with first-episode psychosis, as well as to identify particular groups who might have greater difficulties accessing care.
A Comparison of Users and Non-Users of Early Intervention Services for Psychosis on Trajectories of Health Services Utilization and Long-Term Outcomes (EPI Project)
This project is aimed at comparing users and non-users of early psychosis intervention services on trajectories of service use and long-term outcomes. We are linking data from the PEPP program to health administrative data to estimate the number of patients who are not using these specialized programs, as well as what happens to people once they drop-out or are discharged from these intensive services. The findings from this program of research will allow us to identify where gaps in service provision exist for people with first-episode mental disorders, as well as to identify particular groups who might have greater difficulties accessing care.