Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day 2026

Addictions: From Evidence to Action

Date and Time: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026, 8:30 am to 4 pm

This event is free to attend.

About this event:

Please join us for the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day (JMHRID), held in-person at the Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre in London, Ontario on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026 between 8:30 am to 4 pm (Eastern Standard Time).

This year’s theme is “Addictions: From Evidence to Action” and will feature a keynote speaker, oral and poster presentations and awards.

Learning objectives:

At the end of the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day, participants will be able to:

Identify and discuss innovative basic, clinical, and population-level mental health and addiction research being conducted locally
Demonstrate enhanced familiarity with research being conducted locally on the etiology, pathophysiology, prevention, intervention, service delivery, recovery and rehabilitation of mental disorders and addiction
Reflect upon diverse methodological approaches to conducting innovative and impactful research in mental health and addiction care
Consider the potential value inherent in academic, healthcare, community, advocacy, and policy partnerships in enhancing mental health and addiction care, research and service delivery

Agenda

Time & Location	Session Details
8:30am - 9:00am	Doors Open - Coffee/Tea and Light Continental Breakfast Sign-in at Welcome Desk
9:00am - 9:45am Room: Crystal Ballroom	Welcome and Opening Remarks Land Acknowledgement Welcome: • Dr. Arlene MacDougall, MD, MSc, FRCPC - Director of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, and Chair, Scientific Planning Committee, JMHRID • Jeremy Burton, PhD - Interim Vice President, Research and Scientific Director, Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care London • Nicole Girotti, PhD - Director of Academics and Research Operations, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre • Dr. Patricia Hall, BA, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, and Psychiatry Department Head, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London • Indigenous Elder Opening - TBA
9:45am - 10:30am Room: Crystal Ballroom	KEYNOTE PRESENTATION Dr. Alex Caudaurella, MDCM, CCFP, AM ABAM(d) - CEO of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
10:30am - 11:00am Room: Crystal Ballroom	Keynote Panel - Question and Answer Period Multiple speakers
11:00am - 11:15am	Break
11:15am - 12:15pm Rooms: Regency A, B, and C	Oral Presentations - Concurrent Session A
12:15pm - 1:30pm Room: Crystal Ballroom	Lunch and Poster Session
1:30pm - 2:30pm Rooms: Regency A, B, and C	Oral Presentations - Concurrent Session B
2:30pm - 2:45pm	Break
2:45pm - 3:45pm Rooms: Regency A, B, and C	Oral Presentations - Concurrent Session C
3:45pm - 4:00pm Room: Crystal Ballroom	Closing Remarks, Prizes, and Awards Presentation Dr. Arlene MacDougall - Chair of the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day Scientific Planning Committee
Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day is co-hosted by the Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care London; and London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute. This program has received no commercial support.

Register today