The Institute plays a key role in developing and implementing projects to improve practices in mental health and addiction. Its initiatives encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, promote best practices, and implement innovative solutions for optimizing the programs and services available to the community.
Some of the initiatives in progress
Cross-training
The goal of the Cross-training Program on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, launched in 2002 by mental health partners in Montréal, is to support interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. The program is intended for practitioners working with people at risk or who have concurrent mental health and substance use disorders. The program offers training activities and observation practicums that help build a better understanding of each professional’s role and ensure optimal continuity of care.
Offered in-person, online, and in a hybrid format, the program is designed to meet the diverse needs of participants. By participating, you will expand your knowledge and skills, leading to improved service delivery. For more information and to register, visit the program’s official site at: formationcroisee.com/en/.
Walk the Talk Toolkit
Launched in 2021, the Walk the Talk website is spearheaded by Dr. Myra Piat and funded by the Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives project at McGill University. The toolkit is the result of a research project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2017–2021).
That project, led by Dr. Piat with co-investigators Dr. Hélène Albert,
Dr. Regina Casey, and Dr. Marie-Pier Rivest, was conducted across seven organizations in five provinces.
Designed for organizations providing services to people living with mental health challenges, this toolkit supports the adoption of recovery-oriented practices. Structured in three sections, it guides teams through planning, implementing, and monitoring changes, offering clear guidelines and practical activities to transform services.
Project ECHO®
The ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model is an innovative online framework for knowledge sharing between healthcare professionals. This education initiative uses online communication and case-based learning to advance participants’ clinical knowledge and skills with evidence-based practices. By joining the ECHO community, participants can learn, advise each other and share their experiences in a collaborative environment.
In December 2022, the Institute was designated the provincial orchestrator for the ECHO programs on mental health, substance use and homelessness. As a Superhub designated by the University of New Mexico, the Institute is authorized to train other hubs and manages the logistics for telementoring initiatives.
To learn more about our activities and to register, please consult our dedicated Project ECHO page.
Provincial Guide for Short-term Psychiatric Intervention Unit (UIB-P)
This sixth axis of the Plan d’action interministeriel en santé mentale 2022–2026: S’unir pour un mieux-être collectif (PAISM) focuses on prevention and the implementation of alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization. In December 2021, funding from the Institut de la pertinence des actes médicaux (IPAM) supported the implementation of integrated service hubs. The Institute took the lead on Action 6.2: Short-term Psychiatric Intervention Unit (UIB-P). The Institute is responsible for leading the development of the reference framework and implementation guides for the UIB-P.
