This site houses the Social Aetiology of Mental Illness (SAMI) virtual initiative, which builds on the precedent-setting CIHR-funded SAMI Training Program and signifies the direction for trans- and inter-disciplinary research into the social causes of mental illness and addictions. Our objective is to establish a living network of researchers who conduct important investigations that lead to evidence-based practice, and prevention and promotion work to support mental health.
Situated in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada, SAMI establishes a centre of excellence for the study of the social determinants of mental illness and addictions. To our records of research in the physical sciences, SAMI aggregates the expertise required to deliver research training that, worldwide, currently is not available at any one centre, and the synergies derived from convening some social science of the best minds from around the world to teach, learn, and share.
SAMI began with a STIHR grant application to the CIHR in November 2008. Following grant award, the project launched October 1, 2009, when the Program Advisory Committee met for the first time.
Our initial undertaking has been to establish and carry out the full Training Program, which involves a ten-week didactic course followed by 40 weeks of mentored personal and collaborative research. The program begins each year on the second Monday in September. We also present a webinar series. Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SAMI.
Another goal is to bring our vision to the Web. Building on our network development activities, including a weekly webinar for all trainees and the web-based research seminars organized by our research foci, we will create a hub for a multi-disciplinary network that will develop into international web-based research groups. Here we can continue to address the important questions around causation and remedies. In addition, we want to create a place where researchers from many professions and disciplines could lend their views and insights.
As we launch SAMI, we hope that you will join our efforts. We look forward to hearing from you!
To offer comments or suggestions, or to request more information, email: sami-information@camh.net.