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June 2025
This month's brainbuzz™ features a groundbreaking international study linking alcohol taxation to public health and economic gains; a landmark grant that will advance mental health research for incarcerated women; and a recap of the inaugural Research Engagement Day held at CAMH. New Joint CAMH-International Study Finds Major Economic and Health Benefits from Alcohol Tax IncreaseFindings from major Lithuanian study offer important lessons for Canada as alcohol harms continue to rise. A new economic analysis shows that Lithuania’s unprecedented 2017 increase in alcohol excise taxation generated a massive return on investment (RoI) and improved public health outcomes, challenging critics who predicted economic harm and offering important insights for Canada’s ongoing alcohol policy discussions. Published today in the top journal Addiction, the study was a collaborative international effort co-led by Dr. Jürgen Rehm, Senior Scientist at CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research and Dr. Mindaugas Štelemėkas, Head of the Health Research Institute at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Titled A Return on Investment Analysis for the 2017 Increase in Alcohol Excise Taxation in Lithuania, the study found that for every €1 invested in implementing the tax increases, Lithuania gained an average of €420 (expressed in 2023 Euros; ~$673 CAD) in economic returns. The findings highlight the powerful role alcohol taxation can play in saving lives, reducing health inequities, and strengthening national economies. "Increasing alcohol excise taxes has long been recognized as one of the most effective tools to improve population health," said Dr. Štelemėkas. "Our study shows it can also deliver impressive economic benefits—directly countering arguments often made by the alcohol industry." In 2017, Lithuania enacted sharp excise tax increases: 112 per cent for beer, 111 per cent for wine, and 23 per cent for spirits. Excise taxes are special taxes applied to specific goods like alcohol, and these increases led to average price hikes of 26 per cent, seven per cent, and six per cent respectively. Despite controversy leading up to the policy change, the results were overwhelmingly positive. Key findings, adjusted for 2023 inflation rates, from the first year after implementation include:
Overall, the policy’s implementation cost the Lithuanian government approximately €320,000 (~$505,245 CAD), making the return on investment extraordinarily high. “Evidence supported alcohol control policy measures have been a strong contributor to reduce alcohol related premature morbidity and mortality in Lithuania. The results of the study will serve us well for our health policy development,” noted Marija Jakubauskienė, the Minister of Health for the Republic of Lithuania. The findings carry important implications for Canada, where alcohol remains one of the leading risk factors for death and disease. Despite growing evidence of harm, alcohol remains relatively affordable in many provinces and territories, and alcohol-related deaths have been rising in recent years. “This is one of the clearest examples globally where an alcohol policy intervention not only improved health, but also made strong economic sense,” said Dr. Rehm. "Governments seeking to improve societal health while strengthening their economies should seriously consider following Lithuania’s lead.” This evaluation was financially supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism project ‘Evaluation of the impact of alcohol control policies on morbidity and mortality in Lithuania and other Baltic states’. CAMH Awarded Landmark Grant to Advance Mental Health Research for Incarcerated Women Research both crucial and timely as rising incarceration rates and urgent mental health needs among one of Canada’s most underserved populations Dr. Stephanie Penney, a scientist with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, is the only researcher to receive mental health-related funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)’s National Women’s Health Research Initiative. The three-year project, which focuses on the mental health needs of women involved in the forensic mental health and criminal justice systems, will support a much-underserved group and signals a needed shift toward equity, inclusion, and innovation in care provided in secure settings. Addressing the complex and unmet needs of incarcerated women In Canada, about 3,600 women are incarcerated on any given day—600 in federal prisons and 3,000 in provincial and territorial facilities—making up less than 10 percent of the overall prison population. Yet, Indigenous women are alarmingly overrepresented, accounting for nearly half of federally sentenced women. These women often face complex and overlooked mental health challenges, rooted in trauma and systemic marginalization. Incarcerated women also experience higher rates of physical health issues, such as sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and the long-term effects of violence and substance use. Basic health needs—like menstrual care, contraception, and menopause support—remain underserved in correctional settings, with gender-specific health concerns still vastly under-researched. Justice-involved women often face mental health issues that are more nuanced than those of men, with effects that ripple through families and communities. Incarceration disrupts family dynamics and deeply impacts children, perpetuating cycles of trauma. Given their unique and underserved mental health needs, gender-responsive care is not just more appropriate—it is crucial for supporting these women and fostering healthier, more resilient communities. National Women’s Health Research Initiative The National Women’s Health Research Initiative (NWHRI) is a collaborative effort between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Women and Gender Equality Canada. The initiative was created to close critical gaps in women’s health research, with a focus on high-priority and historically overlooked areas. Its goal is to ensure that all individuals, especially women, girls, and gender-diverse people, receive health care that is evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and free from stigma. Through this initiative, 24 research projects across Canada have been funded to drive meaningful change in how health care is delivered and experienced. Among those, the CAMH project is the only one to address mental health. The project is rooted in meaningful partnerships with women who have lived experience of the justice system, mental health challenges, and/or substance use. Focus groups create space for open dialogue, trust-building, and mutual learning. A key feature of the project is its mentorship component, where women interested in research are supported to take on deeper roles—gaining skills, peer support, and opportunities to contribute to analysis, co-author publications, and shape the project’s direction. Community impact of prison mental health “Prison health is public health,” says Dr. Penney. “With over 95 per cent of incarcerated individuals eventually returning to their communities, the wellbeing of people in custody—especially women—is a critical public health issue. The impacts of incarceration extend far beyond the individual, affecting children, families, and entire communities. Our hope is that this research helps shift public narratives and policy thinking, so justice-involved women receive the support they need both during incarceration and as they reintegrate into society.” CAMH expertise in forensic mental health CAMH holds a unique position in Canada’s mental health landscape—as both a hospital providing direct care and a hub for research. As Ontario’s largest provider of forensic mental health services, CAMH not only delivers inpatient care, but also plays a central role in community-based services. The Forensic Psychiatry Division is a specialized department dedicated to the assessment, treatment and management of individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders in the forensic mental health system or correctional settings. In addition, via the Forensic Early Intervention Service (FEIS), developed in partnership with the Ministry of the Solicitor General, CAMH provides mental health support to individuals in correctional facilities, including women at the Vanier Centre for Women. Waverley House Secure Care & Recovery Building CAMH’s commitment to forensic mental health was further underscored in October 2024 with the announcement of the Waverley House Secure Care & Recovery Building. Currently under construction at the Queen Street West site and set to open in 2029, Waverley House will transform CAMH’s forensic mental health care by replacing existing facilities with a modern, patient-centered environment designed to support healing and
recovery. With 214 beds, specialized therapy areas, secure outdoor spaces, and clinics for community-based care, the new seven-story building emphasizes dignity, autonomy, and recovery for individuals with complex mental illness who have encountered the legal system. Bringing Voices Together: CAMH Hosts First-Ever Research Engagement Day On May 28th, CAMH hosted its inaugural Research Engagement Day, a full-day event focused on the vital role of people with lived experience (PWLE), families, youth, and caregivers in mental health and addictions research. 
Designed as both a celebration and a call to action, the event brought together a diverse audience of researchers, advisory group members, clinicians, and staff for an open and inspiring exploration of how meaningful engagement is shaping CAMH’s research landscape. The spark for the event was rooted in years of momentum: “There has been a tremendous amount of research engagement work happening across the institution for a number of years,” explained Lina Chiuccariello, Director, Clinical Research, administrative lead for the research engagement core and member of the event organizing committee. “Our research advisory groups have expressed ongoing interest in an event to bring together people with lived experience, youth, family and caregivers, researchers, staff and administrators to discuss the breadth of projects and the work happening at CAMH and the impact of engagement in research projects.” A Day of Shared Learning and Recognition Throughout the day, CAMH researchers shared their experiences embedding lived expertise into their work. Dr. George Foussias, Scientific Director of the Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, and Lilian Duda, a Family Advisory Committee member, presented on clinical engagement practices; with
particular emphasis on the success of EPI-SET/NAVIGATE work which began in 2018. Dr. Gillian Strudwick, Senior Scientist at CAMH's Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics and Interim Director of the Digital Innovation Hub, spotlighted digital health tools co-developed with service users. 
A standout moment was the Lived Experience and Family Advisory Committee panel, which brought together voices who have helped shape CAMH’s research over the years. Their reflections emphasized that engagement is not just a practice—it’s a culture shift in the way we work. 
Later presentations included Dr. Sophie Soklaridis, Senior Scientist and Scientific Director of Education Research, and Holly Harris on relational ethics and co-design; and Dr. Julian Robbins and Hannah Burge Luviano, Managers of Research and Knowledge Mobilization at Shkaabe Makwa on culturally grounded engagement methods. A researcher panel followed by an engaging workshop activity capped off the day. 
Driving Strategic Priorities Forward By showcasing diverse models of engagement across disciplines—from basic science to health systems research—the day aligned strongly with CAMH’s strategic vision outlined in Connected CAMH. Elizabeth Hollingdrake, Research Operations Manager and member of the organizing committee noted, “It is vital that we include the voices of those with lived experience, youth, families and caregivers throughout the work being done at CAMH. By utilizing engagement we are working towards better outcomes in both clinical and research care and pushing the strategic plan forward in a more meaningful way.” Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Future The event concluded with a hands-on workshop inviting attendees to share ideas for future directions. Organizers plan to leverage these insights to shape upcoming initiatives and the future of research engagement. 
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