Research and Innovation
IEMHP supports communities in practical research endeavours to better understand the state of care for infants and young children in Canada. Our partners include the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health at the Canadian Institute of Health Research, Kids Brain Health Network, the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, multiple Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and many others.
Discover Our Research and Innovation Projects
 | Nurturing the Seed ProjectHaving access to appropriate services for children, ages 0 to 6, in need of support is a common concern raised by service providers and families. When worries arise about a child’s early development, it can be very difficult to find the appropriate services and/or there are lengthy waiting lists for these services. Families are left feeling concerned and frustrated, and children are left without the right interventions and supports...Read More |
| Leading the Way ProjectIn Canada, there is no overarching system to recognize and treat infant and early mental health challenges experienced by children, prenatal to age 6. Many communities struggle to recognize young children who may be at risk for mental health challenges and, consequently, access to appropriate support is either non-existent or very limited in scope...Read More |
| Natural Helpers for the Children Learning CircleRecognizing that early experiences of children, aged birth to six, are critically important for their development and wellbeing, and in particular for the child’s mental health (i.e., social-emotional development), the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Chiefs partnered with IEMHP to create resources that promote early mental health, prevent risk for those who are known to be vulnerable for poor mental health, and provide supports for young children...Read More |
| Infant and Early Mental Health Core Components Evaluation ToolIEMHP identified five infant and early mental health core components for successful embedding of infant and early mental health science, policy, and practice. Organization, agency, and/or community leaders are invited to use our online evaluation tool to identify their team's strengths, and which component they may benefit from focusing on next...Read More |
| Access to Infant and Early Mental Health Services During COVID-19In coordination with the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Kids Brain Health Network, and Children First in Windsor, ON, IEMHP undertook a brief survey of Canadian parents/caregivers of children under 6 years of age on their experiences with accessing services during the first wave of the pandemic...Read More |
| Care Pathways in Infant and Early Mental HealthThe Infant and Early Mental Health Care Pathways pilot project was born out of the findings and recommendations from Beyond Building Blocks: Investing in the lifelong mental health of Ontario’s 3-6-year-olds, a report highlighting the unique mental health and social-emotional challenges faced by young children, and the impact these challenges may have on their optimal development...Read More |
| Embedding the Science of Infant Mental Health in Practice and PolicyIn December 2014, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provided funding to IEMHP to create a collaborative, community-based process to further explore the issues at play for direct service delivery agencies. Through this project, IEMHP consulted with five communities in Ontario to gain a better understanding among all agencies and sectors concerned with infant and early mental health...Read More |
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