Now in its 36th year, Dalhousie University's Department of Psychiatry Research Day promotes student involvement in research and showcases the Department's diverse expertise to our university and local communities.
The event will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, 9:00am – 4:00pm in-person at the Atlantica Hotel Halifax. It will be certified by Dalhousie's Continuing Professional Development Accreditation for the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The registration desk opens at 8:30am. Please plan to arrive early to help us kick off the day on time at 9:00am.
Dr. Jai Shah
McGill University psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Shah specializes in early intervention, first episode psychosis, at-risk mental states, youth mental health, and clinical staging in psychiatry. Learn more about Dr. Shah.
TITLE: From the specific to the general and back again: The layers of youth mental health systems of care
ABSTRACT: Around the world, a wide-ranging set of initiatives aim to improve access to interventions and services for young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties. This focus on strengthening access is welcome, given longstanding barriers to seeking care and a treatment gap that especially impacts adolescence and young adulthood, the period of greatest risk for the risk, onset and early evolution of mental illness. However, YMH initiatives vary in who they serve – ranging from ‘all comers’ to only individuals with “mild-to-moderate” mental health problems. This presentation will review how early intervention started with specific focus points, the rationale for broadening its efforts to all types and stages of mental health conditions, frameworks that have conceptualized and attempted to support this endeavour, and the reality of how recent service system initiatives are structured and function. Evidence will be provided regarding those who present to broad YMH services, what is known about the outcomes produced, and key ingredients that appear to shape the effectiveness of these transformations. The lessons and implications that these evaluations hold for the future of early intervention and youth mental health – and particularly for those struggling with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and psychosis – will be discussed.
We invite abstract submissions from students, residents, staff, and faculty within the Department of Psychiatry, as well as students supervised by our faculty members. The deadline to submit an abstract is August 28, 2026.
Presentation awards will be given out in the following categories:
Submissions closed August 28, 2026.
If you plan to attend Psychiatry Research Day, the deadline to register is October 22, 2026.
Instructions for Presenters Program
If you have any questions, please submit them to psych.research@dal.ca