Research Advisory Network

Once you are part of the advisory network, you will be sent engagement opportunities based on the interests and experiences you indicated on your application form as they become available. You will also receive news and information about research engagement activities at CAMH via our newsletter, including opportunities to be involved with different projects as well as any available trainings and workshops. In addition, we will keep our network members informed of other engagement opportunities, trainings and resources both inside and outside of CAMH.

No. Being part of the network does not mean you will automatically be connected to a project. The availability of opportunities will depend on your interests and lived experiences, and while we cannot guarantee when a project will become available, we will keep you informed of relevant opportunities as they arise. You can then review these opportunities and choose which ones you would like to express interest in and confirm the project is a good fit for your interests, experiences, and availability.

Each opportunity has its own process for applying to ensure that it is a good match for you and the project. Some projects accept people on a first-come, first-serve basis, and some projects request that you send a short note about yourself and/or your interest in the project. Many projects will first assess an individual’s interests and experience to determine who will be the best fit for the project. Most projects will involve attending an introductory meeting to determine interest and fit for both you and the researcher.

Being a research advisor is very different to participating in a research study. As a research participant, data is collected about you as part of the research project. As a research advisor, you are effectively part of the research team. In this role you would use your lived experience to provide input and advice to guide various parts of the study.

As an example, consider a study that is looking to survey patients and family members about their experiences and preferences for accessing services at CAMH. Research advisors would be providing advice to the researchers on what questions to ask in the survey, where to find people who would be willing to fill out the survey, etc. Research participants would be the ones actually filling out the survey, and whose answers would be collected and reported on in a research paper.

No, you do not need to be a CAMH patient or a family member of in order to join the Research Advisory Network: anyone with lived/living experience of a mental health or substance use challenge or a family member of someone with a mental health or substance use challenge are welcome to join.