The past year in the Department of Psychiatry has focused on adapting to challenging times. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions, we have continued training the next generation of psychiatrists and carrying out research that will shape the future of mental health.

Still, we have also strived to grow and improve. The pandemic restrictions have motivated us to advocate for the importance of mental health and the continuation of essential treatments for mental illness. We have learned from society’s ongoing reckoning around equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). We are engaging in difficult conversations, recognizing the role of implicit bias, and working towards a future when our Department reflects the diversity of our communities. Our research work has helped us understand the pandemic’s impact both patients with severe mental illness and the general population. We are continuing to confront psychiatry’s greatest challenges, from improving access to mental health care to preventing suicide. We have learned from each other, supported each other, and collaborated across sites and divisions to keep moving forward.

As always, our core academic mission continues to be the relief of mental illness through education and research. This year, we have demonstrated our ability to continue that mission in a way that not only endures in the face of adversity but thrives. While the future remains uncertain, we will build on the progress made during this past exceptional year.

Dr. Benoit H. Mulsant, Professor and Labatt Family Chair of the Department of Psychiatry