HORYZONS-Canada

Project Summary
HORYZONS-Canada (Phase 1, 2, and 3) is a digital mental health services innovation research program aiming to adapt, implement, and evaluate a web-based intervention designed to optimize recovery for patients receiving treatment for psychosis. The intervention was originally developed by Australian researchers Drs. Mario Alvarez-Jimenez (University of Melbourne, Orygen Digital Health) and John Gleeson (Australian Catholic University), and their interdisciplinary team (including computer programmers, web and graphic designers, professional writers, and service providers, youth receiving specialized services for a first-episode psychosis).

HORYZONS-Canada consists of interactive, evidence-based strengths-focused psychosocial interventions, social networking, and clinical and peer support moderation.

We have completed phases 1 and 2 of this research program. 

Phase 1 was an adaptation study with 11 patients receiving services for a first-episode psychosis and 15 clinicians. Our published protocol and results are available here:

• Adaptation Framework and Protocol for Phase 1: https://www.researchprotocols.org/2018/4/e100 

• Phase 1 Adaptation Results: https://formative.jmir.org/2020/10/e19887 

Phase 2 was a live pilot study with 20 patients receiving services for a first-episode psychosis, to assess patients’ perceptions of the intervention, its safety, and potential benefits. We have completed data collection and analysis is in process. Our trial registry is available here: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN43182105

Phase 3 is a pragmatic feasibility study of HORYZONS-Canada that will be implemented and evaluated with 100 to 150 patients that are receiving services for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (including first-episode) in two Montreal-based clinical health care settings (CHUM and Douglas), with four groups of patients: young adults ages 18-35 (English, French); adults ages 36-50 (English, French).

Stay tuned for the results!

Contact person
Shalini Lal, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc.O.T. (Reg.QC)
Email: ymhtechlab@gmail.com

Funders
The Horyzons-Canada research program would not be possible without the generous support of the following funders:
Phases 1 and 2 were supported through a NARSAD Brain & Behaviour Research through a New Investigator Award (Phases 1 and 2) provided to Dr. Shalini Lal.
Phase 3 received funds from Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and more recently from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Project Grant, Fall 2020 competition and the project was ranked in the top 3% of applications by the committee that evaluated it).

Partners and collaborators
The Horyzons-Canada research program was initially launched through collaboration with researchers at Orygen - The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne (Dr. Mario Alvarez-Jimenez) and the Australian Catholic University (Dr. John Gleeson). Phases 1 and 2 were implemented at PEPP Montréal (Douglas Mental Health University Institute), Quebec, Canada and the First Episode Psychosis Program in Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA), Ontario, Canada.

Phase 3 of the program will be implemented at the University of Montreal Hospital Centre (Clinique JAP), and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (including PEPP-Montréal (First-Episode Psychosis clinic), l’Étape (outpatient clinic), four Assertive Community Treatment teams, and the Centre for Psychological Intervention for Psychosis in collaboration with the CRISP Lab.

Detailed information regarding Phase 3 is below:

Project Title: A novel web-based mental health intervention integrating peer support and clinical moderation to enhance recovery and prevent relapse in adults diagnosed with psychotic disorders: A pragmatic feasibility study of Horyzons-Canada
Project Duration: 3 years, 2021-2024
Nominated Principal Investigator: Dr. Shalini Lal
Principal Investigators: Dr. Mario Alvarez-Jimenez (University of Melbourne, Orygen Digital Health), Dr. Martin Lepage (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University)
Co-Investigators: Drs. John Gleeson (Australian Catholic University), Simon D'Alfonso (University of Melbourne, Orygen Digital Health), Hajin Lee (Université de Montréal), Amal-Abdel Baki (Université de Montréal) & Ridha Joober (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University), Tania Lecomte (Université de Montréal).
Knowledge User: Dr. Phil Tibbo (Canadian Consortium for Early Intervention in Psychosis)
Collaborators: Chantal Fournier (Douglas Mental Health University Institute), Emilie Lebrun (Peer Support Consultant), Shaleen Jones (Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, Peer Support Consultant), Dr. Danielle Impey (Mental Health Commission of Canada) and Dr. Normand Roy (Université de Montréal)