Beyond Silence is the product of over a decade of research to build evidence-based tools to support the mental health and well-being of those who work in healthcare.
We are excited about the possibilities of Beyond Silence to break down barriers to accessing high quality mental health information and support. Through real-time access to confidential and high-quality peer support, we hope to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of healthcare providers across Canada.
Between 2022-2024, a group of researchers at McMaster University focused on building a mobile health platform that includes an app for frontline healthcare workers, peer support training, resources for peer support providers, and a portal for measuring the implementation and impact of the application.
The Beyond Silence research team conducted a two-year implementation study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Beyond Silence app, which connects users with trained peer support providers, in eight diverse healthcare organizations across Canada. This research was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
This study informed an evidence-based guide with recommendations to help organizations optimize the app’s implementation and impact on their workforce.
For more information or to access the Beyond Silence Implementation Guide, please contact beysilen@mcmaster.ca
Dr. Sandra Moll, M.Sc.(OT), PhD – Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University
Chercheuse principale
Sandra’s research interests relate to mental health/mental illness, along the continuum from mental health promotion to illness intervention. Her primary program of research focuses on workplace mental health, including approaches to building mental wellness and mental health literacy and reducing stigma in the context of work. She developed the Beyond Silence workplace training program and the Beyond Silence app platform with input from healthcare workers across Canada. Her research expertise is in co-design, qualitative methods, and implementation science.
Sandra can be contacted at molls@mcmaster.ca
Fardous Hosseiny is the President and CEO of the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Prior to this role, he was the interim National CEO and National Director of Research and Public Policy at the Canadian Mental Health Association. Fardous’ research focuses on mental health system transformation, Veteran and family mental health, substance use, and mental health for underserved communities.
He is a frequent media commentator and was part of the Canadian delegation to the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, contributing to the first-ever UN event dedicated to mental health. Fardous holds a Master of Science in the neuroscience of addiction and a BSc Honours from the University of Toronto. He is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) and serves on multiple national and international committees, including the Global Alliance for Mental Health Advocates and the Research Reference Group at Atlas Institute.
MaryAnn Notarianni est directrice générale adjointe et vice-présidente de la mobilisation des connaissances à l'Institut Atlas pour les vétérans et leur famille, où elle fournit une direction stratégique aux initiatives conçues pour rendre les données probantes plus accessibles afin d'améliorer la santé mentale et le bien-être des anciens combattants et de leurs familles au Canada.
Au cours de la dernière décennie, MaryAnn a occupé des rôles de direction progressive dans des organisations intermédiaires nationales et provinciales de santé mentale, développant et dirigeant des initiatives en matière de mobilisation des connaissances, d'engagement, d'amélioration de la qualité, de prévention du suicide et d'e-santé mentale. Elle a également travaillé dans le domaine de la politique et de la recherche pour le gouvernement fédéral et avec des organisations nationales à but non lucratif. MaryAnn est un « Certified Health Executive » avec le Collège canadien des leaders en santé.
Dr. Margaret McKinnon is a Full Professor and Associate Chair of Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, where she holds the Homewood Chair in Mental Health and Trauma. She is also the Research Lead for Mental Health and Addictions at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a Senior Scientist at Homewood Research Institute.
Dr. McKinnon’s research focuses on PTSD and trauma-related illnesses, particularly in military, veteran, and public safety populations. Her work aims to identify neural and behavioral correlates of these conditions and develop novel treatments to reduce their cognitive and emotional impacts. She has published nearly 150 scientific works and is a frequent media commentator on PTSD and trauma. Her research is supported by funding from organizations including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Veterans Affairs Canada, and the PTSD Centre of Excellence.
Rosemary Ricciardelli est professeure (PhD, sociologie) à la « School of Maritime Studies » et titulaire d'une chaire de recherche sur la sûreté, la sécurité et le bien-être à « Fisheries and Marine Institute » de l'Université Memorial. Élue à la Société royale du Canada, ses recherches portent sur l'évolution de la compréhension du genre, des vulnérabilités, des risques, des expériences et des problèmes au sein des différentes facettes du système de justice pénale et parmi les marins et les infirmières.
Elle a publié 11 livres, plus de 190 articles de journaux et près de 50 chapitres dans les domaines de la PSP, des personnes criminalisées et du bien-être au sens large. En tant que chercheuse sur le sexe et le genre, elle s'intéresse à la santé sociale, à la construction de l'identité et aux expériences vécues par les individus.
Peter Smith is the president and senior scientist at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Toronto and an associate professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. He became IWH’s president in January 2022, after serving as the scientific co-director.
Peter holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of New South Wales and a PhD from the University of Toronto. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award and the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award.
His research focuses on work injury and its impact, using large population-based surveys and administrative data. Key areas of interest include gender and sex differences in work-related health, labour market inequalities, and the experiences of vulnerable worker groups, such as newcomers and older workers.
Ed holds an Honours B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science from McMaster University, an M.Sc. in Computer Science from McMaster, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Guelph. He also has a B.Ed. and Ph.D. in Education from Brock University.
Ed is the Director of Sheridan College’s Centre for Mobile Innovation (CMI), specializing in Mobile Health (mHealth) and innovative healthcare solutions using AI, IoT, wearable computing, and AR/VR. With over $13 million in research funding, he leads a team of faculty, students, and industry partners, including Apple and Microsoft. Ed is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at McMaster University and collaborates with KITE at the University Health Network.
Coordinatrice de recherche
Melissa holds a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science (Neuroscience), as well as a BSc (Hons) in Life Science and a BA in Psychology. Her academic achievements are matched by her passion for mental health advocacy, with a particular focus on improving mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Adjointe de recherche
Saleha est titulaire d'une licence en études de santé (filière santé des populations) et en biologie moléculaire, immunologie et maladies. Elle continue à développer ses compétences en matière d'application des connaissances, d'analyse des données, de conception et d'évaluation des politiques de santé. Actuellement, ses recherches portent sur l'intersectionnalité des résultats de santé et des soins, avec un intérêt croissant pour les études critiques sur le handicap, la réadaptation et la santé mentale.
Adjointe de recherche
Raaniyah is a Molecular Biology and Genetics Co-op student at McMaster University. She is currently gaining valuable experience as a research assistant for the Beyond Silence and Peer on Call projects during her co-op term. Raaniyah is passionate about public health, health policy, and the practical application of healthcare strategies to enhance the current healthcare system.
Adjointe de recherche
Shymega holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) degree from McMaster University. She is continuing her education by completing a Master of Science in Global Health at McMaster University, in aims of widening the scope of health to a transcontinental lens. She is passionate about mental health advocacy among a variety of intersecting identities (e.g. refugees, youth, and parental caregivers of children with disabilities).
PhD Student, Research Assistant
This evidence based peer-led mental health literacy program designed specifically for healthcare was tested in a randomized parallel group trial that looked at the following research question:
Une formation personnalisée basée sur les contacts est-elle plus efficiente qu'une formation standard sur la santé mentale pour augmenter la fréquence à laquelle les travailleurs de la santé cherchent de l'aide et du soutien ?
Le projet de recherche a comparé le programme « Mental Health First Aid » de la CSMC et le programme « Beyond Silence. » L'étude a démontré que les programmes étaient aussi efficaces l'un que l'autre pour améliorer les connaissances en matière de santé mentale. L'étude a également révélé que cinq facteurs clés de mise en œuvre étaient importants :
« L'étude a montré que le programme « Beyond Silence » offrait davantage de possibilités d’éducation fondée sur le contact, de contenu spécifique aux soins de santé et de possibilités de discussions approfondies des perspectives diverses. Enfin, la recherche a conclu que pour améliorer la connaissance de la santé mentale et réduire la stigmatisation, la formation au milieu de travail devrait être fondée sur les pratiques exemplaires de l'éducation fondée sur le contact, avec des exemples pertinents par rapport au contexte et le soutien de tous les niveaux de l'organisation. »
(Moll, et al., 2016)
Moll S, Patten SB, Stuart H, Kirsh B, & MacDermid JC. (2018). Beyond silence: A randomized parallel-group trial exploring the impact of workplace mental health literacy training with healthcare employee. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
Moll, S., VandenBussche, J., Brooks, K., Kirsh, B., Stuart, H., Patten, SB. & MacDermid, JC. (2018). Workplace mental health training in health care: Key ingredients of implementation. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
Grâce au financement de la recherche par le ministère du Travail de l'Ontario, le programme de formation a été subventionné et offert sous la forme d'une formation de deux jours destinée aux travailleurs des petits établissements de soins de santé de l'Ontario qui manquent de ressources. Le programme de formation a été offert à travers l'Ontario pendant une période de deux ans.