This text is part of the special section Philanthropy
Cradle of psychiatry in Quebec, the CERVO Foundation continues to be a key player in mental health. While continuing to contribute to the quality of care, it plays an important leverage role in changing perceptions and advancing science.
“You can’t fix a broken car if you don’t know how it works, illustrates the Dr Yves De Koninck. Similarly, in medicine, you can’t tackle a problem if you don’t understand it well! continues the one who is a full professor of psychiatry and neurosciences at Laval University and director of the CERVO research center. “Mental health is the most complex medicine. So we still have a lot of work to do to better understand the human brain. »
Like him, many researchers are working hard to demystify the causes of mental health problems within the CERVO Research Center, recognized nationally and internationally. The Center brings together experts from various disciplines, ranging from ophthalmology to engineering, who are interested in problems such as depression, post-traumatic stress or even schizophrenia.
The Research Center receives part of its funding through philanthropy, collected through the CERVO Foundation. The latter was created 45 years ago with the initial objective of being able to improve the daily lives of patients at the Robert-Giffard Hospital Center. In 2009, it became the Mental Health University Institute of Quebec and merged with the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CIUSSS) of the Capitale-Nationale in 2015.
The importance of mental health research
Since then, the Foundation has expanded its skills and changed its name to CERVO, in reference to the organ responsible for mental health disorders. In addition to support for care, it invests heavily in education against stigma and the advancement of basic and clinical research.
“Research is a bit upstream and we often forget that,” comments Yves De Koninck. [La philanthropie] highlights the importance of this work done in the shadows, adds the researcher, who insists on the importance of research for the need for early detection and care.
For example, through the Centre’s work, specific biomarkers have been identified. The latter are, in a way, molecular signatures allowing early diagnosis of diseases. “One of the great challenges in which the Research Center is very committed is the detection of the early signs of the disease, indicates Dr.r From Koninck. If we are able to detect a vulnerability to a disease, we can put in place elements to prevent its development. »
If a metabolic syndrome associated with diabetes is detected quickly in a patient, the latter can modify his diet to avoid developing the disease, gives the researcher as an example. “It’s the same with mental illnesses,” he says. The earlier we detect things, the more we can intervene. If we treat [un patient] at the first psychosis, the chances of recovery are much higher. »
Similarly, researchers from the Center have shown that the network of genes underlying depression is very different in men and women. The mechanisms being different according to sex, medical interventions with women will have to be reviewed accordingly, explains the doctor.
The tenfold effect of philanthropy
More than 10 million dollars: this is the philanthropic contribution that the CERVO Foundation has made it possible to inject into research, rejoices Maryse Beaulieu, Executive Director of the Foundation. While part of the funding for the CERVO Research Center comes from government grants, the philanthropic portion helps create a vibrant work environment.
“The 10 million made it possible to find new researchers, new equipment, a new building. We have an exponential leverage effect [sur la recherche], explains the general manager. In particular, donations make it possible to invest in state-of-the-art equipment in order to study the infinitely small and to attract excellent researchers. »
In January, a $250,000 donation from Bell Let’s Talk enabled the purchase of a second neuromodulation device for patients at the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. The device, whose operation is based on the impulse of magnetic fields having an effect on neuronal activity, is used with patients suffering from depressive disorders and resistant to standard treatments. The second device will improve access to care, waiting times for this type of care could previously stretch over 8 months.
“The money from philanthropy allows us to obtain very large sums from the public. Our public decision-makers like that we obtain part of the funding from private donations, because it shows a commitment from the community, continues in the same vein the Dr Yves De Koninck. We multiply by 5 or sometimes by 10 through public funding programs! »