ASR Suicide and Depression Studies Program - St. Michael's Hospital

12/22/2025

Before the ASR drifts into holiday mode, we are excited to announce that registration is open for our January lecture led by Tracey Whiteye, MSW, RSW!

With over 24 years of collective experience, Tracey works to uplift traditional cultural teachings, ceremonies, and practices as a Wholistic Indigenous practitioner, educator, wisdom-seeker, advocator and helper. She utilizes decolonizing Indigenous practices to support the resurgence of Indigenous ways of seeing, feeling, knowing, and being. Her approach is rooted in ancestral wisdom, emphasizing intergenerational knowledge, storytelling, personal experiences, and land-based education.

This lecture offers an Indigenous perspective on the interconnectedness of youth mental health and youth su***de. Attendees will explore key factors and gaps in health outcomes. Additionally, the lecture will emphasize the significance of holistic Indigenous healing practices.

📆 Monday January 12th, 2026
🕒 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom – click link below to register
👥 Open to all!

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DsQAJ76tQqyF79N9RfuHvQ #/registration

12/02/2025

You can make a difference this through donating to support the ASR program’s su***de prevention research efforts 💚. Donations support our novel therapy intervention, biomarker investigation and caregiver training research streams.

Donate here: https://www.fundraiseforstmikes.ca/fundraisers/ASRLife/asr-program-fund

11/19/2025

📣 Registration is now open for the 4th lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series!

On December 15th, join us for an important and insightful presentation by Dr. Diana Clarke, whose research centers on how culture and ethnoracial identity shape pathways to su***de risk and access to care.

In this session, Dr. Clarke will share empirical findings and lived-experience perspectives that show how cultural humility can strengthen su***de risk assessment and prevention efforts. We’ll explore how identity, beliefs, social structures, and cultural practices influence su***de risk patterns, disclosure, and treatment-seeking—and discuss opportunities to move the field toward more culturally informed prevention science.

✨ Learning Objectives:
• Understand the core domains of culture and their challenges in su***de prevention research
• Learn how cultural identity shapes su***de risk, disclosure, and access to care
• Explore how cultural humility can be applied to su***de risk assessment and safety planning
• Identify opportunities to advance culturally informed su***de prevention science

👉 Register now to reserve your spot! https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qd1TWv2PSLq9i4GywlFqEw #/registration

11/17/2025

Happening today at noon!

Can your blood tell us anything about your risk of su***de? Join us for the next lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series, presented by Dr. Firoza Mamdani, to find out!

Dr. Mamdani’s research focuses on translational studies bridging molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry by integrating clinical, gene expression, and postmortem brain studies to identify biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders, accelerated aging and su***de risk. In this talk, she will present on recent work identifying blood-based biomarkers for su***de in patients with major depressive disorder.

🗓️ Monday November 17th, 2025
⏰ 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JzSZMjeeQKWnaebFjOttHw #/registration

10/24/2025

Can your blood tell us anything about your risk of su***de? Join us for the next lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series, presented by Dr. Firoza Mamdani, to find out!

Dr. Mamdani’s research focuses on translational studies bridging molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry by integrating clinical, gene expression, and postmortem brain studies to identify biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders, accelerated aging and su***de risk. In this talk, she will present on recent work identifying blood-based biomarkers for su***de in patients with major depressive disorder.

🗓️ Monday November 17th, 2025
⏰ 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JzSZMjeeQKWnaebFjOttHw #/registration

10/10/2025

Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness and fight against stigma 💚

Did you know that in any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness? Today is a reminder that taking care of your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health.

Here are some simple ways to care for your mental health:
💚 Call a friend ☎️
💚 Snuggle with a pet 🐈 🐶
💚 Go on a walk 🚶
💚 Nourish your body with a balanced diet 🥗🍫
💚 Do something creative 🎨🎭🖌️🛼
💚 Plan an outing with a friend 🎬🎳

***deprevention

10/09/2025

Are you currently dealing with depression and antidepressants have not worked for you? Are you currently not taking antidepressant medication?

The ASR team is conducting a brain imaging study to examine biological markers of depression. Connect with us to find out how you can participate. Learn more: www.asrlife.ca/research

For more information, please email us at connect@ASRlife.ca.

Please note that email is not secure, and emails can be intercepted, viewed, changed or saved by others. If interested, please write “Dopamine & the Brain” in the subject line and send us your phone number.

09/25/2025

We are excited to announce our second monthly lecture in our online public lecture series!

Dr. Yvonne Bergmans, renowned su***de interventionist, will present on key learnings from her Skills for Safer Living therapy, developed in 1999 and still in use today to help people better manage their suicidal thoughts.

📆 Monday October 20th, 2025
🕒 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom
👥 Open to all!

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pycRrZxrQYm-E_UHmsEfng #/registration

09/04/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out last night for our World Su***de Prevention Month outdoor movie screening! It was great to connect with you all and share information on the great work being done here at the ASR 💚

09/02/2025

💙 In Honour of Te’s Birthday – September 7th 💙

From the desk of Flora Terah-Igoki, valued member of the ASR Community Advisory Committee:

Friends, family, and community,

Many of you know me as Flora Terah-Igoki a voice for women and children. But before all that, I am a mother—Te’s mother.

My son Te would have been celebrating his birthday on September 7th. Instead, I carry him in my heart and honour his life by giving back. His passing left me with many “unpacked suitcases” of grief, but through time, support, and the compassionate care of St. Michael’s Hospital—especially the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg (ASR) Su***de and Depression Program team—I’ve found strength to keep going.

Su***de remains a devastating epidemic in Canada, claiming about 5,500 lives every year. Behind every number is a son, a daughter, a parent, a friend. Yet, funding for su***de prevention and mental health research lags far behind. We can do better—for those we love, and for those still silently suffering.

This year, in Te’s honour, I am raising funds for St. Michael’s ASR Su***de and Depression Studies Program, led by Dr. Sakina Rizvi. Their groundbreaking work is helping change the story for families like mine.

https://www.fundraiseforstmikes.ca/fundraisers/ASRLife/te-legacy-fund

🙏🏾 I invite you to stand with me. Whether through a donation, a share, or simply a prayer—your support helps unpack not just my suitcase of grief, but those of countless others still carrying the weight of loss and silence.

Together, let us turn pain into purpose.

Together, let us keep Te’s light alive.

With love and gratitude,

Flora Terah-Igoki 💙

📌 To learn more or support directly, you can reach out to St. Michael’s Foundation at (416) 864-5000 or foundation@smh.ca

09/02/2025

Happening tomorrow! Grab a blanket and some snacks, and join us for a FREE outdoor movie night in Hillcrest Park.

Learn more here: https://asrlife.ca/events

Exciting News! 🎉

This year for World Su***de Prevention Day, the ASR is hosting a FREE outdoor screening of Little Miss Sunshine! 🎥🍿🎬

📅 Wednesday September 3rd (rain date: Wednesday September 10th)
⏰ Sundown ~8pm
📍 Hillcrest Park, Toronto (Christie & Davenport)

All are welcome! No RSVP needed, just bring a picnic blanket and some snacks 🍿

For more information, see our FAQ page here: https://asrlife.ca/events/

Content Advisory: This film contains mature themes, moderate profanity, moderate alcohol/drug use and mild s*x & nudity. The screening includes discussions of su***de, which some viewers may find upsetting.