BLOOM:

Behavioural development, Long-term Outcomes and Opportunities to optimize youth Mental health trajectories

BLOOM is a longitudinal research program dedicated to identifying the early signs of serious mental health conditions, such as mood and psychotic disorders. By following a cohort of both help-seeking and non-help-seeking youth, we aim to:

Predict Risk: Identify early markers to prevent the onset of severe mental illness.
Optimize Pathways to Care: Reduce the number of services used and streamline access to specialized treatment.
Support Families: Evaluate functioning at individual, family, and service levels through rigorous data collection.

Understanding the onset of youth mental health issues

This study focuses on two groups: help‑seeking individuals—youth and families currently navigating or pursuing mental health support—and Community Participants, who are not seeking services but may still be experiencing significant life challenges. By examining both groups, the project aims to better understand how early signs of mental health difficulties emerge and how they can be identified before they escalate.

A central question guides this work: can we predict the onset of mental health issues through early identification? To explore this, the study investigates whether specialized assessment tools and enhanced training for mental health professionals can lead to faster, more accurate access to care. Another key objective is to determine how clinical pathways can be optimized so that youth receive the right support at the right moment.

The project places particular emphasis on the experiences of individuals facing everyday stressors—such as social difficulties, academic pressure, or family transitions. These lived experiences provide essential insights that help refine early identification strategies and strengthen intervention approaches, ultimately improving how youth mental health needs are recognized and addressed.

Participant Recruitment & Eligibility in Montreal

We are currently establishing two distinct groups of young people and families to better understand the long-term evolution of mental health.

By following these cohorts over several years, our research aims to bridge the critical gap between the emergence of early symptoms and the acquisition of clinical support.

Aged between 9 and 25 years old

Fluent in English or French

Young people experiencing life stressors (social challenges, academic stress, family transitions)

If you meet these criteria, please contact our recruitment team: bloom.eclos.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca, or:

What to Expect During the Study

Session Details

Once a year, for a period of five years, participants will be asked to:

Complete an In-Person Interview: A comprehensive session lasting approximately 3 hours.
Flexible Location: Interviews can take place at our center or at a location of your choosing to ensure your comfort.
Independent Questionnaires: You will be asked to complete surveys on your own time (approximately 1 hour in total).

Beyond the core interviews, you may be invited to participate in additional assessments. These sub-studies are optional but provide even deeper insights into the biological and social factors of mental health.

Your Rights as a Participant

We recognize the significant contribution our participants make to the advancement of psychiatric research. To support your involvement, we offer financial compensation for your time and travel expenses, ensuring that participation is accessible and that logistical costs do not pose a barrier.

For specific details regarding compensation rates or to ask questions about the research process, please contact our team directly.

Engagement & community activities

Our commitment to youth and families extends beyond data collection through a variety of enriching engagement opportunities.

We provide participants with access to educational activities focused on mental health literacy and specialized sessions designed to foster personal resilience. These initiatives offer practical tools for navigating life’s challenges within a supportive, inclusive environment.

To enhance social connectedness and overall well-being, we organize diverse leisure activities including sports, arts, and various group-based events. Every year, we host a signature mental health event, bringing our community together to share clinical insights and explore new perspectives on recovery and wellness.

See our events page for current and upcoming free community activites you can join us for.

Researchers

Lena Palaniyappan, Principal Investigator

Dr. Palaniyappan’s research focuses on leveraging clinical neuroscience to inform early interventions for youth mental health. His work addresses severe conditions including psychituc disorders, bipolar disorder and depression through a pragmatic and agnostic approach that prioritizes the urgency of psychiatric care.

Céline Villemus, Operations Director & Research Project Manager

Céline Villemus is the Director of Operations at the Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health. She has coordinated numerous research projects, particularly in the field of first-episode psychosis, before launching the BLOOM project in 2023.

Holding a professional master’s degree in epidemiology and a master’s degree in developmental psychology, she has been dedicated to improving the mental health and education of children, youth, and families for more than twenty years.

Adriana Redensek, Research coordinator

Adriana holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience from McGill University. Her research experience spans a wide range of fields, including Neuroimmunology, molecular biology, epigenetic regulation, prenatal trauma, and youth mental health. In addition to her work in neuroscience research, she values the strong sense of community within the Bloom program and the CEYMH. She finds researching youth mental health at the Centre to be highly rewarding and is proud to contribute to innovative science that will impact future generations.

Melissa Palander, Digital Solutions Specialist

Melissa holds degrees in Psychology and Social Work and worked for several years in early psychosis intervention. Over time, she became interested in how services are organized and delivered to better support teams. This led her to focus on digital tools and operational processes, where she contributes to improving workflows and supporting data-informed decision-making within the CEYMH.

Forest Day de Larrañaga, Community Engagement Coordinator, Youth Navigator

Forest holds a Bachelor of Science from McGill University in Physiology. During her undergraduate studies, she became interested in how early life experiences, including adversity, affect mental health. This, paired with her experience supporting a loved one through mental health challenges, inspired her to work in the field of youth mental health and at the CEYMH.

Elsa Bernier, Research Assitant, Youth Navigator

Elsa has a Master’s degree in Immunology from Université de Montréal and has a strong interest in early development and youth mental health. Her research background includes fundamental and clinical studies on how early-life factors shape long-term health outcomes. She is motivated by research that supports youth’s well-being and better care, which is why she enjoys working at the CEYMH.

Olivia Bishop, Research Assistant

After earning a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Buckingham, Olivia spent several years traveling, including a year teaching English in South Korea, before returning to the United Kingdom to complete an MSc in Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Greenwich. She then returned to Montreal, where she obtained her MA in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University. Olivia currently continues her practice as a supervised psychotherapist at the Emotional Health Clinic while also taking on her new role as a research assistant on the BLOOM project.

Havana Hechavarria, Research Assistant

After earning a master’s degree in counseling psychology, Havana has spent the past four years working as a licensed counselor in private practice, using an approach that affirms 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent individuals. Havana is a member of the Fierté Montréal therapy network and is deeply committed to social justice and the decolonization of mental health.

Sophia Kebede, Research Assistant

Sophia Kebede is from London, Ontario, and will be completing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at McGill University this May.

Evan Matthews, Research Assistant

Evan holds a degree in clinical neuroscience, with training in psychology and hands-on experience in mental health and neurology research. He has worked directly with participants in both clinical and community settings and is particularly interested in how research can enhance care and support across the lifespan. He values collaborative, patient-centered approaches and is excited to contribute to meaningful research through the BLOOM study.

Mylane Merdas, Research Assistant

Mylane is a health sociologist with experience working with vulnerable populations and contributing to research projects. She is delighted to join the team as a research assistant and looks forward to deepening her knowledge in health research while actively contributing to the BLOOM project.

John Read, Research Assistant

After completing a master’s degree in biochemistry at McGill University, where he focused on protein folding, John transitioned into clinical research by working as a project manager within a research ethics committee. As a research assistant and youth navigator for the BLOOM project, he aims to deepen his understanding of the clinical research process by contributing directly to projects and engaging with participants.

Martin Sellier Silva, Research Assistant, Research Liaison

Martin graduated from a B.Sc. in Psychology at McGill University. Prior to joining the BLOOM team, he has built experience in clinical and psychological research and worked with community services for homeless individuals. He has over the years developed a deep interest in research aiming to predict and prevent suicide by leveraging innovative methods such as machine learning and speech and actigraphy analysis.

Sanie Varela, Research Assistant, Family Navigator

Sanie has a background in medical sciences and enjoys engaging with people one-on-one while maintaining meaningful, ongoing connections. In her role as a parent navigator, her research experience enables her to approach each meeting with intention and to appreciate how the project evolves and achieves its goals. At the same time, she remains deeply mindful of what matters most beyond the data: human connection and well-being.