Callum Stephenson

• MSc - Neuroscience
• Director at OPTT Health

Introduction The Canadian healthcare system is approaching a breaking point. With mental health being a leading cause of disability, innovative solutions are necessary to provide adequate care. Digital mental health programs, such as electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (eCBT), have proven effective in reducing the challenges of traditional psy...

Objectives This study aimed to implement an artificial intelligence-assisted psychiatric triage program, assessing its impact on efficiency and resource optimization. Methods This quality improvement initiative recruited patients on the waitlist for psychiatric evaluation at an outpatient hospital. Participants (n=101) completed a digital triage m...

Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable worry, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, and irritability. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the first-line treatments that has demonstrated high efficacy in reducing symptoms of anxiety. Electronically delivered CBT (e-CBT) has...

Current psychotherapeutic treatments for OCD, while effective, have complex outcomes with mixed efficacy. Previous research has observed baseline brain activation patterns in OCD patients, elucidating some of the implications of this disorder. Observing the effects of evidence-based psychotherapeutics for OCD on brain activation (through MRI) may p...

Introduction Online mental healthcare has gained significant attention due to its effectiveness, accessibility, and scalability in the management of mental health symptoms. Despite these advantages over traditional in-person formats, including higher availability and accessibility, issues with low treatment adherence and high dropout rates persist....

Introduction Correctional workers (CWs) are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events in the workplace, leading to an increased prevalence of mental health concerns. Online psychotherapy can address many of the barriers CWs face when seeking adequate mental health care. Despite their benefits, CWs’ experience using digital mental health in...

Introduction Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting up to 300 million people globally. Despite its high prevalence and debilitating effects, only one-third of patients newly diagnosed with depression initiate treatment. Electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBT) is an effective treatment for depression and is a feasi...

Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a debilitating mental health disorder with first-line treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy. CBT is costly, time-consuming, and inaccessible. Electronic delivery (e-CBT) is a promising solution to address these barriers. However, due to the novelty of this interven...

BACKGROUND Lockdowns and social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened the population's mental health and made it more difficult for individuals to receive care. Electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBT) is a cost-effective and evidence-based treatment that can be accessed remotely. The objective of the study was to in...

Background: Lockdowns and social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened the population's mental health and made it more difficult for individuals to receive care. Electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBT) is a cost-effective and evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression that can be accessed remotely. Object...

Introduction Oncological and palliative care patients face unique stressors which increase their risk of developing depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness has established success in improving this population’s mental health. Traditional face-to-face psychotherapy is costly, has long wait lists, often lacks acces...

Background Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders characterized by an inability to fall or stay asleep. Available treatments include pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). Although CBTi is the first-line treatment, it has limited availability. Therapist-guided electronic delivery of CBT for insomnia (e...

BACKGROUND Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) being the gold-standard treatment. However, it is inaccessible and costly to many as the mental health industry is overwhelmed by the demand for treatment. This means effective, accessible, and time-saving strategies must be develo...

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) being the gold-standard treatment. However, it is inaccessible and costly to many as the mental health industry is overwhelmed by the demand for treatment. This means effective, accessible, and time-saving strategies must be deve...

Objective The increased prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) amid the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in substantial growth in online mental health care delivery. Compared to its in-person counterpart, online cognitive behavioral therapy (e-CBT) is a time-flexible and cost-effective method of improving MDD symptoms. However, how its efficac...

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition that can significantly impact every aspect of a person's life if left untreated. A subtype of BD, Bipolar disorder II (BD-II) is characterized by long depressive episodes and residual depression symptoms, with short-lived hypomanic episodes. Medication and psychotherapy,...

Background Post-secondary students frequently experience high rates of mental health challenges. However, they present meagre rates of treatment-seeking behaviours. This elevated prevalence of mental health problems, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to distress, poor academic performance, and lower job prospects following the comp...

Introduction: In the last few years, online psychotherapy programs have burgeoned since they are a more accessible and scalable treatment option compared to in-person therapies. While these online programs are promising, understanding the user experience and perceptions of care is essential for program optimization. Methods: This study investiga...

Background Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health disorder with current psychotherapeutic treatments, while somewhat effective, yielding low accessibility and scalability. A lack of knowledge regarding the neural pathology of OCD may be hindering the development of innovative treatments. Previous research has observed b...

BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition that can significantly impact every aspect of a person’s life if left untreated. A subtype of BD, Bipolar disorder II (BD-II) is characterized by long depressive episodes and residual depression symptoms, with short-lived hypomanic episodes. Medication and psychotherapy, s...

BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by problematic alcohol use accompanied by clinically significant distress. Patients with AUD frequently experience high relapse rates and only one in five remain abstinent 12 months post-treatment. Traditional face-to-face relapse prevention treatment (RPT) is a form of cognitive behavioural th...

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by problematic alcohol use accompanied by clinically significant distress. Patients with AUD frequently experience high relapse rates and only one in five remain abstinent 12 months post-treatment. Traditional face-to-face relapse prevention treatment (RPT) is a form of cognitive behavioural...

Background: Post-secondary students are at a greater risk of developing mental health problems than the general population. However, they present meagre rates of treatment-seeking behaviours. This elevated prevalence of mental health problems, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to distress, poor academic performance, and lower job p...

Pregabalin is a gabapentinoid that was first developed as an antiepileptic agent. However, after its release, off-label prescriptions for conditions other than epilepsy made up about 90% of pregabalin’s use. Pregabalin was later approved for the management of anxiety disorders and is one of the first pharmacotherapies considered for the management...

Chronic exposure to stressors and potentially psychologically traumatic events contributes to the high prevalence of mental health disorders in correctional workers (CWs) and other public safety personnel (PSP). Digital mental health interventions are an accessible and scalable method of improving and maintaining the mental health of this populatio...

BACKGROUND Public safety personnel have regular and often intense exposure to potentially traumatic events at work, especially workplace violence in the case of correctional workers. Subsequently, correctional workers are at higher risk for developing mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Public safety personnel are up to 4...

Background: Public safety personnel have regular and often intense exposure to potentially traumatic events at work, especially workplace violence in the case of correctional workers. Subsequently, correctional workers are at higher risk for developing mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Public safety personnel are up to...

BACKGROUND The demand for mental health care, particularly for depression and anxiety, is three times greater in oncology and palliative care patients compared to the general population. This population faces unique barriers making them more susceptible to mental health challenges. Various forms of psychotherapy have been deemed effective in addres...

BACKGROUND Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating and prevalent anxiety disorder. While the basal ganglia and frontal cortex are the most hypothesized brain regions involved, the exact pathophysiology is unknown. By observing the effects of proven treatments on brain activation levels, the cause of OCD can be better understood. Curre...

Background The demand for mental health care, particularly for depression and anxiety, is 3-fold greater among patients receiving oncologic and palliative care than for the general population. This population faces unique barriers, making them more susceptible to mental health challenges. Various forms of psychotherapy have been deemed effective in...

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating and prevalent anxiety disorder. While the basal ganglia and frontal cortex are the most hypothesized brain regions involved, the exact pathophysiology is unknown. By observing the effects of proven treatments on brain activation levels, the cause of OCD can be better understood. Cur...

Importance Cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS)—a diagnostic indicator of cannabis use disorder—commonly occurs on cessation of heavy and prolonged cannabis use. To date, the prevalence of CWS syndrome has not been well described, nor have the factors potentially associated with CWS. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of CWS among individuals wit...

BACKGROUND Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an extremely prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder. Currently, the gold standard treatment for GAD is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacotherapy. The most common medications used to treat GAD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine...

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an extremely prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder. Currently, the gold standard treatment for GAD is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacotherapy. The most common medications used to treat GAD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrin...

BACKGROUND Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder. Among different therapeutic approaches (e.g., medication, psychotherapy), psychotherapy in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard treatment for MDD. However, while efficacious, CBT is not readily ac...

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder. Among different therapeutic approaches (e.g., medication, psychotherapy), psychotherapy in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard treatment for MDD. However, while efficacious, CBT is not readily accessible t...

BACKGROUND Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a debilitating and prevalent mental health disorder that has often inaccessible treatment options. Electronically Delivered Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (e-DBT) could be an efficacious and more accessible intervention. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of e-DBT in the...

Background Borderline personality disorder is a debilitating and prevalent mental health disorder, with often inaccessible treatment options. Electronically delivered dialectical behavioral therapy could be an efficacious and more accessible intervention. Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electronic delivery of dialectical behavioral t...

Objective We investigated the comparative efficacy and tolerability of augmentation strategies for bipolar depression. Data Sources We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of 8 electronic databases for double-blind, randomized controlled trials of adjunctive pharmacotherapies for acute bipolar depression. Data Extraction and Sy...

BACKGROUND The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has gone far beyond the direct overload of the hospital care system, with physical distancing, financial uncertainty, and the stress of well-being having largely negative consequences on individuals’ mental health. Adding to these stressors is the personal and public trauma of lost lives, with an incre...

Background The considerable rise of mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental effects on the public health sector and economy. To meet the overwhelming and growing demand for mental health care, innovative approaches must be employed to significantly expand mental health care delivery capacity. Although it is not fea...

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological treatment strategies for the treatment of acute bipolar depression. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted by searching eight registries for published and unpublished, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of pharmacother...

Importance Cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS)—a diagnostic indicator of cannabis use disorder—commonly occurs on cessation of heavy and prolonged cannabis use. To date, the prevalence of CWS syndrome has not been well described, nor have the factors potentially associated with CWS. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of CWS among individuals wit...

Objective We investigated the comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological treatment strategies for the treatment of acute bipolar depression. Data Sources A systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted by searching eight registries for published and unpublished, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of pharmacotherap...

The legality, recreational and medical use of cannabis varies widely by country and region but remains largely prohibited internationally. In October 2018, Canada legalized the recreational use of cannabis—a move many viewed as controversial. Proponents of legalization have emphasized the potential to eradicate the marijuana black market, improve q...