Camila Corrêa Matias Peira
Stagiaire post-doctorat

daptation of Evidence-Based Online ICBT Interventions for Social Anxiety, Mixed Anxiety, Depression, and Other Common Mental Health Disorders

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition, affecting up to 12.1% of individuals globally. In Canada, SAD is more common in women, often comorbid with major depression in men, and associated with lower income and significant functional impairments. Anxiety disorders rank as the 6th leading cause of disability in Canada, particularly affecting individuals aged 15 to 35. Among older adults, anxiety and depression are the most common mental health conditions, with comorbidity leading to worse health outcomes and significant healthcare costs, such as the $1.5 billion CAN estimated annually in Quebec alone. Despite the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), less than 40% of Canadians with SAD seek professional help. To address this gap, the Australian-developed iCBT “Shyness Program” has shown promising results, with high efficacy and completion rates. This study aims to adapt and evaluate the program in the Canadian context, improving access to evidence-based treatments for underserved populations. Key objectives include: 1) Evaluate the effectiveness of the Canadian-adapted iCBT Shyness Program in reducing SAD symptoms across three health service trajectories. 2) Adapt the Worry and Sadness program to address the needs of older adults (≥65 years) with anxiety and depression. 3) Develop expertise in epidemiological methods, including designing cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This project will enhance equitable access to mental health services, provide tools for clinicians and decision-makers, and inform the scaling of these programs in Canadian primary care.