Homewood Research Institute’s Second Annual Spring Social and Fever Pitch Competition Raises Funds for Women’s Mental Health and Depression Research Program

The second annual Spring Social and Fever Pitch Competition at Homewood Research Institute (HRI) was a night to remember, filled with connection, community, and innovation. The event, held at Riverslea Mansion, aimed to raise funds for HRI’s women’s mental health and depression research program.

The highlight of the evening was the ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition, where three early-career researchers competed for a chance to win $10,000 towards a groundbreaking research project focused on improving treatments for women’s mental health. Dr. Benicio Frey, Homewood’s research chair in women’s mental health and depression, and professor at McMaster University, leads research in this area.

Research has shown that women and girls in Canada are twice as likely as men and boys to live with depression, with changes associated with women’s reproductive phases largely unexplored. In 2019, 23% of mothers shortly after birth reported feelings consistent with postpartum depression and anxiety disorders.

One of the competitors, Andre Tonon, a clinical fellow from McMaster University, is working on a project involving light exposure treatments for postpartum depression. This treatment, proven effective for seasonal affective disorder, shows promise for nonseasonal depression as well.

The top prize of $10,000 went to Andrea D’Alessandro-Lowe for her research project on moral injury and turnover intention among healthcare workers. Tonon and Kiran Punia each received $5,000 towards their research projects.

Dr. Frey emphasized the importance of research at HRI in delivering enhanced treatments and better outcomes for women living with depression and other mental health issues. The event not only raised awareness for mental health research but also supported the next generation of researchers who will continue this important work in the years to come.