The MEND (Meaningfully Empowering the Neurodiverse) Initiative: Helping Autistic Adults in the GTA Express their Mental Health Needs

About us

The MEND Initiative is a student-led Capstone project within the TRP. Our goal is to collaborate with autistic adults (18 years of age and older) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to develop an intervention that empowers them to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider(s).

The MEND Initiative is a student-led Capstone project within the TRP. Our goal is to collaborate with autistic adults (18 years of age and older) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to develop an intervention that empowers them to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider(s).

Background

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with socialization, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive or restricted behaviours and/or routines (Lai et al., 2019). Autistic individuals experience a greater prevalence of mental health conditions compared to the neurotypical population (Lai et al., 2019). This is problematic as experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions increases the possibility of worse long-term health outcomes and quality of life (Lai et al., 2019).Despite an increased need for mental health support, autistic adults in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) report experiencing difficulties expressing their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider, including family physicians, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. Thus, there is a need to empower autistic adults to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider.Our team has established our unmet need by conducting a needs analysis utilizing the Toronto Translational Framework (TTF). To understand the problem space and validate this need, we have spoken to a group of 10 autistic adults, 5 caregivers (a parent or sibling of an autistic individual), and 10 professionals working in the autism field (from organizations/institutions such as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), and Autism Canada). Moreover, we have conducted reviews of white and grey literature and internet resources.Our next steps include forming an Autistic Advisory Committee (AAC) to co-design an intervention via participatory design and running focus groups for intervention testing and evaluation.

Capstone defense

The MEND Initiative had their capstone defense on July 15th, 2024. Watch the video: 

Team members

Katie Boddison

Katie Boddison

See Katie's full profile

Mouzhan Varshoueitabrizi

See Mouzhan's full profile

Abitha Suthakaran

Abitha is passionate about improving health outcomes for marginalized communities, including people of colour, the neurodiverse population, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

See Abitha's full profile

Project Advisory Committee

Sandra Palmaro

Sandra Palmaro

Strategist and advisor

Sandra has spent more than 25 years in leadership positions in the corporate, not for profit, and education sectors. After 14 years with Microsoft Canada, Sandra held leadership roles at SickKids Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and, most recently, at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Emily Tam

Emily Tam

Nutritionist, Dietitian

Emily is a registered Nutritionist/Dietitian who provides nutrition counselling using an approach founded on the principles of collaborating with clients to identify realistic goals and supporting them in implementing their individualized nutrition plans. She is especially passionate about supporting people to achieve recovery from disordered eating and eating disorders.

Anita Federici

Anita Federici

Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation

Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, a private Clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. Anita has an established reputation for her work as a therapist, clinical trainer, researcher, program director and consultant.

TRP Supervisors

Director Dr. Joseph Ferenbok

Dr. Joseph Ferenbok

TRP Director

Driven to improve patient care, Prof. Ferenbok catapults projects forward with passion, wisdom, and a contagious chuckle. He is an Associate Director of the Health Innovation Hub, a Faculty of Medicine initiative intended to connect, align, serve, and facilitate the translation, innovation, and commercialization of 'Health Matters'.

See Joseph's full profile
Edyta Marcon, Advisor, Capstone Committee, Instructor, Supervisor, TRP Team

Dr. Edyta Marcon

Concept Translator Senior Research Associate, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto

Edyta loves to encounter new questions, apply new knowledge, and meet new people. As a Senior Research Associate at the U of T Donnelly Centre, she currently studies how RNA modifications regulate gene expression and how they relate to human health and disease. Her interests extend beyond the laboratory into the application of scientific research using human centric design thinking.

See Edyta's full profile

About us

About us

The MEND Initiative is a student-led Capstone project within the TRP. Our goal is to collaborate with autistic adults (18 years of age and older) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to develop an intervention that empowers them to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider(s).

The MEND Initiative is a student-led Capstone project within the TRP. Our goal is to collaborate with autistic adults (18 years of age and older) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to develop an intervention that empowers them to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider(s).

Background

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with socialization, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive or restricted behaviours and/or routines (Lai et al., 2019). Autistic individuals experience a greater prevalence of mental health conditions compared to the neurotypical population (Lai et al., 2019). This is problematic as experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions increases the possibility of worse long-term health outcomes and quality of life (Lai et al., 2019).Despite an increased need for mental health support, autistic adults in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) report experiencing difficulties expressing their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider, including family physicians, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. Thus, there is a need to empower autistic adults to express their mental health needs to their chosen healthcare provider.Our team has established our unmet need by conducting a needs analysis utilizing the Toronto Translational Framework (TTF). To understand the problem space and validate this need, we have spoken to a group of 10 autistic adults, 5 caregivers (a parent or sibling of an autistic individual), and 10 professionals working in the autism field (from organizations/institutions such as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), and Autism Canada). Moreover, we have conducted reviews of white and grey literature and internet resources.Our next steps include forming an Autistic Advisory Committee (AAC) to co-design an intervention via participatory design and running focus groups for intervention testing and evaluation.

Capstone defense

The MEND Initiative had their capstone defense on July 15th, 2024. Watch the video: 

Team members

Katie Boddison

Katie Boddison

See Katie's full profile

Mouzhan Varshoueitabrizi

See Mouzhan's full profile

Abitha Suthakaran

Abitha is passionate about improving health outcomes for marginalized communities, including people of colour, the neurodiverse population, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

See Abitha's full profile

Project Advisory Committee

Sandra Palmaro

Sandra Palmaro

Strategist and advisor

Sandra has spent more than 25 years in leadership positions in the corporate, not for profit, and education sectors. After 14 years with Microsoft Canada, Sandra held leadership roles at SickKids Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and, most recently, at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Emily Tam

Emily Tam

Nutritionist, Dietitian

Emily is a registered Nutritionist/Dietitian who provides nutrition counselling using an approach founded on the principles of collaborating with clients to identify realistic goals and supporting them in implementing their individualized nutrition plans. She is especially passionate about supporting people to achieve recovery from disordered eating and eating disorders.

Anita Federici

Anita Federici

Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation

Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, a private Clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. Anita has an established reputation for her work as a therapist, clinical trainer, researcher, program director and consultant.

TRP Supervisors

Director Dr. Joseph Ferenbok

Dr. Joseph Ferenbok

TRP Director

Driven to improve patient care, Prof. Ferenbok catapults projects forward with passion, wisdom, and a contagious chuckle. He is an Associate Director of the Health Innovation Hub, a Faculty of Medicine initiative intended to connect, align, serve, and facilitate the translation, innovation, and commercialization of 'Health Matters'.

See Joseph's full profile
Edyta Marcon, Advisor, Capstone Committee, Instructor, Supervisor, TRP Team

Dr. Edyta Marcon

Concept Translator Senior Research Associate, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto

Edyta loves to encounter new questions, apply new knowledge, and meet new people. As a Senior Research Associate at the U of T Donnelly Centre, she currently studies how RNA modifications regulate gene expression and how they relate to human health and disease. Her interests extend beyond the laboratory into the application of scientific research using human centric design thinking.

See Edyta's full profile

Background

Our project emerged from a shared concern for the health and safety of wildland firefighters facing increasingly challenging conditions. Recognizing the critical role respiratory protective equipment plays in their well-being, we assembled a diverse team of engineers, researchers, and experienced wildland firefighters. Through collaborative efforts and a human-centered design approach, we aim to improve and innovate existing equipment to better align the demands of wildland firefighting. By combining technical expertise with on-the-ground insights, we aspire to contribute meaningful advancements to the field, ultimately enhancing the protection and resilience of those who safeguard our wildlands during fire seasons. Through iterative collaboration and a deep understanding of on-the-ground realities, our project aspires to make meaningful advancements in the field, ultimately contributing to the heightened protection and resilience of those who tirelessly safeguard our wildlands.

Team members

Sumegha Jain

Sumegha Jain

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Janna Mohamed

Janna Mohamed

Janna is passionate about people and the planet. She believes that by collaborating across disciplines, we can problem-solve and innovate to tackle complex health challenges and translate evidence into action

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Arani Ravichandra

Arani Ravichandran

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Scientist
Stella Rho
Stella Rho

TRP Supervisors

Director Dr. Joseph Ferenbok

Joseph Ferenbok

TRP Director

Driven to improve patient care, Prof. Ferenbok catapults projects forward with passion, wisdom, and a contagious chuckle. He is an Associate Director of the Health Innovation Hub, a Faculty of Medicine initiative intended to connect, align, serve, and facilitate the translation, innovation, and commercialization of 'Health Matters'.

See full profile
Edyta Marcon, Advisor, Capstone Committee, Instructor, Supervisor, TRP Team

Edyta Marcon

Concept Translator Senior Research Associate, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto

Edyta loves to encounter new questions, apply new knowledge, and meet new people. As a Senior Research Associate at the U of T Donnelly Centre, she currently studies how RNA modifications regulate gene expression and how they relate to human health and disease. Her interests extend beyond the laboratory into the application of scientific research using human centric design thinking.