About FREA

Our mission is to transform the care and long-term health and wellness of emerging adults struggling with their mental health

What is FREA?

The Framework for Research in Emerging Adults is an innovative clinical research registry focusing on youth and young adults aged 16-24.

It is led by researchers at the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, and is funded by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.

FREA is based out of the university’s Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education located at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta.

What is our purpose?

To improve emerging adults’ mental health by closing knowledge gaps and developing research to lead evidence-based treatments by connecting patients to research studies.

Emerging adulthood is a challenging stage of life, especially when struggling with mental health. FREA was thus created to improve care at this stage by addressing knowledge gaps and building capacity to conduct research so we can implement new, evidence-based treatment strategies.

We want to make it possible to embed rich data, research, and knowledge exchange into the care of emerging adults being treated for mental health concerns.

What’s in it for you?

JOIN REGISTRY

Joining the Registry connects you to research studies you may be eligible for, helping us evaluate novel treatment options which may better serve emerging adults.

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Meet the Team
Scott Patten,
MD, PhD
Registry Lead

Scott is a psychiatrist and professor of epidemiology in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. He holds the Cuthbertson & Fischer Chair in Pediatric Mental Health.

Link to Email
Link to Linkedin
Paul Arnold,
MD, PhD
Program Lead

Paul is the Director of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education. He is a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary, and holds the Alberta Innovates Translational Chain in Child & Youth Mental Health.

Link to Email
Link to Linkedin
Justin Lys,
MD
Senior Project Coordinator
Link to Email
Link to Linkedin
Adrijana D'Silva,
PhD
Senior Scientist
Link to Email
Link to Linkedin
Partners
At FREA, we are proud to partner with diverse community leaders.
Children's Hospital Foundation Logo
Children's Hospital Foundation Logo
Mental Health Research For Kids Logo

For more information, please visit our affiliated partners:

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Pave the way for improved mental health care support

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The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).