Dalhousie University Research Study

Discovery Centre is partnering with Dalhousie University for a research study and they’re looking for participants to join them on Saturday, June 15 from 9:00am – 4:00pm in our Level 3 Ghosn Room. Your family’s participation will help in Dalhousie University’s research of anxiety disorders in youth, with a $15 gift card to Amazon and free anxiety resources for participants in the program. The study should take no more than 20-minutes of your time.

Please see below about the study and your involvement:

In today’s fast-paced world, looking after our children’s mental well-being is crucial. Anxiety affects about 15% of Canadian youth, a number that has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding extra stress to our kids and teens.

As parents, caregivers, and community members, we need to recognize the seriousness of this issue. Anxiety disorders, like specific fears, general worry, and social anxiety, can disrupt our children’s lives, making it hard for them to enjoy school, socialize, or even participate in activities like sports or the arts.

Anxiety disorders have been on the rise for the past three decades, calling for action and deeper understanding of why our youth feel this way. Genetics play a significant role in how we handle anxiety, but we know little about how this works in young people. Understanding more about the role genes play in anxiety disorders can help us find better ways to treat them.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce the GAYA Study (Genetic Architecture of Youth Anxiety). This research aims to uncover how genes contribute to anxiety disorders in young people, helping us find better treatments.

We’re inviting youth aged 10-19 and their parents or guardians to join this important research. All youth experiencing anxiety at any level are welcome to participate. Taking part involves completing easy online surveys and playing interactive games on a safe app. Participants will receive a saliva kit by mail (with postage provided) and a $15 Amazon Gift Card as a thank-you for completing the study.

For kids facing extra anxiety who aren’t receiving help, we’re offering access to an online program called Breathe, proven to help teenagers aged 13 and up manage their anxiety better.

We understand that talking about mental health can be tough, especially for young people. That’s why participants can skip any questions they feel uncomfortable with. While participation might not directly help them, it could greatly impact how we support mental health in the future. By joining the GAYA Study, you can make a real difference in understanding and tackling anxiety disorders.

Thank you for considering our study and for your ongoing support in advancing mental health research for our youth!

• Dr. Sandra Meier and The GAYA Research Team