Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health
We lead, discover and innovate to transform brain and mental health in children and youth.
The Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health (GH-CBMH) at SickKids brings together clinical care, research and education to improve the outcomes of children and youth living with brain and mental health disorders.
By advancing new therapies and models of care, we continue to strengthen SickKids’ leadership in paediatric brain and mental health in Canada and globally.
In 2021, the Centre was renamed thanks to a monumental seven-year, $50 million transformational gift from Mr. Garry Hurvitz. This gift supports the Centre’s activities under the SickKids Mental Health Strategy and the Garry Hurvitz Community Centre for Mental Health (GH-CCMH).
Our approach
Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health's reach extends across SickKids and throughout the global community in what we do, such as:
- Bring leading brain & mental health clinicians, educators, and researchers together into a community of scholars
- Discover the fundamental basis of brain & mental health through innovative research
- Translate discoveries to accelerate improved brain & mental health outcomes for children, youth, and their families
- Implement new paradigms to prevent and treat brain & mental health conditions in children and youth
- Inspire, educate, and mentor future generations of brain & mental health leaders
Innovate. Cultivate. Amplify. Our Roadmap to 2030
Our strategy is a bold and thoughtful framework designed to advance brain and mental health research, education, and the people who drive meaningful change. Developed through deep collaboration with our community, this strategy sets the stage for transformative impact—at SickKids and around the world.
Together, we will create a future where every child’s mind can thrive.
Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health Strategy 2025-2030 (PDF)
Chief, Department of Psychiatry & Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative
Division Head of Neurology
Executive committee
Jeff Mainland
Executive Vice President (Executive Sponsor,GH-CBMH)
Darryl Yates
Executive Director, Brain and Mental Health Services
Peter Dirks
Chief, Division of Neurosurgery
Suneeta Monga
Associate Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Department of Psychiatry
Donald Mabbott
Program Head and Senior Scientist, Neurosciences & Mental Health
Elizabeth Dettmer
Clinical Director, Psychology
Gillian Liberman
Clinical Director, Social Work
Mahendranath Moharir
Clinical Director, Division of Neurology and Paediatric Stroke Program
Jennifer Crosbie
Psychologist, Department of Psychology
Nomazulu Dlamini
Staff Physician, Division of Neurology
George Ibrahim
Staff Neurosurgeon, Division of Neurosurgery
Tricia Williams
Psychologist, Department of Psychology
Committees and councils
Education Committee
This Education Committee supports education and knowledge translation initiatives across Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health and SickKids. They focus on:
- Identifying and developing collaborative education and knowledge translation initiatives across SickKids.
- Integrating patient and family persepectives into programming.
- Reviewing and implementing innovative education strategies
- Support global knowledge translation by implementing Knowledge Translation (KT) strategies.
- Act as a liaison between the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain and Mental Health Executive Committee, and internal and external partners for educational and knowledge exchange initiatives
[PLACEHODLER for Committee members info]
Research Committee
The Research Committee supports strategic research opportunities, funding initatives and research partnerships across the Centre. They focus on:
- Developing and encouraging novel research opportunities through strategic Centre initiatives
- Managing and promoting the Centre’s grant competitions
- Working with internal and external stakeholders to leverage all opportunities for collaborative research and funding
- Reviewing and determining research related funding requests that are submitted to the Centre
[PLACEHODLER for Committee members info]
Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)
The Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health, in collaboration with clinical experts and under the leadership of the Executive Director, Brain & Mental Health Services, has launched a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). This council ensures patients and failies are partners in hsaping care and services. Members provide insigths and recommendations to improve programs, services and the patient and family experience.
How it works:
- The PFAC will discuss treatments, therapeutics, and develop recommendations to improve mental health services and supports for patients and their families.
- Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) on the PFAC will act as general consultants and advisors who provide insight and recommendations to help ensure that the patient’s and family’s perspectives are integrated into service and quality improvement projects throughout the Brain & Mental Health program.
- The PFAs will provide a diverse range of perspectives to further improve patient care as well as the patient and family experience.
[PLACEHODLER for Committee members info]
Achievements
- Awarded 41 Chase an Idea and 28 Health Outcomes catalyst grants.
- This $3.7 million investment in brain and mental health research has led to many successes including $20.1 million in external funding, 113 publications and 236 invited presentations
- Awarded $630K in matching funds for innovative projects, leveraging $17.5 million in external grants.
- Funded 41 research and clinician-scientist fellowships, including 8 integrative fellows.
- GH-CBMH research findings may leading to three potential patent partnerships with Industry Partnerships & Commercialization at SickKids.
Core Disciplines
Our Division strives for optimal outcomes for children with neurological conditions.
We're the largest and longest running Neurosurgery Division in Canada, and one of the best in the world.
We are committed to providing exemplary clinical care, incorporating best clinical practices in children and youth mental health.
We provide consultation, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and interventions for young people up to 18 years of age.
Social work services and psychosocial interventions for children, adolescents and families.
We focus on advancing understanding of the brain to develop novel approaches to therapy and prevention strategies.
Events
If you are interested in participating in these events, please register by emailing us at brain.mentalhealth@sickkids.ca (unless otherwise specified).
February Grand Rounds
Commemorating Psychology Month which is celebrated every February
March Grand Rounds
Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of social workers
Purple day
Celebrated on March 26 to raise awareness about epilepsy
April Grand Rounds
Commemorating Autism Awareness Month during April
Children’s Mental Health Week
Raising awareness of the importance of children's and youth mental health
GH-CBMH Annual Conference
GH-CBMH Annual Conference
Awards
Recognizing Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health members who demonstrate exceptional generosity, collaboration, and commitment to advancing brain and mental health research, education, and patient care.
Funding Oppotunities
Funding opportunities for ground-breaking research studies that focus on improving the brain and mental health outcomes of children and youth.
Fellowships and studentships
Opportunities that are designed to support learners and clinicians in their pursuit of developing research expertise in paediatric brain and mental health.
Complete our Member Registration form to receive timely updates about upcoming events, funding opportunities, fellowships and more.
Stay up to date about the latest news.
If you have questions, please email us at brain.mentalhealth@sickkids.ca.