Tag: Substance abuse

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Internet addiction in adolescents with suicidal ideation: the role of self-esteem and school connectedness

BackgroundInternet addiction (IA) has become a growing concern, particularly among adolescents, due to its adverse effects on mental health, physical well-being, and future development. Adolescents with suicidal ideation (SI) are particularly vulnerable to IA, which may be associated with a higher risk of engaging in suicidal behaviors. However, the relationship and underlying mechanisms between SI and IA remain unclear. This study, grounded in the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use, investigates the relationship and explores the roles of self-esteem (mediator) and school connectedness (moderator) in this association.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 462 Chinese adolescents with SI (79.0% female) were recruited from psychiatric outpatient clinics between June 2024 and September 2025. Validated instruments measured SI, self-esteem, school connectedness, and IA. Structural equation modeling with bootstrapping procedures was used to test the mediation effect of self-esteem on the relationship between SI and IA. The moderating role of school connectedness was examined using PROCESS Model 8.ResultsSI was positively associated with IA (β = 0.224, p < 0.001). SI was negatively associated with self-esteem (β = -0.464, p < 0.001), and self-esteem was further negatively associated with IA (β = -0.448, p < 0.001). Self-esteem partially mediated the relationship between SI and IA, with an indirect effect of 0.208 (95% CI: 0.154-0.271). School connectedness significantly moderated the direct association between SI and IA (β = -0.005, p = 0.001), but did not moderate the association between SI and the mediator, self-esteem (β = 0.004, p = 0.202).ConclusionThis study identifies a significant positive association between SI and IA among adolescents with SI, with self-esteem partially mediating this link. Furthermore, school connectedness showed a very weak buffering effect on the direct association between SI and IA, and it does not moderate the association between SI and self-esteem. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying IA in this vulnerable population and suggest potential targets for interventions.
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Canada Gets its First National Guidance on AI for Mental and Substance Use Health

Ottawa (ONTARIO) – In a first-of-its-kind initiative, national guidance for using artificial intelligence (AI) in the mental and substance use health field is being developed through a partnership between the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

AI is increasingly being used for healthcare triage, service navigation, service delivery, and communication, but developers and users have no guidelines specific to mental or substance use health to support its effective and safe use. The recently published E-Mental Health Strategy for Canada highlights the need for safety in this field.

The new National Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Use in Mental Health and Substance Use Health Care will provide guidance, tools, and resources  to help practitioners, organizations, and health leaders in efficiently evaluating and implementing AI-enabled mental health and substance use health care services and solutions. It will also support people with lived or living experience of mental health or substance use health concerns in making informed choices about these technologies, while helping technology companies design and improve such solutions to meet the needs of those who use them.

“People are excited about what AI can bring, but the saying ‘break it then fix it’ can take on new dangers when what is at risk is people’s lives. This guidance will allow innovators to move fast while working to ensure it’s done safely and in a way that increases impact and access,” says CCSA CEO Dr. Alexander Caudarella.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada President and CEO Lili-Anna Pereša adds, “Technology can be a powerful ally in transforming mental health care, but innovation must be matched with responsibility. Communities are the best problem-solvers. By working together with developers, providers, and people with lived experience, we’re creating guidance that ensures AI enhances care safely and meaningfully.”

The National Guidance team will share its early findings at several upcoming conferences, including the World Psychiatric Association’s World Congress of Psychiatry, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction’s Issues of Substance conference, and the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC) Congress.

In Canada, mental health and substance use health needs are highly common, yet many people continue to face significant barriers to care, including limited access, stigma, financial costs, and lack of tailored treatment options.

 
The National Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Use with Mental Health and Substance Use Health is expected to launch in 2026/2027.

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About CCSA:

CCSA was created by Parliament to provide national leadership to address substance use in Canada. A trusted counsel, we provide national guidance to decision makers by harnessing the power of research, curating knowledge and bringing together diverse perspectives. CCSA activities and products are made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views of CCSA do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.

About The Mental Health Commission of Canada:

The Commission leads the development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of people in Canada. Through its unique mandate from the Government of Canada, the Commission supports federal, provincial, and territorial governments as well as organizations in the implementation of sound public policy. The Commission’s current mandate aims to deliver on priority areas identified in the Mental Health Strategy for Canada in alignment with the delivery of its strategic plan. 

Media contacts:

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Christine LeBlanc, Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
613-898-6343 | cleblanc@ccsa.ca

Mental Health Commission of Canada
media@mentalhealthcommission.ca

The post Canada Gets its First National Guidance on AI for Mental and Substance Use Health appeared first on Mental Health Commission of Canada.

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Development of the Healthy Women Intervention to Increase Women’s Engagement in Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Mixed Methods, User-Centered Design Approach

Background: Rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) have increased among women over the past 2 decades. Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is effective but underused. Gender-specific treatments for women have been associated with improved substance use outcomes. However, these treatments have not specifically targeted women’s engagement in MOUD, and the impact of existing gender-specific treatments is restricted by in-person delivery. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a digital intervention to feasibly deliver gender-specific care that addresses the individualized needs of women with OUD to increase engagement in MOUD. Methods: A mixed methods, user-centered design approach was used to inform the development of a digital intervention. In phase 1, qualitative interviews were conducted with women with lived experience of OUD (n=20) and providers who treat women with OUD (n=8). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes. In addition, a larger sample of treatment providers (n=55) completed an online survey to further inform the content of the digital intervention. Phase 2 consisted of designing, beta-testing (n=5), and refining the intervention. Results: The age of women with lived experience ranged from 21 to 59 (mean 38.5, SD 9.4) years; 63% (5/8) of providers interviewed were female participants. The qualitative interview data from women with lived experience and providers were grouped into 6 thematic categories: 3 treatment-related (1) barriers to treatment, (2) facilitators to successful recovery, and (3) important issues to address in treatment, and 3 technology-related (4) positives of using technology as part of treatment, (5) suggested technology features, and (6) barriers to using technology. Across the treatment-related categories, several themes touched on women-specific factors including family responsibilities, abusive partners, stigma, and motivation for treatment (eg, pregnancy). The technology-related categories provided information for designing the features of the intervention, as well as revealing barriers to technology use, which could be helpful in developing implementation strategies. Provider survey participants were primarily female participants (40/55, 73%), with a mean age of 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. Survey data provided additional information on barriers to treatment and suggested technology features. Based on these data and preliminary work, the intervention was created. Minor edits to content and visual design were made in the beta-testing phase. The final version includes a web-based component with 6 topic modules and a mobile component. Topics in the web-based component are presented through infographics, text, videos, and interactive questions. The mobile component includes daily motivational messages, skills practice activities (2/wk), weekly check-ins, and resources (always available). Conclusions: Important themes and suggested features from women with lived experience and providers were incorporated into a digital intervention for women with OUD. Data on feasibility, satisfaction, and engagement with the intervention are currently being collected in phase 3, a pilot randomized controlled trial.
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ARIA funding

We’re proud to share that Relatix Bio has applied for funding from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) under their Trust Everything, Everywhere programme. This initiative explores how trust can be built across the digital and physical worlds, and we believe this conversation must include those whose minds work differently.

Our proposal focuses on one of the most pressing and least understood challenges of the digital age: how people with neurodevelopmental and neurodiverse conditions — including autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, borderline traits, and psychopathy — experience, interact with, and build trust in AI systems. In a world increasingly mediated by algorithms, the ways these systems interpret, respond to, and store our most personal thoughts and data matter profoundly.

Throughout history, individuals living with stigmatised neurocognitive conditions have been marginalised or misrepresented — by institutions, by society, and now, potentially, by AI. Some may over-trust technology that feels neutral or supportive; others may under-trust it due to past harm or bias. We want to ensure that digital systems meet people where they are — building trust rather than eroding it. Protecting privacy, and supporting quality of life, health and wellbeing.

Through our work, Relatix Bio aims to lead the way in ethical and inclusive neuro-AI design: protecting privacy, removing stigma, and defining standards for responsible data handling in the era of AI. Our goal is to make sure that the next generation of AI-driven tools — from chatbots to diagnostics — truly serve everyone, regardless of how their brain is wired.

We know how often in the past things have gone wrong — from chatbots unintentionally encouraging depressive or paranoid thoughts, to credit and gambling platforms optimising for addiction or impulsive behaviour. These systems were built without safeguarding those with neurodevelopmental conditions, who may react differently to AI optimised interactions. Many respond by disengaging digitally, and may be feeling that an AI-driven world is a minefield — because it wasn’t built for them.

Join us in shaping a radically different future where cognitive diversity and digital trust can coexist, and AI tools are built to truly support and facilitate. To learn more about our mission or to collaborate contact our team.