Accelerating innovative mental health treatment and outreach for stress and trauma

Calgary neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Hill, PhD, always had a strong passion for mental health research. When he first became a professor at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), he figured could make a difference through neurobiology research in the lab to find new treatment targets. 

Since becoming UCalgary’s first Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma (MIST) Chair, a donor-funded research leadership role launched in 2022 at HBI, Hill’s perspective on how researchers can lead better mental health in our community has evolved.

“Bringing people together and having conversations can help more than waiting for a new pill,” Hill says. “The MIST Chair has shown how we can more quickly move new knowledge into the community to improve mental health and reduce loss for families. It doesn’t have to be such a long game.”

MIST explores the impact that emotional stress and physical trauma have on the brain, and the relationship between these effects and post-concussion syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicide – through both scientific research and outreach.

New opportunity to accelerate MIST impact while continuing as MIST Chair

As the newly appointed director of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hill says he can drive impact for people living with mental health challenges even faster. And, since Hill will continue in his work as MIST chair, his directorship can help elevate MIST, accelerate its growth and bolster its impact. 

“Through my dual leadership roles in MIST and the Mathison Centre, we can catalyze more new projects studying suicide and brain injury across the Centre. This will more rapidly expand knowledge to inform treatment and care for people living with mental health disorders,” Hill says. 

”We can also enhance community outreach thanks to strategic resource sharing. This critical work allows us to raise awareness and share solutions directly with more people in our community who need them.”

MIST advances neuroscience research to save lives by discovering new approaches and treatments, while translating this science into action through public outreach and education efforts to broaden public knowledge, destigmatize mental health challenges and improve our own individual and collective mental well-being. 

The Mathison Centre is known for excellence in bold mental health research, focusing on real-world solutions for early identification, treatment and prevention. Hill also plans to leverage Mathison Centre’s access to national and international partnerships to advance MIST objectives through new research collaborations that can deliver more innovative mental health solutions sooner.

Hill assumed the directorship March 1, 2026, on a five-year term. He takes over from Dr. Paul Arnold, MD, PhD, FRCPC, who led the Mathison Centre for a decade. Previously, Hill held the role of deputy director.