ASR Suicide and Depression Studies Program - St. Michael's Hospital

ASR Suicide and Depression Studies Program - St. Michael's Hospital We at the ASR Program at St. Michael’s Hospital are dedicated to intervention, research, & education Arthur Sommer Rotenberg was born in Toronto in 1956.

He was educated at Upper Canada College through Grade XII. He then went to the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales from which he received the International Baccalaureate. Arthur honoured in Science at Victoria College, University of Toronto, winning the Lt. Governor’s Medal when he graduated. He took his medical training at the University of Toronto. He interned in University of Toronto teaching hospitals, after which he became a Family Practitioner in Toronto. Arthur had many interests. He was a most competent athlete – excelling in tennis, sailing and skiing. He was an expert cyclist, bicycling from Rome to Paris in the summer before he entered Medical School – carrying in his knapsack books on Chemistry to compensate for his lack of knowledge of this subject, which was required. He enjoyed Music, both classical and current, playing the guitar for his own pleasure. He was an experienced carpenter, making much of the furniture in his house such as dining room table and chairs, coffee table and book shelves. Arthur had an eclectic taste in Art – eager to learn and acquiring pieces at different times which enabled him to sharpen his artistic acumen. His creative expression in Art took the form of photography which he mastered well. The Chair in Su***de Studies was established in Arthur’s memory to help fulfil the unfulfilled promise of his tragically shortened life. It is appropriate that such a memorial be established because Arthur was interested in research, and was already a published author. It is hoped thereby that others may be enabled to do what he might have done had he lived. Arthur’s life was cut off by force which this Chair will aim to understand in order to mitigate them. The Chair is in honour of his spirit as well as his accomplishments. His life was lived, as a dear friend of his wrote: “…with brio; that is, with intensity, purpose, passion for romance, adventure, and most of all compassionate communication.”

You won't want to miss our next lecture, led by the ASR's own Dr. Katharine Dunlop! Researchers are working to identify ...
03/18/2026

You won't want to miss our next lecture, led by the ASR's own Dr. Katharine Dunlop!

Researchers are working to identify subtypes of depression, but people experiencing suicidal thoughts are often neglected from this work.

In this talk, Dr. Dunlop will discuss how suicidal thoughts affect these approaches and how we might better identify different types of su***de risk in people with depression.

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CLa55ZUaTf6f4PR-e0paow #/registration

Registration is now open for our next lecture! Join us for an insightful discussion on March 9th, where Dr. Van Orden wi...
02/10/2026

Registration is now open for our next lecture!

Join us for an insightful discussion on March 9th, where Dr. Van Orden will speak on how social isolation and loneliness relate to su***de, and describe interventions to promote health, connection and well-being.

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y7AZalVrRGi4ipnMIt0eqQ

Happening in one week! Don't miss out on registering ⤵️
02/02/2026

Happening in one week! Don't miss out on registering ⤵️

Registration for our February public lecture is now live!📣

Join us on February 9th as Dr. Arielle Sheftall speaks on the landscape of suicidal behaviors amongst Black youth in the US and beyond.

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yfysDA_rQly3DD2UzasRnQ

We are still actively recruiting for this project! See the post below for more information ⬇️
01/05/2026

We are still actively recruiting for this project! See the post below for more information ⬇️

Are you currently dealing with depression and antidepressants have not worked for you? Are you currently not taking antidepressant medication?

The ASR team is conducting a brain imaging study to examine biological markers of depression. Connect with us to find out how you can participate. Learn more: www.asrlife.ca/research

For more information, please email us at connect@ASRlife.ca.

Please note that email is not secure, and emails can be intercepted, viewed, changed or saved by others. If interested, please write “Dopamine & the Brain” in the subject line and send us your phone number.

One week away! Don't forget to register for this impactful talk 🌿
01/05/2026

One week away! Don't forget to register for this impactful talk 🌿

Before the ASR drifts into holiday mode, we are excited to announce that registration is open for our January lecture led by Tracey Whiteye, MSW, RSW!

With over 24 years of collective experience, Tracey works to uplift traditional cultural teachings, ceremonies, and practices as a Wholistic Indigenous practitioner, educator, wisdom-seeker, advocator and helper. She utilizes decolonizing Indigenous practices to support the resurgence of Indigenous ways of seeing, feeling, knowing, and being. Her approach is rooted in ancestral wisdom, emphasizing intergenerational knowledge, storytelling, personal experiences, and land-based education.

This lecture offers an Indigenous perspective on the interconnectedness of youth mental health and youth su***de. Attendees will explore key factors and gaps in health outcomes. Additionally, the lecture will emphasize the significance of holistic Indigenous healing practices.

📆 Monday January 12th, 2026
🕒 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom – click link below to register
👥 Open to all!

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DsQAJ76tQqyF79N9RfuHvQ #/registration

Before the ASR drifts into holiday mode, we are excited to announce that registration is open for our January lecture le...
12/22/2025

Before the ASR drifts into holiday mode, we are excited to announce that registration is open for our January lecture led by Tracey Whiteye, MSW, RSW!

With over 24 years of collective experience, Tracey works to uplift traditional cultural teachings, ceremonies, and practices as a Wholistic Indigenous practitioner, educator, wisdom-seeker, advocator and helper. She utilizes decolonizing Indigenous practices to support the resurgence of Indigenous ways of seeing, feeling, knowing, and being. Her approach is rooted in ancestral wisdom, emphasizing intergenerational knowledge, storytelling, personal experiences, and land-based education.

This lecture offers an Indigenous perspective on the interconnectedness of youth mental health and youth su***de. Attendees will explore key factors and gaps in health outcomes. Additionally, the lecture will emphasize the significance of holistic Indigenous healing practices.

📆 Monday January 12th, 2026
🕒 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom – click link below to register
👥 Open to all!

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DsQAJ76tQqyF79N9RfuHvQ #/registration

📣 Registration is now open for the 4th lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series! On December 15th, join us for an import...
11/19/2025

📣 Registration is now open for the 4th lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series!

On December 15th, join us for an important and insightful presentation by Dr. Diana Clarke, whose research centers on how culture and ethnoracial identity shape pathways to su***de risk and access to care.

In this session, Dr. Clarke will share empirical findings and lived-experience perspectives that show how cultural humility can strengthen su***de risk assessment and prevention efforts. We’ll explore how identity, beliefs, social structures, and cultural practices influence su***de risk patterns, disclosure, and treatment-seeking—and discuss opportunities to move the field toward more culturally informed prevention science.

✨ Learning Objectives:
• Understand the core domains of culture and their challenges in su***de prevention research
• Learn how cultural identity shapes su***de risk, disclosure, and access to care
• Explore how cultural humility can be applied to su***de risk assessment and safety planning
• Identify opportunities to advance culturally informed su***de prevention science

👉 Register now to reserve your spot! https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qd1TWv2PSLq9i4GywlFqEw #/registration

Happening today at noon!
11/17/2025

Happening today at noon!

Can your blood tell us anything about your risk of su***de? Join us for the next lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series, presented by Dr. Firoza Mamdani, to find out!

Dr. Mamdani’s research focuses on translational studies bridging molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry by integrating clinical, gene expression, and postmortem brain studies to identify biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders, accelerated aging and su***de risk. In this talk, she will present on recent work identifying blood-based biomarkers for su***de in patients with major depressive disorder.

🗓️ Monday November 17th, 2025
⏰ 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JzSZMjeeQKWnaebFjOttHw #/registration

Can your blood tell us anything about your risk of su***de? Join us for the next lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Serie...
10/24/2025

Can your blood tell us anything about your risk of su***de? Join us for the next lecture in the ASR Public Lecture Series, presented by Dr. Firoza Mamdani, to find out!

Dr. Mamdani’s research focuses on translational studies bridging molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry by integrating clinical, gene expression, and postmortem brain studies to identify biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders, accelerated aging and su***de risk. In this talk, she will present on recent work identifying blood-based biomarkers for su***de in patients with major depressive disorder.

🗓️ Monday November 17th, 2025
⏰ 12:00pm EST
📍 Zoom

Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JzSZMjeeQKWnaebFjOttHw #/registration

Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness and fight against stigma 💚 Did you know that in any given yea...
10/10/2025

Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness and fight against stigma 💚

Did you know that in any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness? Today is a reminder that taking care of your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health.

Here are some simple ways to care for your mental health:
💚 Call a friend ☎️
💚 Snuggle with a pet 🐈 🐶
💚 Go on a walk 🚶
💚 Nourish your body with a balanced diet 🥗🍫
💚 Do something creative 🎨🎭🖌️🛼
💚 Plan an outing with a friend 🎬🎳

***deprevention

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193 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5B1M4

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If you are in crisis and having suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help by calling Canada's su***de hotline at 1-833-456-4566, texting 45645 or visiting your closest emergency department. This Facebook site is not a crisis service and cannot provide any counselling or crisis intervention.