Benicio Frey named first Homewood Research Chair in Women’s Mental Health and Depression

McMaster University professor Benicio Frey has been appointed as the inaugural Homewood Research Chair in Women’s Mental Health and Depression.

Frey, a professor with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and the medical director of the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, was appointed to the chair for an initial five-year term.

“I am so honoured to be receiving this recognition of my research,” Frey says. “The chair will help expand our research that focuses on the links between women’s mental health and depression.”

This new chair is possible thanks to a generous gift from the Homewood Research Institute (HRI).

Frey is hoping to answer several serious questions around the links between depression, anxiety and emotional regulation in women suffering from hormonal sensitivity, which will inform better ways to help this vulnerable population.

The chair will also help Frey further strengthen the clinical, research and educational programs at Homewood Research Institute and Homewood Health Centre.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Frey on his appointment as the Homewood Research Chair in Women’s Mental Health and Depression,” says Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. “This appointment is a testament to Dr. Frey’s dedication and mental health research and marks a significant step towards the improvement of women’s health.”

Frey, who is also the director of the McMaster / St. Joseph’s Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles in his career. He is also a former recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research fellowship award in women’s mental health.

In 2020, Frey was awarded the title of University Scholar and in 2022 he was awarded the Douglas Utting Prize in Mood Disorders.

“I am extremely proud of Dr. Frey as the recipient of the Homewood Research Chair in Women’s Mental Health and Depression,” says Karin Neufeld, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. “Benicio’s work and dedication in this field exemplifies the excellence we strive for in our department.”

In his role as chair, Frey will work with the Homewood Research Institute, a charity dedicated to transforming mental health and substance use treatments.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Benicio Frey to HRI,” says Sidney Kennedy, executive director of HRI. “As an award-winning expert in the neurobiology of mood disorders, and one of Canada’s leaders in women’s mental health research, Dr. Frey is ideal as the inaugural Homewood Research Chair in Women’s Mental Health and Depression. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Frey over the last decade and I’m excited to have him join us as we continue to grow our programs in applied research and knowledge translation.”

Through his involvement with HRI, Frey will work with their primary practice partner, Homewood Health, one of Canada’s largest providers of mental health and addiction disorders treatments.

“Homewood Health will play a pivotal role in supporting the development and rapid translation of Dr. Frey’s research into clinical practice,” says Carlos Lalonde, president and chief of staff at Homewood Health Centre and executive vice-president, medical services at Homewood Health.

“This collaboration will create new pathways for learning and complement the women’s trauma and concurrent treatment program at Homewood Health Centre launched this year. We welcome Dr. Frey’s stewardship and expertise in women’s mental health. Our shared focus will undoubtedly have a lasting impact in this area of research and practice.”