Funding research to better prevent anxiety

Beneva prioritizes anxiety prevention

At Beneva, we believe in anxiety prevention, so much so that we made it our philanthropic mission.

Why? Because anxiety affects millions of Canadians—the young, parents, caregivers, professionals—and it has a kind of domino effect on all spheres of life.

Conducting research on anxiety is important because it allows researchers to delve into its causes, develop preventive methods and provide coping mechanisms to people who need them.

Philanthropy for the benefit of research

What sets Beneva's philanthropic investments apart is their purpose. They are based on the conviction that research must help people by promoting access to appropriate psychological services and advancing knowledge in mental health.

Beneva encourages open, collaborative and exploratory research, which is akin to thinking outside the box, while also combining the positives of various disciplines such as psychology and technology and including community approaches to create new ways to help people.

Research counts in part on philanthropy to test new ideas, attract other sources of funding and accelerate the implementation of concrete solutions.

Anxiety prevention projects

In recent years, our philanthropic partnerships have enabled anxiety prevention researchers to improve and facilitate access to support across Canada.

Here is an overview of some of the projects powered by Beneva that illustrate the aim and scope of mental health research.

Beneva Fund – AI-Guided Digital Exposure Therapy – Université de Montréal

Exposure therapies are highly effective in treating anxiety, but not always available. At the Université de Montréal, researchers are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to personalize these therapies.

By analyzing each person's unique thought patterns and reactions, AI can identify targeted exercises and more flexible support, whether online or in person with a professional. This could make anxiety treatments much more personalized and, above all, more accessible to a wider audience.

York University’s Anxiety Research Fund, Powered by Beneva

York University’s Anxiety Research Fund brings researchers, from a variety of fields, together to work on common goal: better understand the causes of anxiety and find more effective and inclusive ways to prevent it.

Through this philanthropic partnership, we support a variety of projects that target specific groups of people. Mental health challenges are not experienced in the same way by everyone. Solutions must be adapted to each situation.

Some examples of current projects:

• CalmConnect: A program designed for young African immigrants aged 16 to 19, inspired by communal African practices. It helps better manage anxiety with simple problem-solving exercises, behavioural activation and psychoeducation.
• AAAQ racial anxiety tool: A tool developed in collaboration with the Black Creek Community Health Centre to identify racial barriers in people seeking care. It is based on a World Health Organization framework for making services safer and more equitable.
• Virtual reality and epilepsy: A way to help people living with epilepsy overcome their fears and reduce the anxiety associated with seizures via an immersive experience.
• Women's health: A project that explores anxiety related to medical tests, particularly for the human papillomavirus (HPV), in order to improve the psychological support offered during these screenings.

Projet BaromÊtre – Université Laval

Université Laval’s BaromÊtre project examines mental health in the workplace. The goal? To create a practical tool to measure and quickly identify the causes of stress, such as work overload, lack of recognition and tensions within teams.

By spotting the warning signs, organizations can take action before situations deteriorate. The current trend is therefore to move away from a culture of reaction and embrace a culture of prevention, where well-being becomes a driver of performance.

An impact that extends beyond the lab

In addition to scientific discoveries, philanthropy supports the next generation of researchers by offering scholarships, internships and training opportunities. They promote home-grown expertise and encourage the creation of resources that are directly accessible to people living with anxiety.

In other words, when we invest in research projects, we are helping build a stronger system that contributes to collective well-being.

Giving to research, investing in the community

Anxiety and other mental health challenges continue to be major societal issues. By supporting research, we give researchers the means to develop effective tools and provide accessible and inclusive resources.

Taking care of people means investing in projects that improve their lives.