A new era in personalized mental health treatment for kids

This story originally appeared in the Calgary Herald on October 4, 2025

A groundbreaking new study out of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute at the University of Calgary will offer free pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing to 1,000 Alberta youth — using their DNA to match them with the right psychiatric medication faster, with fewer side effects.

Each year, more than 30,000 youth in Alberta are prescribed medications for conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD and autism spectrum disorder. Nearly half of these children either do not respond to their medications or suffer adverse effects — a reality that places immense strain on families and the health-care system.

Dr. Chad Bousman, a researcher in precision medicine, is spearheading the PGx testing initiative with community support through the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. It builds on the success of a pilot study involving over 2,000 youth across western Canada that showed remarkable results: a 64 per cent improvement in daily functioning, a 47 per cent reduction in side effects and significant drops in emergency visits and hospitalizations.

“This is about giving kids the right medication, at the right dose, the first time. We’re moving away from trial-and-error prescribing and toward personalized care that works.” — Dr. Bousman

Pediatric psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Stubbs, agrees.

“Pharmacogenetic testing absolutely helps us narrow down the choices. Instead of trialing multiple medications and doses, we can tailor treatment based on a child’s genetic profile,” he explains. “Childhood is a finite amount of time. Kids don’t have months to waste on treatments that aren’t effective or make them feel worse.”

In his practice at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Dr. Stubbs also recognizes that making the decision to start medication for their child can be a difficult one for parents. “Knowing the drug selection is based on personalized test results offers a level of reassurance some need to proceed.”

Mental health issues are the single-largest health problem facing young people in Canada today. With one in five children and teenagers struggling with conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and schizophrenia, the demand for services is high.

Here in Calgary, The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience is helping to meet that demand. A partnership between Recovery Alberta, the University of Calgary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Summit is a community-based mental health centre that offers new resources for kids, teens and their families, including a free walk-in therapy session that does not require a referral. The aim is to help young people address issues as early as possible.

Funded by donations to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Summit is one of Canada’s most research-intensive facilities of its kind in Canada, a key component of its vision for scientists to develop, test and refine clinical interventions all under one roof. Part of the funding for the campaign to build The Summit enabled Dr. Bousman to pursue his work with PGx testing for kids.

Currently, PGx testing is only available through private companies and may be cost prohibitive for many families. This initiative aims to eliminate that barrier and ensure equitable access for all Alberta youth. “Personalized medicine is where all treatment is headed,” says Dr. Bousman. In fact, he is already exploring potential applications in pediatric neurology, cardiology, oncology and more.

“We believe the mental health of our children is just as important as their physical health. Support from the community is fueling a culture of discovery that is making Alberta a national leader in youth mental health innovation, offering hope and healing to thousands of young people and their families across the province.” — Saifa Koonar, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation

Dr. Bousman is grateful for the backing. He envisions the study’s findings could pave the way for pharmacogenetic testing to become accessible to all kids — a shift that could save the province millions in health-care costs while dramatically improving outcomes for youth.

“Our goal is to make this the new standard across Alberta so that every young person has access to the safest, most effective treatment right from the start,” says Dr. Bousman.