HRDP-SK Launches its First Clinical Dataset: Mental Health and Addictions Information System
A pivotal milestone in health data has been achieved with a new database in the Health Data Research Platform – Saskatchewan (HRDP-SK). The decade long journey to consolidate mental health and addictions data in our province and make it available for research has come to fruition and the impacts will benefit people and healthcare throughout Saskatchewan.
In May 2025, the Mental Health and Addictions Information System (MHAIS) became the first clinical dataset available in the HRDP-SK, adding to five existing administrative databases.. As a clinical dataset containing information collected during the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients, MHAIS data, which is anonymized to ensure the privacy and anonymity of patients, will help researchers answer a diverse range of questions to improve the health of patients and the health system itself.
One might underestimate the challenges associated with compiling Saskatchewan’s health data into a single repository. When the HRDP-SK team began the herculean task of consolidating Saskatchewan health data for research purposes, however, the roadblocks were plentiful. With multiple data holders, stringent regulations and privacy legislation, things were further complicated by a need for common language and terminology within the datasets. Operationalizing the HRDP-SK took years, with the most significant accomplishment being the development of a single Master Health Data Sharing Agreement. This critical piece of the puzzle enables timely and efficient research, replacing the need for multiple project specific agreements that sometimes took years to develop, halting research and delaying progress.
The integration of MHAIS into HRDP-SK is only possible because of the dedication, perseverance and collaboration of many partners over the past decade. Before integrating with HRDP-SK, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) Digital Health team needed to standardize and compile multiple versions of mental health data because Saskatchewan’s previous 12 health regions worked independently from one another and utilized several different databases. As part of the current single provincial health authority, and in response to demand for more effective patient care province-wide, in 2017, MHAIS replaced the former databases to allow consistent information to be captured in a single dataset.
Says Christina Weise, SCPOR’s Executive Director, “The addition of MHAIS to HRDP-SK really showcases the continued improvements being made in Saskatchewan health data access. If we can integrate MHAIS, given its size and complexities, anything is possible - we’re already seeing expedited work on other datasets. The HRDP-SK has created huge promise for the future of Saskatchewan health research.”
The ability for researchers to access mental health and addictions data will transform how research is conducted on these topics. Dr. Marilyn Baetz, Professor of Psychiatry with the University of Saskatchewan, states, “We can now do Saskatchewan-specific research, which we have never been able to do before. This allows us to look at our own local trends, utilization and specific treatments for issues such as substance use disorders, depression and anxiety, suicide and self-harm, youth mental health and access to mental health care. We can also compare it to other areas within Canada to determine best practices, where we can expect challenges or what we might be doing well.”
The inclusion of MHAIS in the HRDP-SK provides benefits beyond our provincial borders, as well. Researchers will now be able to use this dataset in multi-regional projects through the Health Data Research Network Canada’s Data Access Support Hub (DASH). DASH provides a streamlined process for researchers to access data from multiple data repositories across Canada. Inclusion in DASH helps ensure Saskatchewan residents are represented in national health research.
MHAIS provides researchers with powerful information to better understand mental health. Dr. Baetz sums up the significance of researchers gaining access to MHAIS data: “Access to Saskatchewan [mental health and addictions] data will enable researchers and administrators the ability to identify service gaps, target interventions, and improve mental health care delivery across the province. This can inform policy and resource allocation, which can enhance mental health outcomes for Saskatchewan residents.”
Researchers interested in using MHAIS can access more information on the following pages:
The Health Research Data Platform – Saskatchewan (HRDP-SK) is the province’s first fully integrated multi-agency data access platform for health research. HRDP-SK provides coordinated and timely access to health data that will enable research teams to address research questions more efficiently and effectively. Funded by the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research and Health Data Research Network Canada, HRDP-SK has been developed by Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, eHealth Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Health Shared Services Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations.
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) is part of Canada’s Strategy for Patient Oriented Research implemented by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). SCPOR’s vision of working together for a healthier Saskatchewan through patient-oriented research is possible because of funding by CIHR and nine Saskatchewan partner organizations that play a key role in supporting POR across the province.
Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada) is a pan-Canadian network of member organizations that either hold linkable health and health-related data for entire populations and/or have mandates and roles relating directly to access or use of those data. Member organizations include provincial, territorial, and pan-Canadian organizations that span all of Canada. Each member organization is actively involved in HDRN Canada’s governance and operations and shares a commitment to our mission, vision and values.