Joti Samra PhD, R.Psych.

Faculty

Dr. Joti Samra, R.Psych., a clinical psychologist, holds a position as an Adjunct Professor and Research Scientist with the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University. She conducts applied research and clinical work in the area of mental health and addiction, with a particular interest to these issues as they pertain to the workplace context.

As part of her role with CARMHA, Dr. Samra has been a principal in the development of a number of evidence-based client and family resources for depression, suicidality and chronic health conditions (www.comh.ca), including: Coping with Suicidal Thoughts, which has been adapted for use by the US Department of Veterans Affairs; Positive Coping with Health Conditions (Bilsker, Samra & Goldner, 2008); and Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace (Bilsker, Gilbert & Samra, 2007). Additionally, Dr. Samra is the lead on Guarding Minds @ Work: An Employer Guide to Psychological Safety, an innovative project that has been commissioned by the Great West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and involves the development of an evidence-based psychosocial risk assessment survey, audit and response strategy for organizations, and is additionally a lead on a collaborative effort with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to produce an Employer’s Guide to Mental Health in the Workplace.

She has also been involved in a range of activities on behalf of the BC Workplace Mental Health & Addiction Scientific Committee, including conducting a survey of the relevant research literature in the area of workplace mental health and addiction; development of a framework for conceptualizing workplace mental health issues across stakeholder groups and levels of prevention; and coordination of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Scientific Congress on workplace mental health and addiction issues, held in Vancouver in May 2007.

Prior to joining CARMHA, Dr. Samra worked as the senior clinician on an interdisciplinary assessment and treatment team serving an occupational disability population. She provided and oversaw services for individuals who were off work due to a combination of mental health, addiction, and physical conditions. Dr. Samra is the recipient of the Canadian Psychological Association’s New Researcher Award (2002). She continues to be active in a range of clinical, professional and educational ventures including serving as a Clinical Associate at the SFU Clinical Psychology Centre, where she supervises graduate students in clinical psychology; being Co-Chair of the BC Psychologically Healthy Workplace Collaborative; and serving as Vice-President for the British Columbia Psychological Association.


Selected Publications: Treatment Manuals & Clinical Tools

Samra, J., Bilsker, D., & Gilbert, M. (In preparation). Employer’s Guide to Improving Mental Healthcare in the Workplace. Developed in Collaboration with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Samra, J., Gilbert, M., Shain, M., & Bilsker, D. (2009). Guarding Minds @ Work: A Workplace Guide to Psychological Health in Safety. Commissioned by the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, with funding from the Great-West Life Assurance Company.
Bilsker, D., Samra, J., & Goldner, E. (2008). Positive coping with health conditions. Self-care manual for chronic disease. Manual in preparation.

Bilsker, D., Gilbert, M., & Samra, J. (2007). Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace. Self-care manual for depression in the workplace. Available here.

Ministry of Health. (2006). Coping with Suicidal Thoughts. Developed by the BC Ministry of Health, Mental Health and Addictions. [Project Manager/Lead Researcher & Writer] Available here.

Ministry of Health. (2006). Working with the Suicidal Patient: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Developed by the BC Ministry of Health, Mental Health and Addictions. [Project Manager/Lead Researcher & Writer] Available here.

Ministry of Health. (2006). Hope and Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide. Adapted from Calgary Health Region by the BC Ministry of Health, Mental Health and Addictions. [Project Manager/Lead Researcher & Writer] Available here.
Book Chapters

Koch, W. J., & Samra, J.  (2005).  Posttraumatic stress disability after motor vehicle accidents:  Impact on productivity and employment.  In I. Schultz and R. J. Gatchel (Eds.), Handbook of Complex Occupational Disability Claims.  New York:  Springer.  Kluwer Academic.

Samra, J., & Koch, W. J.  (2002).  The monetary worth of psychological injury:  What are litigants suing for?  In J. R. P. Ogloff (Ed.), Taking Psychology and Law into the Twenty-First Century.  New York: Kluwer Academic.

Wayte, T., Samra, J., Robbennolt, J., Heuer, L., & Koch, W. J.  (2002).  Psychological issues in civil law.  In J. R. P. Ogloff (Ed.), Taking Psychology and Law into the Twenty-First Century.  New York: Kluwer Academic.
Reports

Ministry of Health. (2007). Integration of Mental Health and Addiction Services: A Provincial Scan. Developed by the BC Ministry of Health, Mental Health and Addictions. [Project Manager/Lead Researcher & Writer]

Ministry of Health. (2006). Working with the Client who is Suicidal: A Tool for Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services. Developed by the BC Ministry of Health, Mental Health and Addictions. [Project Manager/Lead Researcher & Writer]

Moretti, M., Campbell, J., Samra, J., & Cue, B. (2003). An Empirical Evaluation of Parenting Capacity Assessments: Toward Quality Assurance and Evidence Based Practice.  Project report prepared for the Ministry of Children and Family Development.  Burnaby, BC: Family Court Centre.
Articles

Gilbert, M., Samra, J., Bilsker, D. (2007, July). Managing Employees with Depression: Some suggestions for improvement. Back to Work: Disability management and return to work strategies in Canada. Volume 11 (7).

Gilbert, M., & Samra, J. (2007, April). Mental Health and Addiction in the Workplace: From Science to Practice. HR Voice – Magazine of Human Resource Management Association. Available online at:http://www.hrvoice.org/story.aspx?storyid=3426&issueid=804&pagemode=displaystory&regionid=2.

Samra, J. (Winter 2006/2007). Confidentiality and the Suicidal Client. CrossCurrents: The Journal of Addiction and Mental Health. Toronto: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health."