Bonnie KirshBonnie KirshAssociate Professor

Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
(416) 978-4647
bonnie.kirsh@utoronto.ca

Cross Appointments

  • Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto 
  • Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
  • Adjunct Scientist, Institute for Work and Health
  • Adjunct Associate Professor, School of OT, Dalhousie University 

School of Graduate Studies

  • Full Member
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Biosketch

Bonnie Kirsh has recently been appointed to the Workforce Advisory Committee within the Mental Health Commission of Canada, where she will be contributing to the national plan for mental health in this country. Her primary research focuses on community and work integration for persons with mental illnesses. She has conducted studies examining consumer perspectives on work integration and the relationship of organizational culture to employment. She has examined Canadian principles and practices in the area of work integration and is studying supported employment in a pan-Canadian project examining the operationalization and impacts of this model. Her community mental health research agenda also includes the study of best practices in supported housing. Another area of research is workplace mental health, including trajectories of persons who experience depression at work and related issues of disability management and return to work.  In addition, her research addresses the experiences of injured workers, and in particular, their mental health needs. She is currently part of a multi-site CURA project examining the impacts of the compensation system on the mental health of injured workers. She uses mixed methods in her research including quantitative, qualitative and participatory research. She is also the Chair of the Program Review for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Within the Department of OS&OT she teaches courses in Research and Psychosocial Perspectives in OT.

Selected Recent Publications

  1. Lurie, S., Kirsh, B. and Hodge, S. (2007). Can ACT lead to more work? The Ontario experience. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health. 26(1),161-171.

  2. Kirsh, B. and Cockburn, L. (2007). Employment outcomes associated with ACT: A review of ACT literature. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. 10, 31-51.

  3. Kirsh, B., Krupa, T., Cockburn, L. and Gewurtz, R. (2006).Work initiatives in Canada: A decade of development. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health. 25(2), 173-191.

  4. Kirsh, B. and Tate, E. (2006). Developing a comprehensive understanding of the working alliance in community mental health.  Qualitative Health Research. 16(8), 1054-1074.

  5. Kirsh, B., Trentham, B. and Cole, S. (2006). Diversity in occupational therapy: Experiences of consumers who identify themselves as minority group members.  Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.  53(4), 302-313.

Recent Thesis/Projects Supervised

  1. Constructing public policy for marginalized groups: A case study of ODSP employment in the mental health sector. Rebecca Gewurtz (PhD), in progress.
  2. The meaning of volunteer work for persons with serious mental illnesses. Julia Blood (MScOT), 2007.
  3. How do occupational therapists determine work readiness in persons with mental illness? Tammy Uppenborn (MScOT), 2007.
  4. The nature and meaning of occupational engagement for forensic clients living in the community. Nancy Lin (GDRS), 2006.
  5. How do employers accommodate persons with mental health problems at the workplace? Jenny Kim(MScOT), 2006.

Research Interests

Employment and Mental Health Consumers; Community Support For Mental Health Consumers; Quality improvement in Community Mental Health; Return-to-Work Issues for Injured Workers; Experiences of Minority Group Consumers of OT Services; Qualitative Methods; Mixed Methods; Participatory Research.

Current Courses

OCT 1162Y: Psychosocial Perspectives in Occupational Therapy

OCT 1121H: Research Issues and Approaches in Occupational Therapy

Special Lectures / Keynote Speeches

  1. Kirsh, B. Enhancing Employability. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. Richmond Fellowship Society (India).ASHA “501” 47th Cross, 9th Main V Block Jayanagar, Bangalore-560 041; July 6, 2007.
  2. Kirsh, B., Krupa, T. and Cockburn, C. A Canadian Model of Work Integration for Persons with Mental Illness. CIHR 2nd Canadian Congress on Research on Mental Health and Addiction in the Workplace. Vancouver, BC; May 17 & 18, 2007.
  3. Kirsh, B., Cockburn, L. and Gewurtz, R. Program characteristics influencing vocational outcomes for persons with mental illnesses. [Abstract T22]. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) conference. St. John’s, NL; July 12, 2007.
  4. Kirsh, B., Franche, R-L., Corbiere, M., Dewa, C. and MacEachen, E. Symposium: The Mental Health of Injured Workers. 2nd Canadian Congress on Research on Mental Health and Addiction in the Workplace. Vancouver, BC; May 17 & 18, 2007.
  5. Kirsh, B. and Cockburn, L. A Working Future: Linking Research and Practice on Work, Mental Health and Mental Illness. Institute on Employment and Mental Health. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada (PSR Canada) annual conference. Kingston, ON; Sept 12-15, 2006.

 

Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

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