Shay-Lee Bolton, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD

Research summary

Dr. Shay-Lee Bolton’s research bridges psychiatric epidemiology and mental-health services evaluation with a focus on trauma, suicide prevention and the promotion of mental wellness among at-risk populations such as Indigenous peoples, sexual minorities, military personnel and public safety personnel. Her work integrates population-based epidemiology with clinical and implementation science to improve access to evidence-based care and inform health-system transformation.

She leads and collaborates on randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods evaluations of innovative mental-health interventions, including large-scale studies of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Mindfulness (CBTm)—a provincially implemented program enhancing psychotherapy access and scalability. Her earlier work in suicide prevention, including randomized evaluations of gatekeeper training for medical students and First Nations communities, contributed foundational evidence to Canadian prevention strategies.

Dr. Bolton also plays a key role in longitudinal studies of military and veteran mental health, using national datasets such as the Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey (CAFVMHS) to examine trajectories of trauma, resilience and recovery. Through advanced quantitative methods and cross-sector collaboration, her research aims to generate data-driven, equitable and sustainable solutions that strengthen mental-health systems and improve outcomes across Canada.

Affiliations/appointments

Dr. Shay-Lee Bolton is an associate rpofessor in the Department of Psychiatry with adjunct appointments in the College of Community and Global Health and the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She earned both her MSc and PhD in Community Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba, where her graduate research focused on suicidal behaviour, suicide prevention and intervention.

Her research—supported by more than $8 million in provincial and national funding from agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Sciences Centre Foundation, TD Bank Group and the Government of Manitoba—has received broad media attention for its impact on mental-health system transformation. She has also been invited to present before the Senate of Canada, informing national dialogue on suicide prevention policy.

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Bolton has supervised over 30 trainees, many of whom have received provincial and national research awards. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and received major distinctions including the CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Doctoral Award, the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation Award for Research Excellence and the Martha Donovan Women’s Leadership Development Award

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba (2015)

Master of Science (MSc), Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba (2008)

Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc (Hons)), Faculty of Sciences, University of Manitoba (2005)

Awards

Martha Donovan Women’s Leadership Development Award

Young Investigator Award, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Manitoba Health Research Council Studentship

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention Student Research Award

Manitoba Medical Service Foundation Award for Research Excellence

Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Research Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Brain Star Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Canada Graduate Studentship Master’s Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)