Christine Genest

Christine Genest is an Associate Professor (professeure agrégée) at the Faculty of Nursing (Faculté des sciences infirmières) at the Université de Montréal since 2020. She began her academic career in 2003 as a monitor and grader, progressed to teaching roles starting in 2008, and was appointed Assistant Professor following her exceptional doctoral thesis defense in December 2012. Dr. Genest is a regular researcher at the Centre d'étude sur le Trauma at the Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de santé mentale de Montréal and actively contributes to CRISE (Centre de recherche et d'intervention sur le suicide) and RRISIQ.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctorate in Nursing Science (2013) from Université de Montréal
• Master's in Nursing Science (2004) from Université de Montréal
• Postdoctoral studies (2018) in Nursing Science from McGill University

Dr. Genest's research expertise focuses on suicide and its repercussions on bereaved individuals, exposure to potentially traumatic events among first responders, and nursing practice in mental health contexts with both adult and pediatric clients. Her work employs qualitative approaches to explore mental health promotion, suicide prevention, resilience, bereavement, family care, and adolescent psychiatry. She has developed significant clinical frameworks for suicide risk assessment in children under 12 and interventions supporting families after adolescent suicide.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on family resilience following adolescent suicide, suicide risk assessment in children, and psychological impacts on first responders. Her research consistently employs grounded theory and qualitative methodologies to develop practical clinical tools, showing a clear progression toward evidence-based interventions that improve mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Dr. Genest's contributions have been recognized with:

• 2019 Rector's Award for Engagement from Université de Montréal
• Teaching Excellence Award from the Faculty of Nursing

She has supervised over 15 master's students and 2 doctoral candidates through 2025, with research spanning suicide prevention, mental health care for adolescents with eating disorders, and nursing practice in pediatric psychiatry. Her work is supported by substantial funding from CIHR, SSHRC, FRQ, and MITACS, including major projects on psychological first aid for police officers (2024-2028) and suicide prevention for correctional officers (2022-2026).

Dr. Genest collaborates with multiple research units including the Centre d'étude sur le Trauma, CRISE, and RRISIQ, working with multidisciplinary teams across Quebec and Canada. She serves on the boards of the Quebec Association of Mental Health Nurses and the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses, and has developed innovative teaching approaches including documentaries, television excerpts, and simulated scenarios to enhance student learning about mental health care.