Dr. Megan Ames

Dr. Megan Ames, R. Psych., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria and a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar.

The main goal of my research is to understand how everyday health behaviours—like sleep, physical activity, and screen time—can be used to improve mental health in young people. By looking at mental health from a population-level perspective, my work aims to support the creation of new, practical prevention and intervention strategies that can help people throughout their lives. 

More specifically, I study how health behaviours are connected to mental health and emotion regulation, and how these connections may be shaped by personal, social, or environmental factors. I also examine how these associations might differ among diverse groups of youth, and how habits formed during adolescence and young adulthood can impact both physical and mental health later in life. 

This research lays the groundwork for using health behaviours as a tool to support youth mental health across communities. Our current projects use a range of large datasets, advanced statistical techniques, and innovative research methods. The knowledge we gain helps us understand the best ways to promote healthy behaviours: when they are most effective, in what settings, and for which groups of young people. 

Ultimately, this work supports the development of timely, age-appropriate, and effective approaches to improve youth well-being—both now and in the future. My program of research is currently funded through internal support from the University of Victoria and national research grants (SSHRC, CIHR). 

Clinically, I provide client-centred services to children, youth, young adults, and their families in private practice.