Population Level Approaches To Addressing Chronic Disease Risk Behaviours Among People With Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This Fellowship will explore large scale population approaches to addressing chronic disease health behaviour risks among people with a mental illness. The program will identify: the effectiveness of approaches to increase the provision of chronic disease prevention care in mental health services, and strategies to improve the effectiveness of existing population based telephone behaviour change services for people with a mental illness.
A prospective investigation of self-injury, suicidal ideation and psychological distress in Australian secondary school students. Suicide prevention has been a national priority for the past 10 years. Self-injury is a predictor of suicide, results in considerable distress for family and friends and is associated with significant health care expenditure. In addition the known correlates of self-injury, such as depression and substance use, also pose significant burden to society and are themselve ....A prospective investigation of self-injury, suicidal ideation and psychological distress in Australian secondary school students. Suicide prevention has been a national priority for the past 10 years. Self-injury is a predictor of suicide, results in considerable distress for family and friends and is associated with significant health care expenditure. In addition the known correlates of self-injury, such as depression and substance use, also pose significant burden to society and are themselves predictors of suicide. Understanding the nature and extent of self-injury in Australian adolescents, and the causal relationships between self-injury, suicidal ideation and psychological distress, will improve the care given to those who self-injure, improve their well-being, decrease their chances of further self-injury, and decrease the chance they will die by suicide.Read moreRead less
Investigating older Australians' beliefs about and understanding of mental health and their practice of relevant protective behaviours. Healthy ageing and mental health are acknowledged national priorities. This project will generate new knowledge relating to older Australians' mental health literacy and the motivators and barriers influencing their engagement in protective behaviours. The resulting communications strategy will provide tangible outcomes for the industry partners to utilise. The ....Investigating older Australians' beliefs about and understanding of mental health and their practice of relevant protective behaviours. Healthy ageing and mental health are acknowledged national priorities. This project will generate new knowledge relating to older Australians' mental health literacy and the motivators and barriers influencing their engagement in protective behaviours. The resulting communications strategy will provide tangible outcomes for the industry partners to utilise. The project will thus produce knowledge advancement and tools for practitioners, both of which will enhance public welfare and reduce long-term healthcare costs. While this project focuses on older Australians, those of all ages will benefit from a communications campaign that provides individuals with knowledge to protect and strengthen their mental health.Read moreRead less
The development of emotion regulation strategies and their relationships with psychological wellbeing: A long-term follow-up study. A largely neglected area, emotion regulation in young people will be comprehensively examined. The first of its kind worldwide, this research will provide a rich understanding of the development of emotion regulation over the course of development from late childhood to early adulthood. An understanding of the role played by emotion regulation in wellbeing will prov ....The development of emotion regulation strategies and their relationships with psychological wellbeing: A long-term follow-up study. A largely neglected area, emotion regulation in young people will be comprehensively examined. The first of its kind worldwide, this research will provide a rich understanding of the development of emotion regulation over the course of development from late childhood to early adulthood. An understanding of the role played by emotion regulation in wellbeing will provide important foundations for the development of intervention and prevention strategies that incorporate emotional functioning processes. This is predicted to result in a marked increase in the efficacy of existing prevention and intervention efforts which will lead to significant health care cost savings and social benefits, particularly for our youth.Read moreRead less
Cluster randomised controlled trial of a psycho-educational intervention for people with a family history of depression for use in general practice. Many individuals with a family history of depression are concerned about their personal risk for depression. This project will develop and evaluate the first online psycho-educational intervention nationally and internationally targeted to individuals with a family history of depression for use in the general practice setting.
A mental health "thermometer" to monitor and prevent adverse treatment outcomes and self-harm among psychiatric inpatients. Our project stands to prevent adverse outcomes in psychiatric patients. An estimated 660 000 people are admitted to psychiatric hospitals each year; 99 000 of these people are worse off following treatment (assuming a deterioration rate of 15 per cent). Since monitoring can halve that rate, if this project can halve the deterioration rate again, then 24 750 inpatients acr ....A mental health "thermometer" to monitor and prevent adverse treatment outcomes and self-harm among psychiatric inpatients. Our project stands to prevent adverse outcomes in psychiatric patients. An estimated 660 000 people are admitted to psychiatric hospitals each year; 99 000 of these people are worse off following treatment (assuming a deterioration rate of 15 per cent). Since monitoring can halve that rate, if this project can halve the deterioration rate again, then 24 750 inpatients across the nation would not be worse off after treatment representing an annual saving of nearly $19.2 million per annum and reduce the number of patients who fall into a cycle of admission and readmission. Further, although suicide occurs in less than one per cent of admissions, if this research is able to predict and then reduce the suicide rate by as little as 10 per cent, then 660 lives can be saved each year.Read moreRead less
‘Breaking The Cycle’ Of Crime - Improved Health And Justice Outcomes For Offenders Through Effective Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,845.00
Summary
Offender population ensure some of the worst health outcomes in the community and impose a significant burden on society. Addressing their health and criminogenic needs through effective interventions not only improves individual outcomes but has profound financial and societal benefits. This fellowship will focus on developing effective interventions in the areas of infectious diseases, mental health and violence, including domestic and family violence.
A Brief Couple-focused Psycho-educational Intervention To Prevent Postnatal Mental Health Problems In Women: A Cluster Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,654.00
Summary
Mental health problems in women after childbirth are of national concern. Interventions to prevent these have had little success. What Were We Thinking (WWWT) is a promising new program for mothers, fathers and newborns. It provides knowledge and skills about soothing and settling babies and enhancing parents’ understanding of their changed needs and how to share the workload fairly. This trial will test whether WWWT improves women’s mental health in the first six months of motherhood
A Developmental Approach To Suicide Prevention And Related Harm Among Australian Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Suicide among Australian youth is a significant and increasing problem in Australia, and is currently the leading cause of death among those aged 15 - 44 years. Early prevention is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with suicide, yet typically occurs too late to have long-term impact. In order to prevent suicidal risk, this Fellowship will focus on improving evidence-based childhood prevention, as well as risk identification, to increase the timeliness of intervention.
Preventing Obesity And Promoting Healthy Body Image In Australian Secondary Schools: A Web-based System Tailored To Individual Needs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,320,398.00
Summary
This study will test an individually tailored body image and weight management program. The program is delivered online to students in early secondary school and builds on our partnership with Stanford University adapting internet programs for use in Australia. Staying Fit Australia gives individual guidance about concerns and attitudes to weight and shape, nutrition and physical activity. The program aims to prevent obesity and promote healthy nutrition and physical activity in all adolescents.