A Novel Intervention Targeting Insomnia To Prevent Major Depressive Disorder In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,258,316.00
Summary
In this project we want to see if we can prevent depression by improving insomnia. We will invite people with elevated depression symptoms to undertake a novel self help program to reduce insomnia, and then see if their risk for developing clinical depression is reduced 9 and 18 months later. As far as we know, this approach has not previously been tried. The merit of the project is that we have tangible symptoms (sleep problems) with which to engage individuals in a prevention strategy.
ImpleMentAll: Towards Evidence-based Tailored Implementation Strategies For EHealth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,914.00
Summary
Internet-based programs to treat depression and anxiety (“iCBT” programs) are highly effective. However, there are barriers to increased public use of these programs. This project will test ways to improve the implementation of iCBT in clinical services, with a focus on GP practices. Specifically, two Australian-led subprojects will: (i) trial implementation of stepped care, tailoring care to individual needs, and (ii) compare implementation of iCBT in GP practices, pharmacies and online.
Prevention At Critical Points: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of An E Health Application To Prevent Depression, Suicide Risk And Anxiety In Youth.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$711,083.00
Summary
Adolescence is a highly stressful period in a young person's life: a time during which depression commonly develops, not only affecting interpersonal relationships and emotional functioning, but also impacting on academic performance. This project is the first of its kind. It target students during Year 11, providing them with an online, automated, self-help depression program, with the aim of preventing the development of depression in Year 12, and of improving academic success.
Preventing Suicide In Young People: A Public Health Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Suicide is the leading cause of death in young Australians. This fellowship aims to lower risk for suicide by testing: a) whether improving the connectedness of adolescents in schools can improve help-seeking, b) whether parents can learn to recognise risk in their children, and c) whether school screening is an appropriate and effective strategy to reduce risk. Practical outcomes will be new programs for youth, new strategies for parents and a better integrated approach for Australian schools.
Catch Them When They Fall: Providing Best Evidence Care After A Suicide Attempt
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,065.00
Summary
A previous suicide attempt is the strongest predictor of death by suicide. There is a strong evidence base for the key changes required to care after a suicide attempt: implementing evidence-based care is estimated to reduce suicide attempts at the population level by approximately 12%. Yet this is an area of health services that has been difficult to reform. This project is aimed at implementing best-evidence practice in four regions of NSW, where I have established partnerships.
Understanding What Works: Examining Innovative Internet-delivered Self-help Treatments For Chronic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a common chronic medical condition and results in substantial personal and economic burden for individuals, their families and society. Unfortunately, access to effective care is limited, but internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT) may improve access to treatment. The proposed research seeks to examine what makes iCBT efficacious for chronic pain and how outcomes may be facilitated using technology-assisted behaviour change strategies.
Externalising Behaviours In Young People: Predictors, Prevention And Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
This Fellowship aims to reduce the burden associated with externalising behaviours (including aggression, violence, substance use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)) among young people in Australia. This body of work will provide a comprehensive assessment of the predictors, prevention and treatment of externalising behaviours, so as to inform resource allocation and service delivery.
Pathways To Prevention: The Effectiveness Of Universal And Selective Prevention In Altering Developmental Pathways To Alcohol And Cannabis Related Harms In Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,967.00
Summary
This project will assess the potential long-term benefits for young Australians of two school-based drug prevention programs (Climate Schools and Preventure) compared to drug education as usual. This world-first study will inform national and international policy by evaluating whether prevention programs delivered in Year 8 are effective in reducing alcohol and cannabis related harms, including risk of aggression and violence, over the high risk period during young adulthood (ages 18-20).