A Translational Model For Indigenous Mental Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,893.00
Summary
This Fellowship will be supporting research into indigenous psychosocial wellbeing, as well as the psychological health of refugees and people living in post-conflict settings.
Posttraumatic Mental Health: Advancing Understanding Of Diagnosis, Treatment And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,590,920.00
Summary
Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational dysfunction, and demands on health services. This project will enhance the nation's capacity to reduce psychological problems after trauma. This project will consolidate a critical mass of Australia's leading trauma researchers that will ensure that Australia retains its leading edge in posttraumatic research.
The Phenomenology And Treatment Of Emotion Dysregulation In Traumatized Refugees
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,558.00
Summary
Refugee mental health is a crucial public health concern in Australia, however little is known about how to treat psychological disorders in refugees. While difficulty regulating emotions has been strongly linked to mental health problems following trauma, no research has studied this in refugees. This research program uses qualitative, quantitative and experimental methods to test a model of emotion dysregulation in refugees, and evaluates the impact of a treatment designed to improve emotion r ....Refugee mental health is a crucial public health concern in Australia, however little is known about how to treat psychological disorders in refugees. While difficulty regulating emotions has been strongly linked to mental health problems following trauma, no research has studied this in refugees. This research program uses qualitative, quantitative and experimental methods to test a model of emotion dysregulation in refugees, and evaluates the impact of a treatment designed to improve emotion regulation and general mental health in refugees.Read moreRead less
Helping Children Recover From Traumatic Stress: The Role Of Caregivers And Professionals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,878.00
Summary
When a child is exposed to a traumatic event such as a car crash or the sudden loss of a loved one, caregivers and (emergency) professionals have a pivotal position to avert persistent stress reactions and promote wellbeing. However, there is very little in-depth knowledge about how they can best support children. This international project will contribute to tailored advice to caregivers and training for professionals.
The Role Of Sleep Disturbances In The Development Of Trauma-related Mental Health Disorders In Paramedics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Poor sleep is common in emergency personnel at risk of trauma exposure. This research will investigate paramedics over their career, longitudinally examining the role of sleep in the development of trauma-related mental health disorders. Outcomes will guide sleep interventions to improve workforce wellbeing. Implications for treatment of trauma-related disorders will be delivered. The research is thus, of utmost importance clinically, and for Australia’s emergency workers and response capacity.
The Phenomenology And Treatment Of Emotion Dysregulation In Traumatized Refugees
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,631.00
Summary
Refugee mental health is a crucial public health concern in Australia. Difficulty regulating emotions has been strongly linked to psychological disorders after trauma, however no research has studied this in refugees. This research program uses experimental methods to test a model of emotion dysregulation in refugees, and evaluates the impact of a treatment designed to improve emotion regulation and general mental health in refugees.
Improving The Resilience, Health And Wellbeing Of Australian Firefighters: A Study Of The Metropolitan Fire Service Of South Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,727.00
Summary
Firefighters play a critical role in protecting the safety of the community. Understanding their health is essential to planning and managing personnel. Firefighters are at risk of physical and mental injury and documenting consequences, in the setting of an ageing workforce, are needed for planning and career management. This study of the health of the Metropolitan Fire Service will be used to optimise the longevity of the careers of firefighters and the capacity of the service.
The Efficacy Of N-acetylcysteine As An Adjunctive Treatment In Unipolar Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,832.00
Summary
This is evidence that the brain's antioxidant defences, particularly glutathione, are altered in depression. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, increases antioxidant defences and has antidepressant properties in bipolar disorder. The aim of this study is to see if treatment with NAC will precent relapse and improve the symptoms of depression including functioning and quality of life. Participants will be randomly given either NAC or placebo, in addition to standard thereapy.
Integrating Treatment For Alcohol Use Problems And Comorbid PTSD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,073.00
Summary
Comorbid alcohol use problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common mental health problems that cause disability and distress. Despite this, there are few randomized controlled trials of interventions. The proposed study is the first Australian randomised controlled trial in this field to address the question of whether treating PTSD and alcohol use problems is superior to treating alcohol use problems alone. The study compares the relative efficacy of a manual guided treatment for ....Comorbid alcohol use problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common mental health problems that cause disability and distress. Despite this, there are few randomized controlled trials of interventions. The proposed study is the first Australian randomised controlled trial in this field to address the question of whether treating PTSD and alcohol use problems is superior to treating alcohol use problems alone. The study compares the relative efficacy of a manual guided treatment for alcohol use disorder alone with a simultaneous treatment for alcohol use and PTSD. This study improves on the methodological limitations described in the two existing studies reported in the published literature. Two-hundred and sixty four participants will be recruited from mutiple sites (media, GPs, specialist clinics) and treated in the community at two sites in Sydney. Participants will be eligible if they consume harmful levels of alcohol (NHMRC risky or high risk levels) and have a concurrent diagnosis of PTSD based on recognised diagnostic criteria. Treatment will consist of 16 sessions of manual guided individual psychological therapy that has been found to be very efficacious with each problem alone. The efficacy of treatment will be determined on the basis of reductions in harmful drinking (above NHMRC low risk levels) and in symptoms of PTSD. Participants will be followed up by an independent, blind, clinician three and six months after treatment completion. The findings of this study have the potential to provide valuable information regarding the treatment needs of people with these complex presentations to clinicians and policy developers alike.Read moreRead less