I am a mental health researcher who designs and tests the effectiveness of methods to encourage help seeking, to intervene early and prevent the development of psychiatric disorders, and who develops technological tools to assist consumers to manage their
A Healthy Start To Life, Preventative Healthcare, Strengthening Australias Social Economic Fabric
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,000,000.00
Summary
The aim is to make a major contribution to the reduction of non-fatal disease burden internationally due to mental disorders and related alcohol and substance abuse through population-based research and development health strategies. Current estimates of avertable burden for mental disorders suggest that while 40% of the burden can be reduced by optimal implementation of currently available interventions another 60% will remain unavertable without new knowledge. That new knowledge includes not o ....The aim is to make a major contribution to the reduction of non-fatal disease burden internationally due to mental disorders and related alcohol and substance abuse through population-based research and development health strategies. Current estimates of avertable burden for mental disorders suggest that while 40% of the burden can be reduced by optimal implementation of currently available interventions another 60% will remain unavertable without new knowledge. That new knowledge includes not only that derived from novel or basic neurosciences but also clear determination as to whether currently proposed early intervention paradigms for young persons with mental disorders deliver sustained benefits. To ensure the maximum benefit for persons with mental disorders, Professor Hickie needs to engage directly in two major streams of activity. The first (75% of research effort) lies in maximising the chances that the health services and other population health activities that he has championed so actively over the last decade are now utilised to both advance knowledge as well as make a much greater contribution to actual reduction in illness burden. The second (25% of research effort) lies in maximising the specific international skills collected within the BMRI and distributed more widely in its local, national and international research networks. Mental Health Research desperately needs new basic science, translational and clinical knowledge and the combination of an Australian Fellowship and these networks would provide the environment for maximising the chances of achieving such real knowledge breakthroughsRead moreRead less
Prof Parton is a cell biologist studying how the plasma membrane functions in health and in disease. These studies have provided new insights into potential vehicles that can be used to introduce therapeutic agents into cells.