Grants build on mental health expertise

The Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation and Flinders University’s Órama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing have joined forces to provide $235,000 for eight mental health research projects.

Covering critical issues such as empowering parents to intervene early if their child has anorexia nervosa, successful grant topics include investigating the removal of Aboriginal infants in hospitals, improving the mental health of doctors and medical students during COVID-19, and developing mental health fitness in youths through community sport using a ‘village’ approach.

Breakthrough Executive Director John Mannion said the focus this year was to invest in research that builds on the strengths of South Australia.

“This enabled us to focus upon research within Indigenous mental health, depression, eating disorders and young people’s mental health,” Mr Mannion says.

“We are supporting research that focuses on early intervention and prevention, and enhancing the fact that South Australian research is at the leading edge of research into mental health.”

Para Hills Football Club senior player Ryan Rebbeck, left, with Para Hills Football Club chairman Scott Charlton, Flinders Professor Murray Drummond and Dr Sam Elliott. The club recognises the role it plays in showing leadership among its community to support the mental health of its players, volunteers and families and has raised more than $25,000 for mental health research to help fund the Flinders University research project.

Acting Director of the Orama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing Professor Mike Kyrios says the personal and professional cost of mental ill health to individuals from all walks of life, and the social and economic costs to society, are significant.

“That’s why we are extremely excited to be working with Breakthrough to fund this incredibly diverse range of research projects,” Professor Kyrios says.

“These projects will enable us to work alongside people with lived experience to investigate the needs of specific populations, and co-design solutions that can be translated into practice within the community.”

The Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is contributing $155,000 to the grants, with the Orama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing funding $80,000.

The successful grant projects were awarded at a ceremony at Flinders University on Friday 16 October 2020.

Breakthrough’s John Mannion with Professor Sarah Wendt at the award presentations.
Zane Kirkwood, left, a dual Magarey medallist and Sturt premiership captain, who raised almost $40,000 for Breakthrough by riding 3000km in his ‘Whatever it Takes’ campaign. The money he raised will fund Professor Reg Nixon’s project.

Breakthrough Foundation / Orama Institute 2020 grant winners

The co-design of practical wellbeing measures for the Aboriginal healthcare workforce: Professor Mike Kyrios, Professor Sarah Wendt, Joep Van Agteren

Empowering parents to intervene early when their child has anorexia nervosa: Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Tracey Wade

Improving delivery of an evidence‐based therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A combined analysis of clinical effectiveness and associated economic benefits: Professor Reg Nixon, Associate Professor Billingsley Kaambwa

The Wisdom Club: Ageing well through intergenerational connections: Associate Professor Tim Windsor, Dr Monica Cations

Understanding and improving the mental health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Dr Dan Fassnacht, Kathina Ali

“It takes a village to raise a child”: Developing mental health fitness in contemporary youth through community sport using a whole club – village – approach: Professor Murray Drummond, Dr Sam Elliott

Removal of Aboriginal infants in a hospital setting: Examining practices: Dr Michelle Jones, Jackie Ah Kit, Dr Carmela Bastian

Mental health effects of digital technology habits among families during COVID-19: Dr Daniel King

 

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