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December 2023 | Issue 4
Flinders University Institute for Mental Health & Wellbeing December eNews
From the Director
What an outstanding year for Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing! In this edition you can read about our exceptional funding success, the impact our research is having in the community, as well as the appointment of our new Professor of Child and Adolescent Mental Health made possible by the generous support of Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation in partnership with Little Heroes Foundation.
We are extremely proud of the achievements we have made throughout 2023 and thank you all for the contributions you have made to the Institute as partners, collaborators, advisors, members and supporters and we look forward to working with you all again in 2024.
It is with some sadness therefore that I announce that I will be standing down as Director at the end of 2023 as I will be giving all my attention to a recently awarded NHMRC Investigator grant for the next 5 years. It has been such an honour to lead the Institute over the past four years and see it established as a leader in mental health and wellbeing research. A new Director will be appointed in the New Year, and I look forward to remaining an active Institute member and continuing to lead the Blackbird Initiative.
We wish you all a happy, safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year.
Professor Tracey Wade
Director, Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Little Heroes Professor of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Bridianne O’Dea to the position of Little Heroes Professor of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
This position is funded by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation in partnership with Little Heroes Foundation for a five year period, a generous donation of $1.36m. The Little Heroes Professor of Child and Adolescent Mental Health will be responsible for leading a research program in child and youth mental health across prevention, early intervention and treatment; liaising with other child and adolescent mental health researchers; promoting the research outcomes and liaise with service providers in South Australia to build capacity in evidence-based practice.
Associate Professor Bridianne O’Dea is an emerging world leader in youth mental health. For the past 10 years, Bridi has led a rigorous research program at the Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney, which uses novel digital technologies to improve the mental health of young people. Her work spans across prevention and treatment research in schools, clinical settings, and the community. Bridi’s vision is to ensure that all young people have timely access to high quality mental healthcare.
We look forward to Bridi joining the Institute in mid-2024.
Making an impact with our research
Our research is having an impact across the community from providing academic pathways for Veterans to reducing bullying in schools. Find out how our research is making a difference.
PEACE Packs being used in schools
Bullying affects an estimated 100,000 children and young people in Australia every day, leading to harmful consequences of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. To help solve this crisis, Flinders University’s PEACE Pack plan is being introduced at schools around the world - and is getting strong results. Read more >
Military Academic Pathways Program (MAPP)
The path ahead for veterans is far from clear when they leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF) – which is why Flinders University’s Military Academic Pathway Program (MAPP) is proving such a valuable asset for veterans keen to pursue academic studies. Read more >
The Wisdom Club
Sharing wisdom through a shared experience between primary school students and older people provides a vital cross-generational connection - and a program by Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing that explores this process is proving especially beneficial to older Australians. Read more >
Flinders University Service for Eating Disorders
The journey to help people overcome disordered eating requires a fresh look at effective therapies – and we are leading the way with a program that promotes a supportive “can-do” approach for clients to change their behaviours. Read more >
The Mental Fitness Charter for Sport
In Australia, a sports club is like a village, reflecting its great influence over participants - and with such power comes broader responsibilities for general wellbeing, including mental health. It’s a power that Flinders University in consultation with Sport SA and Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation researchers are working to harness for greater good. Read more >
Funding success for Institute researchers
It has been a successful year for Institute researchers with many securing significant funding as Chief Investigator across major funding schemes. Some notable successes include:
Professor Tracey Wade - NHMRC Investigator Grant - $2.9m
'Revolutionising early intervention outcomes for youth with emerging eating disorders'
A/Prof Tim Windsor and Dr Stephanie Wong - ARC Discovery Grant - $680k
'Understanding Ageism in Australia'
A/Prof Sarah Cohen-Woods - NHMRC Ideas Grant - $620k
'Targeting outcomes of adolescent disordered eating: identifying and integrating novel molecular and biopsychosocial risk models'
Dr Stephanie Wong - MRFF 2022 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care - $1.9m
'Spatial navigation assessment: pathway to clinical translation and early diagnosis of dementia'
Our Fearless Researchers
Institute researchers featured in the 2023 edition of Fearless Research
Professor Robyn Young
Paving the way for progress with autism
It is estimated that approximately one in 70 people have autism, yet the wider ramifications of this condition – the full extent of how it affects a person and what it conceals – remain difficult for most people to clearly understand.
This is why Professor Robyn Young pushes hard for improvements to early detection methods for autism, and why her research strives to promote broader discussions.
Associate Professor Sam Elliot
Providing the support that sports parents need
Parents are crucial to children’s participation in sport – and ensuring their productive contribution and support is central to Associate Professor Sam Elliott’s research.
Rather than focus on incidents of unwanted parental interference in children’s sport, Associate Professor Elliott’s research has shifted the conversation to identify parents as important assets who also need support.
Associate Professor Daniel King
Our digital addiction
Are we addicted to technology? How early are addiction problems revealed through a person’s use of phones, gaming and online gambling?
It’s younger than you may think – and it’s an escalating issue that Associate Professor Daniel King is addressing with a broad sweep of research, motivated by an interest in the human relationship to digital technology.
A recent focus of Associate Professor King’s research has been assessing a South Australian state government-mandated ban on mobile phone use by students at school.
Annual Lecture - Save the Date!
Make sure you bookmark Thursday 21 March 2024 from 5.30pm to attend our Annual Lecture. Associate Professor Daniel King will be giving a talk on the mobile phone ban in schools followed by a panel discussion and networking.
This event will be held in the city and we will send out invitations in early 2024.
In the news......
One of SA's most inspiring
Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Tracey Wade was named one of South Australia's most prominent female leaders.
Better engagement with service personnel
Professor Ben Wadham featured among a panel of expert speakers addressing improved assistance for veterans, service personnel and their families at the Open Door Engaging Research Workshop.
2023 Augusta Zadow Award
Congratulations to Dr Annabelle Neall, Prof Melanie Takarangi and A/Prof Lydia Woodyatt who were presented with an Augusta Zadow Award for their work on Enhancing Women’s Psychological Safety and Wellbeing via Best Practice Framework for Workplace Sexual Harassment Reporting Processes.
Dealing with perfectionism
Dr Catherine Johnson speaks to Channel 7 about a project that aims to help the parents of young children to deal with perfectionism. The study is supported by Seven's Children's Research Foundation and is now recruiting families with 7 to 12 year olds to give it a try. Contact maya.jabs@flinders.edu.au if you would like to be involved.
Some ways you can get involved...
- Visit our website
We have made some major changes to our website so make sure you have a look at flinders.edu.au/fimhwell - Social media
Follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter for the latest news and updates about the Institute and our research. - Work with us
Contact us to see how you can work with us as a research partner or inform our research through your lived experience. Click here to contact us. - Philanthropic support
Would you like to help us create meaningful change in the lives of those who need it most? See how here. - Spread the word
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