$7.4 million for Three Mental Health Research Centres

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PDF printable version of $7.4 million for Three Mental Health Research Centres (PDF 289 KB)

2 August 2012

Suicide prevention, substance abuse and better mental health planning will be the focus of research at three new Centres of Research Excellence.

Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler said the new Centres have been funded by the Australian Government and will be based at the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland.

“I am delighted to announce the funding of these research centres, which are part of our Budget commitment of $26.2 million for strategic investment in mental health research priorities through the National Health and Medical Research Council,” Mr Butler said.

Professor Helen Christensen will lead the work at the University of New South Wales to determine the best way to deliver interventions to those at risk of suicide.

“People at risk of suicide are highly vulnerable and often don’t get the help they need at the point they need it,” Mr Butler said.

“This research will help identify strategies which encourage people to seek help, and give us better evidence about the appropriate mix of services and support.”

Also at the University of New South Wales, a Centre headed by Professor Maree Teesson will address prevention and treatment for people with both mental and substance abuse disorders.

“This is a significant area of need as the top ten causes of burden of disease in young Australians are dominated by mental and substance abuse disorders,” Mr Butler said.

And Professor Harvey Whiteford of the University of Queensland is the lead investigator looking at the best available scientific evidence to determine the right mix of mental health prevention and treatment policies and services for Australia.

The Centres are among 17 recipients sharing $42.3 million in medical research funding from the Gillard Government.

“Centres of Research Excellence work to achieve real health gains for Australians. They support the transfer of research outcomes into improved knowledge, better health systems and improved treatment for patients,” Mr Butler said.

“The Centres also have a strong training focus and are intended to develop young researchers into Australia’s future research leaders.”

For more information, please contact the Minister’s office on 02 6277 7280

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Note:

Information on the CRE mental health funding recipients and projects is included below. Background information on the CREs is available on the NHMRC website.