The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness
Images of The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

Minister for Social Inclusion

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform

Minister for Housing and Homelessness

$68.2 Million Research Funding Boost for Mental Health

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Health and medical research into anxiety, eating disorders, depression and other mental health conditions will benefit from $68.2 million in new Australian Government funding announced today for 104 National Health and Medical Research Council grants for new ground-breaking mental health research.

PDF printable version of $68.2 Million Research Funding Boost for Mental Health (PDF 239 KB)

19 October 2012

Health and medical research into anxiety, eating disorders, depression and other mental health conditions will benefit from $68.2 million in new Australian Government funding.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler today announced funding for 104 National Health and Medical Research Council grants for new ground-breaking mental health research.

“We need to improve our knowledge and understanding of mental health issues through research to ensure Australians are able to live healthier and happier lives,” Mr Butler said.

“This research will support the implementation of the Government’s $2.2 billion mental health reform plan by building the evidence base for a stronger and better mental health system.”

The grant highlights include:

  • Professor Anthony Jorm of the University of Melbourne will receive $1,638,775 for a trial providing Mental Health first aid training for parents of teenagers.
  • Professor Maree Teesson of the University of New South Wales will receive $1,709,987 to look at internet based universal prevention for anxiety, depression and substance abuse use in young Australians.
  • Associate Professor Patricia Livingston of Deakin University will receive $542,374 to look at ways of reducing the carer burden and depression among caregivers of cancer patients.
  • Professor Donna Cross, Edith Cowan University will receive $620,000 to research reducing mental health problems among school students resulting from bullying.
  • Professor Richard Bryant, University of New South Wales, will receive $1,549,875 to research improving adolescent mental health in Indigenous Australians.
Mr Butler said 13 specific grants totalling $13.8 million would look at mental illness among young people following the Government’s 2011 commitment to issue a Targeted Call for Research into the prevention of, and early intervention in, mental illness in young people.

“We know that 1 in 4 young people will experience a mental health issue this year, making it the single biggest issue facing young Australians,” Mr Butler said.

Further information:
All NHMRC grants announced today can be found on the NHMRC website:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/outcomes-funding-rounds

Or contact the Minister’s Office on 02 6277 7280

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