A Culturally Appropriate Approach To Improve Mental Health Outcomes In Sri Lanka And China: Mental Health First Aid
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,161,042.00
Summary
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training has an established track record in high-income countries of improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in relation to people with mental health problems. However, appropriateness of the course content and implementation models in middle-income countries is unknown. This project provides a unique opportunity to develop and pilot culturally appropriate MHFA training to improve population mental health in middle-income countries.
Testing A Comprehensive Targeted Intervention To Reduce Student Bullying.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,000.00
Summary
The serious effects of frequent bullying suffered by targets remains a major public health problem, with limited evidence to help school staff to successfully treat students who frequently bully others. This study is innovative as it involves students at a time of heightened risk of bullying and measures the additional contribution of comprehensive training and support to school staff, such as school psychologists who work with students who bully, to a whole school bullying prevention program.
Development Of Gatekeeper Training To Improve The Capacity Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Communities To Prevent Youth Suicide
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,178,077.00
Summary
This project aims to develop and evaluate suicide gatekeeper training courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and for non-Aboriginal frontline workers, which will empower them to take action to reduce the risk of suicide and self-injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Medicine-associated Dementia And Cognitive Impairment: Identifying The Problem, Reducing The Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,116.00
Summary
Several studies have shown an association between use of anticholinergic or sedative medicines and increased risk of dementia. Questions remain about whether these medicines cause dementia (or are just used by people already at risk), whether or not cognitive function improves if the medicines are stopped or if the dose is reduced, and the characteristics of patients most likely to use these medicines. This program of research aims to answer these questions.
Improving Adolescent Gate-keeping And Help-seeking For Risky Drinking And Depression: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$655,495.00
Summary
Young people with mental health and substance use problems are reluctant to seek help. There is a significant gap in health promotion activities which specifically target help-seeking skills, particularly teaching friends to help friends to access treatment early. This project seeks to demonstrate the efficacy of a school-based intervention that focuses on improving adolescent gate-keeping and help-seeking skills for risky drinking and depression, using a cluster randomised controlled design.
Reducing Sugar Sweetened Beverages Consumption Among Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$671,119.00
Summary
Reducing consumption of sugary drinks (or sugar-sweetened beverages) would improve the healthiness of young Australians’ diets and help protect them from obesity. Young Australians drink sugary rinks in high qualities, and they contribute a lot of ‘empty calories’ to the diet. They are also known to cause tooth decay, obesity and diabetes. This study will test the effectiveness of consumer information/warning labels at point of purchase and on packaging in reducing the purchase of SSBs.
Prevention Of Depression Using E Health Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,750,000.00
Summary
The number of people experiencing depression in Australia could be reduced radically if we do two things: Provide prevention programs to young people AND reduce the stigma people feel if they seek help. This research aims to develop effective, personalised school prevention programs, and deliver them to every school student in Australia. It also aims to determine how we can lower stigma across Australia by using social media.
Efficacy And Cost Effectiveness Of Varying Levels Of Technology-delivered Personalised Feedback On Dietary Patterns In Motivating Young Australian Adults To Improve Diet Quality And Eating Habits: The Advice, Ideas And Motivation For My Eating Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,756.00
Summary
This project will test efficacy and cost-effectiveness of technology based tools in helping young adults to improve their dietary patterns and nutrition related health. Major challenges faced by young adults include lack of access to personalised information and advice about usual dietary intakes, being effectively engaged and cost. The project results will be translated and scaled up strategically by working in partnership with the Young and Well CRC and key organisations.
A Randomised Stepped Wedge Trial Of The Scaling Up Of A Community Based Alcohol Education Program In Rural Sri Lankan Villages And Its Effects On Alcohol Use, And Associated Harms, Depression And Social Capital.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$825,364.00
Summary
Alcohol use is major problem in much of rural Asia. In addition to direct effects on health it is major contributor to suicide, domestic violence and poverty. Much of the alcohol consumed is illicit and so consumption is not influenced by regulation or taxation. This is a trial of a community intervention in rural Sri Lanka to reduce alcohol use and alcohol related disorders that uses participatory drama in conjunction with previously trialed educational materials.
Improving Dementia Education Access (the IDEA Study) For Clinical Hospital Staff In Regional And District Hospitals: A Cluster Randomised Study To Improve Knowledge And Patient Outcomes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,303.00
Summary
This research concerns the evidence-based development, national administration, and systematic evaluation of a targeted online dementia education intervention among clinical staff in regional and district hospitals. The research aims to improve knowledge of dementia among clinical staff, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce costs by addressing four outcome levels: clinical learning needs, learning outcomes, engagement and behaviour change, and organisational performance.