Almost 50 percent of dementia risk is preventable, highlighting the need for research, equitable public health approaches and targeted lifestyle interventions for all Australians – regardless of where they live. Most dementia prevention research in Australia, and indeed the world is primarily based in metropolitan areas. Understanding the unique needs of rural, regional and remote communities is a knowledge gap that requires attention and solutions for dementia prevention that are appropriate, accessible, and innovative.

Sarah Wayland’s 2015 thesis is not locked away in a repository “for just a few academics to read”. It’s a living tool that’s helping to transform how our society thinks about life and loss. And this National Missing Persons Week sees Sarah’s research transformed into a series of world-first therapeutic cards that she and the Missing Persons Advocacy Network (MPAN) hope will help people struggling with the complex emotions of having a long-term missing loved one.

Two University of New England (UNE) researchers are about to embark on novel projects to boost the wellbeing of people in rural, regional and remote Australia as part of the new Regional Australia Mental Health Research and Training Institute (RAMHeaRT) led by UNE. Dr Margaret Rogers and Dr Sarah Wayland have been selected to conduct research and training for the virtual institute, which brings together leading mental health researchers from seven universities in the Regional Universities Network (RUN), including UNE, Charles Sturt University, Central Queensland University, Federation University, Southern Cross University, the University of Southern Queensland and University of Sunshine Coast.

In a ground-breaking report to the Prime Minister's first National Suicide Prevention Advisor, released yesterday, UNE Professor in Social Work Myfanwy Maple and her fellow researchers have highlighted major shortfalls in existing health-care provision and the importance of future policy being informed by lived experiences of suicide.