A year of growth
News Elizabeth Egan News Elizabeth Egan

A year of growth

As 2022 draws to a close, we pause to reflect on a year of profound growth and learning, of new partnerships and exciting projects, the likes of which have never been seen before.

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Dementia prevention outside cities
News Beth O'Loughlin News Beth O'Loughlin

Dementia prevention outside cities

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.

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Hope on the darkest of days
News Beth O'Loughlin News Beth O'Loughlin

Hope on the darkest of days

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.

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Mental health research with heart
News Beth O'Loughlin News Beth O'Loughlin

Mental health research with heart

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.

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Digital mental health platform for young people gains Momentum
Media release Beth O'Loughlin Media release Beth O'Loughlin

Digital mental health platform for young people gains Momentum

Long lockdowns, school closures and restrictions on everyday life have put young people at a greater risk of mental health issues. And while it will be years before we can truly assess the psychological impact of COVID-19, digital health researchers at the University of Southern Queensland are developing a new digital mental health platform for children and adolescents to help ease the growing demand on mental health care providers.

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Digital mental health platform for young people gains Momentum
Media release Beth O'Loughlin Media release Beth O'Loughlin

Digital mental health platform for young people gains Momentum

Long lockdowns, school closures and restrictions on everyday life have put young people at a greater risk of mental health issues. And while it will be years before we can truly assess the psychological impact of COVID-19, digital health researchers at the University of Southern Queensland are developing a new digital mental health platform for children and adolescents to help ease the growing demand on mental health care providers. 

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Data shows children anxiety spike in COVID crisis
Media release Beth O'Loughlin Media release Beth O'Loughlin

Data shows children anxiety spike in COVID crisis

University of Southern Queensland researchers have seen a sharp increase in the number of young people seeking help for anxiety since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Psychologist Professor Sonja March said two to four times more children and adolescents had signed up for the BRAVE Program, an online platform to help manage anxiety, since the pandemic started. “Much of this increase seems to be coming from school-based referrals,” she said.

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A community response to suicide
News Beth O'Loughlin News Beth O'Loughlin

A community response to suicide

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.

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Researchers up for science and technology awards
Media release Beth O'Loughlin Media release Beth O'Loughlin

Researchers up for science and technology awards

A University of Southern Queensland child psychologist and plant pathologist have been announced as finalists in the 2020 annual Women in Technology (WiT) Awards. Professor Sonja March (School of Psychology and Counselling / Centre for Health Research) and Dr Niloofar Vaghefi (Centre for Crop Health) are among 44 outstanding women recognised through the program in 2020. WiT is one of Queensland's most respected technology industry associations, supporting and promoting the achievements of women in science and technology industries.

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Animated assessment app to screen children for mental health
Media release Beth O'Loughlin Media release Beth O'Loughlin

Animated assessment app to screen children for mental health

Children as young as five could soon be able to access a new online assessment tool that aims to recognise potential mental health problems. The web-based app developed at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) allows children to identify emotional and behavioural difficulties they might be experiencing so that families, educators and health professionals can provide early assistance.

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