Dr Zac Seidler wins Emerging Health Researcher Award

Clinical Psychologist Dr Zac Seidler from the University of Melbourne has been awarded the 2021 Bupa Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Award

Orygen Research Fellow Dr Zac Seidler from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences has been named the winner of the 2021 Bupa Foundation Emerging Health Researcher Award.

The award recognises the valuable contribution early-career researchers make toward improving health outcomes for all Australians. It includes a $25,000 grant which Dr Seidler will use to further his research into understanding men’s experiences of mental health care, improving the services they receive and reducing the high and rising rate of male suicide.

As the Director of Mental Health Training at Movember, Dr Seidler created Men in Mind, an online professional training program for psychologists which aims to enhance therapists' skills and confidence to support male clients more effectively. Early trials of the program have proven successful, with participants reporting improved competence and confidence in working with men.

Dr Seidler has also launched both a ‘gatekeeper’ training course and a suicide safety app which aim to engage and support men and help them respond to suicidal thoughts in their male friends and family.