University of Melbourne researchers awarded MRFF funding for mental health research

Aerial shot of the Parkville biomedical precinct facing south towards the central business district. — The funding will advance important research into mental health and wellbeing. Photo: Parkville Biomedical Precinct.

Four projects led by University of Melbourne researchers have been awarded a combined $3 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission.

Dr Laura Hart received $969,965 for ‘ScreenED: Developing and validating a universal eating disorder screening tool for children 5 to 12 years’. This project will address a clinical need by developing a reliable and freely accessible screening tool that can support earlier diagnosis of eating disorders in children.

Professor Jo Robinson from the Centre for Youth Mental Health and Orygen, received $920,755 for ‘Right here right now’. This research will provide up-to-date information on the risk and protective factors impacting youth mental health, and likely policies and practices that can help young people achieve optimal mental health.

Dr Zoe Aitken will receive $706,390 for ‘Policy solutions to improve the mental health of Australians with disability’. This co-designed project will explore the influence of social determinants and policy on mental health outcomes and identify policies to address the disadvantage experienced by people with disabilities.

Dr Caitlin Hitchcock will receive $394,318 for ‘A data-driven assessment tool for mental health in young adults’. This project will deliver a youth-specific assessment tool based on data from Orygen that will assist clinicians to identify appropriate interventions and provide more targeted treatment.

The Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission supports research into mental illness and psychological distress, and the best early intervention, prevention and treatment strategies. Read more about the awarded projects here.