UWS expert excels on international stage

Professor Beverley Raphael, Professor of Population Mental Health and Disasters within the School of Medicine at the University of Western Sydney, has been elected as an International Distinguished Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association.

International Distinguished Fellows are physicians who live outside of the United States who are recognised for having made significant and continued contributions to the field of psychiatry.

The American Psychiatric Association elected Professor Raphael on the basis of her  extensive experience in the areas of mental health promotion and prevention; Aboriginal and multicultural mental health policy; and human adversity during grief, trauma and disaster situations.

"It is a great honour to be recognised internationally," says Professor Raphael.

"It has been an absolute privilege to work in America and collaborate with my international peers and I have been delighted by the support I have received from the University."

Professor Raphael has served as Director of Mental Health for New South Wales (1996-2005) and has conducted extensive research into the development of population and child and adolescent mental health, as well as the impact of trauma and mental health.

Professor Raphael's research has seen her become involved the post-event responses to national disasters such as Cyclone Tracey, the Ash Wednesday bushfires, Bali Bombings, and the South East Asian Tsunami.

Professor Raphael's election to the American Psychiatric Association will allow for the further development of her research in these fields internationally.

"Being an International Distinguished Fellow allows me to further my work around the globe," says Professor Raphael.

"I will be able to continue to share publications with my peers and discuss our common concerns surrounding women's mental health and mental health in disasters. I already have plans in place to visit my peers again next year and discuss our work in these areas."

Ends

19 July 2012

Words: Hannah Guilfoyle

Media Contacts