'Mental Illness' is a general term relating to those illnesses that affect the mind and ‘Mental Health’ refers to the wellbeing of an individual's state of mind. Mental health disorders interfere with emotions, thought processes, behaviour, and perception. The most common and disabling mental health problems include depression, anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders. These illnesses can be treated or may come and go throughout life or for some become a life-long struggle. The School of Medicine's Mental Health team aim to facilitate research and development in the field of mental health disorders, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, to help reduce burden and improve the quality of life of consumers and their carers.
The Mental Health team actively participate and conduct research in mental health, and in the process develop international linkages and partnerships with industry and communities. Current and future research projects give priority to those with a Greater Western Sydney (GWS) focus, and projects that encompass issues such as obesity, eating and weight disorders, migrant health and substance use disorders.
Medical students learn how to identify areas of burden by analysing symptoms and signs, and propose treatments and prevention programs for sufferers. Also, students gain an appreciation of the multidisciplinary approach that links sufferers with care providers and support networks to assist them during their disorder and post-disorder.
The Mental Health Team
The Mental Health team comprises of:
Various members of the team actively participate in research, teaching, awareness programs, and clinical practice, and undertake training to further enhance their skills in the field.
Areas of Research Interest
Professor Hay's broad interests encompass a focus on community and clinical studies surrounding the burden related to eating disorders. She is the Academic lead of the THRI Eating Disorders and Body Image (EDBI) Group. For more information about Professor Hay's research interests and publications, please visit Prof Phillipa Hay’s THRI profile.
Associate Professor Shameran Slewa-Younan is committed to undertaking community driven, engaged research which demonstrates a ‘real’ commitment to improving the mental health outcomes of refugee and other Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) populations by optimising their interactions with our mental health services. She is internationally recognised as an expert on mental health literacy, stigma, and mental health promotion in these population groups. For more information about Associate Professor Slewa-Younan’s research interests and publications, please visit A/Prof Slewa-Younan’s THRI profile.
Dr Morrison’s research interests broadly cluster around psychological trauma and mental wellbeing. In this space, Dr Morrison has several current projects looking at the transgenerational impacts (biological, psychological and social) of trauma exposure, the impact of trauma on communities and how they community, and its people, heal from such exposure, and the ways in which clinicians make treatment planning decisions with clients with trauma histories. Dr Morrison also works more widely in the space of wellbeing in the presence of physical disability and illness (chronic pain and heart disease) and in workplace mental health and wellbeing. For more information about Dr Natalie Morrison’s research interests and publications, please view her staff profile.
Current Research Projects
At present there are a number of research projects that the Mental Health team are involved in.
- Longitudinal Study - Titled 'Mediating factors and effects of health literacy in course and outcome of common eating disorders: A longitudinal study', this study is a four-year long research project supported by a Rotary Health Research Grant. The research focuses on women's health and well-being with special regard to body image, eating and weight issues. The researchers follow up women with disordered eating and over time investigate their changes in symptoms, mood, quality of life and attitudes and beliefs about eating disorders, and the effects, if any, from attempts to seek help and other life factors. At present there are over 300 participants that partake in the study. For more information about the study please contact Nasim Foroughi.
- Psychotherapies - Professor Hay is a Chief/Principal Investigator on several current studies investigating treatment experiences for people with eating disorders including a clinical trial of Narrative Therapy learn more about the project please contact narrative@westernsydney.edu.au.
- Epidemiological studies - Clinical epidemiological studies of health usage, mortality and season of birth in collaboration with Population Health in the School of Medicine. For more information on the studies please contact Professor Louisa Jorm or Professor Phillipa Hay.
Collaborations
Professor Phillipa Hay is an internationally recognised expert in the field of eating disorders and has many past and current collaborations with researchers around Australia, in the UK and in the Americas. There include researchers from Columbia University, University of London, La Trobe University, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and University of Newcastle.
Associate Professor Slewa-Younan has several international collaborations which have informed translational research in United Arab Emirates and in North Iraq working with internally displaced populations. At a nationally level she has developed strong industry partnerships with refugee resettlement organisations such as NSW Refugee Health Service and Multicultural Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District. She has also worked very closely with South Western Primary Health Network and Mental Health First Aid Australia. She is an honorary Senior Research Fellow with University of Melbourne, working closely with several researchers at the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health.
Mental Health Literacy
Professor Phillipa Hay is collaborating with La Trobe University in Melbourne to research the stigma and mental health literacy surrounding eating disorders. This three-year ARC funded study aims to improve the understanding of eating disorders and reduce the stigma, shame and suffering for people with eating disorders, and enhance appropriate treatment seeking and quality of advice. For more information about the study please contact Professor Phillipa Hay.
Opportunities for Study
A range of mental health issues encountered by all people at different phases of their life will be studied by Western Sydney University Medical students.
Topics will include and are not limited to:
- schizophrenia and related psychoses
- mood disorders
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders
- suicidal and dangerous behaviour
- substance abuse and dependence
- personality disorders
- responses to loss and other crises
- common disorders of childhood and adolescence
In 2010, Year 4 students of the MBBS program started their Mental Health placements as part of their clinical attachments. Students have experienced many aspects of mental health at various locations including public hospitals, private hospitals and community settings.
Opportunities for placements and teaching
If you would like to participate in the Mental Health placements by teaching students at your clinic, please contact the Mental Health Administration Officer for more information.
Research Opportunities for Students
Mental Health faculty regularly supervise home and international medical students and psychiatry trainees in their projects research elective and students undertaking PhDs and MPhils. If you are interested in undergraduate or postgraduate research in Mental Health please contact the Faculty member with research interests closest to yours and/or Elizabeth Conroy, HDR Director. For more information visit: Higher Degree Research.
