Mental Health

Overview

Metro North Mental Health is a Directorate providing specialist and treatment across the Health Service District. Research in mental health is wide ranging in subject matter and approach, addressing mental health at all levels from cell to society. Metro North Mental Health Researchers work collaboratively with academic colleagues and partner agencies on studies of various kinds designed to improve understanding, detection, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and promote mental health.

Key domains of research are forensic mental health, drug and alcohol, early psychosis and young people, nursing practice, older people, eating disorders and neuroscience.  Particular areas of interest are physical health of people with mental disorders, safety and quality of practice, health and wellbeing of staff, trauma informed intervention and management of first episodes of psychosis.

Research Director A/Prof James Scott and Research Fellows Sue Patterson, Niall Higgins (nursing), Fiona Davidson (forensic mental health) and Brad Partridge (based at TPCH) work closely with clinicians to integrate research in practice and facilitate design and conduct of studies relevant to mental health.  Reviews of the diverse research activity can be found online.