Tackling mental illness
Our Research ProjectsOur world-class researchers are working tirelessly to better understand, diagnose and treat mental illness.
Sex hormones and fear inhibition: A novel exploration of why women are so vulnerable to anxiety disorders
Do natural variations in hormones, such as oestrogen, make anxiety disorders more likely? If so does this affect the way people respond to treatment?
Sensitive periods for the effects of depression on suicide risk: a longitudinal study of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic mechanisms
Principal investigator:Dr Alexandre Lussier
Dr Lussier aims to determine the extent to which child and adolescent depression interacts with genetic susceptibility to influence suicide risk in early adulthood.
Increasing access to social prescribing for people living with severe mental illnesses at risk of cardiovascular disease
Principal investigator:Dr Alexandra Burton
People with severe mental illnesses are at high risk of heart disease due to lack of physical activity and social isolation. Social prescribing can help, but is it accessible?
Why are people with eating disorders at higher risk of suicide?
Principal investigator:Dr Moritz Herle
There is currently no explanation why people with eating disorders are at a higher risk of suicide. This project aims to build and test a theoretical model.
Understanding infectious disease mortality in people with severe mental illness
Principal investigator:Dr Amy Ronaldson
People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to die from infectious disease than the general population, however little is known about why.
Adapting and testing an integrated care model for treatment of Type 1 diabetes and mental health co-morbidities
Principal investigator:Dr. Leslie Johnson
People with Type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and early mortality. Can an existing care model be adapted to help?
How does genetics and the environment affect treatments for schizophrenia?
Principal investigator:Dr Suhas Ganesh
Antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia can cause adverse side effects. Being able to predict these will improve treatments.
Can Virtual Reality be used to help prevent future suicide attempts in young people?
Principal investigator:Dr Marisa Marraccini
Some groups are at a higher risk of suicide than others. A new VR intervention aims to improve the lives of adolescents struggling with suicidal urges.
Investigating the long-term risks of suicide in young people with both mental and physical health disorders.
Principal investigator:Dr. Massimiliano Orri
This project will help better support young people living with physical and mental health problems by improving the way patients’ needs are assessed.