Research Regarding Mental Health
Black Dog Institute
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, Newcastle University
www.crrmh.com.au
Macquarie University, Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science
www.maccs.mq.edu.au
University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Brain Dynamics Centre
www.brain-dynamics.net
University of Wollongong, Illawarra Institute of Mental Health
www.uow.edu.au/health/iimh
Research, projects and surveys requiring participants
(Contact us to add your research)
If you wish to advertise your research study, project or surveys in our e-news, newsletter and/or website download our 
Research Advertising Form and email it to crais@nswcag.org.au or post it to Suite 501, Level 5,80 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011 or contact Cecilia on 93320200.
Landmark Project – 30 Years of Mental Health Reform in Australia
Community review of mental health services in Australia
What is the study about?
You are being invited to participate in a study being conducted by ConNetica in partnership with the Brain & Mind Research Institute (BMRI) at The University of Sydney regarding people’s direct experiences with mental health services. In this component of the study, we will be asking providers and users of mental health services (aged 18 to 64 years) to participate in an online survey. Before you decide to take part, it is important for you to understand what this study will involve. You will need to indicate that you have understood this information before you can continue. By clicking “Next” at the bottom of the survey page, you are consenting to participate in this survey.
Who is carrying out the study?
The study is being conducted by Professor Ian Hickie, Executive Director of BMRI and Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Sydney; John Mendoza, Director of ConNetica, Ms Tracey Davenport, Research Affiliate, School of Medical Sciences (Physiology) and BMRI; and Dr Louise Ellis, Research Affiliate, BMRI.
What does the study involve?
This component of the study involves an online survey. The survey is divided into three sections and is based on a previous survey undertaken in Australia (Hickie, Groom, & Davenport, 2004):
- The first section asks some demographic information about the respondent and the service they used.
- The second asks the respondent to rate how the national and community priorities have been implemented or supported within their local area.
- The third asks respondents to rate how the national and community priorities have been implemented or supported at a state level.
How much time will the study take?
The survey will take no more than 20 minutes to complete.
Can I withdraw from the study?
Being in this study is completely voluntary - you do not have to participate. If you do decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and to end your participation at any time without affecting your relationship with ConNetica or The University of Sydney. You do not have to give a reason if you decide that you do not want to participate in the study any more.
Will anyone else know the results?
All aspects of the study, including results, will be strictly confidential and only the researchers will have access to information on participants. A report of the study may be submitted for publication, but individual participants will not be identifiable in any way.
Will the study benefit me?
We cannot guarantee that participants will receive any direct or indirect benefits from participating in this study. However, it is hoped that the results from this study will be used to inform mental health policy and practice in Australia.
Can I tell other people about the study?
Yes, you can tell other people about the study.
What if I require further information about the study or my involvement in it?
If you have any questions or would like more information about the study, please feel free to contact Tracey Davenport, BMRI, tracey.davenport@sydney.edu.au ph: +61 2 9351 0810.
What if I have a complaint or any concerns?
Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of a research study can contact The Manager, Human Ethics Administration, The University of Sydney on +61 2 8627 8176 (Telephone); +61 2 8627 8177 (Facsimile) or ro.humanethics@sydney.edu.au.
The URL links to the surveys are:
1. Community review of mental health services in Australia: http://surveys.med.usyd.edu.au/limesurvey/index.php?sid=14293
2. Consumers and Carers Direct Experiences of Mental Health Care in Australia: http://surveys.med.usyd.edu.au/limesurvey/index.php?sid=81989
The survey will remain open until 12 May 2013.
Urgent - Consumers needed to participate in research study
The Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network (AMHOCN) has been tasked with the development of a consumer self-report measure that focuses on the social inclusion aspects of recovery, both regarded as a priority area within the 4th National Mental Health Plan. Because people with a mental illness often face problems associated with social and economic marginalization, monitoring the extent to which a consumer has positive social inclusion outcomes adds essential information about the individual’s overall recovery and complements the clinical outcomes information currently collected.
AMHOCN worked with a technical advisory group and held a series of consultations to develop the measure, known as the Living in the Community Questionnaire (LCQ). This measure trialled in several mental health services.
To ensure that the LCQ has the potential to be used routinely within mental health services, AMHOCN is also undertaking further testing of the measure.
We are seeking participants who identify themselves as current consumers of mental health services to participate in this activity. Interested participants will be required to travel to the Grace Hotel in Sydney on two occasions one week apart. The first occasion will be to complete the LCQ, for which a participation fee of $30 will be paid, and lunch will be provided. The second occasion will require you to again complete the LCQ, and participate in a focus group for which a participation fee of $70 will be paid and lunch will be provided. All payments will be made on the day upon completion of the LCQ. The focus group will discuss how the participants found the process of completing the LCQ. As all questionnaires are kept private and confidential, the group will not be discussing individual responses. Only participants who have attended the first occasion are eligible to attend the second occasion and focus group.
An information sheet providing more detail about the testing and focus group on the Living in the Community Questionnaire, Attachment A is available for 
download here.
If you would like to participate, please register at:
http://amhocn.org/special-projects/the-living-in-the-community-questionnaire-lcq/living-in-the-community-questionnaire-test-retest-reliability-project/event/lcq-test-retest-project-sydney-registration-15-and-22-may/
or follow the links from the www.amhocn.org/ webpage. Please do not hesitate to contact Josh Onikul (Josh.Onikul@nswiop.nsw.edu.au ) at AMHOCN if you have any questions.
Research for Family Members of People with Depression
Help Make a Difference: Join our research study
We seek the well, first-degree relatives (parents, siblings or children) of someone who has, or has had, Major Depression, to participate in our research. Participants must be aged between 12 and 65 with no history of depression themselves.
Our research is aimed at gaining a greater understanding of the factors that predispose and protect individuals against the symptoms of depression. We will be examining all aspects of mind, including thoughts and feelings, and how these interact with biological characteristics such as brain structure and function. Our research will make a significant contribution to the quality of care and diagnosis available for individuals who experience depression.
Participation will involve approximately 6 hrs of various assessments at our centre located in Westmead. These assessments will include an EEG, a MRI scan (both non-invasive brain measures), questionnaires, computer based activities and a blood test. (Each component is voluntary).
Participants will be reimbursed for their contribution.
In you are interested in participating or would like more information contact: Joanne at the Brain Dynamics Centre on 02 9845 8179 email: joanne.carpenter@sydney.edu.au or visit www.familydepressionstudy.com.
CBM + The Sadness Program (for 18-65 year olds)
Depression is a widespread and disabling mental disorder. People with depression experience weeks of sadness, loss of interest, low energy, inability to concentrate, and feelings of worthlessness. The good news is that depression is treatable!
The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD)’s VirtualClinic is currently recruiting Australia-wide for the Sadness + CBM Program to treat depression:
CBM + the Sadness Program (for 18-65 year olds).
CBM is a new computerised intervention that aims to modify negative thinking styles that can impact upon how one feels. Currently we are recruiting individuals experiencing depression to participate in a new trial of a CBM procedure in combination with our Sadness program. This is a 10 week free program involving CBM training and 6 lessons, delivered via computer.
The Program will be starting in early 2013.
For more information about this program please visit us at
https://www.virtualclinic.org.au/index.php/register-your-interest
This study has been approved by St Vincent’s Hospital HREC. Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact the Research Office on 02 8382 2075 and quote HREC/12/SVH/326
Your help is needed to improve understanding of how schizophrenia and related disorders develop
Many people experience a combination of psychotic and mood symptoms that change over time, and often do not fit neatly into the diagnostic categories of ‘schizophrenia’ or ‘bipolar disorder’. Regardless of diagnosis, common treatments for psychotic and mood symptoms do not currently address shared cognitive deficits associated with these conditions.
New evidence has suggested that shared genetic vulnerability among schizophrenia and bipolar disorders may be associated with shared cognitive deficits in working memory, attention and emotion regulation. We plan to find out which common genetic markers contribute to shared cognitive deficits among psychotic and mood disorders, irrespective of the actual diagnostic category.
This five-year study, funded by the NHRMC, requires 300 people in total to volunteer their time and efforts to make the study a success. Participants are asked to complete a series questionnaires and tasks on a computer, as well as donate blood for genetic analyses, provide salvia samples in relation to stress-responses, and undergo a functional brain scan.
Participants will be contributing to the current understanding of the factors involved in the development of psychotic and mood disorders. This knowledge has the potential to increase the choice and efficacy of treatments according to individual symptom, cognitive, and genetic profiles.
We are seeking volunteers who
● Have a diagnosis of either bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
● Are aged between 18-60 years old
● Are proficient in English
Participation is divided over two days (approximately seven hours in total). Participants are reimbursed up to $70.
Appointment flexibility is also available.
For more information please contact:
● Nicholas Vella on (02) 8382 1436 ( n.vella@unsw.edu.au ) or
● Dr. Melissa Green on (02) 8382 1584 ( melissa.green@unsw.edu.au )
Or visit:
Memory, Mood and Substance Use
Dr Melissa Norberg and Dr Michelle Moulds, from the University of New South Wales, are conducting an online survey to explore the potential inter-related nature between depressed mood, memory difficulties and substance use. This data will be used to inform therapeutic techniques for depression. Participation involves completion of a series of self-report questionnaires via the internet. Questionnaire completion will take approximately one hour. Participation is completely voluntary and participants' can exit the study at any time. Participants will be entered into a draw in which they may win one of 5 prizes of $75AUD Coles/Myers vouchers.
For more information please use the following survey link: https://www.surveys.unsw.edu.au/survey/155104/6f94/ or contact either Dr Michelle Moulds: m.moulds@unsw.edu.au or Dr Melissa Norberg: m.norberg@unsw.edu.au .
Cognitive and Affective Symptoms of Schizophrenia Intervention (CASSI) Trial
The University of NSW and the Neuroscience Research Australia are recruiting people between 18-50 years old with schizophrenia to participate in a trial using a medication to activate hormone receptors in the brain and improve learning and memory. Researchs are currently recruiting for 2nd stage of the trial, for more information visit http://www.neura.edu.au/content/volunteer/CASSI
If you are interested in participating, or have any questions, please contact Kate Davies on Kate.Davies@newcastle.edu.au .
Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank
The Schizophrenia Research Institute is seeking volunteers with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder to participate in the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank. To find out more please visit http://www.schizophreniaresearch.org.au/bank/index.php
Black Dog Institute: Research study into the phenomenological, neurobiological and molecular foundations of melancholic depression
Researchers at the Black Dog Institute are currently seeking Healthy Control Participants to take part in a study investigating the neurobiology and expression of melancholic depression. There are three components to this study and participants will be reimbursed $25 on completion of each component and $100 in total if participants complete all three. For more information click on the link above.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to the research being advertised and distributed, does not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by NSW CAG or any Member of NSW CAG. The aims, outcomes or methodology of this research do not necessarily state or reflect those of NSW CAG or any Member of NSW CAG.