Mental Health researchers available for interview

Tuesday 11 October 2005

Mental Heath Week, 9 -15 October 2005

Helping those with depression and alcohol problems

Harmful use of alcohol and mental health both received specific mention in the 2004 State of Health in the Hunter Report. With Mental Health Week taking place from 9-15 October 2005, the positive news is that the Hunter has a strong research reputation in these areas.

HMRI researchers from the Centre for Mental Health Studies at the University of Newcastle, together with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Queensland, are currently conducting a project into co-morbid depression and alcohol use problems.

"The Depression & Alcohol Integrated and Single-focused Interventions (DAISI) project is a study looking to help people who experience depression and also currently use alcohol above recommended guidelines," said Dr Amanda Baker.

Researchers are looking for people aged 16 years and over to volunteer in this study.

This first of its kind study is hoping to determine whether any of these drug free treatments are able to assist people experiencing depression, to reduce their drinking and hence improve their quality of life.

For more information, please contact the Centre for Mental Health Studies on (02) 4924 6618.


Facing up to Schizophrenia

HMRI / NISAD researchers from the University of Newcastle's Centre for Mental Health Studies, in collaboration with the Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD), are launching a study into the way people with schizophrenia view faces, which could lead to new methods of treatment.

Dr Carmel Loughland, from the Centre for Mental Health Studies and NISAD, said many people with schizophrenia continue to experience cognitive problems which limit their ability to participate socially. These problems are strongly linked with their ability to interpret facial emotion.

"People with schizophrenia spend less time viewing the facial features with high informational value such as the eyes and mouth," said Dr Loughland.

The study is recruiting people between 18-65 years who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The research involves a brief interview and a two-hour testing session where participants will view pictures of faces displaying different emotions while their eye movements are recorded.

People interested in participating should contact the Centre for Mental Health Studies on (02) 4924 6780.

Sounding out ADHD

The National Health and Medical Research Council (June 2005), found 10% of people diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), will show ADHD symptoms persisting into adulthood.

HMRI researchers are currently conducting research into the way that young adults with ADHD process sound. As little is known about the progression of ADHD into adolescence and adulthood, this study hopes to improve our understanding of its impact on these groups.

The study is recruiting people between 16 - 25 years who have been diagnosed with ADHD. The research involves a telephone screening interview and two 2 hour testing sessions where participants will listen to sounds via headphones, while an electroencephalogram (EEG) is recorded.

If you are interested in participating or know someone diagnosed with ADHD who may be eligible, please contact the Centre for Mental Health Studies at the University of Newcastle on (02) 4924 6603.

For media interviews with researchers, please call the Media Unit on (02) 4921 5351.