Mental Health

Listed below are a selection of research projects currently active within ISLHD.

Bowles K, Lane L, Lozenkovski S, Purposeful storytelling: how families and health care systems co-produce illness narratives.
Locations: Wollongong Hospital.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

Narrative studies of illness experience mainly focus on ‘big stories’. Most often, researchers use interview methods and ask individuals with illness to “tell me your story”. The result is typically a chronological narrative that maps the start of the illness, its discovery, effects, diagnosis and treatment, and its further development and consequences. Yet outside of the big story we can find countless ‘small stories’ that are composed through interaction and in relation to others. These stories are a moving, living, and breathing part of life, and are difficult to catch in action. This project takes up this challenge and explores everyday narrative moments in the lives of families experiencing serious illness.

 

Croaker K, Broyd S, Feros D, Fitzgerald Z, Gilchrist M, Improving Patient Outcomes Post-Stroke: A randomised controlled trial of combined Cognitive Rehabilitation and Psychological Intervention.
Locations: Port Kembla Hospital.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined 6 week Cognitive Rehabilitation and Psychological intervention delivered via Telehealth in improving patient outcomes post-stroke in a pragmatic randomised wait-list controlled trial. It is expected that the proposed intervention will improve patients’ cognition, psychological wellbeing, functional abilities and QoL.

 

Eagles S, Fisher S, Delgado S, Walsh M, McKay R, Misztal G, Mental Health Pathways in Practice: Evaluation of a state-wide mental health capability enhancement program for nursing and allied health staff in NSW.
Locations: Wollongong Hospital.
External Partners: HETI, University of Sydney.

The Mental Health Pathways in Practice (MHPiP) program is a state-wide mental health capability enhancement program for nursing and allied health staff in NSW. The evaluation of MHPiP is guided and structured by four key lines of enquiry (KLEs): (1) What was the learning experience of the evaluation participants? (2) How effective was the program in teaching new skills and knowledge, or enhancing the existing skills and knowledge, of the evaluation participants? (3) To what extent are evaluation participants more capable and confident to deliver better care for mental health consumers? and (4) To what extent do the number and type of units completed by participants impact their learning experience, acquisition or enhancement of skills and knowledge, and their capability and confidence at work?

 

Molloy L, Tshuma S, Minimising the use of seclusion and restraint in acute mental health units through ‘Six Core Strategies’.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Mental Health Services.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of the implementation of a seclusion reduction intervention, ‘Six Core Strategies’, on the practice of seclusion and restraint in three acute mental health units in the ISLHD mental health service.

 

Pai N, de Souza P, Thomas S, Ivers R, Vella S-L, An exploratory study of the impact of utilising medical students as part of a medical workforce during COVID in Australia.
Locations: Wollongong Hospital.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

This study aims to investigate the impact of employing senior medical students as medical assistants for a surge workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Specifically this study aims to assess the impact at both the individual level in regards to the impact on the individual students in comparison to their peers who do not undertake the medical assistants program. Further the impact on the performance of the health system will also be assessed

 

Searle K, Sneddon J, Evison A, Fox M, Evaluation of a group program for adolescent carers of family members with mental health concerns: A mixed methods approach.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Mental Health Services.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

This project will investigate effectiveness of a 9 week group program for adolescents (age 13 to 18) in families where a member has mental health concerns impacting the adolescent. These adolescents typically fulfil carer duties for their family member with mental health concerns/household tasks and/or sibling care, exceeding usual tasks performed by this age group.

 

Searle K, Grenyer B, Townsend M, Identification of Opportunities for Family Focussed Recovery in a Community Mental Health Setting.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Mental Health Services.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

This project aims to: promote identification of mental health consumers’ children, at Illawarra Community Mental Health (ICMH) Service, needs of the children, parenting support needs and how these are currently serviced and documented; explore barriers/opportunities to embed Family Focussed Recovery (FFR) routinely in clinical care; undertake a strengths-based approach to determine capabilities/challenges of FFR practice and build capacity - the project meets staff where they are and moves them along gradually, creating ownership of strategies, and sustainability within complex and challenging work environment/existing models of care; and the consumer voice included via involvement of Peer Worker (consumer parent lived experience) in audit tool design, interview consultations  and planning for strategies and education.

 

Townsend M, Miller C, Kelly P, Sanzone G, Exploratory study: Prevalence and responses to self-harm and suicidal ideation in primary school aged children.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

The goal of this exploratory research is to develop a comprehensive understanding of self-harm and suicidal ideation in children. Little is known about self-harm in children under the age of 12 years, however international studies support that self-harming behaviours affect younger populations. This project aims to estimate the prevalence of young people aged 5-17 in contact with ISLHD health services for self-harm or suicidal ideation and understand care pathways and management of young people with health service contacts for self-harm or suicidal ideation.

 

Townsend M, Kelly P, Miller C, Sanzone G, Self-harm and suicidal ideation in primary school aged children: Perspectives of health professionals.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Mental Health Service.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

The intended goal of this research is to develop an understanding of self-harm and suicidal ideation in children under 12 years from the perspective of mental health professionals involved in provision of services to this population. Little is known about self-harm in children under the age of 12 years, however international studies support that self-harming behaviours affect younger populations. The NSW Biennial report of the deaths of children in New South Wales: 2016 and 2017  found the number of suicide deaths of children aged 10 -14 years is comparatively small, but represents 9% of all deaths of children aged 10-14 in NSW.  This project aims to understand how clinicians at health services conceptualise, identify and respond to self-harm and suicidal ideation in children 12 years in under to understand how these issues are currently managed.

 

Win K, Sneddon J, Bunder D, Vlahu-Gjorgievska E, Usability of Teacher's Guide Website for the Primary School Teachers.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong.

The aim of this project is to evaluate the usability of Teacher’s guide for primary school children. By completing this research, we aim to explore the users’ opinion related to the online resources and its effectiveness. The teachers guide website is created for the class room and support teachers assessment for health and wellbeing of students.  Study objectives are to identify the user perspectives of the Teachers’ Guide resource; to identify perceived ease of use, usefulness, satisfaction and intention to use and to explore the effectiveness of the guide.

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