Statistics show that young Australians under 25 are at a high risk of mental health disorders, with around one in five affected.
WA led research addressing challenges reported by youth around mental health treatment pathways has attracted significant financial support from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation in Western Australia.
“Issues raised by young people receiving mental health therapies include frustration in relation to dysfunctional treatment pathways, poor responses to antidepressant medication, and significant side effects,” said Chief Investigator Professor Jenny Rodger (Perron Institute and The University of Western Australia).
“Our multidisciplinary team, comprising scientists, clinicians, an artist and a young person with lived experience of mental illness, aims to validate a new treatment option and a clear pathway for a personalised approach to treatment selection.
“The focus is on repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) a non-invasive treatment for depression.
“rTMS is Medicare funded for adults, but lacks evidence of its effectiveness in youth, creating a barrier to access for individuals under eighteen.
“This project will investigate safety and efficacy of rTMS in young people and use brain imaging and genetic testing to assess individual differences to develop a tailored treatment approach,” Professor Rodger said.
“At the heart of our project is a desire to respond to the complexities of seeking treatment identified by young people. We include young people during the whole process including co-design to ensure our research is appropriate and relevant.
“The aims are to improve individual wellbeing and make mental health care for youth more accessible, economical, and responsive to the needs of the community.”
Professor Rodger is Head of Brain Plasticity Research at WA’s Perron Institute and UWA and co-leader of the Institute’s Youth Mental Health research and Neuropharmacogenetics Project.
Her co-investigators in the youth mental health research are: Dr Aleksandra Miljevic (Perron Institute and UWA), Dr Jamie Beros (Perron Institute and UWA), Professor Anthony Akkari (Personalised Medicine Centre at Murdoch University and Perron Institute), Dr Jaroslaw Hryniewicki (Voix Clinic + Studio), Dr Kyle Hoath (Modalis), Dr Salam Hussain (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Mental Health Service), Professor Kevin Murray (UWA), Kay Esensoy (lived experience research buddy), artist Michelle Hamer, and Professor Peter Enticott (Deakin University).
Upcoming Youth Mental Health free talk 27 Aug in Floreat – click here for more info or to book