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Healthy Minds

Healthy Minds

90+ RESEARCH PROGRAM MEMBERS

Hunter Medical Research Institute’s (HMRI) Healthy Minds Research Program promotes mental health and wellbeing across all stages in life.

Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. It is a state of wellbeing that empowers the individual to thrive in their environment physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially.  

Mental ill-health affects all Australians either directly or indirectly through our families, colleagues, friends and loved ones.

The causes of mental illness are multifaceted, and may stem from complex biological, environmental, and social factors that may also be compounded by stress and trauma.

HMRI Research Programs

2 in 5

HAVE EXPERIENCED A MENTAL ILLNESS AT SOME TIME IN THEIR LIFE

HMRI Icons 80x80 Date 2

5 MILLION

AUSTRALIANS HAVE EXPERIENCED A MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE LAST YEAR

one team

ROUGHLY 60%

OF THESE PEOPLE WON’T SEEK HELP

Our researchers lead outstanding mental health research that has a meaningful impact on our communities. ​

Our Healthy Minds Research Program’s research focuses on contributing to the prevention of mental ill-health, the prevention of suicide, and the promotion of overall mental health and wellbeing. 

Investigating mental health across the lifespan

Mental health affects people of all ages.  

Our program brings together collective expertise in pre‐clinical and discovery science, clinical practice, education, and translation of research findings and service evaluation. 

Our diversity of expertise and strength in numbers allows us to explore mental health across the lifespan and discover practical solutions that help improve mental health and wellbeing for our communities.  

We have particular research expertise in the following areas.

developing minds

Developing minds

We’re focusing on ways to improve the mental health and developmental trajectories of children, adolescents, and their families.    

mental health comorbility

Mental Health and Comorbidity 

Our research focuses on mental health across the lifespan and comorbidity complexities, such as substance abuse.  

suicide prevention

Suicide Prevention

We focus on the prevention of suicide through improving mental health and wellbeing, reducing exposure to risk factors, strengthening community safety nets, and improving clinical treatments and services.   

healthy ageing

Healthy Ageing and Dementia

Our researchers are focusing on healthy and purposeful ageing, including creative ageing, early interventions, cognitive decline and dementia.  

Our community is at the heart of our research

We generate new knowledge and discoveries, but most importantly, we drive these discoveries to be implemented into the real world.

We are able to drive research translation due to our strong partnerships with people with lived experience, government, schools, industry and others in the mental health sector passionate about transforming mental health.

From creating digital tools and apps, education programs, or integrating new knowledge into clinical services and policies, our research has life-changing impacts.

World-first stroke recovery program builds more than just skills​

For people living with stroke, the opportunity to exercise, socialise, dance and make art not only helps rebuild speech, motor skills and fitness — it’s also a fun way to boost connections and confidence in a supported setting. The ESTEEM program is doing just that.

70+​

STROKE SURVIVORS HAVE PARTICIPATED ​

calendar

10​

WEEK PROGRAM

location

2

LOCATIONS ACROSS REGIONAL NSW

Bringing the best diabetes care to people in the bush

The Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+) is a proven diabetes care model helping improve the prevention, detection, treatment, and self-management of diabetes in rural and regional communities.

4000+

PATIENTS HELPED

800+

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE ROLLING OUT DAP+

96

PATIENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IDENTIFY AS INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

Empowering girls to be active and empowered

Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered is a world-first, evidence-based program that brings together fathers/father-figures & their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills, and boost wellbeing. 

3100+

PARTICIPATING DADS AND DAUGHTERS

380

EDUCATORS TRAINED

partnership

30

GOVERNMENT AND SPORTING PARTNERSHIPS

School exercise program boosts adolescent fitness and health 

Burn 2 Learn is a world first school-based physical activity HIIT program, improving fitness, wellbeing and enhancing academic achievement of high school students. 

18,000+

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

325

TEACHERS TRAINED

location

218

SCHOOLS

Optimising post-surgery care to prevent clots

The IMPOSTERS trial is revolutionising post-surgery care and patient comfort. Additionally, the clinical trial is also identifing cost-savings opportunities that will improve environmental  sustainability by minimising single-use devices.

550+

patients participated in the trial

hospital

3

participating hospitals

$850K

awarded to support the research project

Donate to life-saving research today

Help us find solutions that prevent illness and allow people to have longer, healthier, happier lives.