Congratulations to all the Embrace @ The Kids Research Institute Australia-backed researchers and students who presented research at the Society for Mental Health Research Conference 2023.
A whopping contingent of the Institute’s staff shaped the multi-day event, held from 29 November to 1 December and officially opened by MP Simon Millman.
Among them were conference convenor and Youth Mental Health Program Head Associate Professor Yael Perry, Head of Kulunga Aboriginal Unit Cheryl Bridge and Embrace Co-Director Professor Helen Milroy.
In her keynote address, Professor Milroy discussed the need for cultural safety in mental health research.
Professor Helen Milroy presented on cultural safety at the SMHR conference.
“A crucial part of that is understanding the Aboriginal mental health balance, its about connectedness. It’s not an individualistic approach but rather, a collective,” Professor Milroy said.
We also need to challenge ourselves as to what is evidence when there are different ways of seeing evidence and collecting evidence to the western paradigm.
Associate Professor Bep Uink, also of Murdoch University, discussed the deinstitutionalisation of research, such as how data is stored, to bolster data sovereignty for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Professor Uink also presented findings from her work with Walkern Katatdjin on the factors contributing to social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people.
Professor Uink won an Embrace 2022 Research Award to help translate this project.
Ms Jacinta Freeman, a lead author of a community priority-setting project completed by Embrace in 2022, presented on that project, which led to the development of the Embrace strategy.
Early career researcher Zara Boulton, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Adelaide office, and Perth-based Kirsty Hird received Embrace sponsorships to attend the conference.
Embrace 2023 Research Award winner Zara Boulton presenting.
Previous winners of Embrace funding Dr Blake Cavve and Zoe Waters also presented their research at the conference.
Dr Blake Cavve also presented.
Zoe Waters ahead of her presentation on group mindful self-compassion training.
Embrace is supported by principal partner Rio Tinto.