Project manager Karen Lombardi is excited at the prospect of doing “research that could really make a difference”, after joining Embrace @ Telethon Kids Institute’s childhood trauma group as a Research Fellow in February.
Karen will take on the role part-time as Dr Alix Woolard begins a clinical psychology master’s degree. She previously worked at the Institute in Professor Donna Cross’ Health Promotion and Education research program and Associate Professor Hayley Christian’s Child Physical Activity Health and Development team, before a “grown-up gap year” in Europe last year.
“I think the work is really valuable – I am really excited about the focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health in the childhood trauma research group,” Karen said.
I feel like the trauma group has research that could really make a difference, particularly the work around cultural safety – I just think that’s amazing.
Embrace’s childhood trauma group is investigating the cultural safety of mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, with hopes the findings of this project will transform the current mental health system for Indigenous young people and reduce social and emotional wellbeing pressures.
“And I’m excited about the medical trauma research,” Karen added. “It feels like there are so many places that work can go, particularly given we are co-located in a public hospital.”
“With continued support, we have the potential to really deepen those connections with community and with the hospital. The work that’s already been done on the wellbeing project will give us the freedom to collaborate with other teams throughout the Institute.”
Embrace is supported by its principal partner, Rio Tinto.
Research Fellow Karen Lombardi has joined Embrace's childhood trauma research group.