Australian Rotary Health

Orygen Research Centre/
University of Melbourne, VIC
Mental Health Research 2006, 2007 and 2008

Professor Alison Yung MD, MBBS, MPM, FRANZCP, Grad Dip Epidem, is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Principal Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry and Orygen Research Centre, and a National Health and Medical Research Centre (NHMRC) Senior Research Fellow. She has been involved in young people’s mental health through her clinical and research work for over a decade.

In 1994 Professor Yung established and developed the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) Clinic, a clinical and research centre which manages young people at incipient risk of developing first onset psychosis. This was the first clinic of this type in the world and research conducted within PACE is now being replicated internationally. Professor Yung has received several grants and has numerous publications related to PACE research. She is also Chief Investigator on projects investigating risk factors for mental disorders in the community and general health settings. The US based National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) recently chose her for an Independent Investigator Award for continuing and expanding her research into youth mental illness.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:

Rates of suicidal behaviour among young people are unacceptably high. Previous suicidal behaviour is a key predictor of future suicide risk. Whilst much is known about the risk factors for suicidal behaviour, less is known about interventions that can successfully reduce suicide risk, particularly amongst adolescents.

Prof Alison Yung from the Orygen Research Centre has received a grant from Australian Rotary Health to study suicide prevention amongst adolescents who seek help. Previous research at Orygen Research Centre has identified high rates of attempted suicide among young people who have unsuccessfully sought specialist help. While they may not meet the criteria for specialist help they are at increased risk of further suicidal behaviour and need of some form of treatment. Previous studies have shown that maintaining contact with at-risk adults via a regular letter or postcard enhances feelings of self-esteem and connectedness which can reduce suicidal behaviour.

PROGRESS REPORT:

This study tests postcard intervention with young people who have sought help from Orygen Youth Health – a specialist youth psychiatric service. Of the 240 young people contacted the study eventually recruited 171 participants. Some were accepted into Orygen Youth Health; others were not. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. Those in the control group received treatment as usual, while those in the intervention group received treatment as usual plus the ‘postcard’ intervention.

Most adolescents in the postcard group reported they liked receiving the card and they found the written messages helpful. Preliminary analysis of data is underway. The study was presented at several conferences including the International Conference of Suicide Prevention in Ireland.