Dr Eoin Killackey
Orygen Research Centre, Victoria
Mental Health Research Grant 2008 and 2009
Dr. Eóin Killackey is a Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at Orygen Research Centre and the Department of Psychology at the University of Melbourne. He completed his Doctorate at Deakin University in 2000. He has worked as a Clinical Psychologist in adolescent and adult public mental health settings.
His research is primarily in the area of psychological and psychosocial interventions in first episode psychosis; specifically functional recovery in first-episode psychosis with particular emphasis on vocational rehabilitation. He is also interested in evidence-based interventions in mental health and barriers to their implementation.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Employment support for people with schizophrenia
Studies have shown that between 75% and 95% of people with schizophrenia are unemployed. Current interventions such as those provided by Job Network and Disability Employment Network have not improved the employment levels of people with schizophrenia at all. Dr Eoin Killackey and a team from the University of Melbourne have received a grant from the Australian Rotary Health to evaluate a vocational intervention for young people with first-episode psychosis that supports participants through job placement and their first six months on the job. It is hoped that the intervention will lead to better mental health outcomes for participants.
PROGRESS REPORT:
Dr. Eoin Killackey, Prof Henry Jackson, Dr Sue Cotton
Vocational recovery in young people with first episode psychosis: A randomised controlled intervention trial examining vocational, health, economic and social outcomes.
Since funding commenced, a Research Assistant has been employed using money provided by Australian Rotary Health. Ethics approval for the project has been granted and all pre-project administration has been completed. Recruitment is currently on schedule for the target number of 180 people. To date 30 people have been recruited, assessed and randomized to either treatment as usual or to vocational intervention. Some of those randomized to the employment group are already working or studying.
Funding from Australian Rotary Health allowed commencement of the project ahead of several international colleagues who are beginning to conduct research in this area in Europe and North America. They have drawn on the expertise of this study to establish their own research and clinical programs. Importantly, Dr Killackey’s team has drawn together this group to produce an international consensus statement about the place and importance of vocational recovery programs in first episode psychosis. This statement was presented at the International Early Psychosis Association Conference in Melbourne in October, 2008.