Mental Health Policy and Practice

• 
  Unit Head
  Professor Jane Pirkis

  j.pirkis@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  61 3 8344 0647

Research Overview

The Mental Health Policy and Practice Unit aims to influence policy and practice in Australia and overseas. Our Unit is well known for its evaluations of large-scale mental health programs, and its studies of more specific interventions. We have a particular focus on suicide and have undertaken a range of epidemiological studies of patterns of suicidal behaviour (e.g., examining suicide clusters and hotspots) and have tested novel suicide prevention solutions. We have pioneered research on the media’s influence on suicidal behaviour, beginning by examining the negative impacts of irresponsible reporting of suicide, and more recently shifting our attention to examining ways in which the media – in all its forms – can be used as a force for good in suicide prevention.

Centre for Mental Health contact details

Level 4, 207 Bouverie Street
The University of Melbourne
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Victoria, 3010, Australia

Tel: +61 3 8344 0908
Email: CMH-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au

Staff

Professor Jane Pirkis (Unit Head)
Dr Karl Andriessen
Dr Bridget Bassillios
Dr Angela Clapperton
Dr Dianne Currier
Tess Cutler
Georgia Dempster
Dr Maria Ftanou
Tess Hall
Dr Karolina Krysinska
Robert Lukins
Dr Angela Nicholas
Dr Lennart Reifels
A/Prof Matthew Spittal
Dr Lay San (Tiffany) Too
Michelle Williamson