The Australian Society for Psychiatric Research

Bulletin 01.03.2009

1. Message from President
2. ASPR Committee Contacts
3. ASPR Matters
4. Conferences and Related
5. Scholarships

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1. Message From President

Welcome to the first ASPR Bulletin for 2009.

The ASPR Executive agreed at our last meeting in 2008 to support the continuation of the position of personal assistant to me for another year. Ms Rachael Guy has left to continue her postgraduate studies and been replaced by Dr Jenny Kirsner. Jenny will be the key contact point for correspondence, etc.

Andrew Mackinnon (Treasurer) and Trevor Norman (Secretary) stepped down from the Executive Committee after each providing 10 years of unbroken service to the Society. Their very significant contributions were marked by their receiving certificates at the 2008 Conference. Helen Stain (NSW), Graham Burrows (VIC) and Geoff Waghorn (QLD) completed their terms on the Executive and we warmly thank them for their contributions to the Society. Helen Christensen was elected President Elect and will take over from me as President at the end of 2009. Claire Kelly is the new Secretary and Robyn Langdon is the new Treasurer. Tom Burne (QLD), Elizabeth Scarr (VIC) and Anthony Harris (NSW) joined the Executive Committee. Kirsty Sanderson and Giulietta Valuri were confirmed by the AGM as elected members for Tasmania and Western Australia although both have served on the committee for some time having replaced state representatives who had resigned.

The 2008 Newcastle Conference was a success and the Society is warmly appreciative of the efforts of Amanda Baker, Terry Lewin and their Conference Organising Committee. They did a wonderful job of providing rich scientific and social programs.

Planning for the 2009 Canberra ASPR Conference is underway and Dr Peter Butterworth is the Chair of the Organising Committee.

Many issues were raised at the 2008 ASPR AGM held in Newcastle. These issues will be systematically worked through by the Executive over the year.

All the best
Henry Jackson

2. ASPR Committee Contacts

Professor Henry Jackson (President)                   henryjj@unimelb.edu.au
Professor Helen Christensen (President Elect)   Helen.Christensen@anu.edu.au
Dr Claire Kelly (Secretary)                                 ckel@unimelb.edu.au
Assoc Professor Robyn Langdon (Treasurer)     robyn.langdon@mq.edu.au
ACT: Dr Peter Butterworth                                  Peter.Butterworth@anu.edu.au
NSW: Dr Anthony Harris                                       aharris1@mail.usyd.edu.au
NZ:    Dr Caroline Bell                                           caroline.bell@chmeds.ac.nz
NZ:    Dr Sunny Collings (co-opted)                      sunny.collings@otago.ac.nz
QLD: Dr Tom Burne                                             t.burne@uq.edu.au
SA:    Professor Cherrie Galletly                           cherrie@drgalletly.com
VIC:  Dr Elizabeth Scarr                                       elscarr@unimelb.edu.au
WA: Ms Giulietta Valuri                                        giulietta.valuri@uwa.edu.au
TAS: Dr Kristy Sanderson                                    kristy.sanderson@utas.edu.au
Dr Eoin Killackey (co-opted)                                 eoin@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Butterworth is also the 2009 Conference Organiser

3. ASPR Matters

3.1 Research Update

ASPR is currently assembling documents for the MHCA in the areas of Borderline Personality Disorder and return to education for young people with serious mental illness. The aim is to present material at the next MHCA meeting in May-June 2009.

3.2 IMPORTANT: Select Committee on Men's Health

The Senate has established a Select Committee on Men's Health to inquire into general issues related to the availability and effectiveness of education, supports and services for men’s health. I am writing to invite you to make a submission to the inquiry.

In particular, the committee will investigate the:

1. level of Commonwealth, state and other funding addressing men’s health, particularly prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and depression,
2. adequacy of existing education and awareness campaigns regarding men’s health for both men and the wider community,
3. prevailing attitudes of men towards their own health and sense of wellbeing and how these are affecting men’s health in general, and
4. extent, funding and adequacy for treatment services and general support programs for men’s health in metropolitan, rural, regional and remote areas.

The committee is to report by 30 May 2009. Submissions are due by Friday 13 March 2009 and may be emailed to menshealth.sen@aph.gov.au.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee secretary, Mr Chris Reid, on 02 6277 3559 and from the committee's website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/menshealth_ctte/index.htm

4. Conferences And Related

ASPR CONFERENCE
2- 4 December 2009
Canberra, ACT, Australia

The annual ASPR conference is being held in Canberra, ACT - planning is underway to bring you an exciting, varied and innovative program.

Lifeline National Conference
“Working Towards Best Practice In Accessible Care”
Rydges Lakeside Canberra 11-12 March 2009

Day 1: Will be focused on “Innovations in telephone and web support services” and will address the role of telephone and web based support services as a necessary piece in the mental health spectrum of care.

Day 2: Will profile stories of hope, resilience and recovery, from individuals who have experienced a personal crisis or challenge, and identify services and strategies that connect people with care, with the theme “The Consumer Voice.” This day will include facilitated interactive plenary sessions that will engage delegates in a dialogue about how service providers can improve the consumer experience.

The conference will also address such topics as the role of new technology and innovations in delivering care and support; suicide prevention, awareness and bereavement support; tailoring services to meet a youth market; resilience in the face of adversity; new mediums for counselling support; and the efficacy of helplines.

International Early Psychosis Association
We would like to welcome you to our new web site at: www.iepa.org.au

The website includes employment and educational opportunities, and information regarding upcoming conferences. Viewers are encouraged to provide information regarding publication reviews and current research. The website relies on the membership to contribute relevant materials so it is of use for IEPA members and those interested in early intervention.

5. Scholarships

Alzheimer’s Australia Research (AAR) would like to announce the 2009 Dementia Grants Program.

This year, AAR is proud to offer a range of grants, such as:

New Researcher Grants

· 4 AAR Dementia Research Grants of $20,000
· 2 Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care of $20,000

Travel Grants

· Rosemary Foundation Travel Grant of $15,000

Postdoctoral Fellowships

· 3 AAR Postdoctoral Fellowship in Dementia ($45,000 per year for 2 years with payments matched by applicants’ institution)

Applications for all awards close Monday 27 April 2009.

Application forms and further information can be found at http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?topicid=250

Exciting opportunities for researchers and clinicians in the field of Intellectual Disability Mental Health.

A dynamic team is being established by the UNSW of a Chair in Intellectual Disability Mental Health. Expressions of interest are sought for the following positions:

1. Research Assistants (FT/PT), see UNSW website http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/services/recruitment/jobs/30010906.html DCRC_Newsletter_Issue_9[1].pdf
2. Training Fellowships for RANZCP trainees, administered by the NSW Institute of Psychiatry under direction of the Chair (see http://www.nswiop.nsw.edu.au/pages/fellowships/links2.php).
3. Admin Assistant (FT/PT), contact J.Trollor@unsw.edu.au for further details.

Other clinical/allied health positions will also be created within the Area Health Service.

For further information, contact the Chair of Intellectual Disability Mental Health, A/Prof Julian Trollor: J.Trollor@unsw.edu.au

Pfizer Australia Neuroscience Research Grants
Grants of up to $44,000 (incl. GST) to be awarded in 2009

The Pfizer Neuroscience Research Grants program invites applications from Australian medical graduates who have obtained specialist qualifications within the last 5 years, or are currently in advanced training, or have returned to research after an appropriate break. Research funding is provided to successful applicants for basic and clinical research across the broad field of neuroscience including:

• Pain Medicine

• Psychiatry

• Neurology

Application closing date 14th April 2009

For more information or to obtain an application form visit: www.nsrgrants.com.au