The Australian Society for Psychiatric Research

Bulletin 02.09.2009

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

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1. Message From President

Due to the overwhelming membership response in support of maintaining an independent ASPR conference, I again encourage members to attend this year’s conference in Canberra from 2-4th December. We are now calling for applications for awards for this year. Details for the prizes can be found on the ASPR website (www.aspr.org.au) under ‘Awards for Researchers’ or below in the awards section. Applications for awards close 1st October and will be presented at the conference.

As previously noted, we are also hoping to implement electronic voting for the AGM from 2010. Additionally, members of the executive have recently been revising the ASPR Mission Statement. Once a revised version has been completed, it will be sent to members for feedback. Both of these issues will require constitutional change and must be voted on by members at the 2009 AGM which will be held during the conference.

All the best

Henry

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 Flavie Waters (Early Career Researcher)      Flavie@ccrn.uwa.edu.au

Dr Butterworth is also the 2009 Conference Organiser

3. ASPR Matters

3.1 Mentoring Program

Call for Expressions for Interest for the ASPR Mentoring Program

What is the ASPR mentoring program?

The ASPR mentoring program is a semi-formal, time-limited program (12 months) in which a mentor and a ‘mentee’ are matched for the purpose of facilitating a mentoring relationship. The main goal of the relationship is to provide a supported environment in which the mentee can advance their skills, knowledge and experience, and identify and develop a career plan, with the help and guidance of one who has been there before!

The ASPR Early Career Researcher working party would love to hear from you if you believe you could be a part of this program. The aim would be for initial expressions of interest/involvement to be collated by the mentoring program committee and matching the mentors and mentees by areas of interest and specific aims, followed by an informal “get-together” in Canberra for potential mentors and mentees. The program would start officially in early 2010.

Would you like to be a mentee?

The ASPR mentoring program is set up for those who consider themselves “early career researchers”, and who seek greater communication with researchers who are well established in their careers.

The main role for the mentor is to support the mentee in (i) the development of generic skills, such as grant identification and writing, reviewing scientific papers, or improving presentation skills; (ii) providing career advice, such as opinion on research options, or managing life/work balance; and (iii) field-specific requests, including technical or clinical information.

Could you be a mentor?

Would you be willing to help an early career researcher to advance their knowledge, efficacy, confidence, and career?

Mentoring is a vitally important aspect of any field of endeavour and we are seeking senior mental health researchers who would be willing to share a little of their time and expertise to mentor early career researchers. This relationship can be a very positive experience for both the mentor and ‘mentee’.

Importantly, there are defined limits to the expectations of the mentor/mentee relationship to ensure that involvement in the program does not place undue stress on mentors and their time, and does not become a proxy for work or academic supervision.

Please indicate your interest by emailing Felice Jacka, the mentoring program co-ordinator, at felice@barwonhealth.org.au

3.2 Knowledge Dissemination

Call for Volunteers on the Working Party for Knowledge Dissemination

Eóin Killackey is the ASPR representative for Knowledge Dissemination. In this working group we are looking for ways to identify evidence based interventions that are not implemented and examining ways in which we can further their implementation.

The working group has been active in the last few years resulting in a journal publication (Killackey E, Jorm AF, Alvarez-Jiminez M, McCann T, Hides L, Couineau A-L. Do we do what we know works, and if not, why not? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;42(6):439-444), and the establishment of a prize for knowledge dissemination sponsored by Australian Rotary Health which last year was won by Professor Helen Christensen and A/Professor Kathy Griffiths for the MoodGYM program.

I would like to ask for other members of ASPR who have an interest in knowledge dissemination to join this group and help to further the translation of our research into useful clinical applications. If you have some ideas about how we could do this you will be very welcome! I am able to be contacted on the email or phone number below.

Please contact Dr Eóin Killackey for more details:
eoin@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: (03) 9342 2900

3.3 Research Update

ASPR is currently assembling documents for the Mental Health Council of Victoria (MHCA) in the area of Borderline Personality Disorder. A working party has now been developed, including Janine Stephenson, Carol Hulbert, Andrew Chanen, and Henry Jackson.

Please contact Henry Jackson if you have an interest in joining this working party or in contributing to this research area: henryjj@unimelb.edu.au

4. Conferences And Related

ASPR CONFERENCE
2- 4 December 2009
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

The theme of the conference, ‘From Young Minds to Grey Matters’, will consider mental health and wellbeing across the life course, from childhood through to old age. The national and international keynote speakers, invited symposia and free papers will cover clinical, epidemiological and biological neuroscience streams, and also emphasize research with relevance for policy and practice.

Keynote speakers include Professor Pim Cuijpers, Professor Neil McNaughton, Professor Julio Licinio, M.D., Professor George W. Rebok, and A/Professor Victor G. Carrion.

A number of associated events will be held prior to the conference on 1 December, including a statistical workshop and a satellite e-mental health conference.

The conference program will include special events for early career researchers and a number of travel scholarships will be offered.

Register your interest via email to: aspr@consec.com.au

Annual National Dementia Research Forum
24-25 September 2009
Wesley Conference Centre, Sydney

Hosted by the Dementia Collaborative Research Centres (DCRCs), the theme of the Forum is ‘Translating Research into Practice’ and there will be an emphasis on how lessons from academia can translate into best practice at the clinical coalface. The Forum will showcase the latest research in diagnosis, treatment and management of dementia, as well as providing updates on drug treatments, prevention of dementia and maintaining quality of life with dementia.

Registration and more information can be found at the DCRC website: www.dementia.unsw.edu.au

First International E-Mental Health Summit 2009
14-16 October 2009
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The First International E-Mental Health Summit 2009 will present the results of the most recent evidence-based developments, research studies and implementation projects in the field of e-mental health, a domain which is currently seeing the introduction of a whole new generation of applications. A variety of prominent professionals, scientists and innovators from countries, spearheading the development and application of internet and other new media in mental health care, will give presentations and workshops. In other words: the state of the art on a silver platter!

Registration is €795
Registration and information can be found at: www.ementalhealthsummit.com

Australasian Society for Bipolar Disorders Conference 2009
22 - 24 October 2009
Sofitel Hotel, Brisbane

This conference aims to cover a broad range of scientific and clinical issues related to Bipolar Disorders and seeks to create an alliance between researchers, teachers, practitioners and clinicians from the scientific community worldwide. International speakers include Professor Joe Goldberg from the USA and Dr Francesc Colom from Spain.

The Society is open to the entire spectrum of mental heath professionals including basic and clinical researchers, psychiatrists, pharmacologists, psychologists, social workers, students, trainees, psychiatric nurses, interested lay groups and individuals.

An opportunity exists for young/emerging investigators to submit an abstract for oral presentation at the ASBD 2009. Awards for winning submissions include economy airfares, accommodation and reimbursement of conference registration; depending on placement.

Early Bird Registration closes Saturday 5 September 2009 - see website at www.asbd2009.com

National Squalor Conference - Pathway through the Maze
5-6 November 2009
SMC Conference Centre, Goulburn St, Sydney

This inaugural conference will have a focus on sustainable long term interventions through exploring the experiences of severe domestic squalor within the following themes:

Social Isolation: the human rights context and social justice
Societal Structures: the role of poverty, culture and ones lived experiences
Sustainable Housing: accommodation and tenancy issues
The Moral Cost: ethical and legal issues
The Collective Impact: the environmental, community and financial consequences
The Need for Collaboration: legislative and systemic issues
A Clinical Red Flag: substance dependence, mental health, disability and aged care
What We Know: evidence based research, current literature and models of best practice

To register your interest in the National Squalor Conference and receive updates on the program please email: info@nationalsqualorconference.com.au

48th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Australian Society for Medical Research
November 15-17 2009
The Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart

The theme for the conference is "Neurogenetics on the Apple Isle"

Speakers include Firkin Orator, Professor Jonathan Flint of the University of Oxford, UK who is investigating the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders

The program covers diverse topics such as epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases, motor neurone, schizophrenia, stroke, Huntington's disease, ataxis, MS, neuropathies, brain development, mental retardation, Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, neurofibromatosis, muscular dystrophy and neurological diseases.

Abstract submission and online bookings are now open at: http://www.asmr-nsc.org.au/

Submissions for Poster-Only selection close Friday September 25th 2009

XIV Annual Course of Schizophrenia “Psychosis: Communication, motivation and change
26-28th November 2009
Hotel Meliá Castilla, Madrid

The Schizophrenia Courses aimed at mental health care professionals, that have been held over the last thirteen years, have been organised by the Psychiatry Service I of the General University Hospital “Gregorio Marañón” of Madrid, with the institutional and financial support of the Foundation for the Investigation and Treatment of Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders and institutional member of ISPS (International Society for Psychological Treatments of Schizophrenias and Other Psychoses) . Their objective is to facilitate the relationship and up-date the knowledge of all the professionals involved in and interested in understanding these patients better and helping them more.

For information, visit the website at: www.cursoesquizofreniamadrid.com

4th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders
17-20th March 2010, San Paolo, Brazil

The ISBD is the premier global bipolar disorder research and advocacy group, and this is the official biennial meeting of the Society. The ISBD is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all its activities, and aims to bring together international scientists and clinicians to advance shared goals.

Bipolar disorder is one of the most active and rapidly evolving areas of psychiatry, and this meeting will provide an opportunity to hear cutting edge findings, presented by a select panel of internationally recognized experts in the area. The educational program will comprise plenary lectures, symposia, workshops, oral communications and poster sessions, and a forum for involving patient advocacy and support groups.

More information can be found at:
www.isbd2010.org

11th Biennial Australasian Schizophrenia Conference
22-24 September 2010
Sydney

The 11th Biennial Australasian Schizophrenia Conference (ASC 2010) will be hosted by The Schizophrenia Research Institute. The theme of the ASC2010 conference will be ‘Molecules to Mind’, which reflects the broad perspective required to achieve a greater scientific understanding of schizophrenia, understanding that will make a tangible difference in the lives of people with this illness. The theme reflects the quest for improved knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes involved, better appreciation of the structure and function of the brain in this disorder, new insights into the role of social and other environmental influences in contributing to schizophrenia, and to discover how new knowledge at each of these levels may be translated into better therapies and preventative interventions.
A range of internationally renowned scientists from Europe, Asia and the USA will be presenting at the ASC2010 conference. In addition, Australian researchers will be invited to present their own work across the ‘Molecules to Mind’ spectrum in a way that will complement the presentations of our international guests. Special workshops with strong clinical themes will be available to highlight the translational capacities that have developed recently, and how both sound evidence and theory can inform innovative therapy.

Details of the Conference can be found at: www.asc2010.com

5. Scholarships and Positions Available

ASPR Awards to Researchers

Applications and nominations are now open for the 2009 ASPR Awards to Researchers to be presented at the 2009 Conference in Canberra. This year’s awards include:

Applications close on Thursday 1st October 2009. For more information and application details, please go to www.aspr.org.au

Mental Health Council of Australia Scholarships
Australian Drugs Conference – Drugs in Hard Times
1-2 October, 2009
Melbourne

The MHCA’s conference funding program has provided funding to Anex for 25 scholarship places for staff members from across Australia to attend the Australian Drugs Conference. The scholarships are for frontline workers to attend the conference and the pre conference training sessions. These scholarships have been made available through the Mental Health Council of Australia’s sponsorship of the Conference.

The scholarships will meet the cost of the Conference registration and provide limited funds to help with travel for participants living outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

For more information and to apply for a scholarship please go to http://www.australiandrugsconference.org.au/scholarships.htm

The Department of Health and Aging - National Binge Drinking Strategy Community Level Initiative Second Funding Round

As part of the community level initiatives component of the National Binge Drinking Strategy¸ the Department of Health and Ageing is seeking applications from incorporated community groups or local government organisations for project proposals that aim to prevent and reduce binge drinking by young people aged 12-24 years.

Funding is available for organisations to provide programs in city¸ urban¸ regional¸ rural and remote Australia . Innovative projects and those representing partnerships between community organisations are encouraged.

A total of $3.6 million is available through this second funding round. An upper limit of $150¸000 plus GST per grant for up to two years will apply for individual project proposals. For organisations wishing to collaborate and submit a joint proposal¸ an upper limit of $250¸000 plus GST per grant for up to two years will apply.

Organisations interested in applying must address the selection criteria in the format outlined in the application form. Please see the website at: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/grant0320910

For further information please contact the Department on 1800 209 312 or via email communitylevelinitiative@health.gov.au