Research drives change
Attendees at the 12th annual Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol conference
Around 100 researchers, clinicians, administrative staff, and community workers from Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) attended the 12th annual MHDA Conference at the Kolling Institute to learn about the latest research and innovations across NSLHD.
Opening the event, Professor Gin Malhi, director of the CADE Clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital, highlighted the crucial research of research in driving change in mental health services. “If you want to improve it, if you want to better it and want to understand it, then you need to examine it. That’s what research is,” he said. “We ask questions.”
The program featured more than 25 submissions, including 10 posters, nine research presentations, and six quality improvement projects.
Several outstanding projects received awards: NSRMHS Professor’s Award: Dr Kelsey Josling and Dr Ralf Ilchef (Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, RNSH) for their work on psychotherapeutic approaches to Functional Neurological Disorder. Best Research Presentation: Alicia Fernandes, Haylee Zink and Lyndal Sherwin (Specialist Rehabilitation Service) for evaluating an online toolkit for people who hear voices. Best poster: Dr Grace Wong and Bonny Puszka Audience vote for best poster: Erica Martin Best Quality Improvement Presentation: Thidar Htun Most Consumer / Carer Focused Presentation: Karen Klarnett and Sarah Mithoefer
Keynote speakers included Associate Professor Mark
Montebello who outlined priority areas in drug and alcohol clinical trials, and Cojoint Professor Natalie Cutler who highlighted the importance of translating research into everyday practice.
47 NSLHD 2025 Year in Review
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