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Embracing the mental health of our children and young peopleEmbrace – a new research collaboration based at The Kids – will bring a new focus to understanding and improving the mental health of children and young people.

News & Events
NHMRC grants to benefit vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young peopleTwo leading The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers will use more than $1.1 million in National Health and Medical Research Council funding to improve outcomes for some of the world’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Research
Development of a universal aftercare model for people who have presented to the emergency department for a suicidal crisis in WAThe Mental Health Commission (MHC) of Western Australia has provided funding to The Kids Research Institute Australia to undertake exploratory research to inform a WA approach to aftercare.
Research
The Facilitation of Acceptance in Trans and Gender Diverse Young PeopleHelen Yael Morgan Perry BA (Hons), Doctor of Psychology BPsych (Hons) MPsych (Clin) PhD Senior Project Coordinator Head, Youth Mental Health 08 6319
Research
Predicting NSSI among trans young people: the role of transphobic experiences, body image, and gender dysphoriaNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is particularly common among trans young people. NSSI is most commonly used as an emotion regulation strategy, which may explain the high prevalence of the behavior among trans young people, who often experience unique stressors. In the current study we test an application of the Pantheoretical Framework of Dehumanization, in which transphobic experiences, body surveillance, body dissatisfaction, and gender dysphoria are all theorized to predict NSSI.
Research
Barriers and facilitators to mental health care access and engagement for LGBTQA+ people with psychosis: A scoping reviewLGBTQA+ individuals are at increased risk of experiencing psychosis and face barriers in accessing appropriate and timely mental health support. This scoping review maps the existing literature to identify barriers and facilitators to access and engagement to care for LGBTQA+ people across the psychosis spectrum.
Research
Web-Based Self-Compassion Training to Improve the Well-Being of Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions: Randomized Controlled TrialUp to one-third of young people live with chronic physical conditions (eg, diabetes, asthma, and autoimmune disease) that frequently involve recurrent pain, fatigue, activity limitations, stigma, and isolation.
Research
Mental ill-health and substance use among sexuality diverse adolescents: The critical role of school climate and teacher self-efficacyMental ill-health, substance use and their co-occurrence among sexuality diverse young people during earlier adolescence is relatively understudied. The preventive utility of positive school climate for sexuality diverse adolescents' mental health is also unclear, as well as the role of teachers in conferring this benefit.
Research
Potential immunological effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people – an unexplored area of researchThere are well-described sex-based differences in how the immune system operates. In particular, cisgender (cis) females have a more easily activated immune system; associated with an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases and adverse events following vaccinations. Conversely, cis males have a higher threshold for immune activation, and are more prone to certain infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Research
The effectiveness of a day hospital mentalization-based therapy programme for adolescents with borderline personality traits: Findings from Touchstone—Child and Adolescent Mental Health ServiceIndividuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are at a substantial risk of harm to themselves and others, experience high levels of functional impairment and typically are high users of tertiary healthcare to address their mental health concerns. As indicators for BPD typically emerge in adolescence, a day therapy service in Bentley, Western Australia, Touchstone Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), was developed as an intensive intervention for adolescents with indicators for BPD and its associated symptomology.