A+ for children’s mental health funding
Professor Bruce Tonge
Treatment and support options for Australian children with developmental disorders and mental health issues are being investigated by a team of national researchers, which could result in improved services for the children and their parents.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has provided $5.4 million in research funding for the study, co-led by internationally renowned child psychiatrist Professor Bruce Tonge from Monash University's School of Psychology and Psychiatry and Professor Stewart Einfeld from the University of Sydney.
The study aims to improve the emotional and behavioural problems associated with mental illness in children with developmental disorders and break down the sense of isolation and stigma often experienced by their parents.
Professor Tonge said people with an intellectual disability have three times the rate of mental illness than that of the general population and 42 per cent of these health problems remain undiagnosed.
"Consequently it is a greater problem in terms of the burden to carers and cost to the community than schizophrenia. What is extremely concerning is that only 10 per cent of people with a mental health problem and intellectual disability receive any treatment,” Professor Tonge said.
Part of the study will investigate the effectiveness of an existing intervention strategy called Stepping Stones Triple P (SSTP) - a program specifically designed for parents of children with developmental disorders with a view to integrating the program into the public health system.
The program recognises that children with disabilities are more likely to development mental health problems and that the mental health and wellbeing of the child's parents can influence the child's condition.
“The program will allow me to pursue the development of evidence-based parent education and skills training interventions. It will also to continue to determine the nature and causes of mental illness in this vulnerable population and investigate other treatments and preventions,” Professor Tonge said.
SSTP includes one-on-one sessions with a professional, a group seminar series, sessions with a Primary Health Care provider, intensive individual or group training, observation of parenting practice and family training sessions.
The landmark study will select 300 children aged 0-12 and their families in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland with a view to rolling out the program and treatment options across Australia and potentially, the world.
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said that this substantial investment by the NHMRC will support this vital mental health research.
“Well done to Professor Tonge and his colleagues in attracting this level of funding from the NHMRC,” Professor Cornish said.
“This support displays the importance that the NHMRC places on the mental health of children who are at great risk of developing emotional and behavioural disorders.”
The research is a collaborative initiative involving Monash University, University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, Penn State University, the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Kings College Hospital.