Our Research Initiatives
The Suicide Prevention and Resilience Research Centre is dedicated to advancing the field of suicide prevention through innovative research initiatives. Our team of multidisciplinary researchers is committed to making a meaningful impact on understanding and addressing the complexities of suicide. We strive to create a supportive and collaborative environment to foster resilience and mental well-being.
As a centre embedded within the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia, we are focused on establishing a strong network of researchers to drive forward the frontiers of suicide prevention research. Our work extends beyond traditional approaches, delving into the underlying factors contributing to suicide risk and resilience. We aim to leverage our expertise to develop evidence-based strategies and interventions that can make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
Routine Outcomes and Assessment in Mental Health
SPARRC is leading a program of research designed to improve how we monitor mental health outcomes during mental health care. A wide variety of private and public services, including specialist psychotherapy and multidisciplinary community services, are currently committed to co-designing and trialling bespoke software design to deliver more responsive care to young people when treatment isn't working as expected.
Enhancing Treatment of Gaming Disorder
SPARRC is exploring new ways to enhance the early identification and support of young people experiencing problematic gaming and internet use. In collaboration with Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Gaming Disorder Clinic, this work is focused on developing accessible approaches that can help schools recognise emerging difficulties earlier and connect young people with appropriate support before problems become more serious.
Mental Health in the Construction Industry
Our expert team includes mental health professionals that work with MATES in Construction to best support the mental health of construction workers in WA and nationally. In 2024, a specialist team was constructed to conduct the first survey of construction workers in Western Australia, and one of the few worldwide. The survey aimed to understand the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in the industry, and identify key factors within workers' person lives, and within workplaces, they may affect their mental health. The survey is a critical piece in improving the mental health of workers in the construction industry.
Currently, SPARRC is leading the Foundations for a Safety Industry project is in development to enhance suicide prevention initiatives delivered to apprentices. This involves evaluating existing services, and introducing new training to target known risk factors that current training may not adequately address.
GP Depression Management
In 2024, WAPHA commissions the Rural Clinical School of WA to develop a new accredited course designed to enhance the skills of GPs in recognising, diagnosing and treating depression and suicidality. GPs are guided through six online modules and are invited to attend one of 36 rural and Perth-based workshops.
The project is led by rural psychiatrist Dr Mathew Coleman and guided by a reference group of GP medical educators from RCSWA, psychiatrists, psychologists, an Aboriginal community cultural specialist, and people with lived experience.
Pharmacogenomics - guided therapy for patients with mental illness - a WA study
Using pharmacogenomics, the study of how a person’s genetic make-up influences how they metabolise medication, this trial analysed whether pharmacogenomics-guided treatment is more effective than today’s widely adopted ‘trial and error’ approach.
Development of a Vulnerability Index to Predict Suicide
In a collaboration between Psychology and Mathematics Experts at UWA, and a local psychiatric hospital Perth Clinic, SPARRC successfully developed a world-first self-harm prediction algorithm. This algorithm uses machine learning to predict short-term risk of self-injury and alert clinical staff hospital-wide to facilitate early interventions. Our Centre has teamed with the University of Sheffield to develop a multi-site cross-cultural validation of our algorithm and expand the impact of the research project.
Reducing self-harm and suicidal behaviours in young people in Western Australia
This Stan Perron Foundation/Australian Research Council funded project is a collaboration with independent schools in WA to determine key markers for short-term risk of suicide and self-injury, and develop standardised, evidence-based responses to prevent incidents from occurring.
Funded Research
Leveraging daily life physiology and behaviours to predict suicide risk states in an at-risk clinical sample
Lead Investigator: Professor Kristin Gainey - School of Psychological Science
Leveraging Digital Insomnia Treatment to Target Depression and Suicidality in in Young Adults
Lead Investigator: Dr Cele Richardson - School of Psychological Science
Re-wiring the brain: Safety and efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation for treating depression in youth.
Lead Investigator: Professor Jenny Rodger - Perron Institute
Enhancing clinical coding for mental health and social and emotional wellbeing in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Lead Investigator: Emma Carlin - Rural Clinical School of WA
Lonely Today, Tomorrow, Next Week, or Next Month? The Temporal Dynamics of Loneliness
Lead Investigator: Professor Stephen Houghton - Graduate School of Education
Transforming Crisis Mental Health Care for Neurodivergent Children: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of CAMHS Services in WA
Lead Investigator: Dr Vineet Padmanabhan, Dr Laura Dondzilo, Dr Cayla Bellagarda - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
