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Research
Structured exercise programs for higher education students experiencing mental health challenges: background, significance, and implementationThe incidence of mental illness is greatest among young adults, and those enrolled in higher education may be particularly vulnerable compared to the general young adult population. Many higher education institutions employ student support staff tasked with implementing strategies to improve student wellbeing and mental illness.

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Researcher receives crucial funding for caregiver support initiativeThe Kids Research Institute Australia is deeply grateful to The Yellow Umbrella Foundation for their generous gift of $38,453 to help fund a new mental health initiative for parents and caregivers of children living with intellectual disability.

News & Events
The Kids researcher joins global program to enhance mental health of bubsA The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher whose work focuses on the mental health of babies and young children has been chosen from a global field to become one of 20 new Zero to Three Fellows.
Research
A model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner health and wellbeing in South AustraliaAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are overrepresented in Australian prisons, where they experience complex health needs. A model of care was designed to respond to the broad needs of the Aboriginal prisoner population within the nine adult prisons across South Australia. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methods and findings of the Model of Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoner Health and Wellbeing for South Australia.
Research
The Stride program: Feasibility and pre-to-post program change of an exercise service for university students experiencing mental distressRates of mental illness are disproportionately high for young adult and higher education (e.g., university student) populations. As such, universities and tertiary institutions often devote significant efforts to services and programs that support and treat mental illness and/or mental distress. However, within that portfolio of treatment approaches, structured exercise has been relatively underutilised and greater research attention is needed to develop this evidence base.
Research
Psychological Flow Training: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an Educational Intervention on FlowDespite there being an increasing number of applied flow studies across scientific disciplines, there exists no consistent or broadly applicable intervention to promote flow experiences. This study provides a detailed account of a new educational flow training program developed following recent advancements in the flow literature that have provided a more parsimonious understanding of flow experiences and antecedents.
Research
Randomised controlled trials of behavioural nudges delivered through text messages to increase influenza and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women (EPIC study) in AustraliaInfluenza and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women is sub-optimal. We assessed the effectiveness of a multi-component behavioural nudge intervention to improve COVID-19 and influenza vaccine uptake among pregnant women.
Research
Characterising symptomatic substates in individuals on the psychosis continuum: a hidden Markov modelling approachTo improve early intervention and personalise treatment for individuals early on the psychosis continuum, a greater understanding of symptom dynamics is required. We address this by identifying and evaluating the movement between empirically derived attenuated psychotic symptomatic substates-clusters of symptoms that occur within individuals over time.
Research
Thriving Under Threat: A Scoping Review of Human Thriving in Recurring Potentially Traumatic, Elevated Threat and High Stress Work EnvironmentsIn this scoping review, we explore the concept of human thriving in work populations that are repeatedly exposed to high stress, elevated threat, and potential trauma-professions such as first responders and front-line military personnel. The concept of thriving, defined as the joint experience of development and success, shares some similarities with other psychological concepts (e.g., resilience, posttraumatic growth, flourishing), but is distinct due to the consideration of physical wellbeing, and success (e.g., performance).
Research
Promoting mental well-being in Western Australia: Act Belong Commit® mental health promotion campaign partners’ perspectivesThe Act Belong Commit® mental health promotion campaign aims to improve population mental well-being. Based on a social-franchising model, partnerships are sought with organizations offering 'mentally healthy activities' that foster social connectedness and mental well-being. There are four categories of partner organizations sought: Site (government agencies and health services), Associate (organizations with state-wide or national services), Community (local, grass-roots community groups) and Schools.