Co-Head, Youth Mental Health
BSc (Hons) MClin Neuropsych PhD
@lin_ashleigh
she/her/hers
Professor Ashleigh Lin completed Master of Clinical Neuropsychology and PhD degrees at The University of Melbourne. Ashleigh held postdoctoral research positions at Orygen, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and The University of Birmingham before taking up her current role at the Telethon Kids Institute in 2014. She has been a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellow, Career Development Research Fellow and is currently a NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow. Ashleigh is the Program Head of Mental Health and Youth at the Telethon Kids Institute and Co-Director of Embrace @ Telethon Kids.
Ashleigh's research is focused on early detection and intervention for mental health concerns in adolescents and young adults. She is particularly interested the mental health of marginalised groups.
Ashleigh is available to supervise honours, masters and PhD students. Her team are currently working on the following projects:
- Co-designing a youth specific Safe Haven Café within the Peel Health Hub to serve as an alternative to the emergency department for young people at risk of suicide.
- Co-designing a model for an innovative short-stay residential service for young people expressing suicidal thoughts and behaviours: The Youth Sanctuary Model.
- Development of Suicide prevention Guidelines in LGBTQA+ young people: best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers.
- Improving aftercare in children and young people who present to emergency departments for deliberate self-harm and suicidal crisis
- Examining the link between stigma and mental health in same gender attracted adolescents.
- Improving the social and emotional wellbeing of LGBTIQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
- Training Service Providers to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ youth.
- Investigating a potential new treatment using Cannabidiol in young people with heightened risk of developing psychosis – The CanARY trial
- PRE-EMPT – NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for PREdiction of Early Mental Disorder and Preventive Treatment
- Clinical Trial of Cannabidiol for Treatment Resistant Anxiety Disorders in Youth Developing a cohort of gender diverse young people attending the Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital to better understand the health and wellbeing outcomes of this group (the GENTLE Cohort).
- Understanding the mental health and wellbeing of parents of trans children and young people.
- Adapting a ‘serious game’ for the prevention of depression in gender diverse youth (TranSPARX)
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Projects
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Publications
Jun 2023
Measures of Early-life Behavior and Later Psychopathology in the LifeCycle Project-EU Child Cohort Network: A Cohort Description
The EU LifeCycle Project was launched in 2017 to combine, harmonize, and analyze data from more than 250,000 participants across Europe and Australia, involving cohorts participating in the EU-funded LifeCycle Project. The purpose of this cohort description is to provide a detailed overview of the major measures within mental health domains that are available in 17 European and Australian cohorts participating in the LifeCycle Project.
Published research Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental HealthJun 2023The Addition of Fish Oil to Cognitive Behavioral Case Management for Youth Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Trial
Clinical trials suggest that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) (fish oil) may reduce depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. Therefore, n-3 PUFAs may be a potential treatment for depression in youth.
Nutrition Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthOctober 2015Cognitive and behavioral factors associated with insomnia in inpatients with schizophrenia and related psychoses
This study examines cognitive and behavioral factors linked to insomnia in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Published researchSeptember 2015Neighbourhood characteristics and the rate of identification of young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis
This study aimed to determine if the rate of identification of young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis was associated with the level of social deprivation
Published research Youth Mental HealthAugust 2015Response to Comment on Lin et al. Risk Factors for Decline in IQ in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes Over the 12 Years From Diagnosis/Illness Onset
This editorial response addresses each of the concerns raised by Lin et al. RE: Risk Factors for Decline in IQ in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes Over the 12...
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Youth Mental HealthJuly 2015Childhood maltreatment and transition to psychotic disorder independently predict long-term functioning in young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis
Individuals identified as at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis are at risk of poor functional outcome regardless of development of psychotic disorder.
Published researchJune 2015Discrete alterations of brain network structural covariance in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis.
The aim of the present study was to investigate whole-brain structural covariance patterns of eight large-scale networks in young people identified as...
Published research Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2015Social environmental risk factors for transition to psychosis in an Ultra-High Risk population.
Despite social environmental factors such as deprivation, urbanicity, migration and adversity being established risk factors for psychotic disorders...
Published research Youth HealthJanuary 2015A systematic review: Identifying the prevalence rates of psychiatric disorder in Australia's Indigenous populations
A systematic review: Identifying the prevalence rates of psychiatric disorder in Australia's Indigenous populations.
Published research Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2015Olfactory identification deficits at identification as ultra-high risk for psychosis are associated with poor functional outcome
We have previously reported that olfactory identification (OI) deficits are a promising premorbid marker of transition from ultra-high risk...
Published researchJanuary 2015Risk factors for decline in IQ in youth with type 1 diabetes over the 12 years from diagnosis/illness onset
This study examined illness-related change in intelligence quotient (IQ) in a cohort of youth with type 1 diabetes studied prospectively from disease onset...
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Youth HealthMay 2015The association between autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A review of eight alternate models of co-occurrence
Understanding how and why these disorders co-occur has important implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, as well as for developing fundamental...
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published researchMarch 2015Outcomes of nontransitioned cases in a sample at ultra-high risk for psychosis.
Two-thirds of individuals identified as at ultra-high risk for psychosis do not develop psychotic disorder over the medium term.
Published researchMay 2023“Ngany Kamam, I Speak Truly”: First-Person Accounts of Aboriginal Youth Voices in Mental Health Service Reform
Aboriginal young people are experts in their own experience and are best placed to identify the solutions to their mental health and wellbeing needs. Given that Aboriginal young people experience high rates of mental health concerns and are less likely than non-Indigenous young people to access mental health services, co-design and evaluation of appropriate mental health care is a priority.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthJuly 2023Gender non-conformity in childhood and adolescence and mental health through to adulthood: A longitudinal cohort study, 1995-2018
Few studies have examined associations between gender non-conformity (GNC) in childhood or adolescence and mental health outcomes later in life. This study examined associations between GNC and mental health over multiple time points in childhood and adolescence, and GNC in childhood and/or adolescence and mental health in adulthood.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Raine study Mental healthAugust 2023Association between mental health workforce supply and clusters of high and low rates of youth suicide: An Australian study using suicide mortality data from 2016 to 2020
Abstract: To examine the association between mental health workforce supply and spatial clusters of high versus low incidence of youth suicide.
Published research Youth Mental Health Geospatial Health and Development Youth mental healthJanuary 2023Knowledge is Power: Trans Young People’s Perceptions of Parental Reactions to Their Gender Identity, and Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Parental Support
Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth, however, most experience unsupportive parental attitudes. We aimed to better understand how youth perceive parental reactions to their gender identity disclosure and what they consider to be barriers to, and facilitators of, support.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthJanuary 2023Parental Challenges, Facilitators and Needs Associated with Supporting and Accepting Their Trans Child’s Gender
Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth yet most experience parental rejection or ambivalence regarding their gender. Many parents report a desire to support their child but indicate lack of understanding and support as key barriers. We aimed to develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges and facilitators experienced by Australian parents in developing understanding, support and acceptance of their child’s gender and their needs to do so.
Published research Bullying Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthNovember 2014Discrete Alterations of Brain Network Structural Covariance in Individuals at Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis
Whole-brain structural covariance analyses revealed subtle changes of connectivity of the default-mode, executive control, salience, motor, and auditory networks in UHR individuals for psychosis
Published research Youth Mental HealthJuly 2014Shame amplifies the association between stressful life events and paranoia amongst young adults using mental health services
Shame is associated with a range of psychological disorders, and is a trans-diagnostic moderator of the association between stressors and symptoms of disorder.
Published research Depression and AnxietyJanuary 2014The relationship between personality traits and psychotic like experiences in a large non-clinical adolescent sample
Our findings suggest that the chance of having psychotic like experiences is more likely for adolescents with certain personality traits.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Autism ResearchDecember 2022Reach and perceived effectiveness of a community-led active outreach postvention intervention for people bereaved by suicide
Postvention is a core component of suicide prevention strategies, internationally. However, the types of supports provided to people impacted by suicide vary widely. This study examines the perceived effectiveness of the Primary Care Navigator (PCN) model for people bereaved by suicide. The PCN model was implemented in response to a suicide cluster.
Published research Youth Mental Health Geospatial Health and Development Youth mental healthMarch 2022Occurrence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in adults with autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Evidence suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have increased rates of co-occurring psychosis and/or bipolar disorder. Considering the peak age of onset for psychosis and bipolar disorder occurs in adulthood, we investigated the co-occurrence of these disorders in adults with autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism Research Youth Mental Health Subsite: CliniKids Youth mental healthFebruary 2022They Told Me “This Isn’t a Hotel”: Young People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Care When Presenting to the Emergency Department with Suicide-Related Behaviour
In Australia, the number of young people presenting to the emergency department with mental health concerns, in particular, suicidal behaviour (defined here as suicidal ideation, thoughts, intent and attempts) is increasing.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthJanuary 2022Occurrence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in adults with autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Evidence suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have increased rates of co-occurring psychosis and/or bipolar disorder. Considering the peak age of onset for psychosis and bipolar disorder occurs in adulthood, we investigated the co-occurrence of these disorders in adults with autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism Research Youth Mental Health Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKids Early Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Youth mental healthNovember 2022Enhancing functional recovery for young people recovering from first episode psychosis via sport-based life skills training: outcomes of a feasibility and pilot study
Early intervention within First Episode Psychosis (FEP) recovery efforts support functional recovery in several ways, including increasing levels of (1) physical activity (2) life skills, and (3) social connectivity. Sport has been proposed as an ideal platform to target these three goals simultaneously.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthOctober 2022Psychological Wellbeing Amongst Parents of Trans Children: An in-Depth Qualitative Investigation
Research has shown that parents of trans children face numerous challenges as they navigate their parenting role, however, little is known about the impact of these challenges on parents’ psychological wellbeing.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthOctober 2022Factors Influencing Parental Acceptance of Trans Children and Young People: Findings from Trans Pathways
Trans youth are at high risk of mental health difficulties and negative life events. Strong parental support is highly protective however there is little understanding of what factors facilitate the process of parental understanding and acceptance of a child’s gender identity.
Published research Child Health, Development & Education Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthAugust 2022Gender-Neutral Toilets: A Qualitative Exploration of Inclusive School Environments for Sexuality and Gender Diverse Youth in Western Australia
School toilets have been identified by sexuality and gender diverse (SGD) students as the least safe spaces in educational institutions. They are sites of verbal, physical and sexual victimisation.
Published research Parenting & Families Human Development and Community Wellbeing Gender Diversity Youth Mental HealthAugust 2022Intelligence trajectories in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: An 8-year longitudinal analysis
Cognitive impairment is a well-documented predictor of transition to a full-threshold psychotic disorder amongst individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. However, less is known about whether change in cognitive functioning differs between those who do and do not transition.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthAugust 2022“Shame, Doubt and Sadness”: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experience of Self-Stigma in Adolescents with Diverse Sexual Orientations
Many adolescents with diverse sexual orientations lead happy and fulfilled lives. However, evidence consistently suggests elevated rates of mental health difficulties in this population relative to heterosexual peers, and internalization of stigma (i.e., self-stigma) is implicated in these elevated rates. This study aimed to understand and describe the lived experience of self-stigma with respect to participants’ sexual orientations.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthJuly 2022Building a Nyoongar work practice model for Aboriginal youth mental health: prioritising trust, culture and spirit, and new ways of working
Mainstream youth mental health services struggle to comprehend the connection between colonisation and service provision for Aboriginal young people. This is the consensus agreed by Aboriginal Elders from Perth, Western Australia and young Aboriginal leaders within their communities.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthJuly 2022Neuroanatomical heterogeneity and homogeneity in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis
Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) demonstrate heterogeneity in clinical profiles and outcome features. However, the extent of neuroanatomical heterogeneity in the CHR-P state is largely undetermined.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthJune 2022Mind the distance: experiences of non-face-to-face child and youth mental health services during COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in Western Australia
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, social distancing restrictions limited access to face-to-face mental health services in Western Australia (WA), necessitating a rapid transition to non-face-to-face alternatives, including telehealth. The current study investigated barriers and facilitators to telehealth access and engagement, and preferences for child and youth mental health service delivery during and beyond COVID-19.
Published research Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental Health Early Neurodevelopment and Mental Health COVID-19 Youth mental healthApril 2022Psychosocial functioning in the balance between autism and psychosis: evidence from three populations
Functional impairment is a core feature of both autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. While diagnostically independent, they can co-occur in the same individual at both the trait and diagnostic levels. The effect of such co-occurrence is hypothesized to worsen functional impairment. The diametric model, however, suggests that the disorders are etiologically and phenotypically diametrical, representing the extreme of a unidimensional continuum of cognition and behavior.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthApril 2022Racism and Indigenous Adolescent Development: A Scoping Review
Previous studies on the impacts of racism on adolescent development have largely overlooked Indigenous youth. We conducted a scoping review of the empirical literature on racism against Indigenous adolescents to determine the nature and scope of this research and to establish associations with developmental outcomes.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthApril 2022Pineal morphology of the clinical high-risk state for psychosis and different psychotic disorders
Pineal volume reductions have been reported in schizophrenia and clinical high-risk states for the development of psychosis, supporting the role of melatonin dysregulation in the pathophysiology of psychosis.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthMarch 2021Mental health difficulties among trans and gender diverse young people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Findings from Trans Pathways
Recent research highlights an overlap of gender diversity and autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, data on individuals who are trans and also on the autism spectrum are largely from clinical samples and may not be representative of individuals who are trans with ASD in the general population. In addition, there is scant literature on the mental health of these individuals and their experiences in accessing gender-affirming care.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsMarch 2021Risk of conduct and oppositional defiant disorder symptoms in offspring of parents with mental health problems: Findings from the Raine Study
Epidemiological data indicate that paternal and maternal mental health difficulties are predictors of conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in offspring. We tested the association between maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms and paternal emotional problems with CD and ODD symptoms in adolescent offspring aged 17.
Published research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthDecember 2021Investigation of structural brain correlates of neurological soft signs in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis
Increased severity of neurological soft signs (NSS) in schizophrenia have been associated with abnormal brain morphology in cerebello-thalamo-cortical structures, but it is unclear whether similar structures underlie NSS prior to the onset of psychosis. The present study investigated the relationship between severity of NSS and grey matter volume in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis stratified for later conversion to psychosis.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthDecember 2021Working with young people at risk of suicidal behaviour and self-harm: A qualitative study of australian general practitioners’ perspectives
General Practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in the identification and support of young people at risk of suicidal behaviour and self-harm; however, no studies have explored GPs’ perspectives, approaches, challenges, and resource needs when working with this cohort in an Australian setting.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthDecember 2021The psychological impact of paediatric burn injuries: a systematic review
To review and synthesise qualitative literature regarding the psychological outcomes following paediatric burn injuries, and to determine if children and adolescents who experience a burn injury have elevated risk of psychopathology following the injury.
Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthFebruary 2021Associations of maternal and paternal mental health problems with offspring anxiety at age 20 years: Findings from a population-based prospective cohort study
Epidemiological studies indicate that children of parents with mental health problems are at an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders. Few studies have investigated this relationship in young adults. Participants were from the Raine Study, which is a multi-generational birth cohort study in Australia. Maternal anxiety and depression in late childhood were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42), and paternal lifetime mental health problems were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Youth Health Youth Mental HealthFebruary 2021Gender differences in the experience of psychotic-like experiences and their associated factors: A study of adolescents from the general population
"Psychotic-Like Experiences" (PLEs) are common in the general population. While they are usually transient and resolve spontaneously, they can be distressing and signify increased risk for later psychosis or other psychopathology. It is important to investigate factors associated with PLEs which could be targeted to reduce their prevalence and impact. Males and females are known to experience PLEs differently, but any gender differences in the relationships between PLEs and other, potentially targetable, factors are currently unknown.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Gender Diversity Youth Health Youth Mental HealthFebruary 2021Maternal and paternal mental health problems and the risk of offspring depression in late adolescence: findings from the Raine study
There are limited studies on the risk of depressive symptoms in adolescent offspring exposed to parental mental health problems in middle childhood. We investigated the association between parental mental health problems, particularly paternal emotional problems and maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression, and the risk of depressive symptoms in adolescent offspring aged 17.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Youth Health Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2021Group mindful self-compassion training to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ young adults: Rationale and protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Young adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQIA+) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties and are at significantly elevated risk of substance abuse, self-harm and suicide, relative to their heterosexual, endosex and cisgender peers. There is a need for effective mental health interventions for LGBTQIA+ young adults. Mindful Self-Compassion training is a promising approach; among LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-compassion accounts for more variation in mental health outcomes than bullying, victimization, and adverse childhood experiences combined. Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ individuals with high self-compassion report more positive identity and happiness, less self-stigma, and lower suicidality than those with low self-compassion.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Gender Diversity Youth Health Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2021The association between migrant status and transition in an ultra-high risk for psychosis population
Migrant status is one of the most replicated and robust risk factors for developing a psychotic disorder. This study aimed to determine whether migrant status in people identified as Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis (UHR) was associated with risk of transitioning to a full-threshold psychotic disorder. Hazard ratios for the risk of transition were calculated from five large UHR cohorts (n = 2166) and were used to conduct a meta-analysis using the generic inverse-variance method using a random-effects model.
Published research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthNovember 2021The psychosocial impact of rare diseases among children and adolescents attending mainstream schools in Western Australia
Living with a long-term medical condition is associated with heightened risk for mental health and psychosocial difficulties, but further research is required on this risk for children and adolescents with a rare disease in the educational setting. The aim of this study is to describe parents’ perceptions of the psychosocial impact of rare diseases on their school-aged children in Western Australia.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Youth Health Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthNovember 2021Cohort description: Measures of early-life behaviour and later psychopathology in the LifeCycle Project - EU Child Cohort Network
The EU LifeCycle Project was launched in 2017 to combine, harmonise, and analyse data from more than 250,000 participants across Europe and Australia, involving cohorts participating in the EU-funded LifeCycle Project. The purpose of this cohort description is to provide a detailed overview over the major measures within mental health domains that are available in 17 European and Australian cohorts participating in the LifeCycle Project.
Published research Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthSeptember 2021Evidence that infant and early childhood developmental impairments are associated with hallucinatory experiences: Results from a large, population-based cohort study
Cognitive and motor dysfunction are hallmark features of the psychosis continuum, and have been detected during late childhood and adolescence in youth who report psychotic experiences (PE). However, previous investigations have not explored infancy and early childhood development.
Published research Autism Research Youth Mental Health Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKids Youth mental healthAugust 2021Co-Designing Health Service Evaluation Tools That Foreground First Nation Worldviews for Better Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes
It is critical that health service evaluation frameworks include Aboriginal people and their cultural worldviews from design to implementation. During a large participatory action research study, Elders, service leaders and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers co-designed evaluation tools to test the efficacy of a previously co-designed engagement framework. Through a series of co-design workshops, tools were built using innovative collaborative processes that foregrounded Aboriginal worldviews.
Published research Aboriginal Health Group A Streptococcal & Rheumatic Heart Disease Youth Mental HealthAugust 2021Selective attention to threat, anxiety and glycaemic management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Previous research has established that adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience more anxiety symptoms than their healthy peers and are also more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. Research in cognitive psychology has found that selective attention favouring the processing of threatening information causally contributes to elevated levels of anxiety; however, this process has not been investigated in the context of T1D.
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental HealthJuly 2021The impact of parental mental health problems on the educational outcomes of their offspring: Findings from the Raine Study
There is limited evidence on the impact of parental mental health problems on offspring’s educational outcomes. We investigated the impact of maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as paternal emotional problems on the educational outcomes of their adolescent and young adult offspring.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Youth Mental HealthJuly 2021Toxoplasma gondii, Herpesviridae and long-term risk of transition to first-episode psychosis in an ultra high-risk sample
Ultra high-risk (UHR) criteria were introduced to identify people at imminent risk of developing psychosis. To improve prognostic accuracy, additional clinical and biological risk factors have been researched.
Published research Youth Mental HealthJune 2021Cannabidiol for at risk for psychosis youth: A randomized controlled trial
No biological treatment has been firmly established for the at-risk stage of psychotic disorder. In this study we aim to test if subthreshold psychotic symptoms can be effectively treated with cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound of the plant Cannabis sativa.
Published research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthJune 2021Perspectives of trans and gender diverse young people accessing primary care and gender-affirming medical services: Findings from Trans Pathways
Increasing numbers of trans young people are seeking medical services worldwide, but there have been few qualitative investigations of the experiences of trans young people attempting to engage with these services to explore in-depth experiences of clinical interactions.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthMay 2021Our journey, our story: a study protocol for the evaluation of a co-design framework to improve services for Aboriginal youth mental health and well-being
Mainstream Australian mental health services are failing Aboriginal young people. Despite investing resources, improvements in well-being have not materialised. Culturally and age appropriate ways of working are needed to improve service access and responsiveness. This Aboriginal-led study brings Aboriginal Elders, young people and youth mental health service staff together to build relationships to co-design service models and evaluation tools.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Youth Health Youth Mental Health Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young PeopleMay 2021Sexual orientation and prevalence of mental health difficulties among emergency services employees
LGBQ+ people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer) are at-risk of discrimination and developing mental health issues within general populations. Limited research has assessed their mental health in emergency services occupations, a population which are known to experience poorer mental health. The current study explores the extent to which sexual orientation is associated with higher rates of mental health issues among emergency personnel.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental HealthDecember 2020Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review
Young people (aged 12-25 years) with diverse sexuality, gender, or bodily characteristics, such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ+), are at substantially greater risk of a range of mental, physical, and sexual health difficulties compared with their peers. Digital health interventions have been identified as a potential way to reduce these health disparities.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Health Youth Mental HealthNovember 2020Options and realities for trans and gender diverse young people receiving care in Australia's mental health system: findings from Trans Pathways
Trans and gender diverse young people experience mental health difficulties self-harm and suicidality at markedly higher rates than the general population, yet they often feel isolated from mental health services. There is little qualitative research on the experiences of trans and gender diverse young people accessing mental health support in Australia.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Health Youth Mental HealthNovember 2020The Role of the Avatar in Gaming for Trans and Gender Diverse Young People
A significant proportion of trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people report membership of the gaming community and resultant benefits to wellbeing. To date their experiences and needs regarding a key feature of games, the avatar, are largely unexplored, despite increasing interest in the therapeutic role of avatars in the general population. The aim of this study was to better understand the role of the avatar in gaming, its impact on TGD young people's mental health, and their unique needs regarding avatar design.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Health Youth Mental HealthOctober 2020Best practice when working with suicidal behaviour and self-harm in primary care: a qualitative exploration of young people's perspectives
General practitioners (GPs) have a key role in supporting young people who present with suicidal behaviour/self-harm. However, little is known about young people's opinions and experiences related to GPs' practices for such presentations, and their decisions to disclose suicidal behaviour/self-harm to GPs. Additionally, existing guidelines for the management of suicide risk and/or self-harm have not incorporated young people's perspectives. This study aimed to explore young people's views and experiences related to the identification, assessment and care of suicidal behaviour and self-harm in primary care settings with GPs.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Youth Health Youth Mental Health Subsite: Youth Health & WellbeingSeptember 2020Validation of the Dutch version of the Multidimensional Adolescent Functioning Scale (MAFS)
The Multidimensional Adolescent Functioning Scale (MAFS) is a 23-item, self-report questionnaire assessing psychosocial functioning in adolescents aged 12-17 years. It captures three domains of functioning: 'general functioning', 'family-related functioning', and 'peer-related functioning'. The original English version has good psychometric properties. The aim of the current paper was to translate the MAFS to Dutch and to investigate the psychometric properties of this translation.
Published research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthJune 2020Qualitative investigation of perceived barriers to and enablers of sport participation for young people with first episode psychosis
The participants responded favourably to the idea of using sport to promote recovery post-first episode of psychosis
Published research Youth Mental HealthJune 2020Chronic health conditions, mental health and the school: A narrative review
School-based social risk processes in the lives of young people with chronic health conditions are likely to contribute to risk of psychological problems
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Ear Health Youth Mental HealthMay 2020Parents’ experience and psychoeducation needs when supporting a young person who self-harms
The study highlights the need for support for parents and carers of young people who engage in self-harm
Published research Youth Mental HealthMay 2020Lessons from schools with high levels of support for students with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study
This project aimed to investigate how schools provide support for the psychosocial wellbeing and disease management of students with type 1 diabetes
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental HealthMay 2020Association of Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measures with Psychosis Onset in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Developing Psychosis: An ENIGMA Working Group Mega-analysis
The ENIGMA clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis initiative, the largest pooled neuroimaging sample of individuals at CHR to date, aims to discover robust neurobiological markers of psychosis risk. We investigated baseline structural neuroimaging differences between individuals at CHR and healthy controls as well as between participants at CHR who later developed a psychotic disorder (CHR-PS+) and those who did not (CHR-PS-).
Published research Youth Mental HealthApril 2020Associations between negative life experiences and the mental health of trans and gender diverse young people in Australia: Findings from Trans Pathways
The current results highlight the urgent need for better mental health care and provide insight into areas for targeted mental health interventions
Published research Youth Mental HealthApril 2020Mental Health Issues and Complex Experiences of Abuse Among Trans and Gender Diverse Young People: Findings from Trans Pathways
Those working in trans and gender diverse health care need to be aware of the high prevalence of violence and abuse among trans and gender diverse young people
Published research Youth Mental HealthMarch 2020Misgendering and experiences of stigma within health care settings for transgender individuals
Misgendering within the health care system can significantly affect the mental and physical health of transgender individuals
Published research Youth Mental HealthMarch 2020The Impact of Externally Worn Diabetes Technology on Sexual Behavior and Activity, Body Image, and Anxiety in Type 1 Diabetes
Wearable technologies impact upon sexual activity and this influences the decision to adopt the technology
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research ORIGINS Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental HealthFebruary 2020Prevalence and outcomes of young people with concurrent autism spectrum disorder and first episode of psychosis
Individuals with concurrent first episode of psychosis and ASD can present with distinct clinical characteristics that require specialised assessment and treatment
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism ResearchJanuary 2020Harmonised collection of data in youth mental health: Towards large datasets
The use of this core set of data will facilitate the pooling of psychopathological and neurobiological data into large datasets
Published research Youth Mental HealthDecember 2019A cross-sectional examination of the clinical significance of autistic traits in individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis
Results suggest that autism traits are associated with poorer clinical presentation in first-episode psychosis populations
Published research Youth Mental HealthDecember 2019“If you don't speak from the heart, the young mob aren't going to listen at all”: An invitation for youth mental health services to engage in new ways of working
Building Bridges demonstrates the centrality of trusting relationships for systemic change and the way in which meaningful engagement is at the core of both the process and the outcome
Published research Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Youth Mental HealthNovember 2019Trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards game-based digital mental health interventions: A qualitative investigation
This paper reports on trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards digital games and game-based digital mental health interventions
Published research Youth Mental HealthSeptember 2019Longitudinal Cognitive Performance in Individuals at Ultrahigh Risk for Psychosis: A 10-year Follow-up
The onset of psychosis was not associated with deterioration in cognitive ability
Published research Youth Mental HealthSeptember 2019Mental Health Correlates of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Gender Diverse Young People: Evidence from a Specialised Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic in Australia
Current findings indicate that gender diverse children and adolescents with indicated ASD comprise an especially vulnerable group at risk of mental health difficulties
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism Research Youth Mental HealthJune 2019Is sport an untapped resource for recovery from first episode psychosis? A narrative review and call to action
Sport-based interventions could be an opportunity to provide intervention to individuals recovering from their first psychotic episode
Published research Youth Mental HealthJune 2019Gender-affirming hormones and surgery in transgender children and adolescents
This Review explores the available published evidence on gender-affirming cross-sex hormone and surgical interventions in transgender children
Published research Youth Mental HealthMay 2019Individualized prediction of transition to psychosis in 1,676 individuals at clinical high risk: Development and validation of a multivariable prediction model
The aim of the study was to develop and validate an individualized, clinically based prognostic model for forecasting transition to psychosis from a CHR-P stage
Published research Youth Mental HealthApril 2019Persistent negative symptoms in individuals at Ultra High Risk for psychosis
Persistent negative symptoms can be detected early, allowing for the identification of a subset of Ultra High Risk patients who are likely to have poor outcome
Published research Youth Mental HealthNovember 2018Intellectual disability and psychotic disorders in children: Association with maternal severe mental illness and exposure to obstetric complications
Maternal severe mental illness and exposure to obstetric complications contribute separately to the risk of intellectual disability
Published research Intellectual Disability Youth Mental HealthNovember 2018The role of coping in the association between subclinical psychotic experiences and functioning: A within study replication in two independent adolescent samples
The within study replication consistently found that coping style mediates subclinical psychotic experiences and psychosocial functioning
Published research Youth Mental HealthAugust 2018The school experiences of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Western Australia
Elevated levels of emotional difficulties among school students with T1D and variable levels of support from school staff to assist these students to manage their diabetes at school
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental HealthJune 2018The impact of psychotic experiences in the early stages of mental health problems in young people
Psychotic experiences appear to be particularly associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress, impaired role functioning and quality of life in help-seeking young people in the medium-term
Published research Youth Mental HealthMay 2018The Ultra-High-Risk for psychosis groups: Evidence to maintain the status quo
Our findings demonstrate that Ultra-High-Risk groups evidence a similar clinical risk profile when we expand this beyond transition to psychosis
Published research Youth Mental HealthMay 2018Autism and psychosis: Clinical implications for depression and suicide
This study examines the association of autism spectrum traits, depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in individuals with psychotic experiences
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Youth Mental HealthFebruary 2018Online interventions for the mental health needs of trans and gender diverse young people
Members of our research team have done an online survey (Trans Pathways) exploring the mental health and care pathways of gender diverse youth in Australia.
Published research Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2018Pre-onset risk characteristics for mania among young people at clinical high risk for psychosis
We aimed to identify the rate and predictors of transition to mania in a cohort of youth with clinical or familial risk for psychosis.
Published research Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2018Bullying and mental health amongst Australian children and young people with cystic fibrosis
This study describes the peer bullying experiences of young people with CF, and examines associations between school bullying and the psychological well-being of these young people
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2017Evidence of a reduction over time in the behavioral severity of autistic disorder diagnoses
This study provides the first clear evidence of a reduction over time in the behavioral severity of individuals diagnosed with Autistic Disorder during a period of stability in diagnostic criteria
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Academic Biostatistics Autism Research Youth Mental HealthMarch 2017Neuroanatomical Predictors of Functional Outcome in Individuals at Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis
The poorest functional outcomes have the lowest grey matter densities at identification as ultra-high risk for psychosis
Published research Youth Mental HealthMarch 2017Cannabis-induced attenuated psychotic symptoms: implications for prognosis in young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis
This study examined UHR transition risk as a function of cannabis use characteristics which vary largely between people, due to a variety of factors.
Published research Autism ResearchMay 2017Mental health problems among 4–17-year-olds with hearing problems: results from a nationally representative study
Clinicians caring for children and young people with hearing problems should be alert for heightened risk of specific mental health problems based on age and the nature of hearing problems.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Ear Health Youth Mental HealthJune 2017Clinical presentation of Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome in children and adolescents: Is there an age effect?
Older age at presentation of Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome was associated with less functional impairment, but age was not associated with psychotic symptoms
Published research Youth Mental HealthJune 2017Long-term employment among people at ultra-high risk for psychosis
We sought to investigate the long-term unemployment rate and baseline predictors of employment status at follow-up in a large ultra-high risk cohort.
Published research Youth Mental HealthJune 2017Using clinical information to make individualized prognostic predictions in people at ultra high risk for psychosis
Recent studies have shown an association between psychopathology and subsequent clinical and functional outcomes in people at UHR for psychosis.
Published research Youth Mental HealthAugust 2017Prevalence and treatment of psychiatric disorders other than psychosis in children and adolescents with 22q11DS: Examining associations with social and role functioning
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and treatment of non-psychotic psychiatric disorders
Published research Depression and Anxiety Youth Mental HealthOctober 2017Puberty suppression in transgender children and adolescents
We review the available empirical evidence on the cognitive, physical, and surgical implications of puberty suppression in gender-incongruent children and adolescents
Published research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthOctober 2017Ventricular volumes across stages of schizophrenia and other psychoses
This study aims to investigate ventricular volumes at different stages of psychosis.
Published research Youth Mental HealthNovember 2017Psychiatric disorders during early adulthood in those with childhood onset type 1 diabetes: Rates and clinical risk factors from population-based follow-up
To determine the incidence of and risk factors for psychiatric disorders in early adulthood in patients with childhood onset type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental HealthNovember 2016Obesity and associated factors in youth with an autism spectrum disorder
Prevalence of overweight/obesity in children and youth with autism spectrum disorder, and associations between weight status and range of factors
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism ResearchJuly 2016Humility, inquisitiveness, and openness: key attributes for meaningful engagement with Nyoongar people
The rebuilding of trust requires the development of meaningful relationships in order to break down the barriers so as to increase access and develop culturally secure responses by services
Published research Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Youth Mental HealthJuly 2016What bridges the gap between self-harm and suicidality? The role of forgiveness, resilience and attachment
There is a lack of understanding of why some people who self-harm escalate to suicidal behaviour when others do not. Psychological factors such as attachment...
Published research Depression and Anxiety Autism Research Youth Mental HealthJuly 2016Further examination of the reducing transition rate in ultra high risk for psychosis samples: The possible role of earlier intervention
The rate of transition to psychotic disorder in ultra high risk (UHR) patients has declined in recent cohorts. The reasons for this are unclear, but may...
Published research Autism Research Youth Mental HealthJune 2016Psychotic experiences and their significance
Clinical perspective from the ultra high risk (UHR) paradigm, that aims to identify people at high risk of psychotic disorder
Published research Autism Research Youth Mental HealthJune 2016Baseline grey matter volume of non-transitioned "ultra high risk" for psychosis individuals with and without attenuated psychotic symptoms at long-term follow-up
This study found that differences in regional grey matter volume are discernible at an early stage of ultra-high risk psychosis
Published research Youth Mental HealthMay 2016Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder
We examine the level of comorbidity found between Autism spectrum disorder and Schizophrenia spectrum disorders at a clinical and trait level
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism Research Youth Mental HealthApril 2016Risk perception and risk-taking behaviour during adolescence: The influence of personality and gender
This study investigated the influence of personality characteristics and gender on adolescents' perception of risk and their risk-taking behaviour.
Published research Autism Research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthFebruary 2016Longer-term increased cortisol levels in young people with mental health problems
Hair segment analyses revealed longer-term increased levels of cortisol in the past 3 months in early mental health problems
Published research Youth Health Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2016Do affective or dissociative symptoms mediate the association between childhood sexual trauma and transition to psychosis in an ultra-high risk cohort?
At the point of transition, the mechanistic pathway from sexual trauma to psychosis does not appear to operate through affective symptoms
Published researchJanuary 2016Are UHR patients who present with hallucinations alone at lower risk of transition to psychosis?
Hallucinations alone at baseline were not significantly associated with a reduced risk of transition to psychosis.
Published research Autism ResearchJanuary 2016Baseline grey matter volume of non-transitioned "ultra high risk" for psychosis individuals with and without attenuated psychotic symptoms
Differences in regional GMV are discernible at an early stage of UHR and may be specific to individuals who have APS and psychopathology at follow-up
Published research Autism ResearchJanuary 2016Declining transition rates to psychotic disorder in "ultra-high risk" clients: Investigation of a dilution effect
Later ultra-high risk psychosis cohorts presented with different clinical intake characteristics than earlier cohorts
Published research Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2016Is it still correct to differentiate between early and very early onset psychosis?
Larger samples of patients are needed to better understand if the differentiation between very early onset psychosis and early onset psychosis is justified
Published research Youth Mental Health