Perpetual mental health research

QIMR would like to thank Perpetual for funding the new Mental Health Research Division

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has secured funding from Perpetual Philanthropic Services for mental health research.

QIMR received $252,500 from the John Thomas Wilson Foundation and E M Squires Charitable Trust to fund the operational costs of the set-up of the new Mental Health Research Division.

Professor Michael Breakspear, Head of the new division said, “This is generous investment in such an underfunded and essential research area.”

“Mental health is a major contributor to the burden of disease in Australia but receives only a fraction of funding that is necessary. Mental health research needs a four-fold increase in funding to bring it to parity with other causes of illness and disability.”

“Approximately 3% of adults are currently disabled due to mental illness. Scientific advances that would enable earlier and more effective intervention would reduce this burden.

“Through improvements in diagnosis and management, our research aims to reduce the burden of mental illness to society and improve the quality of life for those with a mental illness.

“By working in collaboration with clinicians and other researchers in Brisbane, we will ensure a broad and integrative approach to mental health research. We will utilise the latest brain imaging and computer modelling techniques to help understand how the brain functions.

“Many thanks to the Perpetual Foundation, John Thomas Wilson Foundation, and E M Squires Charitable Trust for providing the funds necessary to set up this important Research Division.”

Andrew Thomas, Perpetual’s General Manager of Philanthropy said that Professor Breakspear’s research is essential to improving health of people worldwide.

“The projects that this new division will undertake are important to the wellbeing of many. This research can open new avenues for people suffering from mental illness and we hope that these projects can improve current methods of mental health management.”