A national milestone for Breakthrough and boys' and men's mental health
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is proud to be an industry partner in a significant new national initiative focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing of boys and men across Australia.
The Flinders University-led WellMen Centre of Research Excellence for the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Boys and Men has received $3 million, over five years in Commonwealth Government funding, through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Centres of Research Excellence scheme.
This investment comes at a critical time. On average, nine lives are lost to suicide every day in Australia and seven of those lives are men. Behind every number is a person, a family and a community forever changed. The need for stronger evidence, earlier prevention and more effective mental health support has never been more pressing.
A coordinated national response
Led by Professor James Smith of Flinders University, WellMen will bring together researchers, health professionals, policymakers, community organisations, industry partners and people with lived experience.
Joining this national effort will be Breakthrough’s own dedicated Research Fellow in Men’s Suicide Prevention, Dr Ian Zajac, whose work focuses on improving our understanding of suicide risk and strengthening prevention for men.
The Centre will work with boys and men to develop approaches that promote mental health during critical stages of life and in the places where they live, learn, work and connect, including schools, sporting clubs and online environments.
Its research will focus on three priorities:
- Supporting boys and men through important life stages and transitions
- Promoting mental health and wellbeing in everyday settings
- Strengthening the broader system supporting boys’ and men’s mental health.
WellMen will also help develop the next generation of researchers and grow Australia’s boys’ and men’s mental health promotion workforce. People with lived experience will play an important role in shaping research priorities, helping to ensure the resulting strategies reflect the diverse needs of boys and men across Australia.
Research, connection and meaningful change
As part of this collaboration, Breakthrough will help connect research with communities and support the translation of evidence into more effective prevention initiatives, policy and practice.
We are thrilled to support this national and international consortium alongside leading research institutions, as well as respected community industry partners.
This partnership builds on our longstanding commitment to suicide prevention and men’s mental health. It also strengthens our national footprint while remaining true to the purpose that guides everything we do: investing in bold, evidence-based research and bringing communities together to help create a life free from mental illness.
Read the Flinders University announcement or learn more about the Commonwealth Government’s investment.
