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Black Dog Institute Report 2012 Black Dog Institute 2012 Annual Report Translating Research into Real Patient Outcomes www.blackdoginstitute.org.au www.biteback.org.au TURNING VISION INTO REALITY The Black Dog Institute is poised to expand our life-saving activities and have a positive impact on the mental health of all Australians. With the support of government, business and the community, the Black Dog Institute will: DIAGNOSE mood disorders accurately and early TREAT mood disorders using innovative, effective and accessible strategies PREVENT the onset of mood disorders through understanding of the risk factors and delivering prevention programs REDUCE the impact of mood disorders and save lives We invite you to join us on our journey Black Dog Institute© 2012 ABN 12 115 954 197 Black Dog Institute is a company limited by guarantee postal address Hospital Road, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick NSW 2031 telephone 61 02 9382 4530 facsimile 61 02 9382 8208 email [email protected] website www.blackdoginstitute.org.au cover Mathew Johnstone design [email protected] studio p3.unsw.edu.au print [email protected] Paper Stock: Tudor RP is FSC Recycled Certified and Australian made. Tudor RP is also Certified Carbon Neutral by the Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency’s National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS), an Australian Government Initiative. It contains 100% recycled fibre and no chlorine bleaching occurs in the recycling process. Australian Paper is ISO 14001 certified. Sales of Tudor RP support Landcare Australia. ii 2 Black Dog Institute Annual Report Contents Chairman’s Report ................................................... 4 2012 Executive Director’s Report ....................................... 6 What is the ‘Black Dog’? ........................................... 8 General Manager’s Report ........................................ 10 Research ................................................................. 12 Bipolar Disorder ........................................... 12 Depression .................................................... 16 Suicide Prevention ........................................ 18 eHealth ........................................................ 21 Positive Psychology and Resilience ................ 23 Systems Neuroscience .................................... 24 Neurostimulation ........................................... 26 Psychosocial Research ................................... 28 Healthy Brain Ageing .................................... 29 Perinatal Depression ..................................... 30 Workplace Mental Health ............................... 32 Clinical Services ....................................................... 34 Education and Community Programs ......................... 38 Writing Competitions and Books ............................... 42 Developing Countries Program ................................. 46 Development and Fundraising .................................. 48 Communications ...................................................... 51 The Black Dog Institute Website ................................ 53 The Black Dog Index ................................................ 54 Creative Development ............................................... 56 The Black Dog Institute International Lectures ........... 57 Our People .............................................................. 59 Special Acknowledgements ....................................... 62 UNSW School of Psychiatry 50th Anniversary ............... 64 Financial Report ...................................................... 66 The Institute and Pharmaceutical Companies ............. 68 Research Funding .................................................... 69 Publications ............................................................ 72 Conference Presentations and Educational Meetings ... 75 Donations and Bequests ........................................... 78 Bequest Form ......................................................... 80 3 Chairman’s Report 4 In 2012 the Black Dog Institute has revitalised, Coupled with this are our fruitful relation- adopting a strategic plan that places a strong focus on ships with partner organisations to improve our reach high quality research as the foundation for improving nationally and internationally and the ties we have with outcomes for patients suffering mood disorders such other research institutions and mental health service as depression and bipolar disorder. providers. After a decade of growth under its found- Collaboration is the key to getting results in ing executive director, Professor Gordon Parker, the the health sphere. An example of this is our produc- Institute is now an established international leader tive partnership with The Health-Science Alliance, in its field. With the appointment of Professor Helen Australia’s first Academic Health Science Centre, based Christensen as a distinguished successor to Professor on the UNSW/Randwick public hospital campuses. The Parker, we are expanding our research programs. Alliance comprises nine of the country’s top medi- Our model is based on the presumption that cal research institutes and health care providers and quality research leads to new discoveries. In turn, is working toward harnessing and integrating the discoveries translate into clinical treatments, impact- research, education, training and clinical expertise of ful school, workforce and community programs, and each partner to maximise optimal health outcomes for improved health policies. patients and the community. Our continued growth has been supported The Institute also depends on the generosity from many quarters. We have a dynamic and dedicat- of individuals and corporations. One such supporter ed Board, drawn from the private, public and academ- and good friend of the Institute, the late Albert Hunt, ic sectors, that provides a skilful contribution to meet sadly lost his life in a motor vehicle accident this year. our high expectations. This year, we had two founding His financial support kick-started many initiatives which board members retire – Mr Nicholas Cowdery, former in years to come will be recognised as the impetus to Director of Public Prosecutions for NSW, and Associate providing significant improvements for people with Professor Meg Smith, from the University of Western mood disorders. Albert was a great character and a Sydney, after providing outstanding service for the champion for better mental health services, particu- best part of 11 years. We thank them warmly for their larly in the bush. We will miss him. On behalf of the unstinting efforts and generosity of talent and time. Board I extend our sincere condolences to Albert’s We are indeed fortunate to have a remarkable family. team of people working for and dedicated to the Insti- We look ahead with hope and conviction as we tute. We salute them and acknowledge the inspiration strive to accelerate understanding of the basic biologi- that they provide. In this regard we are pleased to cal causes of depression and suicide, and develop treat- have our first full-time General Manager in Will ments and interventions accordingly. It is a long journey Bonney, who brings impressive business acumen, pas- but full of promise and possibility. sion and enormous energy to the role. We are also indebted to the ongoing sup- port from the NSW Ministry of Health, the Common- wealth Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and Peter Joseph AM the National Health and Medical Research Council Chairman (NHMRC). 2 201 G O D K C A L B 5 Executive Director’s Report In 2012, the Black Dog Institute consolidated a decade of clinical and research excellence by conduct- ing a formal evaluation to identify our strengths and refine our mission. Through this process we sought input from mental health consumers, our funders, prominent researchers, policy makers and our own staff. This input formed the basis of a comprehensive strategic plan that will underpin the delivery of our mission – To improve the lives of people affected by mood disorders through translational research, clinical expertise and education programs. Unlike many other research-based institutions, the Black Dog Institute is truly translational. This means our research is designed to directly and rapidly lead to improvements in clinical practice and education. We do not research for research sake, rather we proac- tively identify and target community need and partner with other organisations to ensure maximum impact and efficiency. I am pleased to say our community focus and recognised research expertise has resulted in 6 significant government research funding. This includes adolescent care. Wherever possible, our research a highly prestigious NHMRC Program grant for re- outcomes will be made accessible nationally. Our search into bipolar disorder, led by Professors Mitchell, education and workplace programs will be delivered Schofield, Parker and Breakspear, and the establish- across Australia using evidence-based materials. We ment of an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence will be targeting groups such as young people and in Suicide Prevention led by myself and supported indigenous Australia where we know risk is high and by leading researchers and clinicians from around outcome is promising. Australia. Further new funding has been obtained to 2012 was a momentous year for the Black Dog investigate suicide ideation, new depression treat- Institute and 2013 is poised to be even more exciting. ments, neuroimaging