Challenges and opportunities for mental health research in Australia

Abstract

Australia is a diverse country comprising people from many different backgrounds, races and ethnic groups including immigrant and indigenous cultures. The mental health needs of Australian society reflect the composition of the Australian population and the particular issues faced by the various sectors of the society. In conjunction with greater understanding of the significant burdens that illnesses such as dementia, depression, schizophrenia, suicide and anxiety disorders place on all levels of Australian society, there is a changing view of the priorities for mental health research. In this article we summarize current, emerging and future mental health challenges confronting Australia and review the efforts that Australian researchers are making to meet these challenges.

Declaration of interest: The first author (S.L.C.) is a consultant for Cogtest Ltd, London and the second author (D.L.C.) has received Research funding from Eli Lilly and is a consultant for Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

• Australia
• mental health
• multicultural
• aboriginal
• schizophrenia
• depression
• Alzheimer's