The Sunshine Coast is home to a new national research centre dedicated to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s National PTSD Research Centre at the Thompson Institute is Australia’s first centre integrating research, education and clinical interventions for PTSD, including suicide prevention.
A key priority for the centre, which opened today (May 1), will be to inform future support for all Australians who experience PTSD, including veterans.
Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said the centre aimed to deliver breakthrough research into the causes, impacts and treatments of PTSD, in collaboration with national and international partners.
“Research findings will be supported through rapid translation into clinical applications, including new medications and therapies. The centre will also establish a national PTSD brain bank to support research into brain chemistry and structure,” Ms McBride said.
At the same time, the centre will provide expert clinical services to support the mental health and wellbeing of those living with PTSD, rapidly translating research findings into clinical practice.
It will also deliver education about PTSD nationwide, to promote better understanding of, and care and support for people living with PTSD and their families.
Ms McBride said it was estimated three out of four Australian adults had experienced a traumatic event at some point in their life.
She said while most people did not go on to develop a mental illness, the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020–2022 estimated that more than one in 10 Australians do experience PTSD. The rate was much higher among women (14 per cent) than men (8 per cent).
University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said the university was focused on meeting community needs and finding solutions to some of the society’s most pressing issues.
“Mental ill health is a major health concern for Australians, with almost half of the population either directly or indirectly experiencing the impact of mental illness. It is therefore important that we support our communities by finding the best solutions and ensuring equitable access to treatment,” Professor Barlett said.
“By conducting world-class research under the same roof as clinical services, education and advocacy for patients and their carers, the University of the Sunshine Coast is able to quickly translate research breakthroughs into practice for PTSD, as well as in the fields of youth mental health, ageing and dementia, and suicide prevention.”
The integrated model used by the PTSD centre is used throughout the Thompson Institute, a world-class hub for mental health research, education, clinical services and advocacy for patients and their carers.
