First Nations researcher Dr Vicki Pascoe has been appointed to the Manna Institute to help improve mental health support for those living in rural and regional Australia.
With 20 years of experience in social justice research, Dr Pascoe– an Arrernte woman– will bring a wealth of knowledge to her new role as researcher at the national mental health institute. She’ll be joining CQUniversity colleague Dr Cassy Dittman under chief investigator Professor Chris Doren.
Through her social justice research, Dr Pascoe holds special interests in First Nation’s health and wellbeing, experiences of first-time university students and the mental health of regional medical staff.
“My work with the Manna Institute will enable me to collaborate with like-minded researchers in an effort to find solutions to some of the regions’ biggest needs in mental health,” said Dr. Pascoe.
“The regions have their own specific issues that need solutions, and regional researchers are best placed to understand the problems and find solutions,” she said, explaining that there needs to be a deliberate approach to engage these researchers to help find solutions for the regions’ complex issues.
The Manna Institute unites leading mental health researchers from seven regional universities to engage in research, workforces and practical, place-based programs. The Institute has $3.66 million in Commonwealth funding to drive the initiatives.
As the first of its kind to operate as an innovative virtual research and training initiative, the Manna Institute includes Regional Universities Network (RUN) members CQUniversity, Charles Sturt University, Federation University, Southern Cross University, the University of Southern Queensland, the University of Sunshine Coast and lead institution the University of New England.
Dr Pascoe believes a collaborative approach by researchers at the coalface could help to address the mental health and wellbeing needs of people living in rural and regional areas.
Professor Chris Doran said the strength of the Manna Institute lies in “its people and their commitment to improving mental health outcomes for Australians living in rural and remote regions.”
“Australia is experiencing a mental health crisis and regional Australians are most at risk,” he said.
“The institute’s research agenda will strengthen the knowledge base around mental health, and ultimately lead to more effective solutions.”