Orygen has received a major funding grant of $1.78 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to develop resources focused on helping young people with mental ill-health who are isolated, lonely and disconnected from society.
Led by Dr. Kate Filia and her team, the grant will develop resources to support mental health services to provide more social inclusion focused care. A key aspect of the research is to enhance the Filia Social Inclusion Measure (F-SIM16) – a survey created by Dr. Filia in 2022. The F-SIM16 helps mental health professionals evaluate the resources and opportunities available to individuals for their inclusion in society. It examines different areas of their lives, such as housing, neighbourhood, finances, employment, education, and social relationships.
The researchers will also create evidence-based guidelines and resources to support mental health professionals in addressing the various aspects of social inclusion.
Dr Kate Filia said a disproportionate number of people with mental ill-health experience social exclusion which can have negative effects on their personal lives, financial situation, and social interactions.
“Addressing social inclusion in mental health care is important because it can help people feel more supported and encouraged to actively engage in treatment, leading to improved overall well-being in the long term.”
Dr. Filia stressed the importance of getting input from people with lived experience to make sure the tools and resources being developed are effective and relevant.
“Their valuable input will guarantee that the resources are meaningful and practical for those who need them the most.
“The findings of the research program will be used to improve mental health care in Australia and we also hope the findings will help to inform policy and practice in other countries,” she said.
Discover more about the the Filia Social Inclusion Measure (F-SIM16) here.