Scientists seeking Australian volunteers for groundbreaking genetics of depression study
Next Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Australian scientists will call for adults who have been treated for clinical depression, to volunteer for the world’s largest and most rigorous genetic investigation into the illness to date.
The Australian Genetics of Depression Study is the local arm of a groundbreaking international scientific collaboration designed to detect genetic factors that contribute to clinical depression, in order to develop better treatments, and ultimately, find a cure.
One-in-seven Australians will experience clinical depression (depression) during their lifetime.1 Clinical depression is the third most burdensome of all diseases in Australia.1 A complex illness that often occurs in families, clinical depression is typically caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.1
To learn more about the study’s overarching aim to identify the genes that predispose people to clinical depression, tee up an interview with an investigator, expert and/or a study participant next Tuesday.
AUSTRALIAN GENETICS OF DEPRESSION STUDY INVESTIGATORS
Prof Nick Martin: Lead Investigator, Australian Genetics of Depression Study & Head, Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, BRISBANE
Prof Ian Hickie, AM: Co-Lead Investigator, Australian Genetics of Depression Study & Co-Director for Health & Policy, Brain & Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, SYDNEY
Prof Julio Licinio: Co-Lead Investigator, Australian Genetics of Depression Study; Deputy Director, Translational Medicine & Head, Mind & Brain Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute & Strategic Professor of Psychiatry, Flinders University, ADELAIDE
OTHER EXPERTS
Prof John McGrath: Psychiatrist, Director, QLD Centre for Mental Health Research & Conjoint Professor, Queensland Brain Institute, BRISBANE
Prof Patrick McGorry: Professor of Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne & Director of Orygen Youth Health & Orygen Youth Health Research, MELBOURNE
Prof Jane Burns: Founder of the Young & Well Cooperative, Professor of Innovation & Industry, The University of Sydney, MELBOURNE
Prof Ken Kirkby: Professor of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania & Consultant Psychiatrist, Royal Hobart Hospital, HOBART
W/Prof Vera Morgan: Head, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry within the Medical School, University of Western Australia, PERTH
STUDY PARTICIPANTS
Anna, 28: Writer, law graduate & environmentalist who has recovered from depression, SYDNEY
Leola, 34: Newly married marketing manager in recovery from depression, SYDNEY
Emma, 28: Transcript writer, keen swimmer & youth volunteer continuing her recovery from depression, SYDNEY
Jodie, 45: Married mother of two daughters with special needs recovering from depression, BRISBANE
Elissa, 25: Wife & eager photographer who recovered from depression, BRISBANE
Sean, 29: Aspiring author recovering from depression, MELBOURNE
Kayla, 19: Full-time forensic science student & musician living with depression, MELBOURNE
Angelika, 37: Eager reader, horse-rider, mother-of-two & PhD student overcoming depression, CANBERRA
Jennifer, 32: Married mother-of-three, working to overcome her second depressive episode, CANBERRA
Clare, 25: Actress studying stage production & keen traveller recovering from depression, ADELAIDE
Catherine, 38: Mother-of-three, step-mother-of-two & high school teacher, ADELAIDE
Carly, 35: Former probation officer & now author, life coach & reiki teacher in recovery from depression, PERTH
Katy, 29: Single mother, childcare teacher & student living with depression, PERTH
MEDIA CONTACTS: Kirsten Bruce, 0401 717 566; Mark Henderson, 0431 465 004, VIVA! Communications
VISION: VNR available via satellite feed @ 9.15am AEST TUES, APRIL 4, 2017 from 7 Network SYDNEY – please record & ask Ch 7 in your capital city to on-pass, if an affiliate
DIGITAL MEDIA KIT: http://www.geneticsofdepression.org.au/
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Twitter twitter.com/DepressionAU Facebook @depressionofgeneticsAU
REF
- Black Dog Institute. Facts and Figures about Mental Health and Mood Disorders, 2012. Available at: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Factsandfiguresaboutmentalhealthandmooddisorders.pdf [last accessed January, 2017]