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Research
Development of a universal aftercare model for people who have presented to the emergency department for a suicidal crisis in WAThe Mental Health Commission (MHC) of Western Australia has provided funding to The Kids Research Institute Australia to undertake exploratory research to inform a WA approach to aftercare.
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Neuroanatomical heterogeneity and homogeneity in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosisIndividuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) demonstrate heterogeneity in clinical profiles and outcome features. However, the extent of neuroanatomical heterogeneity in the CHR-P state is largely undetermined.
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Pineal morphology of the clinical high-risk state for psychosis and different psychotic disordersPineal volume reductions have been reported in schizophrenia and clinical high-risk states for the development of psychosis, supporting the role of melatonin dysregulation in the pathophysiology of psychosis.
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Potential immunological effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people – an unexplored area of researchThere are well-described sex-based differences in how the immune system operates. In particular, cisgender (cis) females have a more easily activated immune system; associated with an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases and adverse events following vaccinations. Conversely, cis males have a higher threshold for immune activation, and are more prone to certain infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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Comprehensive Clinical Paediatric Assessment of Children and Adolescents Sentenced to Detention in Western AustraliaTo describe the comprehensive clinical paediatric assessment of a representative sample of children and adolescents (young people) sentenced to detention in Western Australia (WA) and participating in the first Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) prevalence study.
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“Shame, Doubt and Sadness”: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experience of Self-Stigma in Adolescents with Diverse Sexual OrientationsMany adolescents with diverse sexual orientations lead happy and fulfilled lives. However, evidence consistently suggests elevated rates of mental health difficulties in this population relative to heterosexual peers, and internalization of stigma (i.e., self-stigma) is implicated in these elevated rates. This study aimed to understand and describe the lived experience of self-stigma with respect to participants’ sexual orientations.
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Newer Modalities in Psychopharmacology in Children and Adolescents: A Selective Narrative Review of the LiteratureResearch in psychopharmacology in children and adolescents is an area of growing interest with numerous newer modalities becoming available in recent years. Nevertheless, it still lags significantly behind research in adult psychopharmacology although, in the last decade, the gap is beginning to be bridged with FDA approval for newer agents for the paediatric age group.
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An Exploration of LGBTQA+ Young People’s Coping Strategies When Navigating Suicidal Thoughts and BehaviorsLGBTQA+ young people experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors at a much greater rate than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This study explored firsthand accounts of the coping strategies employed by LGBTQA+ young people when experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
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A critical discussion of pediatric gender measures to clarify the utility and purpose of “measuring” genderPediatric gender clinics and researchers commonly use scales to measure different dimensions of gender (e.g. identity, dysphoria, satisfaction). There has been little investigation into the relevance and consumer acceptability of these scales within contemporary understandings and experiences of gender.
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Barriers and facilitators to mental health care access and engagement for LGBTQA+ people with psychosis: A scoping reviewLGBTQA+ individuals are at increased risk of experiencing psychosis and face barriers in accessing appropriate and timely mental health support. This scoping review maps the existing literature to identify barriers and facilitators to access and engagement to care for LGBTQA+ people across the psychosis spectrum.