19683 research outputs found
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The Peer Navigator Role and Its Contribution to Mental Health Service Delivery: An Integrative Review
No full textPeer Navigation in mental health follows the success of similar roles in community health since the 1960s, with early intervention found during the HIV crisis and into cancer care. This integrative review identified existing studies outlining peer support and, in particular, navigation in mental health services. Three databases (CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO) were systematically searched in July 2025, along with grey literature and hand searching. A total of 15 papers met the inclusion criteria. Studies that were not mental health-focussed, such as populations with cancer, HIV, or addictions specific, were excluded. Studies that focussed on the consumer movement or the inclusion of mental health consumers in research were also excluded, as they did not have relevance to the contribution of peer navigation roles to clinical mental health service delivery. Studies primarily reported program effects on continuum of care outcomes. Four themes were identified from the literature: (1) Benefits for families, significant others, and organisational cultural gain; (2) Being accountable to peers offers reciprocal gain; (3) Being understood as you navigate the system; and (4) A need for role clarity even when goals and values differ. Further research is required to capture the role mental health peer navigators play in promoting quality of life, mental health, self-advocacy, and management in diverse settings and populations. Peer programs are complex social interventions. This paper fills a gap in evaluating detailed information about peer navigators, their activities, the quality of peer engagement, as well as employee and community support structures to improve quality and impact. If we are to truly embrace the person with lived experience in partnerships for care delivery, then an understanding of the emergent role and contribution of the peer navigator is required.</p
CD14 Blockade Modulates Macrophage-Mediated Immunological Injury in a Translational Model of Reperfused ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
No full textThese preclinical trials provide the first evidence of cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) blockade with a murine analogue of atibuclimab, a CD14-neutralizing antibody, preventing secondary immunological exacerbation of cardiac injury in a translational mouse model of reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), assessed using multiple clinical modalities. Multiomic studies suggest CD14 blockade downregulated macrophage-specific proinflammatory and tissue-wide remodeling processes without suppression of monocyte-macrophage infiltration or repair. These findings support a clinically practicable targeted immunomodulatory strategy of CD14 blockade initiated at reperfusion to prevent chronic immunological progression toward ischemic heart failure, and provide new insights into the pleiotropic roles of CD14 in inflammation and myocardial injury.</p
Suicidality in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: Sleep the Unexplored Connection?
No full textDespite substantial evidence linking insomnia with increased suicidality in non-autistic populations, its role in autism remains under-explored. Poor sleep, most commonly insomnia symptoms (hereafter insomnia), is a significant issue in autism, affecting up to 80% of autistic children and adults, compared with 30%–50% of children and about 45% of adults in the general population. Sleep, along with quality of life, anxiety, depression, and social well-being, is a top mental health research priority for autistic adults. These factors are all significantly associated with insomnia in both autistic and non-autistic individuals.Current findings highlight the association between depression, psychosocial factors, and suicidality in autistic individuals. Key factors in suicidality for autistic people include increased autistic traits, loneliness, lack of social support, and experiences such as camouflaging and burnout. What is under-explored is the role of sleep in suicidality and mental health in autism. Effective psychological interventions for insomnia in autistic individuals are lacking, and there is limited understanding of whether treating insomnia can reduce suicidality. Only two pilot studies have investigated insomnia treatments for autistic adults. In this commentary, we argue that, given the high rate of suicidality in autism and the potential role of insomnia, it is crucial to investigate whether insomnia contributes to suicidality in autistic people and if addressing sleep through prevention strategies, supports, and interventions improves outcomes. Collaboration with the autistic community is essential for addressing this knowledge gap and developing effective interventions.</p
The prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults receiving in-home aged care: A cross-sectional survey
No full textObjectives: To estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Australians accessing in-home aged care, and to identify characteristics associated with symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey with a random sample of in-home aged care clients from a national provider (Silverchain) was conducted between November 2022 and July 2023. The percentage of clients experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms was estimated, weighted to the age and gender of the Silverchain population. Multivariable linear regression was utilised to identify characteristics associated with higher depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 237 participants completed the survey. Over half (52%) of participants experienced symptoms of depression (≥5 on the PHQ-9), while 16% experienced clinically meaningful symptoms indicative of probable major depressive disorder (≥10 on the PHQ-9). Over one-third (37%) of participants experienced symptoms of anxiety (≥5 on the GAD-7), while 12% experienced clinically meaningful symptoms indicative of probable generalised anxiety disorder (≥10 on the GAD-7). Most clients (61%) experienced symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, with 29% experiencing co-morbid symptoms. Younger age, lower quality of life, higher loneliness, living in a major city (compared with rural/remote areas) and living with family (compared to living alone) were associated with higher levels of depression or anxiety symptoms in this cohort. Conclusions: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in older Australians accessing in-home aged care, with many experiencing co-morbid symptoms. In-home aged care providers are ideally situated to identify and facilitate treatment and monitoring for these individuals.</p
What is needed to address psychosocial hazards in road transport? Using implementation science to understand the gaps
No full textABSTRACT: Work-related psychosocial hazards have a significant influence on the development of musculoskeletal and mental health disorders (MSDs and MHDs). This study used behavioural change theory to guide understanding of barriers and enablers for leaders working in the Heavy Vehicle Road Transport industry, to address workplace psychosocial hazards. The findings will be used to inform design of a future intervention to support leaders to more effectively address these hazards. Principal results and major conclusions: A higher number of barriers than enablers were identified. The most prevalent barriers were inadequate knowledge and interpersonal skills, and environmental context and inadequate resources, and the most prevalent enabler was risk management. The findings extend previous evidence by providing more specific detail regarding requirements for addressing psychosocial hazards. Further, the findings identified there is a need to improve the capability, opportunity and motivation of leaders to enable them to more effectively address psychosocial hazards.</p
The role of cats in human DNA transfer
No full textAbstract: Domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, are present in the majority of Australian households. Recently, questions regarding the possibility that domestic animals can serve as silent witnesses, from whom evidence can be collected, or act as vectors of contamination and transfer, have started to be raised. Yet, little is known regarding the transfer and prevalence of human DNA to and from cats. This study investigated if cats are reservoirs and vectors for human DNA transfer. Twenty cats from 15 households were sampled from 4 different areas (head (fur), back (fur), left (skin) and right (fur)) to obtain information on the background DNA that may be found on an animal. Further, transfer of human DNA to and from an animal, after a short patting contact, was tested. Human DNA was found to be prevalent on all cats. Of the areas sampled, most DNA was collected from the top of the fur from the back followed by the head and right/fur. No or very low quantities of human DNA was recovered from the left (skin) area. Most of the human DNA originated from the owners, but DNA from others was also often present (47 % of samples). Further, the transfer tests demonstrated that human DNA transferred readily to (detected in 45 % of samples) and from (detected in 80 % of samples) cats during patting. These results show that animals can act as reservoirs of human DNA and vectors for human DNA transfer that may need to be considered during evaluative DNA reporting. Furthermore, if an interaction between an animal and a perpetrator is suspected, consideration should be given to collecting DNA evidence from suspected contact areas on an animal.</p
A proportionality approach to the ethics of drug policy
No full textThis paper applies a proportionality approach to examining the ethics of drug policy. The principle of proportionality states that to be ethically permissible a policy should be likely to impose only burdens that are proportionate to its benefits. I develop an analysis of proportionality judgements as involving two important kinds of ethical reasoning, characterised as consequentialist and deontological, which often interact with each other. I then apply the analysis to examples of drug policies to show how it assists in identifying forms of ethical reasoning potentially informing policy decisions and how they can interact, and identifying normative claims required for the policy to be ethically justifiable. In doing so, the proportionality approach aims to prompt assessment of normative commitments that may affect policy decisions.</p
Passions & Pathways: Reflecting on a decade of the central Victoria Primary School Careers Education Program
No full textThe research presented in this paper, commissioned by the Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network, was conducted as part of the evaluation process for the Passions and Pathways program. This evaluation seeks to critically assess the impact of the program and identify key outcomes and opportunities for its growth and sustainability over its 13-year history.</p
LOOP – Co-designing a service feedback model with victim-survivors of sexual violence: Final Report
No full textThe following report defines sexual violence and its prevalence, service access and equity. Consumer engagement as a method to overcome barriers is discussed, and approaches to service system improvement using participatory action research methods.</p