What is mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of health conditions can increase the risk for mental illness, particularly anxiety and depression.

What causes mental health impacts?

Mental health can be impacted by a wide range of factors and everyday life events, such as stress, injury and illness. The Dementia & Neuro Mental Health Research Unit is particularly interested in easing the mental health impacts of neurodegenerative diagnoses such as Parkinson’s and Dementia.

What mental health research is being done at UQCCR?

The Dementia & Neuro Mental Health Research Unit is running multiple research projects focused on finding novel solutions to improve diagnosis, treatment and care, enhancing the mental health and quality of life for both individuals and their families.

Specific project aims include reducing psychosocial problems in older people, treating anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s and dementia patients, and treating anxiety in people with cognitive impairment using a technology assisted remote approach. Projects include: