News in 2011

• Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | October | Nov | Dec

December

• 22nd: "Brain scan may help predict Alzheimer's risk" comments from Assoc Prof Lars Ittner on ABC Radio.
• 21st: "Ensuring respect for the donated brains of children" article by Prof Manuel Graeber on the Public Library of Science's science blog network.
• 19th: "Radio current affairs documentary: Teen drinking" interview with Prof Ian Hickie on ABC radio.
• 17th: "Developments in Alzheimer's research: Vaccine and early testing" article on International Business Times.
• 13th: "Institute fights to beat dementia" story on ABC's 7.30 report about Assoc prof Sharon Naismith's research into health brain ageing.

• 12th: Prof Ian Hickie joins leaders of Australia's first National Mental Health Commission
• 12th: "Adult sleep shortages debunked by study" by BMRI Associate Professor Nicholas Glozier.
• 12th: "State failing to care for the mentally ill", comment from Prof Ian Hickie on Sydney Morning Herald.
• 10th: "Australian scientists find new Alzheimer's vaccine" on Xinhuanet, and "Australian scientists produce new Alzheimer's vaccine" on Newspoint South Africa.
• 9th: "Alzheimer's vaccine breakthrough" on Channel 10 news.

• 9th: "Scientists make progress on Alzheimer's vaccine" on ABC news.

• 9th: "Vaccine hope for Alzheimer's patients" on Channel 9 news.
• 9th: "Breakthrough closer for Alzheimer's treatment after vaccine succes" in the Sydney Morning Herald.
• 9th: "Australian scientists in race for Alzheimer's vaccine" in the Herald Sun
• 9th: "Race to develop an Alzheimer's vaccine" in the Daily Telegraph.
• 9th: "Alzheimer's vaccine cures memory of mice" article on Assoc Prof Lars Ittner's research into a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease.
• 9th: "Australian scientists produce promising results on Alzheimer's vaccine development" on News
  Tonight, and "Study: Alzheimer's vaccine slows memory loss in mice" on Asian Scientist.
• 9th: "Australian scientists produce promising results on Alzheimer's vaccine development" article on Assoc Prof Ittner's research.
• 8th: James O'Loghlin talks privacy with Prof Ian Hickie and Jamie Seymour, ABC Radio
• 7th: "Alzheimer's vaccine cures memory of mice" article on Prof Ittner's research into a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.
• 6th: "Finding a drop in the ocean" article on the official opening of the National Imaging Facility Research Cyclotron.
• 6th: "What goes around comes around" article in the Australian Life Scientist, and "Finding a drop in the ocean" article on PhysOrg about the official opening of the NIF.
• 4th: "Psychiatry bible 'turns sorrow into sickness'" comment from Prof Ian Hickie.
• 1st: "Mind games: Better access for some, but reforms put others offside" article on Crikey about the arguments about Medicare funding and the Better Access initiative.

November

• 30th: "The psychological backlash against Hickie and McGorry" article examining the vitriole directed at mental health campaigners Ian Hickie and Par McGorry.
• 29th: "It's like when a patriarch dies, and the will is read, and everyone starts squabbling" Crikey and Inside Story investigation into the debate about mental health spending.
• 29th: "Picking over the mental health sector spoils" article on Crikey about arguments over the mental health budget.
• 24th: "Mental health policy to be run by those who have fought the battle" in the Brisbane Times.
• 18th: "Detention centres are factories for mental illness" on the ABC The Drum website.
• 17th: Prof Ian Hickie talks about the key areas of research at the Brain and Mind Research Institute.
• 10th: Inspire Foundation and the BMRI develop new mobile app to encourage young men with mental health issues to seek help.
• 9th: "Presenting the National Architecture Awards 2011 winners", a commendation to the Brain and Mind Research Institute in the category of Public Architecture
• 8th: Comment from Prof Tim Lambert on schizophrenia relapse prevention, "'A voice tells me to jump off a building' For schizophrenia sufferers, a relapse can kill"
• 4th: Prof Ian Hickie comments on changes to national mental health funding in ABC Radio program PM, "Funding reshuffle divides mental heatlh community"
• 4th: National award from the Australian Institute of Architects for BMRI's Youth Mental Health building, "The form of elegance".
• 2nd: "Discovery offers new hope for drug addiction treatments" article on Prof Christie and Dr Bagley's research published in Nature Neuroscience.
• 1st: Video interview with Prof Ian Hickie, "No evidence to support early drinking" from DrinkWise Australia.
• 1st: Video interview with Prof Ian Hickie, "Lead by example" from DrinkWise Australia
• 1st: Video interview with Prof Ian Hickie, "A safe age to start drinking" from DrinkWise Australia
• 1st: Sydney Morning Herald article "Stay active to build brain power: expert" article on Professor Sharon Naismith's studies in healthy brain ageing.
• 1st: "Study finds 'withdrawal' protein," Professor Christie and Dr Elena Bagley's research, published in Nature Neuroscience.

October

• 31st: Radio Australia "Australian research offers new hope for drug addicted treatment".
• 31st: "Discovery offers new hope for drug addition treatments" study by Prof MacDonald Christie.
• 24th: Hon. Tanya Plibersek, MP announces federal government investment to more than double the number of headspace sites nationally.
• 24th: Defence leads the way on mental health research, says Prof Ian Hickie of the the Australian Defence Force Mental Health and Wellbeing Prevalence Study.
• 18th: Prof Ian Hickie talks about trauma, and a positive attitude with ABC radio's James O'Loghlin.
• 18th: "NHMRC funding success" Professor Michael Kassiou receives over $800,000 for his project on new strategies in the treatment and imaging of brain diseases.
• 15th: Prof Ian Hickie tells The Australian that mental illness isn't infectious, and that health professionals' problems are likely to be caused by the stresses of the job.
• 13th: "Mental health prescriptions rise to 29 million a year," comments from Prof Ian Hickie in The Australian online.
• 12th: Prof Ian Hickie gives interview for the Arts Health Foundation.
• 9th: Sunday Nights on ABC local radio panel on youth suicide, with Prof Ian Hickie, Patrick McGorry, Sue Berry and Prof Colin Tatz.
• 8th: Article by Prof Adam Guastella, "The dark side of the love drug oxytocin linked to gloating, envy and aggression".
• 7th: Dr Thomas Insel, Director of the US National Institutes of Mental Health presents at the University of Sydney.
• 5th: Prof Ian Hickie video invitation to join the National Arts and Health Policy Project.
• 1st: "A hormone may treat autism, social disorders", includes findings from a study by Prof Adam Guastella.

September

• 29th: Donation makes cutting-edge research possible. Sufferers of multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system will soon benefit from new research thanks to a state-of-the-art piece of equipment donated to University of Sydney researchers.
• 23rd: Sydney Morning Herald opinion piece by Prof Ian Hickie, "Ignore the critics, public need to back fresh start in mental healthcare".
• 7th: The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the University of Sydney sign a Memorandum of Understanding to enable one of Australia's longest running and most successful scientific collaborations to continue.

August

• 29th: Prof Ian Hickie helps launch the Climate Institute report on how climate change impacts mental health. Listen to an interview with Prof Hickie on 612 ABC Brisbane, or read the Sydney Morning Herald article "Mental illness rise linked to climate".
• 20th: The cognitive behavior therapy course run by the Brain and Mind Research Institute is highlighted on the SBS One program “Behind the front door” on Saturday 20 August at 6pm.
• 2nd: Associate Professor Renee Bittoun talks about how to quit smoking and how your genes could be partially to blame on Brisbane radio 4BC.

July

• 20th: Prof Ian Hickie discusses the Youth Mental Health building at the BMRI that has won the coveted NSW Sulman Prize, the Australian Institute of Architects prize for the best public building in NSW.

June

• 25th: On ABC AM, Prof Ian Hickie explains why lifting the drinking age to 21 could prevent permanent damage in developing adolescent brains.
• 22nd: Exercising In Virtual Environment Could Help Parkinson Patients Cope With Walking Problems Coverage of Dr Simon Lewis and the BRMI study utilising MR in a virtural environment - medindia.net
• 21st: Scientists Identify 'Freezing Of Gait' Phenomenon to Help Parkinson's Disease Patients Dr Simon Lewis describes the use of MR and virtual technologies to investigate 'freezing of gait' - topnews.ae
• 21st: The Sydney Morning Herald has interviewed Dr Simon Lewis, director of BMRI’s Parkinson’s Disease Research Clinic, regarding their ongoing research into freezing of gait in Parkinson's Disease.
• 20th: ABC news discusses Dr Simon Lewis' research using virtual reality technology to link brain processes and physical movement in people suffering from Parkinson's disease
• 15th: Australian GPs have “significant gaps” in their knowledge of the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease A study in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience highlights deficits in the knowledge of Australian GPs - 6minutes.com.au
• 7th: Prof Bernard Balleine comments on how the drug metyrapone reduces the brain's ability to record the negative emotions associated with painful memories in SMH.
• 1st: Parkinson’s can start in bed. ...'those things that go bump or kick in the night' may be signalling early onset of Parkinson's disease - sciencealert.com.au
• 1st: Adjunct Assoc Prof Renee Bittoun discusses tackling nicotine addiction on the 7.30 Report.

May

• 31st: University of Sydney story Dr Simon Lewis on early onset of Parkinson's Disease - University of Sydney.
• 30th: Early Signs of Parkinson's Disease Dr Simon Lewis discusses early symptoms of Parkinson's deisease that may be missed - 612 AM ABC Radio Brisbane.
• 19th: The Youth Mental Health Building at the BMRI won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for 2011.
• 18th: Prof Ian Hickie and Dr Naomi Rogers released research noting that agomelatin, a synthetic version of the naturally occurring sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, works better than placebo to improve symptoms of depression. Read the coverage in Time magazine, ABC News and The Conversation.
• 13th: Senior lecturer Sebastian Rosenberg has written an op-ed in the Canberra Times on the Federal Budget and mental health care funding.
• 13th: Budget 2011 – Mental Health Analysis, Sebastian Rosenberg Senior Lecturer. The 2011 Federal Budget provides a package of new mental health measures totalling $1.5bn over five years. The budget initiatives can be found here. Rather than simply repeat the announcements, this briefing attempts to provide a context for the Budget decisions. See briefing on Budget 2011 – Mental Health Analysis
• 12th: A message from Prime Minister Julia Gillard to the GetUp campaign: "Dear GetUp It was great to speak at GetUp's mental health forum this week and inspiring to see so many GetUp members at the event. I know that there are many tens of thousands more around the country who are passionate about the issue too. Every Minister and MP has received thousands of emails and calls from GetUp members about mental heath and many of us have seen the campaign in action on TV and in our electorates. It's an issue that is also very important to me. I mentioned at the forum that my father was a psychiatric nurse and I've seen through his experience how the mental health sector has progressed over the decades from a more institutional approach toward more holistic community care. Like millions of Australians I have seen friends and family who have been affected by mental illness. This week my Government was proud to announce the biggest mental health package in the nation's history. The package isn't just about increasing funding. It also shows our commitment to continuing that progress and supporting an integrated community approach to mental health. I was glad to see that the package has been welcomed by mental health experts including Professor McGorry and Professor Hickie who have been so closely involved in GetUp's campaign. GetUp members have been passionate, sincere and very effective advocates for mental health reform and they've made a big impact here in Parliament House. Sincerely, Julia Gillard Prime Minister."

• 11th: Prof Ian Hickie discusses the GetUp campaign which influenced the government to seriously fund mental health policies in this years budget.
• 11th: Crikey reports on Prof Ian Hickie's reaction to the federal budget announcement of $2.2b to mental health.
• 10th: On ABC Radio National, Prof Ian Hickie discusses the long, hard battle for extra mental health funding which today's budget may finally deliver.
• 3rd: On the ABC Law Report, Prof Ian Hickie discusses how adolescent brain development leads many young offenders to make stupid decisions.

April

• 30th: Prof John Mendoza and Prof Ian Hickie have commented on the reporting of suicide in the media.
• 24th: On ABC Radio National, Prof Ian Hickie comments on how some medical associations are holding up health reform in Australia and delaying the move to more efficient collaborative health environments.
• 21st: On ABC Lateline, Prof Ian Hickie comments on Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan’s confirmation that mental health will get funding in next month's budget.

• 21st: Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott unveiled the details of the coalition's $430 million mental health plan at the BMRI. A coalition government would establish a mental health commission and spend more than $300 million on helping the mentally ill return to work. Event details are listed with Channel 9, Channel 7, SBS, ABC, SMH, Sky News, Daily Telegraph and the Sun Herald.

• 21st: On Channel 9 news, Assoc Prof Adam Guastella explains new research that may prevent anxiety before it even takes hold.
• 20th: On ABC Radio National, Prof Ian Hickie and law expert Prof Bernadette McSherry discuss the current legal situation and response to serious mental illness.
• 11th: In The Canberra Times, Sebastian Rosenberg explores the history of mental health reform in Australian and the need for the recently released Blueprint to transform Mental Health and Social Participation in Australia.
• 11th: In an opinion piece in The Australian, Prof Ian Hickie urges the Gillard government to turn its mental health reform rhetoric into action.
• 7th: With details of the federal budget to be released next month, experts are alarmed the welfare to work reforms could make it more difficult for people with mental illnesses to receive the disability payment. According to the latest pre-budget speculation, people with some forms of mental illness will no longer qualify for the pension. Prof Ian Hickie discusses how some mental illness sufferers may no longer receive pension on Radio National.
• 4th: Prof Ian Hickie discusses how not enough sleep increases the risk of depression and diabetes.
• 2nd: The Australian has interviewed Prof Ian Hickie regarding the mental health budget and improving Australia's mental health system.

March

• 31th: Dr Michael Barnett discusses chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficieny (CCSVI) with the SMH.

• 30th: The Australian reports that Prof Ian Hickie is among mental health experts who have told the federal government it needs to spend at least $3.5 billion in next month’s budget to make good on pre-election promises, and to end neglect in the sector.

• 26th: The Blueprint to transform Mental Health and Social Participation in Australia was released today by the Independent Mental Health Reform Group comprising of Monsignor David Cappo, Prof Patrick McGorry, Prof Ian Hickie, Sebastian Rosenberg, John Moran and Matthew Hamilton. The Blueprint specifies 30 transformational new services the Commonwealth can fund and set in place starting now. The Blueprint details a four-year $2.5bn program of strategic and evidence-based investment in 30 new services that have the capacity to transform the mental health in this country. Summary PDF and Report PDF. Please forward any comments to .

• 24th: Assoc Prof Nicholas Glozier discusses the importance of sleep in mental health with The Brisbane Times.

• 23rd: In the Western Australian, Prof Alan Rosen examines how labeling Gaddafi as a delusional "crazed narcissist" with "crazy ideas" leads to societal stigma, stereotyping and discrimination against people living with a mental illness.

• 15th: ABC Radio interviews Prof Ian Hickie on how the Medicare-funded mental health system can be considered a "travesty".

• 13th: Sebastian Rosenberg provides analysis indicating that the Better Access initiative will blowout to cost more than $1 billion a year by 2016.

• 10th: Prof Ian Hickie comments on the NSW elections debate on health funding in the SMH.

• 1st: Prof Ian Hickie provides commentary on how the next NSW Premier can address mental health failings in a SMH opinion piece Key to better mental care lies in community, not hospitals.

• 1st: How has community changed with the rise of social networking and online connections which may be stronger than those in the 'real world'? A diverse town hall-style panel, including Prof Ian Hickie, examine how online communities are changing the way we connect to people.

February

• 22nd: Prof Jürgen Götz comments in Cosmos magazine on recent research into memory formation that could provide a better understanding of memory loss, such as in Alzheimer's disease.

• 20th: Prof Ian Hickie comments on how early drinking can damage kids' developing brains in the Daily Telegraph.

• 16th: On ABC Radio Prof Ian Hickie provide a lesson on how your brain controls emotions.

• 15th: The PM has provided only a vague assurance in the final communique that some extra Commonwealth funding will be spent on mental health services, but what does this mean for the sector? Prof Ian Hickie discusses federal mental health funding with ABC Radio National.

• 12th: In the SMH, Prof Ian Hickie gives advice on developing self-control in children.

• 9th: Prof Thomas Becker comments on a recent study which may provide insights into why some young children go on to develop disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

January

• 25th: The Australian Financial Review reports that Prof Ian Hickie has commented on a former Macquarie bank executive’s call for more disadvantaged people to be employed.

• 22nd: Prof Ian Hickie has written an opinion-editorial for the Weekend Australian asking if in 2011 we are headed for real reform in the mental health sector or will this be just another false dawn.

• 18th: Deputy Premier and Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt visited the BMRI to to understand current investigations into the impact of alcohol misuse on the brain function of 16 to 40-year-olds in NSW.

• 17th: 4BC, Brisbane speak to Prof Ian Hickie who discusses how crises bring community's together and make them share dealing with adversity. Hickie discusses the range of emotions felt by many different people during a tragedy such as the flood crisis and the best way that they can interact with each other.

• 12th: Prof Max Bennett's obituary to Gavin Brown, published in The Australian.
• 11th: Professor Rosen discusses with SMH how mentally ill patients have emerged as the latest victims of the state government's plan to sell land around Royal North Shore Hospital.