People_

Dr Louise Birrell

Research Fellow, Sydney Medical School / The Matilda Centre

Email

louise.birrell@sydney.edu.au

Details

Member of the Brain and Mind Centre

Dr Louise Birrell (PhD, BPsych, BSocSc)is a Senior Research Fellow and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney. As the Program Lead for Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing, Dr Birrell’s research focuses on identifying risk and protective factors for youth mental health and substance use. Dr Birrell also develops and evaluates preventive interventions, playing a key role in two major school-based digital health trials in Australia, collectively involving 142 schools and >13,000 students.

Research interests

Dr Birrell's research interests include the prevention of mental health and substance use problems, particularly the role of social connection in mental health prevention, the use of online technologies for health prevention and the interaction between anxiety, depression and alcohol in youth.

Teaching and supervision

mental health education, school wellbeing, drug and alcohol prevention

Current projects

Dr Birrell is leading the Mind your Mate project (www.mindyourmate.org), to evaluate the effectiveness of an online peer intervention program, Mind Your Mate in reducing anxiety, depression and substance use in adolescence.

Dr Birrell is a current Chief Investigator on the long-term follow-up of the CSC Study (www.csc.org.au); a 7-year follow-up study of a randomised controlled trial of a school-based mental health and substance use program delivered online. The trial involves over 6,000 young people from three Australian States. She is also a Chief Investigator of a RCT to evaluate teacher-led selective prevention for substance use and mental health problems in adolescence, funded by Australian Rotary Health.

Dr Birrell is a current Associate Investigator on the Health for Life project (https://health4life.org.au), which aims to empower young people to improve their health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of chronic disease later in life.

Dr Birrell is a CI on the Cracks in the Ice project (www.cracksintheice.org.au), a National Online Portal funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to develop and disseminate evidence-based resources about crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) for the Australian Community. Dr Birrell is also a CI on a project to develop and disseminate culturally appropriate resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to reduce the impact of crystal methamphetamine use among communities.

Associations

Global Consortium for the Prevention of Depression, Member

The Mental Health Services Network, Associate Board Member

Society for Mental Health Research, Member

Prevention Coalition in Wellbeing and Mental Health, Steering Committee Member

Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders, Member

Awards and honours

2021: The Matilda Centre Leonie Manns Community Impact and Engagement Award 2020 for Cracks in the Ice Online Toolkit (team award).

2021: The Mental Health Services Learning Network of Australia and New Zealand, Mental Health Promotion/Mental Illness Prevention Service Award 2020 for Cracks in the Ice Online Toolkit (team award).

2019: Society for Mental Health Research, Early Career Researcher Award.

2019: Australian Drug Foundation, National Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Awards, Primary Prevention Award for Preventure, 2019 (team award).

2019: Australian Drug Foundation, National Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Awards, shortlisted for the Treatment & Support Award for Cracks in the Ice Online Toolkit (team award).

2018 Ian Potter Travel Award

2017 Australian Rotary Health ‘Knowledge Dissemination Award 2017’, team award for Cracks in the Ice (project coordinator, 2017)

2017 ‘Innovation in the Prevention and Education’, 2017 National Alcohol and other Drug Excellence and Innovation awards. Alcohol and Drug Foundation for Climate Schools

2015 Jennifer McLaren Award for Outstanding Research Achievement, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW

2015 Best Overall Oral Presentation, Society for Mental Health Research Conference, Brisbane

2014 Australian Rotary Health ‘Knowledge Dissemination Award 2014’ to CREMS Prevention stream for translation of Climate Schools and Positive Choices.

Themes

Neurosciences and Mental Health, Lifespan

Keywords

Adolescent health, Alcohol, Anxiety disorders, Depression, Mental disorders

Approaches

Clinical Trials, Prevention & Control, Treatment/Intervention

Publications

By Type

Expand all

Book Chapters

Champion, K., Newton, N., Birrell, L., Teesson, M. (2017). Primary prevention for alcohol and other drug use for Australian adolescents. In Alison Ritter, Trevor King, Nicole Lee (Eds.), Drug Use in Australian Society. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. [More Information]

Journals

Grummitt, L., Rowlinson, K., Cassar, J., Conroy, C., Birrell, L., Stapinski, L., Barrett, E., Macauley, J., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Kelly, E. (2025). A randomised controlled implementation trial of the feasibility and effectiveness of school staff delivery of a selective substance use and mental health program during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 349. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Grummitt, L., Smout, S., Maulik, P., Teesson, M., Newton, N. (2025). Debate: Where to next for universal school-based mental health interventions? Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 30(1), 92-95. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Werner-Seidler, A., Davidson, L., Andrews, J., Slade, T. (2025). Social connection as a key target for youth mental health. Mental Health & Prevention, 37, 200395. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Grummitt, L., Christensen, H., Teesson, M. (2025). The place of school-based strategies for universal, selective, and indicated prevention for depression. Research Directions: Depression. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N. (2024). An on-line school-based substance use harm reduction programme: The Illicit Project randomized controlled trial results. Addiction, 119(4), 741-752. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Stockings, E., Birrell, L., Newton, N., Devine, E., Champion, K., Stapinski, L., Kershaw, S., Arunogiri, S., Teesson, M. (2024). Co-design of digital public health substance use resources: A collaboration between young people and experts. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36(1), e874. [More Information]
Chatterton, M., Perez, J., Lee, Y., Le, L., Birrell, L., Slade, T., Mewton, L., Hides, L., McBride, N., Allsop, S., Bryant, Z., Chapman, C., Newton, N., Teesson, M., et al (2024). Cost‑Utility Analysis of a School‑Based Universal Program for the Prevention of Anxiety, Depression, and Substance Use: The Climate Schools Combined Trial. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. [More Information]
Halladay, J., Sunderland, M., Newton, N., Lynch, S., Chapman, C., Stapinski, L., Andrews, J., Birrell, L., Teesson, M., Slade, T. (2024). Do school-based prevention programs impact co-occurring alcohol use and psychological distress during adolescence? Psychological Medicine, 54, 4725-4735. [More Information]
Teesson, M., Birrell, L., Slade, T., Mewton, L., Olsen, N., Hides, L., McBride, N., Chatterton, M., Allsop, S., Furneaux-Bate, A., Bryant, Z., Healy, A., Debenham, J., Boyle, J., Mather, M., Chapman, C., Newton, N., et al (2024). Effectiveness of a universal, school-based, online programme for the prevention of anxiety, depression, and substance misuse among adolescents in Australia: 72-month outcomes from a cluster-ran. The Lancet Digital Health, 6(5), e334-e344. [More Information]
Prior, K., Piggott, M., Hunt, S., Vanstone, V., McCormack, C., Newton, N., Teesson, M., Birrell, L., Kershaw, S., Thornton, L., Stapinski, L. (2024). Motherhood and Drinking: The Relative Importance of Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors on Maternal Alcohol Misuse During the Postpartum Period. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 85(4), 537-549. [More Information]
Kershaw, S., Sunderland, M., Grager, A., Birrell, L., Deen, H., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Champion, K., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2024). Perceived barriers to help-seeking for people who use crystal methamphetamine: Perspectives of people with lived experience, family members and health workers. Drug and Alcohol Review, 43(7), 1929-1939. [More Information]
Grummitt, L., Bailey, S., Kelly, E., Birrell, L., Gardner, L., Halladay, J., Chapman, C., Andrews, J., Champion, K., Hunter, E., Egan, L., Conroy, C., Tiko, R., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Barrett, E., et al (2024). Refining the universal, school-based OurFutures Mental Health program to be trauma-informed, gender and sexuality diversity affirmative, and adhere to proportionate universalism: a mixed methods participatory design process. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 7, e54637. [More Information]
Gardner, L., O'Dean, S., Rowe, A., Hawkins, A., Egan, L., Stockings, E., Teesson, M., Hides, L., Catakovic, A., Ellem, R., Stapinski, L., Freeman, B., Thornton, L., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N., et al (2024). Research Letter: E-cigarette use and mental health during early adolescence: An Australian survey among over 5000 young people. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 58(12), 1103-1106. [More Information]
Spallek, S., Birrell, L., Kershaw, S., Devine, E., Thornton, L. (2023). Can we use ChatGPT for Mental Health and Substance Use Education? Examining Its Quality and Potential Harms. JMIR Medical Education, 9, e51243. [More Information]
Grummitt, L., Barrett, E., Halladay, J., Bailey, S., Birrell, L., Hunter, E., Kelly, E., Champion, K., Gardner, L., Nguyen, A., Chapman, C., Newton, N., Teesson, M. (2023). Embedding action on social and structural determinants of mental health into a national framework: An “Immunisation schedule” for the prevention of common mental disorders. Mental Health & Prevention, 32, 200308. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Debenham, J., Furneaux-Bate, A., Prior, K., Spallek, S., Thornton, L., Chapman, C., Newton, N. (2023). Evaluating a Peer-Support Mobile App for Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents Over 12 Months During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1). [More Information]
Andrews, J., Birrell, L., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Allsop, S., McBride, N., Hides, L., Andrews, G., Olsen, N., Slade, T., et al (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness of a universal eHealth school-based prevention programme for depression and anxiety, and the moderating role of friendship network characteristics. Psychological Medicine, 53(11), 5042-5051. [More Information]
Grummitt, L., Bailey, S., Birrell, L., Kelly, E., Gardner, L., Champion, K., Chapman, C., Andrews, J., Halladay, J., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Barrett, E. (2023). OurFutures Mental Health: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a school-based, universal mental ill-health prevention program. Mental Health & Prevention, 30, 200277. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Barrett, E., Oliver, E., Nguyen, H., Ewing, R., Anderson, M., Teesson, M. (2023). The impact of arts-inclusive programs on young children's mental health and wellbeing: A rapid review. Arts & Health: an international journal for research, policy and practice, Online first. [More Information]
Peters, L., Grummitt, L., Birrell, L., Kelly, E., Gardner, L., Champion, K., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Barrett, E., Newton, N. (2023). Young people's evaluation of an online mental health prevention program for secondary school students: A mixed-methods formative study. Mental Health & Prevention, 30, 200263. [More Information]
Newton, N., Chapman, C., Slade, T., Birrell, L., Healy, A., Mather, M., McBride, N., Hides, L., Allsop, S., Mewton, L., Teesson, M., et al (2022). A national effectiveness trial of an eHealth program to prevent alcohol and cannabis misuse: Responding to the replication crisis. Psychological Medicine, 52(2), 274-282. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Furneaux-Bate, A., Debenham, J., Spallek, S., Newton, N., Chapman, C. (2022). Development of a Peer Support Mobile App and Web-Based Lesson for Adolescent Mental Health (Mind Your Mate): User-Centered Design Approach. JMIR Formative Research, 6(5). [More Information]
Debenham, J., Champion, K., Birrell, L., Newton, N. (2022). Effectiveness of a neuroscience-based, harm reduction program for older adolescents: A cluster randomised controlled trial of the Illicit Project. Preventive Medicine Reports, 26, 101706. [More Information]
Thornton, L., Osman, B., Champion, K., Green, O., Wescott, A., Gardner, L., Stewart, C., Visontay, R., Whife, J., Parmenter, B., Birrell, L., Bryant, Z., Chapman, C., Slade, T., Teesson, M., et al (2022). Measurement Properties of Smartphone Approaches to Assess Diet, Alcohol Use, and Tobacco Use: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(2), e27337. [More Information]
Parmenter, B., Burley, C., Stewart, C., Whife, J., Champion, K., Osman, B., Newton, N., Green, O., Wescott, A., Gardner, L., Visontay, R., Birrell, L., Bryant, Z., Chapman, C., Sunderland, M., Slade, T., Thornton, L., et al (2022). Measurement Properties of Smartphone Approaches to Assess Physical Activity in Healthy Young People: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(10). [More Information]
Debenham, J., Newton, N., Champion, K., Lawler, S., Lees, B., Stapinski, L., Teesson, M., Birrell, L. (2022). Neuroscience literacy and substance use prevention: How well do young people understand their brain? Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33(2), 395-402. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Furneaux-Bate, A., Chapman, C., Newton, N. (2021). A mobile peer intervention for preventing mental health and substance use problems in adolescents: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial (the mind your mate study). JMIR Research Protocols, 10(7), e26796. [More Information]
Kershaw, S., Birrell, L., Deen, H., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Champion, K., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2021). Evaluation of a Digital Health Initiative in Illicit Substance Use: Cross-sectional Survey Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(8), e29026. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Lees, B., Yücel, M., Newton, N. (2021). Neuropsychological and neurophysiological predictors and consequences of cannabis and illicit substance use during neurodevelopment: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 5(8), 589-604. [More Information]
Baker, S., Deady, M., Birrell, L., Ross, K., Fitzpatrick, S., Newton, N., Cockayne, N., Loughland, C., Christensen, H., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2021). Prevention of mental and substance use disorders: Shaping priorities for research and implementation. Mental Health & Prevention, 24, 200211. [More Information]
Deen, H., Kershaw, S., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Birrell, L., Debenham, J., Champion, K., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2021). Stigma, discrimination and crystal methamphetamine (ice): Current attitudes in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 87, 1-8. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N. (2021). Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of The Illicit Project, a digital, neuroscience-based substance use intervention for secondary school students. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 107, 106467-1-106467-7. [More Information]
Kelly, E., Grummitt, L., Birrell, L., Stapinski, L., Barrett, E., Boyle, J., Teesson, M., Newton, N. (2021). The school-led Preventure study: Protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of effectiveness to prevent adolescent alcohol misuse, internalising problems, and externalising problems through a personality-targeted intervention delivered by school staff. Preventive Medicine Reports, 21, 101286. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Askovic, M., Newton, N. (2020). A pilot study of a neuroscience- based, harm minimisation programme in schools and youth centres in Australia. BMJ Open, 10(2), e033337. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Slade, T., Teesson, M., Prior, K., Chapman, C., Hides, L., McBride, N., Mewton, L., Allsop, S., Andrews, G., Newton, N. (2020). Bidirectional relationships in the development of internalising symptoms and alcohol use in adolescence. Drug and Alcohol Review, 39(7), 950-959. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Newton, N., Birrell, L., Yucel, M., Lees, B., Champion, K. (2020). Cannabis and Illicit Drug Use During Neurodevelopment and the Associated Structural, Functional and Cognitive Outcomes: Protocol for a Systematic Review. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(7), e18349. [More Information]
Teesson, M., Newton, N., Slade, T., Chapman, C., Birrell, L., Mewton, L., Mather, M., Hides, L., McBride, N., Allsop, S., et al (2020). Combined prevention for substance use, depression, and anxiety in adolescence: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a digital online intervention. The Lancet Digital Health, 2(2), e74-e84. [More Information]
Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Teesson, M., Slade, T., Champion, K., Barrett, E., Birrell, L., Kelly, E., Mather, M., Conrod, P. (2020). Evaluating the differential effectiveness of social influence and personality-targeted alcohol prevention on mental health outcomes among high-risk youth: A novel cluster randomised controlled factorial design trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54(3), 259-271. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Chapman, C., McIntyre, R., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N. (2020). How Does Adolescent Alcohol Use Affect the Developing Brain? Frontiers for Young Minds, 10, 1-12. [More Information]
Thornton, L., Osman, B., Wescott, A., Sunderland, M., Champion, K., Green, O., Kay-Lambkin, F., Kay-Lambkin, F., Slade, T., Newton, N., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Mills, K., Birrell, L., Lubans, D., Gardner, L., et al (2020). Measurement properties of smartphone approaches to assess key lifestyle behaviours: Protocol of a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 9(1), 127. [More Information]
Mewton, L., Shaw, B., Slade, T., Birrell, L., Newton, N., Chapman, C., Allsop, S., Hides, L., McBride, N., Andrews, G., Teesson, M. (2020). The comorbidity between alcohol use and internalising psychopathology in early adolescence. Mental Health & Prevention, 17, 200176. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Newton, N., Birrell, L., Askovic, M. (2019). Alcohol and other drug prevention for older adolescents: It's a no brainer. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(4), 327-330. [More Information]
Champion, K., Parmenter, B., McGowan, C., Spring, B., Wafford, Q., Gardner, L., Thornton, L., McBride, N., Barrett, E., Teesson, M., Newton, N., et al (2019). Effectiveness of school-based eHealth interventions to prevent multiple lifestyle risk behaviours among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Digital Health, 1(5), e206-e221. [More Information]
Larsen, M., Huckvale, K., Nicholas, J., Torous, J., Birrell, L., Li, E., Reda, B. (2019). Using science to sell apps: Evaluation of mental health app store quality claims. npj Digital Medicine, 18, 1-6. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Deen, H., Champion, K., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2018). A Mobile App to Provide Evidence-Based Information About Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) to the Community (Cracks in the Ice): Co-Design and Beta Testing. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(12), 1-14. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Newton, N., Slade, T., Chapman, C., Mewton, L., McBride, N., Hides, L., Chatterton, M., Allsop, S., Healy, A., et al (2018). Evaluating the Long-Term Effectiveness of School-Based Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use Prevention Into Young Adulthood: Protocol for the Climate School Combined Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 7(11), e11372. [More Information]
Chapman, C., Champion, K., Birrell, L., Deen, H., Brierley, M., Stapinski, L., Kay-Lambkin, F., Newton, N., Teesson, M. (2018). Smartphone Apps About Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice"): Systematic Search in App Stores and Assessment of Composition and Quality". JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(11), e10442. [More Information]
Thornton, L., Quinn, C., Birrell, L., Guillaumier, A., Shaw, B., Forbes, E., Deady, M., Kay-Lambkin, F. (2017). Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 41(6), 625-630. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Prior, K., Champion, K., Mackie, C., Teesson, M., Slade, T. (2017). Trajectories of emotional symptoms in adolescence: impact on alcohol use. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 10(4), 130-141. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Newton, N., Teesson, M., Slade, T. (2016). Early onset mood disorders and first alcohol use in the general population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 200, 243-249. [More Information]
Mewton, L., Kessler, R., Slade, T., Hobbs, M., Brownhill, L., Birrell, L., Tonks, Z., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Chapman, C., et al (2016). The psychometric properties of the kessler psychological distress scale (K6) in a general population sample of adolescents. Psychological Assessment, 28(10), 1232-1242. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Newton, N., Teesson, M., Tonks, Z., Slade, T. (2015). Anxiety disorders and first alcohol use in the general population. Findings from a nationally representative sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 31, 108-113. [More Information]
Teesson, M., Newton, N., Slade, T., Chapman, C., Allsop, S., Hides, L., McBride, N., Mewton, L., Tonks, Z., Birrell, L., et al (2014). The CLIMATE schools combined study: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a universal Internet-based prevention program for youth substance misuse, depression and anxiety. BMC Psychiatry, 14(1). [More Information]

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By Year

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2025

Grummitt, L., Rowlinson, K., Cassar, J., Conroy, C., Birrell, L., Stapinski, L., Barrett, E., Macauley, J., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Kelly, E. (2025). A randomised controlled implementation trial of the feasibility and effectiveness of school staff delivery of a selective substance use and mental health program during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 349. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Grummitt, L., Smout, S., Maulik, P., Teesson, M., Newton, N. (2025). Debate: Where to next for universal school-based mental health interventions? Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 30(1), 92-95. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Werner-Seidler, A., Davidson, L., Andrews, J., Slade, T. (2025). Social connection as a key target for youth mental health. Mental Health & Prevention, 37, 200395. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Grummitt, L., Christensen, H., Teesson, M. (2025). The place of school-based strategies for universal, selective, and indicated prevention for depression. Research Directions: Depression. [More Information]

show 1 more

2024

Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N. (2024). An on-line school-based substance use harm reduction programme: The Illicit Project randomized controlled trial results. Addiction, 119(4), 741-752. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Stockings, E., Birrell, L., Newton, N., Devine, E., Champion, K., Stapinski, L., Kershaw, S., Arunogiri, S., Teesson, M. (2024). Co-design of digital public health substance use resources: A collaboration between young people and experts. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 36(1), e874. [More Information]
Chatterton, M., Perez, J., Lee, Y., Le, L., Birrell, L., Slade, T., Mewton, L., Hides, L., McBride, N., Allsop, S., Bryant, Z., Chapman, C., Newton, N., Teesson, M., et al (2024). Cost‑Utility Analysis of a School‑Based Universal Program for the Prevention of Anxiety, Depression, and Substance Use: The Climate Schools Combined Trial. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. [More Information]
Halladay, J., Sunderland, M., Newton, N., Lynch, S., Chapman, C., Stapinski, L., Andrews, J., Birrell, L., Teesson, M., Slade, T. (2024). Do school-based prevention programs impact co-occurring alcohol use and psychological distress during adolescence? Psychological Medicine, 54, 4725-4735. [More Information]
Teesson, M., Birrell, L., Slade, T., Mewton, L., Olsen, N., Hides, L., McBride, N., Chatterton, M., Allsop, S., Furneaux-Bate, A., Bryant, Z., Healy, A., Debenham, J., Boyle, J., Mather, M., Chapman, C., Newton, N., et al (2024). Effectiveness of a universal, school-based, online programme for the prevention of anxiety, depression, and substance misuse among adolescents in Australia: 72-month outcomes from a cluster-ran. The Lancet Digital Health, 6(5), e334-e344. [More Information]
Prior, K., Piggott, M., Hunt, S., Vanstone, V., McCormack, C., Newton, N., Teesson, M., Birrell, L., Kershaw, S., Thornton, L., Stapinski, L. (2024). Motherhood and Drinking: The Relative Importance of Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors on Maternal Alcohol Misuse During the Postpartum Period. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 85(4), 537-549. [More Information]
Kershaw, S., Sunderland, M., Grager, A., Birrell, L., Deen, H., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Champion, K., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2024). Perceived barriers to help-seeking for people who use crystal methamphetamine: Perspectives of people with lived experience, family members and health workers. Drug and Alcohol Review, 43(7), 1929-1939. [More Information]
Grummitt, L., Bailey, S., Kelly, E., Birrell, L., Gardner, L., Halladay, J., Chapman, C., Andrews, J., Champion, K., Hunter, E., Egan, L., Conroy, C., Tiko, R., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Barrett, E., et al (2024). Refining the universal, school-based OurFutures Mental Health program to be trauma-informed, gender and sexuality diversity affirmative, and adhere to proportionate universalism: a mixed methods participatory design process. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 7, e54637. [More Information]
Gardner, L., O'Dean, S., Rowe, A., Hawkins, A., Egan, L., Stockings, E., Teesson, M., Hides, L., Catakovic, A., Ellem, R., Stapinski, L., Freeman, B., Thornton, L., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N., et al (2024). Research Letter: E-cigarette use and mental health during early adolescence: An Australian survey among over 5000 young people. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 58(12), 1103-1106. [More Information]

show 6 more

2023

Spallek, S., Birrell, L., Kershaw, S., Devine, E., Thornton, L. (2023). Can we use ChatGPT for Mental Health and Substance Use Education? Examining Its Quality and Potential Harms. JMIR Medical Education, 9, e51243. [More Information]
Grummitt, L., Barrett, E., Halladay, J., Bailey, S., Birrell, L., Hunter, E., Kelly, E., Champion, K., Gardner, L., Nguyen, A., Chapman, C., Newton, N., Teesson, M. (2023). Embedding action on social and structural determinants of mental health into a national framework: An “Immunisation schedule” for the prevention of common mental disorders. Mental Health & Prevention, 32, 200308. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Debenham, J., Furneaux-Bate, A., Prior, K., Spallek, S., Thornton, L., Chapman, C., Newton, N. (2023). Evaluating a Peer-Support Mobile App for Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents Over 12 Months During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1). [More Information]
Andrews, J., Birrell, L., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Allsop, S., McBride, N., Hides, L., Andrews, G., Olsen, N., Slade, T., et al (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness of a universal eHealth school-based prevention programme for depression and anxiety, and the moderating role of friendship network characteristics. Psychological Medicine, 53(11), 5042-5051. [More Information]
Grummitt, L., Bailey, S., Birrell, L., Kelly, E., Gardner, L., Champion, K., Chapman, C., Andrews, J., Halladay, J., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Barrett, E. (2023). OurFutures Mental Health: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a school-based, universal mental ill-health prevention program. Mental Health & Prevention, 30, 200277. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Barrett, E., Oliver, E., Nguyen, H., Ewing, R., Anderson, M., Teesson, M. (2023). The impact of arts-inclusive programs on young children's mental health and wellbeing: A rapid review. Arts & Health: an international journal for research, policy and practice, Online first. [More Information]
Peters, L., Grummitt, L., Birrell, L., Kelly, E., Gardner, L., Champion, K., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Barrett, E., Newton, N. (2023). Young people's evaluation of an online mental health prevention program for secondary school students: A mixed-methods formative study. Mental Health & Prevention, 30, 200263. [More Information]

show 4 more

2022

Newton, N., Chapman, C., Slade, T., Birrell, L., Healy, A., Mather, M., McBride, N., Hides, L., Allsop, S., Mewton, L., Teesson, M., et al (2022). A national effectiveness trial of an eHealth program to prevent alcohol and cannabis misuse: Responding to the replication crisis. Psychological Medicine, 52(2), 274-282. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Furneaux-Bate, A., Debenham, J., Spallek, S., Newton, N., Chapman, C. (2022). Development of a Peer Support Mobile App and Web-Based Lesson for Adolescent Mental Health (Mind Your Mate): User-Centered Design Approach. JMIR Formative Research, 6(5). [More Information]
Debenham, J., Champion, K., Birrell, L., Newton, N. (2022). Effectiveness of a neuroscience-based, harm reduction program for older adolescents: A cluster randomised controlled trial of the Illicit Project. Preventive Medicine Reports, 26, 101706. [More Information]
Thornton, L., Osman, B., Champion, K., Green, O., Wescott, A., Gardner, L., Stewart, C., Visontay, R., Whife, J., Parmenter, B., Birrell, L., Bryant, Z., Chapman, C., Slade, T., Teesson, M., et al (2022). Measurement Properties of Smartphone Approaches to Assess Diet, Alcohol Use, and Tobacco Use: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(2), e27337. [More Information]
Parmenter, B., Burley, C., Stewart, C., Whife, J., Champion, K., Osman, B., Newton, N., Green, O., Wescott, A., Gardner, L., Visontay, R., Birrell, L., Bryant, Z., Chapman, C., Sunderland, M., Slade, T., Thornton, L., et al (2022). Measurement Properties of Smartphone Approaches to Assess Physical Activity in Healthy Young People: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(10). [More Information]
Debenham, J., Newton, N., Champion, K., Lawler, S., Lees, B., Stapinski, L., Teesson, M., Birrell, L. (2022). Neuroscience literacy and substance use prevention: How well do young people understand their brain? Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33(2), 395-402. [More Information]

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2021

Birrell, L., Furneaux-Bate, A., Chapman, C., Newton, N. (2021). A mobile peer intervention for preventing mental health and substance use problems in adolescents: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial (the mind your mate study). JMIR Research Protocols, 10(7), e26796. [More Information]
Kershaw, S., Birrell, L., Deen, H., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Champion, K., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2021). Evaluation of a Digital Health Initiative in Illicit Substance Use: Cross-sectional Survey Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(8), e29026. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Lees, B., Yücel, M., Newton, N. (2021). Neuropsychological and neurophysiological predictors and consequences of cannabis and illicit substance use during neurodevelopment: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 5(8), 589-604. [More Information]
Baker, S., Deady, M., Birrell, L., Ross, K., Fitzpatrick, S., Newton, N., Cockayne, N., Loughland, C., Christensen, H., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2021). Prevention of mental and substance use disorders: Shaping priorities for research and implementation. Mental Health & Prevention, 24, 200211. [More Information]
Deen, H., Kershaw, S., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Birrell, L., Debenham, J., Champion, K., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2021). Stigma, discrimination and crystal methamphetamine (ice): Current attitudes in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 87, 1-8. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N. (2021). Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of The Illicit Project, a digital, neuroscience-based substance use intervention for secondary school students. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 107, 106467-1-106467-7. [More Information]
Kelly, E., Grummitt, L., Birrell, L., Stapinski, L., Barrett, E., Boyle, J., Teesson, M., Newton, N. (2021). The school-led Preventure study: Protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of effectiveness to prevent adolescent alcohol misuse, internalising problems, and externalising problems through a personality-targeted intervention delivered by school staff. Preventive Medicine Reports, 21, 101286. [More Information]

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2020

Debenham, J., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Askovic, M., Newton, N. (2020). A pilot study of a neuroscience- based, harm minimisation programme in schools and youth centres in Australia. BMJ Open, 10(2), e033337. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Slade, T., Teesson, M., Prior, K., Chapman, C., Hides, L., McBride, N., Mewton, L., Allsop, S., Andrews, G., Newton, N. (2020). Bidirectional relationships in the development of internalising symptoms and alcohol use in adolescence. Drug and Alcohol Review, 39(7), 950-959. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Newton, N., Birrell, L., Yucel, M., Lees, B., Champion, K. (2020). Cannabis and Illicit Drug Use During Neurodevelopment and the Associated Structural, Functional and Cognitive Outcomes: Protocol for a Systematic Review. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(7), e18349. [More Information]
Teesson, M., Newton, N., Slade, T., Chapman, C., Birrell, L., Mewton, L., Mather, M., Hides, L., McBride, N., Allsop, S., et al (2020). Combined prevention for substance use, depression, and anxiety in adolescence: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a digital online intervention. The Lancet Digital Health, 2(2), e74-e84. [More Information]
Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Teesson, M., Slade, T., Champion, K., Barrett, E., Birrell, L., Kelly, E., Mather, M., Conrod, P. (2020). Evaluating the differential effectiveness of social influence and personality-targeted alcohol prevention on mental health outcomes among high-risk youth: A novel cluster randomised controlled factorial design trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54(3), 259-271. [More Information]
Debenham, J., Chapman, C., McIntyre, R., Birrell, L., Champion, K., Newton, N. (2020). How Does Adolescent Alcohol Use Affect the Developing Brain? Frontiers for Young Minds, 10, 1-12. [More Information]
Thornton, L., Osman, B., Wescott, A., Sunderland, M., Champion, K., Green, O., Kay-Lambkin, F., Kay-Lambkin, F., Slade, T., Newton, N., Chapman, C., Teesson, M., Mills, K., Birrell, L., Lubans, D., Gardner, L., et al (2020). Measurement properties of smartphone approaches to assess key lifestyle behaviours: Protocol of a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 9(1), 127. [More Information]
Mewton, L., Shaw, B., Slade, T., Birrell, L., Newton, N., Chapman, C., Allsop, S., Hides, L., McBride, N., Andrews, G., Teesson, M. (2020). The comorbidity between alcohol use and internalising psychopathology in early adolescence. Mental Health & Prevention, 17, 200176. [More Information]

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2019

Debenham, J., Newton, N., Birrell, L., Askovic, M. (2019). Alcohol and other drug prevention for older adolescents: It's a no brainer. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(4), 327-330. [More Information]
Champion, K., Parmenter, B., McGowan, C., Spring, B., Wafford, Q., Gardner, L., Thornton, L., McBride, N., Barrett, E., Teesson, M., Newton, N., et al (2019). Effectiveness of school-based eHealth interventions to prevent multiple lifestyle risk behaviours among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Digital Health, 1(5), e206-e221. [More Information]
Larsen, M., Huckvale, K., Nicholas, J., Torous, J., Birrell, L., Li, E., Reda, B. (2019). Using science to sell apps: Evaluation of mental health app store quality claims. npj Digital Medicine, 18, 1-6. [More Information]

2018

Birrell, L., Deen, H., Champion, K., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Kay-Lambkin, F., Teesson, M., Chapman, C. (2018). A Mobile App to Provide Evidence-Based Information About Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) to the Community (Cracks in the Ice): Co-Design and Beta Testing. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(12), 1-14. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Newton, N., Slade, T., Chapman, C., Mewton, L., McBride, N., Hides, L., Chatterton, M., Allsop, S., Healy, A., et al (2018). Evaluating the Long-Term Effectiveness of School-Based Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use Prevention Into Young Adulthood: Protocol for the Climate School Combined Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 7(11), e11372. [More Information]
Chapman, C., Champion, K., Birrell, L., Deen, H., Brierley, M., Stapinski, L., Kay-Lambkin, F., Newton, N., Teesson, M. (2018). Smartphone Apps About Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice"): Systematic Search in App Stores and Assessment of Composition and Quality". JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(11), e10442. [More Information]

2017

Thornton, L., Quinn, C., Birrell, L., Guillaumier, A., Shaw, B., Forbes, E., Deady, M., Kay-Lambkin, F. (2017). Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 41(6), 625-630. [More Information]
Champion, K., Newton, N., Birrell, L., Teesson, M. (2017). Primary prevention for alcohol and other drug use for Australian adolescents. In Alison Ritter, Trevor King, Nicole Lee (Eds.), Drug Use in Australian Society. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. [More Information]
Birrell, L., Newton, N., Stapinski, L., Prior, K., Champion, K., Mackie, C., Teesson, M., Slade, T. (2017). Trajectories of emotional symptoms in adolescence: impact on alcohol use. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 10(4), 130-141. [More Information]

2016

Birrell, L., Newton, N., Teesson, M., Slade, T. (2016). Early onset mood disorders and first alcohol use in the general population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 200, 243-249. [More Information]
Mewton, L., Kessler, R., Slade, T., Hobbs, M., Brownhill, L., Birrell, L., Tonks, Z., Teesson, M., Newton, N., Chapman, C., et al (2016). The psychometric properties of the kessler psychological distress scale (K6) in a general population sample of adolescents. Psychological Assessment, 28(10), 1232-1242. [More Information]

2015

Birrell, L., Newton, N., Teesson, M., Tonks, Z., Slade, T. (2015). Anxiety disorders and first alcohol use in the general population. Findings from a nationally representative sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 31, 108-113. [More Information]

2014

Teesson, M., Newton, N., Slade, T., Chapman, C., Allsop, S., Hides, L., McBride, N., Mewton, L., Tonks, Z., Birrell, L., et al (2014). The CLIMATE schools combined study: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a universal Internet-based prevention program for youth substance misuse, depression and anxiety. BMC Psychiatry, 14(1). [More Information]

Selected Grants

2022

STEMMING THE RISING TIDE OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS: PREVENTION THROUGH SOCIAL CONNECTION, Birrell L, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Investigator Grant
A new scalable eHealth approach to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents: The OurFutures Vaping program, Newton N, Gardner L, Stockings E, Freeman B, Allsop S, Leung J, Champion K, Sunderland M, Mihalopoulos C, McRobbie H, Stapinski L, McBride N, Lee N, Thornton L, Birrell L, Debenham J, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal - administered by NHMRC)/2021 Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles

2019

Mind your Mate. An online peer intervention to prevent mental health and substance use problems in adolescence., Birrell L, Brain and Mind Centre/Brain and Mind Research Development Grant
Mind your Mate: An online peer intervention to prevent mental health and substance use problems in adolescence, Birrell L, Australian Rotary Health/Bruce Edwards Postdoctoral Fellowship
Preventing adolescent mental illness and substance use through teacher-delivered interventions targeting personality risk factorsShort title: Targeting personality risk factors to prevent adolescent mental illness, Kelly E, Newton N, Birrell L, Stapinski L, Barrett E, Teesson M, Australian Rotary Health/Mental Health of Young Australians Research Grant

2018

Cracks in the Ice Community Toolkit: Phase 3, Chapman C, Teesson M, Newton N, Kay-Lambkin F, Kershaw S, Birrell L, Champion K, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal)/Drug and Alcohol Program

2017

Healthy, wealthy and wise: The long-term effectiveness of an online universal program to prevent substance use and mental health problems among Australian youth, Teesson M, Newton N, Slade T, Chapman C, Mewton L, Hides L, McBride N, Chatterton M, Birrell L, Allsop S, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Project Grants

2016

Cracks in the ice - Development of resources to prevent methamphetamine ice related harms in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population Phase 2, Teesson M, Chapman C, Kershaw S, Snijder M, Stapinski L, Birrell L, Champion K, Ross K, Newton N, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal)/Drug and Alcohol Program

Journal Editorial Board Responsibilties:

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 2024 – present.
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2024 – present.

In the media

Expert quoted in ‘Concern over poor mental health of school students’,The Guardian Online, 25^th March 2024
Birrell, L.,Baillie, A., Kelly, E., Teesson, M. “I think my teen is depressed. How can I get them help and what are the treatment options?”, The Conversation, October 5^th 2023 (reached >8,900 people via Conversation site directly, picked up by other news outlets e.g The Parents Website, MindFood, Evening report NZ. )
Expert quoted in “‘Your needs came second’: love, resentment and being the other child”, The Guardian, June 25^th 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jun/25/your-needs-came-second-resentment-love-and-being-the-other-child

Faculty of Medicine and Health

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