Dr Steph Kershaw
The Matilda Centre
Steph is a Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. Steph leads an innovative program of research and translation to reduce the impact of substance use. Her research aims to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and communities especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Steph is passionate about addressing the stigma and discrimination associated with alcohol and drug use.
epidemiology, policy, alcohol and other drugs (particularly opioids & methamphetamine), translational research, co-occuring conditions, prevention, early intervention, treatment, e-Health, stigma and discrimination
Cracks in the Ice online community toolkit (https://cracksintheice.org.au/)
Evaluation of the Family and Friends Support Program:https://ffsp.com.au/
The Illict Project:https://www.theillicitproject.com/
Member, The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol & other Drugs (APSAD)
Member, Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association Inc (ANZMH)
Member, The Mental Health Services (theMHS) network
Member, International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII)
2022 Early Career Research award for “Challenging stigma and improving health outcomes through best practice in digital translation”, The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand.
Publications
Journals
- 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]
- 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]
2024
- 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]
- 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]
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]
- Sunderland, M., Kershaw, S., Ward, C., Bryant, Z., Teesson, L., Whittle, R., Paton, E., Charnley, J., Skehan, J. (2023). Media reporting on alcohol and other drugs in Australia and the Mindframe guidelines: Baseline data. Drug and Alcohol Review. [More Information]
2021
- 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]
- 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]
2019
- Snijder, M., Kershaw, S. (2019). Review of methamphetamine use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin, 19(3).
2015
- Kershaw, S., Vedova, C., Majumder, I., Ward, M., Farquharson, A., Williamson, P., White, J. (2015). Acute opioid administration induces hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activation and is mediated by genetic variation in interleukin (Il)1B. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 138, 9-13. [More Information]
Selected Grants
2022
- FMH Showcase Travel Award 2023, Kershaw S, Faculty of Medicine and Health/FMH Showcase Travel Award 2023
2021
- Evaluation of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Family and Friends Support Program: A pilot study to assess acceptability and effectiveness in 50 families, Kershaw S, Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF)/Research Grant
In the media
Are sports stars who are caught using illegal drugs unfairly vilified? – The Conversation - 20 September 2024
To tackle gendered violence, we also need to look at drugs, trauma and mental health - The Conversation – 3 May 2024
Meth use is declining in Australia – but the public still sees it as the most worrying drug - The Conversation – 29 February 2024
Ahead of the NSW Drug Summit, here are five ways to prevent overdose deaths - Croakey Health Media – 11 September 2024