A new mental health program for young people affected by natural disasters in regional and remote communities is among four Curtin research projects funded through Healthway’s 2024 Open Research Round.

The Crisis to Calm program, led by Associate Professor Elizabeth Newnham from the Curtin School of Population Health, received $578,761 to empower young people aged 12 to 18 years with the tools they need to navigate the emotional challenges that come with disasters.

The program was co-designed with young people who have experienced natural disasters to ensure the program is relevant, relatable and grounded in real experiences.

Another project, led by Associate Professor Ben Milbourn from the Curtin School of Allied Health, was awarded $398,555 to support Generation Z’s mental health via a digital literacy and peer support program.

Professor Jonine Jancey, from the Curtin School of Population Health, will lead a project that received $99,991 to assess the public health impact of the digital marketing of e-cigarettes.

And Associate Professor Patrick Clarke, also from the Curtin School of Population Health, was funded $98,817 to examine the social media patterns of LGBTQA+ young adults.

To find out more about the latest Healthway grants, you can read the State Government’s media release here.

Congratulations to these Curtin researchers whose work addresses critical gaps in health promotion and will help shape future policy!