2010 - General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
The Primary Care Mental Health research program has been formed in response to the growing burden of mental health
problems in the Australian community and in recognition that general practice is the setting which provides most of the
primary care for high prevalence conditions such as depression, anxiety and related disorders. Our current research
program consists of observational, prospective, interventional and cross-sectional studies informed by rigorous qualitative
and quantitative research methods.
RESEARCH TEAM
Mental Health Program Team
(Left to right)
Melanie Charity, Simon French, Aves Middleton,
Marie Pirotta, Jane Gunn, Meg Carter, Maria
Potiriadis, Kirsty Forsdike, Caroline Johnson, Hariz
Halilovich
TEAM LEADER
Professor Jane Gunn MB BS PhD DRANZCOG FRACGP leads the Mental Health research program.
Jane's research interests include depression in primary care, prenatal care, women's health, cancer
screening, study design, and analysis within the primary care setting. Jane is particularly interested in
randomised controlled trials, complex interventions, and combining quantitative and qualitative research
methods.
RESEARCH FELLOWS
Dr Hariz Halilovich BA BAppSc BSocSc PhD is a social anthropologist working as a research fellow
within the Mental Health program of the Primary Care Research Unit. Hariz's research and professional
interests have been primarily in the areas of forced displacement, human rights and mental health. Within
the Diagnosis, Management and Outcomes of Depression in Primary Care (diamond) project Hariz is
exploring narratives of depression.
Dr Victoria Palmer BA PhD is an applied ethicist and qualitative researcher. She recently completed a
funded study into the role of generalism in future primary health care and is currently completing a
beyondblue pilot intervention to increase engagement and social interaction for people with co-morbid
physical illnesses and depression and anxiety. Her research interests include the ways in which illness,
disorder and disability affect communal belonging and the formation of community.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Ms Konstancja Densley PGDipPhil&EthStud PGDipRelStud MaSocSci MaSci is a senior research
assistant currently involved in the diamond study of depression in primary care. She is responsible for
maintaining study databases, monitoring participant progress and data analysis.
Ms Melanie Charity BSc MSc is a research assistant working on the Diagnosis, Management and
Outcomes of Depression in Primary Care (diamond) longitudinal project. She is also involved with the
Ageing Care in General Practice study.
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