Congratulations to Head of Youth Mental Health at The Kids Research Institute Australia, Dr Yael Perry, who has received a Telstra Health 2023 Brilliant Women in Digital Health Award in recognition of her innovative use of technology to achieve positive mental health outcomes for marginalised young people.
Dr Perry is one of nine women from diverse disciplines across Australia recognised for making outstanding contributions with significant impact across the health, aged care, medical research, and technology sectors.
Dr Perry, who specialises in harnessing digital technologies to improve access to and engagement with mental health research, resources and interventions, is one of only a handful of researchers globally who develops and evaluates novel digital health tools to improve the mental health of LGBTQA+ youth.
She co-designed the first digital serious game to prevent depression in trans young people (adapted from an evidence-based game, SPARX), and recently launched Transforming Families, a digital resource hub to enhance parental understanding and support of trans children.
She also led the evaluation and implementation of Headstrong, Australia’s first evidence-based mental health literacy and stigma reduction program for students, which is now freely available online to teachers nationwide and has been downloaded more than 10,000 times.
Other projects she is working on include virtual reality social cognition therapy for young people with early psychosis, and digitally mapping formal and informal experiences of mental health support in young people.
“I’m really passionate about the role digital technology can play in enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of young people, especially those from marginalised groups,” Dr Perry said.
“An important part of this process is working closely with young people, their families and clinical and community service providers to ensure my research has practical, accessible, and acceptable outcomes that provide tangible benefits to the community.
“I'm very grateful to be recognised for my achievements in this field, and would like to use this opportunity to advocate for those people in digital health – and in all walks of life – who must work harder and speak more loudly to be seen and heard.”
Dr Perry received the award – an initiative of the Brilliant Connected Women in Health network – last week.