Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research

ABOUT QCMHR

The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) is a Queensland Health funded research unit based at The Park Centre for Mental Health Treatment, Research and Education, in the West Moreton Health District, Brisbane, Australia. We are affiliated with the University of Queensland and Griffith University in Brisbane, and have been a Stanley International Research Centre since 1997.

Mission

QCMHR supports the mission and values of Queensland Health, and serves the public through research which helps Queenslanders to better health and well being.

We seek to reduce the burden of illness for people with serious mental illness
We maintain within the State of Queensland a Centre for research into serious mental illness that is recognised nationally and internationally
We collaborate with Universities, health providers and community members in joint research activities
We encourage researchers from many different disciplines to work together

Our values

In support of Queensland Health’s mission, QCMHR is committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders through research which seeks to reduce the burden of disease associated with serious mental illness. We recognize that the people of Queensland trust us to act in their interest at all times. To fulfil our mission and sustain this trust we share in Queensland Health’s four core values.

Performance and accountability

We accept accountability for our performance, our actions and our learning.

Professionalism

We are professional in what we do and treat all people with dignity and respect and we look for opportunities for improvement.

Quality and Recognition

We strive to excel in everything we do and are proud of our achievements.

Teamwork

We work together in an open, honest and supportive way to achieve collective goals.

MILESTONES

1987	A 24 bed Clinical Studies Unit established by Dr. Harvey Whiteford at Wolston Park Hospital to undertake research into the causes of, and to develop better treatments for, those with severe mental illness
1988	Establishment of a psychopharmacology laboratory at Princess Alexandra Hospital
1990	Appointment of Dr. John McGrath as Director, Clinical Studies Unit
1992	Appointment of Dr. Bryan Mowry and establishment of genetics research program.
1992	Establishment of genetics laboratory at Queensland Institute for Medical Research. First NHMRC grant in genetics.
1992	Establishment of Laboratory at Griffith University with Dr. Paul Bates Professor Alan Mackay-Sim
1993	Establishment of Epidemiology research group . Showed links between influenza epidemics and season of birth and schizophrenia based on Queensland health department registers.
1995	Appointment of Dr. Francois Feron to establish the Developmental Neurobiology research at Griffith laboratory. Undertake world’s first nasal biopsy in individuals with schizophrenia
1996	Inpatient Clinical Studies Unit (CSU) closes down. Restructure results in CSU becoming the Queensland Centre for Schizophrenia Research (QCSR). Laboratories move from Princess Alexandra Hospital to the University of Queensland Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
1997	QCSR participates in the first major Australian study on the prevalence of psychosis (Commonwealth funding).
1998	John McGrath proposes the Vitamin D hypothesis
1999	QCSR were awarded the first Stanley Medical Research Institute Centre grant in the Southern Hemisphere, joining elite ranks with 20 other international groups
2000	Dr Harvey Whiteford returns to Australia from the World Bank to take up the Kratzmann Chair in Psychiatry at The University of Queensland and to establish a Mental Health Policy and Economics research group within QCSR
2001	We move to our new premises at Dawson House – a beautiful 1940’s building, (once an old ward) remodelled as part of the construction of a new long-term psychiatric facility on the grounds of Wolston Park. The new facility opens and we become a Unit of the newly constructed Park Centre for Mental Health Treatment, Research and Education
2002	Dr. Francois Feron along with Professor Alan Mackay Sim at Griffith University grow ensheathing cells in vitro from cells harvested from the nasal epithelium. We become world news when they apply this knowledge to spinal cord regeneration and it is announced that clinical trials will commence at Princess Alexandra Hospital
2002	Associate Professor Darrel Doessel joins the Centre from the School of Economics at The University of Queensland to help establish our mental health economics research program.
2002	John McGrath is awarded the Premier’s Medical Research Award – Inaugural Senior Postdoctoral Award.
2003	John McGrath is awarded a Queensland – Smithsonian Institution Fellowship to facilitate Queensland-US research.
2003	John McGrath is awarded a Centenary Medal - “For distinguished contribution to mental health research and support”
2003	Professor Philip Burgess joins us from the Victorian Mental Health Research Institute with an appointment as Professor of Mental Health Services Research at The University of Queensland.