Celebrating Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM’s Decades-Long Achievements in Mental Health Research and Treatment

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM has worked in psychiatry for over 30 years, working tirelessly to improve the quality of care for women with mental illnesses by developing specific treatments that are tailored to suit women’s needs biologically, socially, and psychologically.

We are excited to announce that Professor Kulkarni, HER Centre Australia’s trailblazing Director, has been honoured with not just one, but two prestigious awards in the field of clinical psychiatry and mental health research. Her remarkable contributions to the field have earned her the renowned 2024 RANZCP Senior Research Award and the Ian Simpson Award – two of the highest accolades in psychiatry.

“I am humbled by these awards which only serve to further inspire me to keep fighting and working every day to advocate for all women with mental illness, and to uncover new and more effective ways to treat these debilitating illnesses.” (Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM)

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Psychiatry

Professor Kulkarni's receipt of the Ian Simpson Award is a landmark moment, as she becomes only the second woman to receive this esteemed recognition. This achievement serves as a powerful reminder of the need for improved support and access for more women to embark on careers in science, medicine, and health. Through her dedication and ground-breaking work, Professor Kulkarni is paving the way for future generations of women in the field of psychiatry.

Championing Women's Mental Health

Throughout the past three decades and counting, Jayashri has waged a relentless battle against the alarming statistics surrounding women's mental health – shockingly, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and four times as likely to experience anxiety. Her pioneering research, advocacy, and personalised treatment approaches have been instrumental in catalysing transformative progress and challenging conventional diagnoses like 'Borderline Personality Disorder’.

Timeline of Milestones:

1989: Jayashri became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and was awarded a PhD from Monash University in 1997 for her thesis “Women and Psychosis”.

1994: Jayashri takes up the role of Associate Professor and Director of Psychiatry and establishes a clinical psychiatry research centre. Along with other important areas within Psychiatry, the Dandenong Psychiatry research centre focuses on women’s mental health.

1996: Jayashri establishes the Monash University Research Group for Women’s Mental Health.

2002: Jayashri is appointed as a conjoint Alfred Hospital and Monash University Professor of Psychiatry, relocating her research team from Dandenong and expanding the research and academic activities. The Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) is established and over the coming years it flourishes and expands.

2008: Jayashri successfully hosts the 3^rd International Congress on Women’s Mental Health at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in Melbourne.

2010: Jayashri, with colleague Brian Lithgow, wins the ABC New Inventors Grand Final for a biomarker device to diagnose mental illness. https://www.maprc.org.au/news/new-inventors-grand-final-winners

2011: Jayashri is inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll.

2012: Jayashri receives a Melbourne Award for Contribution to Community by an Individual.

2012: Jayashri launches the first Women's Mental Health Specialist Clinic dedicated to improving outcomes for women with mental illness at MAPrc.

2013: Jayashri is awarded the Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research (ASP) Founders Medal.

2015: Jayashri founded the Australian Consortium for Women’s Mental Health, joining together experts and organisations who are leading the way in advocating for women's mental health in Australia.

2019: Jayashri receives an Order of Australia AM.

2021: Jayashri designs and helps open the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, Australia’s first private, 30-bed women’s mental health hospital. https://www.cabrini.com.au/locations/cabrini-wmh/

2022: Jayashri establishes HER Centre Australia - a Monash University Centre that is dedicated to Health, Education and Research in women’s mental health.

2023: Jayashri Launches Li-THRED – the Transformative Hub for Research in Eating Disorders https://www.monash.edu/medicine/her-centre/research/thred-transformative-hub-for-research-into-eating-disorders

Today: To date, Jayashri has 289 publications, 25 book chapters and 56 other publications.

2010 Winner of the New Inventors Grand Final with Prof Brian Lithgow

She remains passionate and energised to put women’s mental health on the agenda for politicians, health care providers and people with lived experience of mental illness.

Commitment to Excellence

Drawing inspiration from Jayashri’s pioneering spirit, HER Centre Australia is committed to promoting excellence in mental health research and treatment under Jayashri’s leadership. Her vision has been pivotal in shaping our mission and driving innovation in the field, transforming thousands of individual lives, and driving significant advancements in policy, treatment modalities, and awareness of women’s mental health.

"Over my 15 years working at the centre I have been trained and nurtured in my learnings of clinical trials methodologies, data and management. I'm excited where clinical trials of new treatments for mental illness can lead- Thank you Jayashri for developing new treatments for people who really need them" - Clinical Trials Manager, Emmy Gavrilidis

Your Instrumental Support

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the supporters, philanthropists, partners, and colleagues who have contributed to Jayashri’s journey and the success of HER Centre Australia. Your support and commitment have enabled our collective mission of promoting women’s mental health and making a real difference

“The philanthropic partnerships and support received from so many people who have been moved and inspired by Jayashri’s ground-breaking message and her mission to change the way women with mental illness are treated, has been instrumental in her achievements to date.” – Anthony de Castella, HER Centre Manager

A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

Jayashri’s accolades are not just a recognition of past achievements but a testament to her unwavering dedication to advancing mental health for all. As we celebrate her accomplishments, we look forward to the continued impact of her pioneering spirit and her commitment to improving the lives of women affected by mental illness – in her words, ‘I’m not going anywhere soon!’

Together, let’s continue to champion diversity, excellence, and innovation in the field of psychiatry and mental health care.

“Jayashri's advocacy and research in women's mental health has included new treatments for schizophrenia, complex trauma disorders and perimenopausal depression. Her work has advanced knowledge and understanding about the potential impacts of oral contraceptives on mood as well as antipsychotic medication use during pregnancy. A huge congratulations to Jayashri for these awards that are so well deserved.” – A/Prof Caroline Gurvich, Deputy Director

To catch up on Jayashri’s work through the years, please check out some of the resources and links below:

Link to Monash Lens Articles Featuring Professor Kulkarni AM

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/transformingperceptions/episodes/In-Conversation-with-Professor-Jayashri-Kulkarni---The-importance-of-RU-Okay-Day-in-a-Covid-19-Context-and-Strategies-to-Support-Mental-Well-being-e17b9o1/a-a6h6b61

https://youtu.be/zhu36jcSQ3E?feature=shared (at 34:56 sec)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IBUQDI91VqgIu4x36a4nV?si=E3-S_7d7SaW9a-Ef2PFoMA

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/mental-illness-and-the-role-of-estradiol-with-psychiatrist-professor-jayashri-kulkarni/

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IBUQDI91VqgIu4x36a4nV?si=tP-euw9wTYqPgpeSFVnJiQ

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Monash University: E: media@monash.edu

Alfred Health: E: C.Nassau@alfred.org.au