Researcher focus: Dr Anton Isaacs
MIME recently spoke with Dr Anton Isaacs, MIME Seed Funding recipient from the School of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University. He provides us with insight into his research to support personal recovery of people with lived experience of enduring mental illness.
Learn more about Anton’s MIME Seed Funding project here.
What is your background?
I am a public health physician, trained in India.
Before coming to Australia in 2007, I was one of the few people working on developing mental health services for disadvantaged and rural communities where I designed and implemented a Community Mental Health Programme in a rural area in the state of Karnataka.
Proceeding this, I was invited by Monash University to complete a PhD focused on mental health in Indigenous communities in Gippsland. My PhD was followed by co-designing a model for early detection of mental health problems among Aboriginal men called the Koori Men's Health Day. I also supported the development of JEKKORA - an Aboriginal model of early identification, and support of persons with psychological distress and suicidal ideation in rural communities.
Currently I work as a senior lecturer within the School of Rural Health.
Can you tell us about your main area of research, and other work you have been involved with?
My research focuses on the design, implementation and evaluation of mental health and wellbeing services. I am also interested in suicide prevention services.
In addition to the MIME Seed Funded project I am currently working on, our team of mental health researchers at the School of Rural Health was recently involved in the evaluation of the Head to Health program in Gippsland, implemented by the Victorian government. Head to Health helps all Australians access the mental health and wellbeing services that are right for them. It makes it easier to navigate and choose the most suitable care options, whether that’s face-to-face, via phone, or online. One of the things central to the program is the online assessment tool, which is used by intake workers to assess people’s level of need. They are then referred to the relevant agency or mental health professional for further help.
What do you hope to achieve through your MIME seed funded project?
The MIME Seed Funded project was conceptualised a few years ago whilst undertaking another piece of research where I was interviewing people who had been living with longstanding mental illness, along with their carers. The focus of the study was to determine their needs to improve mental health services. From that study I realised patients needed to have control over their story.
As a result, we developed a proposal for an app that individuals can use to document their recovery journey. Although, this could be very useful in rural and remote areas where people may have limited access to regular face-to-face mental health support, it can be used by anyone experiencing enduring mental health challenges.
Those who have more information about their illness and have a clearer idea about what’s going on are more empowered to take corrective action. The app empowers people with longstanding mental illness and encourages them to document their journey and review it with their clinicians.
The app will provide a safe space for people experiencing mental health issues and might help clinicians and other service providers provide more person-centred care. It will provide an additional layer of support for those who are not able to readily access professional services.
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
I’m just happy I have a job in an area that I am passionate about.
Why are you so passionate about mental health research?
I am embedded in this area of mental health services to help change the way we currently help people with mental health problems. Those of us working in this space know that the system is currently broken and things need to change. We are trying to understand HOW to change it.
What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
The most rewarding part is seeing large groups of people benefiting. When I initially set up the mental health programme in India, countless people had issues with mental health and either could not, due to circumstances, or did not, due to perceived stigma, want to access services. However, once people understood and experienced the impact mental health support had on their lives, our clinic was overrun. It is great to see that the stigma of mental health illness is slowly by steadily decreasing in the general population. However, we still have a long way to go with alleviating stigma in marginalised communities.
What advice would you give to students interested in your field of study?
The prevalence of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety has been steadily rising over the years. I estimate that a time will come when the largest proportion of health professionals will be working in mental health. There are so many opportunities in the mental health field as there is such a great unmet need. I encourage anyone who wants to be involved to do so, as we need as many people focused on mental health across all health professions if we are to tackle one of our largest public health problems.
Your future research plans?
Looking to the future, I have an interest in working and assisting marginalised populations. I believe, once we help people who are marginalised, the rest will take care of itself.
For more on Dr Anton Isaacs read his Monash Lens piece HERE.