MHM Magazine

4 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2024 | Issue 6 MHM We’re delighted to see that Prof. Mike Berk is one of four Australians to be awarded the 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize. Before locating to Australia to accept the position of Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at Deakin University in Melbourne, Mike Berk as Professor of Psychiatry at Wits was the inspiration and motivating force in the founding of SADAG, 30 years ago. Thanks to Mike Berk who recognised the absolute need for Mental Health support, SADAG started to provide it. In those early days he was our guiding light and put SADAG on the path to becoming Africa’s largest Mental Health NGO The Australian Mental Health Prize, established in 2016 by the University of New South Wales is an important initiative that recognises Australians who have made outstanding contributions to promoting mental health or preventing and treating mental illness. It aims to generate public awareness that will ultimately lead to improvements in treatment, services and individual outcomes. As the director of Deakin University’s Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Professor Berk’s team’s work focuses on bridging the gap between research and clinical practice to provide real-world solutions for those suffering frommental health conditions. “The key to advancing mental health care lies in bridging the gap between innovative preclinical research and practical applications.” Professor Berk has led pioneering studies that have revolutionised the way we treat mental health care disorders. One of his team’s most innovative contributions is using stem cell technology to discover new ways current drugs can be repurposed for different disorders. By developing a platform with patient-derived stem cells, Michael’s stem cell team, led by Professor Ken Walder, can identify existing medications to treat psychiatric disorders, speeding up the development of new treatments. This research is paving the way for new approaches to conditions like schizophrenia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Specifically, Berk’s team has identified a medication that improves mitochondrial function, initially aimed at bipolar disorder, and now being explored for chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition with no approved medications. “Our stem cell platform allows us to quickly test and repurpose existing drugs, potentially offering new hope for conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and chronic fatigue syndrome, where treatment options are limited.” Professor Berk says. As a leader in the field, Berk heads major research initiatives, including the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for the Development of Innovative Therapies for Psychiatric Disorders (CREDIT) and the Mental Health Adult General Trial Network (MAGNET), Australia’s first mental health clinical trials network. These platforms facilitate collaboration among researchers and clinicians, ensuring that scientific discoveries are effectively translated into therapies that benefit patients. Four Australians have been recognised, including a researcher who’s created an equine therapy programme for Aboriginal youth and an academic who’s reshaped the treatment of psychiatric disorders globally. The winners of the 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize, have been unveiled at UNSW Sydney, celebrating individuals who have made significant strides in mental health research, advocacy and support. Presented by the Hon. Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the Hon. Rose Jackson MLC Minister for Mental Health, the winners in each category are: • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander - Professor Juli Coffin • Lived Experience - Dr. Louise Byrne • Professional - Professor Michael Berk • Community Hero - Dr. Marilyn June Anderson Professor Allan Fels, past winner and co-chair of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group said: “The dedication of this year’s winners highlights the power of personal experience, cultural security, and scientific innovation in mental health. Their work offers hope and tangible support to countless Australians. We are honoured to celebrate their achievements, inspiring us to prioritise mental wellbeing for everyone.” UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, said: “These winners embody the spirit of innovation and commitment in mental health advocacy, research, and support. I congratulate them on driving meaningful change and inspiring a more inclusive and compassionate approach to mental wellbeing.” “The key to advancing mental health care lies in bridging the gap between innovative research and practical applications,” Berk said. “Our stem cell platform allows us to quickly test and repurpose existing drugs, potentially offering new hope for conditions like bipolar disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, where treatment options are limited,” concluded Berk. Professor Michael Berk Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at Deakin University, Melbourne PROFESSOR MICHAEL BERK ANNOUNCED AS ONE OF THE 2024 AUSTRALIAN MENTAL HEALTH PRIZE RECIPIENTS