NEUROSCIENCE Research Australia (NeuRA) will expand its Deadly Brains program to the Mid North Coast after receiving a $200,000 grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
The funding will support the development of culturally safe research practices aimed at promoting brain health equity.
This project marks the first phase of a research initiative focused on understanding the brain health needs of First Nations communities.
NeuRA’s Ms Kylie Sullivan, an Arrernte woman working as a Research Assistant on the Mid North Coast, said the funding will be invested in research to improve brain health outcomes.
“[It is] crucial to help us develop culturally safe and place-based approaches that address brain health in First Nations communities,” Kylie said.
Researchers will engage with 120 community members, including Elders and health workers, through yarning sessions, to gather insights into their perspectives on brain health.
The findings will inform the development of more culturally safe methods for collecting information within First Nations communities.
In addition to the Deadly Brains program, the region will also benefit from funding to support the rollout of Aruma’s Calm Cove sensory initiative, as well as The Men’s Table (TMT) project which is aimed at addressing social isolation and mental health challenges among men in Port Macquarie.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation spokesperson Paul Juergens said these recipients are uniquely tied in their mission to improve the local community.
“It’s wonderful to see such amazing work happening on the Mid North Coast and we feel privileged to support NeuRA, Aruma and The Men’s Table in their mission to improve wellbeing across the region,” he said.
Aruma’s Calm Cove project will result in the production of five, ready-to-use “quiet retreat” kits for deployment at community events.
The retreats are intended to be welcoming and inclusive for the entire community, providing a quiet, softly lit, comfortable, and soothing environment where individuals can unwind and restore their sense of balance.
The Men’s Table takes a peer-led, placed-based approach to combatting social isolation and mental health challenges faced by men.
Their structured and supported method brings men together to share a meal, and their experiences, building social connections and providing genuine support.
This expansion project will involve TMT recruiting and training local community hosts before launching three new “tables” in Muswellbrook, Cessnock, and Port Macquarie; all areas where there are gaps in mental health services and high rates of domestic violence.
Since its establishment in 2003, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has provided $27 million in grants throughout regional NSW.
By Rikki WALLER
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