Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – nurture the seed and it will bloom
Whau Foundation helps to address gaps in knowledge and service delivery by funding innovative research. Our work focuses on evidence-based practices and developing effective interventions.
We’ve funded over 180 research projects across Aotearoa, driving advancements in understanding and addressing mental health challenges faced by New Zealanders.
We prioritise finding out what actually works in mental health care, ensuring that our initiatives are grounded in research and real-world outcomes.
Here you can explore research projects supported by Whau Mental Health Research Foundation across our 57 years of operating:
Featured Success Stories
2023
The Gauging Risk and Resilience in Teenagers (GRIT) Study
Researcher(s)
Dr Samantha Lee
2021
Text based support following a suicide attempt
Researcher(s)
Dr Lillian Ng
2020
Understanding the relationship between alcohol and suicide in New Zealand
Researcher(s)
Dr Rose Crossin
2017
Queer and Transgender Experiences of Accessing Mental Health Support
Researcher(s)
Gloria Fraser
2016
Help now for self-harm: development of an app for young people.
Researcher(s)
Dr Karolina Stasiak
2015
Autism Spectrum Disorder and psychiatric conditions: what’s the genetic overlap in our New Zealand Youth
Researcher(s)
Dr Jessie Jacobsen
2010
Effect of methamphetamine (“P”) addiction neural structure and function, and the potential methylphenidate in treatment.
Researcher(s)
Dr Bruce Russell
2009
Māori Adaption of a brief intervention for common mental health syndromes in primary care
Researcher(s)
Ms Fiona Mathieson
1996
Studying the patterns of brain proteins in parts of the normal human brain compared with the proteins expressed in equivalent brain regions of patients with schizophrenia.
Researcher(s)
Dr Cooper, Dr Kydd and Dr Faull
Other Success Stories
2012
Evaluating an Intimacy-Focused Treatment for Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviour
Researcher(s)
Karen Faisandier
2012
Mutational mechanisms and diagnostics in complex neurodevelopmental disorders
Researcher(s)
Professor Russell Snell
2012
Elucidation of the molecular nature of the vasculopathy of Alzheimer’s Disease
Researcher(s)
Professor Garth J.S. Cooper
2012
Prediction of response to drug treatment in Schizophrenia, a bioinformatics approach
Researcher(s)
Dr. Bruce Russell
2012
Contrasting a brief mindfulness intervention with standard relaxation therapy
Researcher(s)
Ms Lisa M Reynolds
2011
Does withdrawal from methamphetamine addiction induce greater deficits than continued methamphetamine use
Researcher(s)
Dr Bruce Russell
2011
The impact of post graduate training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) on therapist competence and patient outcome
Researcher(s)
Fiona Mathieson
2011
Understanding response to Metacognitive therapy for depression – a qualitative analysis
Researcher(s)
Dr Jennifer Jordan
2011
Can genes interact with omega-3 fatty acids to improve brain performance?
Researcher(s)
Associate Professor Welma Stonehouse
2011
Internet-based treatment (BRAVE) for children and adolescents with anxiety following the Christchurch earthquakes
Researcher(s)
Dr. Karolina Stasiak
2010
Mindfulness based stress reduction to improve mental health of patients who have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researcher(s)
Francesca Fogarty
2010
Targeting Dementia
Researcher(s)
Professor Garth Cooper
2010
LILACS NZ: Biomarkers associated with dementia and depression in advanced age:
Researcher(s)
Professor Ngaire Kerse
2009
Re-empowering healing alternative to psychiatric drugs in the treatment of psychotic disorders.
Researcher(s)
Cathy Stinear and Dr Simon Hatcher
2009
Biomarker identification for individualised SSRI prescription
Researcher(s)
Cathy Stinear
2009
A critical discourse analysis of crisis intervention, resilience and mental health nursing in New Zealand
Researcher(s)
Stacy Wilson
2009
Randomised trial of gratitude diaries for depressed patients using office based internet software
Researcher(s)
Professor Bruce Arroll
2009
First Episode Research New Zealand (FERNZ) Outcome Project
Researcher(s)
Roger Mulder
2009
Queer and Transgender Experiences
Researcher(s)
Ms Fiona Mathieson
2008
Virtual mental health clinic
Researcher(s)
Dr Simon Hatcher
2008
Investigating the link between second generation anti-psychotic drugs (SGAs) and Type-2 diabetes
Researcher(s)
Dr Peter Shepherd, Mr Greg Smith and Dr Claire Chaussade
2007
Computerised delivery of a cognitive behavioural and psycho-educational interventions in the treatment of depression in young people
Researcher(s)
Dr Karolina Stasiak
2007
Evaluating the use of “Overcoming Depression”, a computer-based cognitive behavioural self-help programme as an adjunct treatment for depression
Researcher(s)
Dr Merrick and Dr Aroll
2007
Investigating the prevalence of risk factors for CVD and metabolic syndrome in acute inpatient mental health population in Auckland
Researcher(s)
Ms Zolezzi
2007
History of the Mason Clinic and Forensic Services in the Auckland region
Researcher(s)
Ms Kate Prebble
2006
Funding to continue a pilot project to completion.
Researcher(s)
Dr J.J. Wright and Dr R.R. Kydd
2006
The costs of intentional self-harm
Researcher(s)
Dr S. Hatcher
2006
Researching how trainee psychiatrists experience the complex training process involved in psychodynamic psychotherapy
Researcher(s)
Dr Z. Cohen
2006
Researching the regular use of legal party pills to discover the effect they have on cognitive and mood deficits
Researcher(s)
Dr Bruce Russell
2005
Documenting the narratives of people found not guilty of homicide by reason of insanity
Researcher(s)
Susan Murray
