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
2005
Validation of the case-finding and Help Assessment Tool
Researcher(s)
Dr F. Goodyear-Smith
2005
Examining the quality of father-son and mother-son relationships of preschool boys with early onset hyperactivity
Researcher(s)
Louise Keown
2004
Researching the “History of Mental Health Nursing in New Zealand”
Researcher(s)
Ms Kate Prebble
2004
Pilot study for the validation of the multi-item life-style screening tool
Researcher(s)
Dr F. Goodyear-Smith
2004
Validation of screening questions for depression
Researcher(s)
Dr. Bruce Arroll
2004
Computerised delivery of a strength-based, consumer driven cognitive behavioural intervention for the treatment of depression and anxiety in young people
Researcher(s)
Ms K Stasiak
2004
The multiple role relationships experienced when doctors are in the role of a patient of a psychiatrist
Researcher(s)
Dr J. Stanton
2003
Attitudes, confidence and behaviour in the management of mental health disorders in primary care
Researcher(s)
Ms Natalie Khin
2003
A novel approach to depression prevention in adolescents
Researcher(s)
Dr Anthon Rodgers
2003
Improving the outcomes for people with intellectual disability
Researcher(s)
Disability Law
2002
Mood stabilisers in the treatment of patients admitted to the two psychiatric units of Waitemata District Health Board
Researcher(s)
Dr Allen Fraser
2002
The effectiveness of “Assertive Community Treatment in South Auckland”
Researcher(s)
Dr Melanie Abas
2002
Problem gambling and alcohol in the attempted suicide of patients who present to the North Shore Hospital
Researcher(s)
Dr S. Hatcher
2002
How care is constructed for suicidal people in acute mental health inpatient units
Researcher(s)
T.L. Farrow
2001
Evaluating the effectiveness of the St Lukes First Episode of Psychosis team in treating symptoms of psychosis
Researcher(s)
Megan Garner
2000
Community care after in-patient treatment
Researcher(s)
Dr M. Abas and Dr R. R. Kydd
2000
Evaluation of a screening questionnaire for depression in General Practice settings
Researcher(s)
Associate Professor Bruce Arroll
2000
Pre-Trial Incompetency
Researcher(s)
Professor W.J. Brookbanks
1999
The study of the human brain in Alzheimer’s Diseases
Researcher(s)
Dr Cooper & Dr Kydd
1999
GP as Gatekeper to Mental Health Services
Researcher(s)
Pauline Griffiths
1999
Identifying the Barriers to Inquiry and Action
Researcher(s)
Megan Young
1999
Informal Carers of People with Schizophrenia
Researcher(s)
Dr Sunny Collings
1999
Field Testing of Advanced EEG Monitoring Techniques
Researcher(s)
Dr J.J. Wright
1998
Assessing the factors affecting refugee’s mental health as an aid to health screening and service planning.
Researcher(s)
Dr Nick Argyle
1998
The study of brain proteins in patients with schizophrenia.
Researcher(s)
Dr Garth Cooper
1998
Establishing the validity and reliability of their “Need for Accommodation Support Scale
Researcher(s)
Dr David Codyre
1998
Investigating first episode psychosis in adolescence
Researcher(s)
Dr S. Merry
1998
In-patient Forensic Unit rehabilitation interventions
Researcher(s)
Frank Tracey
1997
Extent of sexual attraction and behaviour towards children by adults in our society
Researcher(s)
Dr Goodyear-Smith
1997
Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group
Researcher(s)
Dr Oakley-Browne
