HRC wins for Business School
Congratulations to AUT Business School’s Dr Alex Plum (NZ Policy Research Institute) and Dr Anca Yallop (Marketing and International Business), who have been awarded significant grants from the Health Research Council (HRC).
Mental health service uptake by Aotearoa’s Rainbow+ Youth Alex has received a $1.2 million Health Research Council grant to understand how Aotearoa's Rainbow+ youth are using mental health services. One feature of the three-year project is to use the 2023 Census in combination with Ministry of Health data to identify how mental health services and policies can better meet their needs. The term "Rainbow+" (also known as LGBTTQIA+ or MVPFAFF+) encompasses sexual diversity (e.g. homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, pansexuality), gender diversity (e.g. transgender, non-binary), and diverse sex characteristics (e.g., intersex). Young people aged 16 to 24 who identify as Rainbow+ often face greater challenges to their mental health than their non-Rainbow+ peers, including a higher burden of depressive symptoms, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Many also experience barriers when trying to access mental health services. This research will identify specific ways in which mental health services and policy can be better targeted to the needs of Rainbow+ youth. Increased access to and use of services by Rainbow+ communities may lead to improved health outcomes and reductions in direct healthcare costs.
The ethics of AI-driven technologies in youth mental healthcare Anca has been awarded a $395,002 grant from the Health Research Council as part of the AI in Healthcare funding initiative. Anca will lead an interdisciplinary team of researchers from AUT, Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, and the University of Auckland. This research aims to establish practical guidelines for the safe and equitable use of artificial intelligence (AI) in youth mental healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand. As mental health challenges continue to rise, young people are increasingly seeking technology-integrated healthcare services. While AI presents opportunities to enhance care, its use must avoid reinforcing biases or exacerbating existing inequities. The 18-month-long project will engage young people, mental health professionals, Māori communities, technology experts, and government agencies through interviews, focus groups, and workshops to co-design culturally appropriate and inclusive guidelines for the safe, fair, and culturally responsive implementation of AI in youth mental healthcare. The findings will inform policy and support the ethical integration of AI, enabling personalised, accessible, and effective care – particularly for populations with greater health needs – while also generating economic benefits through the responsible and efficient deployment of AI to optimise mental health service delivery.