The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit facility for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.[1][2] It was founded in 2002 by the UNSW School of Psychiatry Scientia Professor Gordon Parker[3][4] and is based in Sydney, Australia.[5]
 | |
| Established | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Research type | Medical research, health education |
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Affiliations | Prince of Wales Hospital, UNSW |
| Website | https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au |
Research
editThe Black Dog Institute undertakes research into the prevention, early intervention and treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anxiety.[6][7] They partner with the Australian Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (CRESP) concerned with lowering suicide rates in Australia. According to CRESP, suicide is the most common cause of death in Australians aged 15–44 years – more common than deaths from motor vehicle accidents or skin cancer and the tenth most common cause of death overall for Australian males.[8] The problem is worse in rural and regional areas, according to a 2012 study by Griffith University.[9]
The Black Dog Institute launched “Men’s Health Study” in 2014, with the aim of identifying ways to prevent male suicides and developing mental health tools designed specifically for men.[10] Based on this research, the Black Dog Institute launched an online program, Man Central, that helps men identify early signs of depression and provides tips on how to cope.[11]
In 2018, Black Dog Institute became part of a cooperative partnership of four clinical, educational and research allies, including Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and UNSW Sydney to create Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, which became the largest brain-related collaboration between researchers and clinicians in the Southern Hemisphere.[12]
Researchers affiliated with the Black Dog Institute have contributed to public health communication on mental health topics. In 2026, Emily Upton (PhD Candidate, UNSW Sydney/Black Dog Institute) and Kayla Steele (Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, UNSW Sydney) authored an article published by The Conversation distinguishing anxiety disorders from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which was subsequently republished by The Independent.[13] The article recommended support services including Beyond Blue, Headspace, and ReachOut for young people seeking mental health resources.
Services
editThe Black Dog Institute runs three clinics available to Australian residents: Depression and Bipolar Clinic, Psychology Clinic, Child and Adolescent Clinic, Rural and Telepsychiatry Clinic. Additionally, the facility offers seminars and workshops on mood disorders, well-being and related topics. The Black Dog Institute has developed a range of online tools including: myCompass and self-tests for depression, bipolar disorder, personality and workplace well-being.
References
edit- ↑ http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/aboutus/overview.cfm Black Dog Institute About Us page
- ↑ Mental health in the workplace: strategies and tools to optimize outcomes. Riba, Michelle B., Parikh, Sagar V., Greden, John F. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. 2019. p. 58. ISBN 9783030042660. OCLC 1085566664.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ Aubusson, Kate (28 May 2019). "Overburdened psychiatrists abandon 'broken' public system". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ↑ "Burnout symptoms identified as exhaustion, cynicism and negativity". The New Daily. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ↑ Parker, Gordon (2012). A piece of my mind: a psychiatrist on the couch. South Melbourne: Macmillan Australia. ISBN 9781743345344. OCLC 870462040.
- ↑ Australia, Black Dog Institute. "Research areas". www.blackdoginstitute.org.au. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "Black Dog Institute - Research". www.health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "About Us CRESP". The Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "Suicide the second biggest killer of those 15 to 29: report". The Daily Examiner. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ↑ "'Men actually do want help' to discuss suicidal thoughts, Black Dog Institute finds". ABC News. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "Black Dog Institute launch online program". Sky news. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- ↑ "Brain disorders cost Australians $74 billion per annum". hospitalhealth.com.au. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ↑ Upton, Emily; Steele, Kayla (13 April 2026). "Is it anxiety or OCD? 2 psychology experts explain the difference". The Conversation. Retrieved 6 May 2026.