Community members will get a double dose of mental health at the next Science at the Local on Sunday, July 29 from 2.30pm at Springwood Sports Club.
Dr Jill Newby will be talking about the use of technology in treatment of anxiety and depression. A lecturer and clinical psychologist at UNSW’s School of Psychology, Dr Newby has wide ranging interests, including phobias, cognitive behavioural therapy, virtual reality exposure therapy and cyberchondria.
Also speaking will be Dr Yann Quide, about his work investigating the neuro and biological markers of childhood trauma. Dr Quide is an early-career postdoctoral researcher at UNSW’s School of Psychiatry and an affiliated scientist at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). He did his PhD at the University of Tours, France.
“Mental health is a big issue in our society,” said co-founder of Science at the Local Kevin Joseph. “We’re lucky to have two great speakers to talk a bit about some of the research that’s happening to address this issue.”
Other 2018 events will be on September 16 and November 11, also at Springwood Sports Club, with topics including off earth mining and carnivorous plants.
“We hoping to get another good turnout,” said fellow organiser Hamish Clarke. “Science at the Local isn’t just about scientific literacy, it’s about building a community around science, which hopefully contributes to good mental health in some way too.”
To get involved, go to www.facebook.com/ScienceAtTheLocal.
The initiative is supported by Winmalee and Springwood Neighbourhood Centres, Inspiring Australia and the NSW Government.
Admission is free.