PhD opportunity to evaluate screening and management of perinatal mental health in women of refugee background

We are seeking talented candidates who wish to apply for a PhD that is funded to $30,000 per annum over 3 years by Cabrini Health for full time candidature. You should ideally have a background in health broadly with an interest in refugee women’s health, mental health, health service delivery and models of care, reproductive health and provision of culturally appropriate care. Your research will be part of a large collaborative project between Monash University and Monash Health. You will work closely with team members from multiple departments of these organisations and with the Cabrini Institute.

The perinatal period is a stressful time for new parents and women are at increased risk of developing or having a recurrence of mental health illness during this time. Mental illness affects up to 20% of women in this period and affects women themselves, their partners and families with potential long term impacts on children. Women of refugee background are likely to have an even greater risk due to pre- and post-migration stressors. National guidelines recommend screening for perinatal mental health in women in pregnancy, but this needs to occur in a culturally appropriate manner to have a holistic approach, and to have clear referral and management pathways. Monash Health is one of the largest maternity service providers in Australia, and services a large refugee community. There is no screening undertaken for mental health at present .Formative work is currently being undertaken with stakeholders to ascertain the most appropriate way to implement screening for perinatal mental health, referral and management for women at risk in the refugee maternity clinic at Monash Health Dandenong. The PhD will focus on the implementation and evaluation of the program.

Information on the Monash University PhD program is available at http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/

University fees

Australian citizens and permanent residents will be exempt from tuition fees. International students will be required to provide evidence of how they will manage their university fee requirements for the duration of their candidature.

Qualifications and financial Support

Students with an Honours or Masters degree with H1 equivalence are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Email your CV, a cover letter and a copy of your academic transcripts to kim.huynh@monash.edu before November 1st 2015.