College of Healthcare Sciences Research AusAsian Mental Health Research Group

Apply now

AusAsian Mental Health Research Group

Cross-Cultural Mindfulness & Mental Health Lab

Australia is increasingly looking to Asia strategically, politically and culturally as well as economically. As Australia seeks to strengthen its ties in the Asia region and be an effective contributor to the wellbeing of the region as a whole, the discipline of psychology takes a timely initiative to establish the AusAsian Mental Health Research Group (AMHRG), aiming to promote high quality research concerning mental health in Australia and Asian countries.

AMHRG is JCU’s research hub of mental health, playing a significant role in fostering translation, innovation and research capacity in the field of mental health. Built upon our current collaboration with researchers in China, Singapore and India, AMHRG partners with researchers, government, health sectors and peak bodies in Australia and Asia to improve mental health services and outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region.

Mindfulness has been long investigated both as a psychological construct and as a form of clinical intervention for the maintenance of psychological wellbeing and mental health. The Cross-Cultural Mindfulness & Mental Health Lab (CCMMH Lab) actively promotes mindfulness and mental health research and mindfulness interventions across cultures, with a specific focus on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention program.

AMHRG Responses to COVID-19

Associate Professor Wendy Li (Convenor of AMHRG): Psychology, JCU, Australia

Professor Brett McDermott: Psychiatry, JCU, Australia

Associate Professor Kerry McBain: Psychology, JCU, Australia

Professor Caryn West: Nursing, JCU, Australia

Professor Guojun Xie: Psychiatry, Foshan Psychiatric Hospital, China

Professor Binghong Wang: Psychiatrist, Taiyuan Psychiatric Hospital, China

Professor Yunzheng Xie: Psychology, Shanxi Medical University, China

Professor Xiaoyan Liang: Psychology, Shanxi University, China

Professor Xuewei Huang: Clinical psychology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, China

Dr Gang Feng: Clinical Psychologist, Taiyuan Psychiatric Hospital, China

Hongyu Li: Psychology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, China

Dr Jasleen Chhabra: Psychology, JCU, China

Professor Narayanan Annalakshmi: Psychology, Bharathiar University, India

Professor Ilango Ponnuswami: Mental health (social work), Bharathidasan University, India

AMHRG Responses to COVID -19

Art in Mental Health

Psychological Self Aid (PSA) for Chinese University Students

Cross-Cultural Comparison on Palliative Care Knowledge in Community and University Samples in the Tropics: Towards a Public Health Approach to Palliative Care

Serving the Underserved in the Tropics: Making a Difference with Positive Psychology

High-Level Overseas Talents and Project Fair

AMHRG is committed to empowering tomorrow’s researchers. Through JCU’s research education, we support our HDRs (Higher Degree by Research) to stand at the frontiers of knowledge in the field of psychological wellbeing and mental health.

>> Our HDRs

The Cross-Cultural Mindfulness & Mental Health Lab (CCMMH Lab) actively promotes mindfulness and mental health research and mindfulness interventions across cultures, with a specific focus on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention program. We aim to increase access to mindfulness tools to enhance wellbeing for individuals and the community.

>> Our Lab

The inaugural meeting on 11 June 2021 opens Li’s Reading Group (LRG). LRG is comprised of a group of academics and HDRs who meet once a month to read and discuss scientific articles with a focus on research paradigm and theories. Meeting time: the first Friday of the month from 5-6pm (AEST) / 3-4pm Singapore time. Venue: Zoom.

>> Our Reading Group