Public welcome to lectures on mental health at JCU symposium

James Cook University is opening up two keynote lectures at its mental health symposium to the public this weekend, with leading experts set to explore two important topics.

The lectures will be hosted by JCU's Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Research at the Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville.

Centre director Professor Zoltán Sarnyai said the symposium would feature keynote presentations from internationally recognised leaders in nutritional psychiatry and child development and psychiatry.

"Our first keynote speaker is Deakin University's Associate Professor Wolf Marx, who will discuss how diet, nutrients and the gut microbiome influence mental health," Professor Sarnyai said.

He said Dr Marx is one of Australia's leading voices on the growing body of evidence linking diet, gut health and depression.

"Research suggests that what we eat can alter the composition of our gut microbiome — the microbes that live in the digestive tract — which may, in turn, influence inflammation, stress responses, neurotransmitter production and ultimately, mood," Professor Sarnyai said.

The second keynote speaker is Monash University's Emeritus Professor Bruce Tonge.

"Professor Tonge is one of Australia's most distinguished child and adolescent psychiatrists.

"He’s a leading figure in developmental psychiatry, particularly in the mental health of children and adolescents with autism, intellectual disability, anxiety, depression and other neurodevelopmental conditions," Professor Sarnyai said.

He said JCU will be opening the two keynote lectures on Saturday July 25, at 1-2pm for Dr Marx and 5-6pm for Professor Tonge, to the public.

“If you have an interest, please get in touch with the Margaret Roderick Centre by emailing mrcmhr@jcu.edu.au, or follow the link to register,” said Professor Sarnyai.