Profiles
Laura Grattidge

Laura Grattidge
Project Manager/PhD Candidate (Medical Sciences)
Room E011 , E Block
Laura started as Project Manager Centre for Rural Health (CRH) in July 2018 working with a team from UTas evaluating the Tasmanian arm of the National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT). This local-level evaluation is being conducted alongside a national evaluation by the University of Melbourne. It adopts a participatory action research (PAR) approach to determine what strategies are effective for suicide prevention (SP) at a local-level and for at-risk populations, driving the planning of future SP activities.
In addition, Laura is also managing evaluations of the Community Responses to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) and the ‘Providing an Inclusive Practice and Community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ) People’ Training Program. The CORES training program is a well-established suicide prevention (SP) program based in Tasmania, aiming to equip participants with the ability to recognise warning signs of suicide, intervene before a potential crisis occurs, and support at-risk persons with accessing appropriate services. The evaluation seeks to determine the extent to which the training reflects 'best practice' in enhancing community awareness, capacity, and ownership of SP, within a Tasmanian context.
The LGBTIQ training program provides service providers and interested professionals, who would like to deepen their understanding and confidence in working with LGBTIQ people, with some general knowledge and ‘tools for their toolbox.’ The evaluation will identify the extent to which this training provides participants with skills-based knowledge to assist individuals and organisations to offer an inclusive and welcoming service for LGBTI people. Findings from these evaluations will assist with ensuring the sustainability of the programs, in addition to future planning initiatives in the areas of suicide prevention and working with LGBTIQ people.
Laura has also worked with the CRH since April 2017 in Research Assistant roles on several studies. These include the Social Attention and Communication Study – Revised (SACS-R), which looks at the developmental surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tasmania, in addition to studies exploring the experiences and mental health of former Refugees who have resettled in Launceston and surrounding areas.
In January 2020 Laura was awarded a PhD scholarship co-funded by Australian Rotary Health, the Rotary Club of Deloraine, and the Centre for Rural Health. Through this PhD Laura is exploring youth suicide prevention in regional and rural Tasmania, from the perspectives of service providers, policy organisations, and community organisations and members, including those with a lived experience of suicide. This research will include a Delphi expert consensus study to determine what the research priorities are for youth suicide prevention in Tasmania, and mixed methodology research exploring these priorities in detail. The aim of this study will be to build on findings from the NSPT at a state and national level, to determine best practice strategies to inform policy and program planning for youth suicide prevention in Tasmania.
Biography
Laura has worked in several project and research related roles in state and federal government organisations across Australia, including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the WA Department of Health, the NSW Ministry of Health and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Laura has interests in public health and mental health-related research addressing complex issues, including suicide and childhood trauma and development. Laura wants to influence positive policy and social change for Australia’s most vulnerable people, including people living in regional and rural areas, former refugees, youth, children and people affected by mental illness and suicide.
Career summary
Qualifications
Degree | University | Country | Date of Award |
---|---|---|---|
PhD (Medical Sciences) | University of Tasmania | Australia | 2020 - |
DipCouns | Jansen Newman Institute | Australia | 2017 |
BPhil | Macquarie University | Australia | 2017 |
MPH | Australian National University | Australia | 2013 |
BA/BComm | University of Tasmania | Australia | 2007 |
Memberships
Professional practice
- Suicide Prevention Australia
- International Association for Suicide Prevention
- Australian Evaluation Society
- Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network
- Tasmanian Transcultural Mental Health Network
- Mental Health Council of Tasmania
- Flourish Mental Health
- Autism Tasmania Inc.
- Lifelink Samaritans
- Mental Health Professionals’ Network - Launceston
Administrative expertise
- Project management
- Program evaluation
- Data management and analysis
- Metadata development
- Grant and funding submissions, ministerial briefings
- Research planning and design – inc. methodology, survey design, participant recruitment (qualitative and quantitative methods)
- Policy analysis and development
- Publication, presentations, and report preparation
View more on Mrs Laura Grattidge in WARP
Expertise
- Child development and developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder
- Developmental trauma, abuse and neglect
- Mental health and trauma
- Maternal mental health
- Personality psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Public health and policy development
- Health workforce planning
- Program evaluation
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and welfare
- Refugee health and welfare
Research Themes
Laura is a researcher interested in child development including the impacts of childhood trauma on a child’s developmental trajectory. In addition, Laura has research interests in personality and abnormal psychology, public health and the mental health of minority populations and specific demographic groups. These groups include children, mothers, refugees and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Awards
Health Practitioner Research Development Program Scholar
Current projects
- National Suicide Prevention Trial - Tasmania Evaluation
- Evaluation of Community Responses to Eliminating Suicide - Training Program
- Evaluation of Working Effectively with LGBTI People - Training Program
- Social Attention and Communication Study – Revised
- Resettlement experiences of former refugees in Launceston: A focus group study
Fields of Research
- Mental health services (420313)
- Health and community services (420305)
- Rural and remote health services (420321)
- Health promotion (420603)
- Health equity (420602)
- Health systems (420311)
- Health informatics and information systems (420308)
- Health services and systems (420399)
- Public health (420699)
- Epidemiology (420299)
- Adolescent health (321301)
- Migration (440303)
- Other Indigenous studies (459999)
- Allied health and rehabilitation science (420199)
- Psychology of ageing (520106)
- Multicultural education (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Maori and Pacific Peoples) (390410)
- Sociology of migration, ethnicity and multiculturalism (441013)
Research Objectives
- Evaluation of health outcomes (200202)
- Mental health (200409)
- Health policy evaluation (200205)
- Health system performance (incl. effectiveness of programs) (200206)
- Rural and remote area health (200508)
- Mental health services (200305)
- Prevention of human diseases and conditions (200104)
- Neonatal and child health (200506)
- Other culture and society (139999)
- Evaluation of health and support services (200299)
- Youth services (230115)
- Health inequalities (200204)
- Provision of health and support services (200399)
- Multicultural services (230111)
- Health status (incl. wellbeing) (200407)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander development and wellbeing (210102)
- Determinants of health (200201)
- Community health care (200302)
- Pacific Peoples community services (210999)
- Health related to specific ethnic groups (200503)
- Social class and inequalities (230112)
- Health education and promotion (200203)
- Communication across languages and culture (130201)
- Disability and functional capacity (200403)
- Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions (200101)
Publications
Total publications
29
Journal Article
(7 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2023 | Grattidge L, Hoang H, Mond J, Lees D, Visentin D, et al., 'Exploring community-based suicide prevention in the context of rural Australia: A qualitative study', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, (3) Article 2644. ISSN 1660-4601 (2023) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032644 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Hoang H; Mond J; Lees D; Visentin D; Auckland S | |
2022 | Grattidge L, Purton T, Auckland S, Lees D, Mond J, 'Stakeholder insights into implementing a systems-based suicide prevention program in regional and rural tasmanian communities', BMC Public Health, 22 Article 2323. ISSN 1471-2458 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14721-5 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Purton T; Auckland S; Lees D; Mond J | |
2021 | Grattidge L, Purton T, Auckland S, Lees D, Mond J, 'Participatory action research in suicide prevention program evaluation: opportunities and challenges from the National Suicide Prevention Trial, Tasmania', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health pp. 1-4. ISSN 1326-0200 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13116 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Purton T; Auckland S; Lees D; Mond J | |
2020 | Smith L, Hoang Ha, Reynish T, McLeod K, Hannah C, et al., 'Factors shaping the lived experience of resettlement for former refugees in regional Australia', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, (2) Article 501. ISSN 1661-7827 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020501 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 17Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Hoang Ha; Reynish T; McLeod K; Hannah C; Auckland S | |
2020 | Smith L, Purton T, Auckland S, Lees D, Mond J, 'Local evaluation of the Tasmanian component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial - preliminary learnings', Australian Journal of Rural Health, 28, (2) pp. 218-223. ISSN 1038-5282 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12620 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Purton T; Auckland S; Lees D; Mond J | |
2020 | de Deuge J, Hoang Ha, Kent K, Mond J, Bridgman H, et al., 'Impacts of community resilience on the implementation of a mental health promotion program in rural Australia', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, (6) Article 2031. ISSN 1661-7827 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062031 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: de Deuge J; Hoang Ha; Kent K; Mond J; Bridgman H; Skromanis S; Auckland S | |
2019 | Smith LA, Reynish TD, Hoang Ha, Mond JM, Hannah C, et al., 'The mental health of former refugees in regional Australia: a qualitative study', Australian Journal of Rural Health, 27, (5) pp. 459-462. ISSN 1440-1584 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12583 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Reynish TD; Hoang Ha; Mond JM; Hannah C; McLeod K; Auckland SRJ |
Conference Publication
(14 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2022 | Grattidge L, 'Developing 'best practice guidelines for youth suicide prevention in rural Australian communities'', Australian Rotary Health - Meet the Researcher, 15 May 2022, Burnie, Tasmania (2022) [Keynote Presentation] | |
2022 | Grattidge L, 'Community-based suicide prevention for youth in rural areas: the missing piece of the puzzle?', 42nd Annual Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) conference, 24 -26 March 2022, Hobart, Tasmania (2022) [Keynote Presentation] | |
2022 | Grattidge L, 'Exploring rural communities and their role in suicide prevention', 10th International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Asia Pacific Conference, 3-5 May 2022, Gold Coast, Australia / Online (2022) [Keynote Presentation] | |
2022 | Grattidge L, 'Communities preventing suicide in rural areas', 10th International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Asia Pacific Conference, 3-5 May 2022, Gold Coast, Australia / Online (2022) [Keynote Presentation] | |
2021 | Grattidge L, 'The 4Cs and suicide: Prevention for Indigenous youth in rural Australian communitites', Indigenous Suicide Prevention Virtual Forum, 11 June 2021, virtual (2021) [Keynote Presentation] | |
2021 | Grattidge L, ''Reaching those who don't reach out' in rural areas - defining and building community-based suicide prevention', 21- 24 September 2021, Gold Coast, Australia / Online (2021) [Conference Extract] | |
2021 | Grattidge L, Purton T, Auckland S, Lees D, Mond J, 'The LifeSpan systems approach: A Community-Based Suicide Prevention Trial in Tasmania', Invited speaker for national webinar. Mental Health Commission of Canada, 24 June2021, virtual (2021) [Keynote Presentation] Co-authors: Purton T; Auckland S; Lees D; Mond J | |
2020 | Grattidge L, Hoang Ha, Mond J, Auckland S, Pirkis J, 'Developing 'Best practice guidelines for youth suicide prevention in rural communities'', 41st Annual Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) Conference, 6-9 October, Online (2020) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Hoang Ha; Mond J; Auckland S | |
2019 | Auckland S, Smith L, Mond J, Purton Terry, Lees D, 'Local Evaluation of the Tasmanian Component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT) - Preliminary learnings', Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium, 28 - 30 October, Adelaide, South Australia (2019) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Auckland S; Mond J; Purton Terry; Lees D | |
2019 | Smith L, Auckland S, 'National suicide prevential trial, Tasmania. Local evaluation: Synopsis of the last 12 months', Rural Health and Collaborative Research Symposium, 2 July, Launceston, Tasmania (2019) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Auckland S | |
2019 | Smith L, Auckland S, Mond J, Purton Terry, Lees D, 'Local Evaluation of the Tasmanian Component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT) - Preliminary learnings', Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium, 28 - 30 October, Adelaide, South Australia (2019) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Auckland S; Mond J; Purton Terry; Lees D | |
2019 | Smith L, Hoang Ha, Mond J, Reynish T, Hannah C, et al., 'Factors Affecting the Resettlement of Former Refugees in Regional Australia', Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia's biennial conference, 9-11th October, Hobart, Tasmania (2019) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Hoang Ha; Mond J; Reynish T; Hannah C; McLeod K; Auckland S | |
2018 | Smith LA, Mond JM, Reynish T, McLeod K, Auckland S, et al., 'The resettlement experiences of former refugees in Launceston: A qualitative study', Rural Health and Collaborative Research Symposium, 20 September, Launceston, Tasmania (2018) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Mond JM; Reynish T; McLeod K; Auckland S; Hoang H; Hannah C | |
2018 | Smith LA, Mond JM, Reynish T, McLeod K, Auckland S, et al., 'Mental health of former refugees in Launceston: A qualitative study', 10th Annual Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium, 15-17 October, Hobart, Tasmania (2018) [Plenary Presentation] Co-authors: Mond JM; Reynish T; McLeod K; Auckland S; Hoang H; Hannah C |
Contract Report, Consultant's Report
(2 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2021 | Grattidge L, Auckland S, Purton T, Thompson S, Mond J, 'Evaluation of the ' Providing an Inclusive Practice and Community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ+) People' training program', Tasmania, Australia (2021) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Auckland S; Purton T; Thompson S; Mond J | |
2018 | Auckland S, Bridgman H, Mond J, Kent K, Hoang H, et al., 'Health and resilient communities evaluation', Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Australia (2018) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Auckland S; Bridgman H; Mond J; Kent K; Hoang H; de Deuge J; Materia C; Glover J; Skromanis S; Purton T |
Other Creative Work
(1 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2021 | Grattidge L, 'Developing Best Practice Guidelines for Youth Suicide Prevention in Rural Australian Communities'', Self, Launceston, TAS, pp. 21 (2021) [Performance Practice] |
Other Public Output
(5 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2022 | Grattidge L, Bridgman H, ''Lifeline Tasmania awarded for regional suicide postvention research through UTAS Centre for Rural Health' interview by Clancy Balen', The Examiner, Australian Community Media, Launceston, Tasmania, 14 May 2022 (2022) [Newspaper Article] Co-authors: Bridgman H | |
2021 | Grattidge L, Auckland S, 'Evaluation of the National Suicide Prevention Trial in Tasmania' (2021) [Report Other] Co-authors: Auckland S | |
2020 | Smith LA, Purton T, Mond J, Auckland S, 'The Evaluation of the CORES Devonport and Launceston Networks', Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Australia (2020) [Government or Industry Research] Co-authors: Purton T; Mond J; Auckland S | |
2011 | Da Silva K, Jefferson A, Pegrum K, Smith L, 'Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2009-10: Report on the National Minimum Data Set', Drug treatment series no. 14. Cat. no. HSE 114, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Canberra (2011) [Report Other] | |
2010 | Bennett V, Braddock D, Lee P, Smith LA, 'The coding workforce shortfall', Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia (2010) [Government or Industry Research] |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
5
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- This project evaluates the processes, outcomes and impacts of a new carefarm-based mental health program in rural Tasmania over 18 months. The program aims to increase community connection, wellbeing, confidence and self-determination within the Veteran community of Smithton, utilising canine assistance dog training and other care-farm based methods. The program strives to prevent long term mental health problems and ultimately decrease the risk of suicide in this cohort.This research project aims to establish the enablers and barriers to the carefarm-based mental health intervention, and to explore the benefits to mental health for participants. It will produce academic outputs (journal article and conference presentation) as well as translation of findings into a community-sector 'best practice principles' guide.Carefarming is a well-established practice in Europe and North America, and a rapidly emerging one in Australia. The growing field of carefarming scholarship demonstrates empirical evidence of a range of physical and mental health benefits from the various models of carefarming across the world (Cacciatore et al 2020). Australia's returned Veterans have higher rates of complex trauma, mental ill health and suicide. People living in rural areas have additional risk factors, including isolation and reduced access to services. Tasmania has among the highest rates of suicide in the country, with rates three times higher for men. In the predominately rural and remote areas of North-West Tasmania a number of barriers continue to influence whether Veterans, who are predominantly men, at-risk of mental ill health or suicide, access supports or services. These include distance, time, cost, and availability of health professionals, stigma and traditional values associated with stoicism and masculinity. Up to three out of four people in these areas are not accessing mental health services, suggesting that alternative, community-led approaches are needed, building the capacity of both individuals to take control of their own health, and communities to support one another.The carefarm based program under evaluation is delivered by the Grumpy Goat Care Farm in Smithton, North-West Tasmania. Through their Care Dogs and Co service, they provide opportunities to train canine assisted therapy dogs for Veterans at risk in the local areas. Canine assistance programs or models have become popular in Australia, building on the philosophy of dogs providing structure, purpose, and support for people at risk of mental ill health (https://www.minddog.org.au/).A FRRR grant of approx. $20,000 has been secured by the auspice partner, the Smithton RSL, through the 'In a Good Place' scheme, $3,173 of which is allocated for evaluation.The interpretive, mixed methods research design will include methods of surveying and in-depth interviewing with participants and stakeholders, at various points in the program life. The specific evaluation details and methods will be co-designed with the Grumpy Goat Farm and Smithton RSL, who are supportive of the evaluation and keen to collaborate with the CRH to achieve the outcomes.This program evaluation is part of a wider body of work currently under way at the CRH, researching various outdoor health care models to improve rural health outcomes. The carefarm model at Grumpy Goat seeks to provide an alternative form of mental health support for people experiencing barriers to accessing mainstream help services. They utilise local community resources , including local community services and allied health, nurses, counsellors and social workers, to reach community members at risk of suicide and other mental health problems.
- Funding
- Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal ($3,173)
- Scheme
- In A Good Place
- Administered By
- Care Dogs & Co
- Research Team
- Coates A; Marsh P; Grattidge LA; Auckland SRJ; Purton T; Bridgman H
- Year
- 2022
- Description
- This proposed research, intends to build on findings from the local evaluation of National Suicide Prevention Trial activities in Tasmania and complement and build on existing bodies of work in the area, including the current Youth Suicide Prevention Plan for Tasmania, 2016-2020 (YSPPT) (Department of Health and Human Services, 2016).The two research questions that will guide the proposed PhD are: 1.What is currently known about best practice suicide prevention (SP) strategies for youth in rural and regional Tasmania?2.What additional strategies are recommended to fill any gaps in research and practice for youth SP in Tasmania?The first stage of the proposed research will seek to answer research question one, to determine what is currently known about best practice SP strategies for youth in rural and regional Tasmania. In this stage, findings from the local evaluation of the NSPT in Tasmania will be synthesised with findings from those NSPT sites specifically targeting young people across Australia, along with current literature and state and national policies and programs for youth SP. The second research question, exploring what additional strategies are recommended to fill any gaps in research and practice for youth SP in Tasmania, will be answered in stages two and three of the PhD research. At the second stage, a mixed-methods research approach will utilise focus groups, interviews and surveys, to further explore key areas and gaps in research identified in stage one. Participants to be recruited will include community members with lived experience of youth suicide and key stakeholders who have experience working with at-risk youth and young people, including health and welfare service providers and those representing government departments concerned with policy development.The third stage of the proposed PhD will answer question two through the development of recommendations and resources regarding best practice SP methods specifically for youth in regional and rural Tasmania. These recommendations will be made available for use by Australian Rotary Health and the Rotary Club of Deloraine, local, state, and federal government agencies, non-government agencies, and other relevant service organisations working with youth SP in Tasmania and across Australia, designed to complement existing bodies of work in the area, including the Youth Suicide Prevention Plan for Tasmania.
- Funding
- Australian Rotary Health Research Fund ($67,500)
- Scheme
- Scholarship-PhD
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Hoang THH; Grattidge LA; Pirkis J
- Period
- 2020 - 2023
- Description
- The proposal relates to the evaluation of activities associated with the establishment and operation of the two newly established Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) networks (programs) namely Devonport and Launceston. The focus of the evaluation is on how the two Tasmanian programs and associated networks operate in the context of the Tasmanian component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT) with a special focus on the LGBTI community. The evaluation provides a timely opportunity to assess the process-related aspects of the program including the extent to which the establishment and delivery processes reflect best practice in enhancing community awareness, capacity and ownership. The evaluation also provides an opportunity to identify baseline indicators that can be used for on-going monitoring and evaluation of the program.
- Funding
- Kentish Regional Clinic Inc ($5,185)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Auckland SRJ; Mond JM; Lees DB; Grattidge LA; Purton T
- Period
- 2019 - 2021
- Description
- This Request for Proposal (RFP) is in response to an invitation by Primary Health Tasmania for suitably qualified suppliers to submit a proposal & quote for the Evaluation of the Tasmanian Component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial.
- Funding
- Primary Health Tasmania ($320,306)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Mond JM; Auckland SRJ; Lees DB; Grattidge LA; Purton T; Skromanis S
- Period
- 2018 - 2020
- Description
- The proposal relates to the evaluation of activities associated with the establishment and operation of the two newly established Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) networks (programs) namely Devonport and Launceston. The focus of the evaluation is on how the two Tasmanian programs and associated networks operate in the context of the Tasmanian component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial (NSPT). The evaluation provides a timely opportunity to assess the process-related aspects of the program including the extent to which the establishment and delivery processes reflect best practice in enhancing community awareness, capacity and ownership. The evaluation also provides an opportunity to identify baseline indicators that can be used for on-going monitoring and evaluation of the program.
- Funding
- Kentish Regional Clinic Inc ($14,773)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Auckland SRJ; Mond JM; Lees DB; Grattidge LA; Purton T; Skromanis S
- Period
- 2018 - 2020