Mental Health

Our Research About: Mental Health, Language & Literacy

Language and literacy difficulties can have a significant impact on an individual's mental health. Communication plays a crucial role in our daily interactions, and individuals with language disorders may experience frustration, stress, and anxiety due to difficulties in expressing themselves.

Additionally, language and literacy difficulties and disorders may lead to social isolation and feelings of loneliness, as individuals may struggle to form connections with others. These negative experiences can contribute to the development of mental health conditions such as depression and low self‐esteem.

If left untreated, language disorders can lead to academic and career difficulties, which may further exacerbate the negative effects on mental health. As such, it’s important to address language disorders early on to promote positive mental health outcomes.

Some of our research into language and mental health includes:

  • Developing and evaluating mental health programs that are accessible to children with language and literacy difficulties (funded by NHMRC).

  • Identifying risk and protective factors associated with mental health over the transition from primary school to high school, a transition that is particularly stressful for children who struggle with language and literacy (funded by NHMRC).

  • Profiling the language ability and mental health of children who are disengaged from mainstream education and enrolled in Curriculum and Re-engagement in Education (CARE) schools (funded by AISWA and Healthway).

  • Language difficulties and child mental health: Identifying research priorities (funded 1by the Raine Medical Research Foundation).

  • Exploring the contribution of oral language to mental health in children with dyslexia.