Curtin University’s Dr Jonathan Sae-Koew has received Healthway’s prestigious Early Career Research Fellowship to work in collaboration with the Y WA to co-design and evaluate strategies for promoting the mental health of young people in the City of Belmont.

Heathway CEO Colin Smith said Dr Sae-Koew’s Fellowship, worth $396,711 over the next three years, will support those teenagers who need it most.

“We know it is challenging for young people to thrive when resources and opportunities are limited.”

“Through this fellowship, we will be able to identify the most impactful ways to enhance their mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

Dr Sae-Koew said his project will initially focus on working with the Y WA in the City of Belmont to adapt their existing youth programs to help young people reach their full potential and become productive, engaged members of society.

“We’re not starting again here, we’re building on what is already out there via some great service providers, such as the Y WA and their Base@Belmont Youth Centre, to support and promote models of work in other local government areas,” he said.

“We’ll be helping them to refine their existing services and map out what additional support might be needed to promote positive mental health.”

This announcement coincides with the opening of Healthway’s Health Promotion Research and Scholarship Programs for 2025. More than $800,000 in grants is available through the Health Promotion Research Scholarship, Aboriginal Health Research Scholarship and Health Promotion Research Fellowship programs, which are designed to support researchers in improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for Western Australians.

Find out more about Healthway’s Health Promotion Research Programs here.