Michael Kyron has a passion for mental health and seeing people find support when they reach out for help. This passion is driving his work with UWA’s School of Psychological Science and Suicide Prevention and Resilience Research Centre (SPARRC).
“Seeking help for mental health difficulties takes enormous courage. Too many people do not experience the improvements they hope for when they do reach out, which is a serious shortcoming of our current health system,” said Michael, who aspires to help data-driven healthcare in WA not only meet but exceed international standards.
While undertaking his PhD in 2017, Michael interned with Peer Based Harm Reduction WA through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship, which he credits with providing invaluable insights into how health services operate on the ground, as well as how they can adapt to meet the unique needs of people with substance use difficulties.
“The internship was a crucial stepping stone that enabled me to secure my first full-time research role. It allowed me to begin making a meaningful impact, while helping me build the foundation of a strong research track record that continues to shape my career,” he said.
After completing his internship and PhD, Michael initially undertook a variety of research projects, as funding allowed – a chapter of his career that was challenging but has also helped him get to where he is today.
“What I saw at the time as instability in my employment, I now see as amazing opportunities to partner with different leading researchers, all with unique perspectives on what impactful research looks like. My research experiences have spanned across adolescent, adult, emergency services, construction, and psychiatric populations, and this research has often been diverse in its methodology,” Michael said.
Along with his work as post-doctoral researcher and lecturer, Michael is the Business Support Manager and Interim Director with SPARRC. While committed to research that delivers systemic improvements, he now also has a clear focus on the importance of cultural factors that lead to better outcomes.
“I want to help foster a culture through my work where people feel motivated, supported and safe in seeking help, knowing they will be met with care that makes a real difference.”
And he had a word of advice for current and prospective McCusker Centre for Citizenship interns, no matter their study discipline or internship project:
“Chances to make a positive impact in the community aren’t always easy to come by; it’s important to value them. Treat your McCusker Centre internship as a privilege and see how far the opportunity can take you.”
Michael Kyron is post-doctoral researcher and Lecturer with the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia. He is also the Business Support Manager and Interim Director with the Suicide Prevention and Resilience Research Centre (SPARRC). Michael's work has primarily been focused on the application of innovative methods to predict and prevent suicide, including the application of dynamic modelling, machine learning, and wearable technology. He has extensive research experience with clinical and adolescent populations, and with ecological momentary assessment and large-scale longitudinal cohort research designs.