At the University of South Australia (UniSA) our mental health researchers are tackling the critical frontline issues and delivering enterprising solutions.
From prevention, through to complex and acute responses designed for people in crisis – right up to the point of care, our work spans the whole spectrum.
One of these researchers is Dr Silvia Pignata whose inspiring work is already having meaningful impact.
Across the globe in 2020 and 2021, the significant public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 have resulted in a growing realisation of the importance of people’s wellbeing both at work and home.
In Australia, many sectors have been strongly impacted by COVID-19, with resulting financial concerns and job losses, and this impact will continue to be felt for some time.
Sixty per cent of surveyed staff reported that they found it difficult to switch off outside of business hours, 62% reported work-family conflict most of the time or always and 45% reported a poor level of job security. These stressors are adding to an already stressful external environment.
Dr Silvia Pignata’s research focuses on this stress and mental wellbeing in workplaces and has over 35 publications, including the recent “Handbook of Research on Stress and Well-being in the Public Sector” edited with Canadian Professor Ronald Burke which has contributions from over 40 leading national and international researchers.
Dr Pignata is currently working with her colleagues to better understand the impact of digital communication and stress, particularly post 2020 following the social impacts of COVID-19.
This is heralding a four-year project that focuses on the mental wellbeing of staff (including casual staff) that Dr Pignata and her colleagues are undertaking. Last year, they surveyed over 2000 Australian higher education workers during the second six months after the onset of COVID-19.
This research is a vital tool to understand and provide evidence of both the challenges of workplace digitalisation and the intrusion of work into non-work time and its impact on sleep and recovery.
It will also tackle vital areas of a healthy work-life balance through the impact of worker burnout or engagement, the importance of the psychosocial safety climate in maintaining a healthy workforce, and the need to design and promote best practice in managing and promoting mental wellbeing within the sector, to achieve an environment where everyone can succeed.
The UniSA Mental Health Research Fund has been established to source more support for our key researchers and direct funds to those most able to address the problems of today. To learn more about UniSA’s Enterprising Minds for Mental Health and our research click here.
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When you give today, 100% of your donation will go directly to UniSA's mental health researchers - with no admin fees or hidden costs.
At UniSA, our researchers are dedicated to helping people who strive to live a better life. Join us in making mental health a priority by donating to the UniSA Mental Health Research Fund today.
Contact the Advancement team on +61 8 8302 7375 or email us
UniSA respectfully acknowledges the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations Peoples and their Elders past and present, who are the First Nations’ Traditional Owners of the lands that are now home to our campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
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