We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy

Skip to Content
University of Wollongong Australia. Logo. University of Wollongong Australia. Logo. University of Wollongong Australia. Logo.
  • Search
  • Library
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • UOW Global
    • Our global presence
    • UOW in Dubai
    • UOW in Hong Kong
    • UOW in Malaysia
  • Menu
  • Study at UOW

    • Courses
    • Apply
    • Scholarships & grants
    • Accommodation
    • High-school students
    • Non-school leavers
    • Postgraduate students
    • International students
    • Moving to Wollongong
    • Study abroad & exchange
    • Global sports programs
    • Campuses
    Study at UOW
  • Engage

    • Future student
    • Alumni
    • Visit UOW
    • Jobs
    • Volunteer
    • The Stand Magazine
    • Community Members
    • Grants and funding
    • Give to UOW
    • Visit the Library
    • Key contacts
    • Educators & school teachers
    Engage with us
  • About UOW

    • Welcome
    • Our people
    • Services
    • Contacts
    • What's on
    • Global presence
    • Media Centre
    • Faculties & schools
    • Our vision & strategy
    • Our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strategy
    • Our reputation & experience
    • Locations, campuses & partners
    See more about UOW
  • Research

    • Our research
    • Researcher support
    • Research impact
    • Partnership & collaboration
    • Graduate Research School
    • Commercial research
    • Global Challenges
    • Media, news & events
    • Find an expert
    • Our people
    See more about research
  • Industry

    • Generator Lab
    • Advantage SME
    • Success stories
    • Industry research engagement
    • Equipment & Labs
    • Funding opportunities
    • Intellectual property
    • Collaboration for business
    • Collaboration for researchers
    See more about Industry
  • Alumni

    • Benefits
    • Outlook Magazine
    • Events & webinars
    • Volunteer
    • Awards
    • Honorary alumni
    • Testamurs & transcripts
    • Update your details
    • Your career journey
    • Contact us & FAQ
    See more about alumni
  • Quick links

    • Contact directory
    • Staff Intranet
    • Campus maps
    • Transport & parking
    • Key dates
    • Events
    • Password management
    • Jobs
    • Accommodation
    • Policy directory
  • Library
You are here More Pages
  • Home
  • About UOW
  • Media Centre
  • 2022
  • #VaxTheIllawarra to support mental health research

Media Quick Links

  • Contact UOW Media
  • Visiting campus
  • Image library
  • UOW key facts
  • Find an expert
  • News Corp subscription
  • Sign up for the latest news from UOW Media

March 30, 2022


  • Story By
  • Alex Reszelska
  • Photo By
  • Paul Jones & Unsplash
Share
Type
General News
Category
Health and Medicine
Tags
WollongongCommunity serviceCommunityHealth & MedicineIllawarraMental healthStories of impact

UOW in the News

#VaxTheIllawarra to support mental health research

First, they vaccinated the Illawarra. Now the community campaign will contribute to UOW's research on stress-induced mental illness


In August 2021 – in the midst of lockdown – the regional vaccination rates were still unsatisfactory, and the world seemed very small and isolated. For the Illawarra, it meant being cut off from other regions, which impacted families, businesses, employment and community spirit.

And that's when a group of community leaders, including the local powerhouse, Vicky Tiegs of the Waples Marketing Group and Olympian Emma McKeon, decided to launch an initiative called #VaxTheIllawarra, which had one aim: to reach the 80 per cent vaccination rate target as soon as possible.

#VaxTheIllawarra used the support of a raft of local heroes – business leaders and famous public personalities – to encourage people to get the jab and help ease the burden on the health system. The campaign was an overwhelming success, as it helped boost the region's vaccination rate from around 30 per cent to more than 90 per cent in just a few months, raising funds through corporate sponsorship in the process.

Now, the proceeds from the campaign will support a research program investigating the impact of stress on the development of mental illness.

Dr Natalie Matosin, a group leader of the Mental Illness and Disorders of Stress (MINDS) Lab at the University of Wollongong's (UOW) Molecular Horizons and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), and her team, will receive $15,000 to further their research project.

Natalie Matosin in her lab

Dr Natalie Matosin in her MINDS lab

Affecting 1 in 5 people, in 2021, mental illness cost Australia $11 billion. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030, 1 in 3 people will suffer from some form of mental health condition. According to Dr Matosin, stress that overwhelms our ability to cope is a leading risk factor for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders.

"We've been experiencing dramatic world events, from the pandemic to wars and environmental disasters, which have exacerbated our stress levels, already high due to increasing pressures of caring responsibilities, job strains and social isolation," Dr Matosin said.

"These accumulated stressors are taking a toll; it's a silent epidemic impacting virtually every Australian's emotional and physical health."

Professor David Currow, UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Health and Sustainable Futures), thanked the #Vaxtheillawarra committee for volunteering their time to help the Illawarra region get back on track post-pandemic.

Professor David Currow, Vicki Tiegs and Dr Natalie Matosin

Professor David Currow with #VaxTheIllawarra's founder Vicky Tiegs and Dr Natalie Matosin

"Vaccination was our way out of lockdown. It ensured businesses could safely reopen, people could go back to work, students back to school and loved ones back together while the burden on our health system started to ease off. And #VaxTheIllawarra played a pivotal role in uniting our community and assisting with driving vaccination rates in the region."

"At UOW, we're proud to have been part of this campaign. Because the University is not just an educational institution, we're here to make a difference by supporting the best research and training the region's future leaders," Professor Currow said.

 

Media Contacts for this article

UOW Media Office

You may also be interested in

Girls’ mental health has been affected more than boys’ during the pandemic
Health workforce boost welcomed
Pandemic’s impact on individual health and wellbeing is taking its toll
Services & Help
  • Current students
  • Library
  • Information technology
  • Accommodation
  • Security & safety
  • Pool, gym & retail
News, Media & Events
  • Media Centre
  • The Stand
  • Alumni Magazine
  • Research news
  • Events
  • Find an expert
Faculties
  • Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities
  • Business & Law
  • Engineering & Information Sciences
  • Science, Medicine & Health
Administration
  • Graduation
  • Environment
  • Policy directory
  • Learning and teaching
  • Financial Services
  • Access to information
  • Jobs
UOW Entities
  • Innovation Campus
  • UOW College Australia
  • UOW College Hong Kong
  • UOW in Dubai
  • UOW Global Enterprises
  • UOW Malaysia KDU
  • UOW Pulse
Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Conversation
  • Contact us
  • Feedback
  • Give to UOW

Northfields Ave Wollongong,  NSW 2522  Australia 
Phone: 1300 367 869 
International: +61 2 4221 3218 
Switchboard: +61 2 4221 3555

  • NUW Alliance: Smarter Solutions for NSW
  • University Global Partnership Network (UGPN)
  • Reconciliation Australia

Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag

On the lands that we study, we walk, and we live, we acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders of these lands.

Copyright © 2022 University of Wollongong
CRICOS Provider No: 00102E | TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12062 | ABN: 61 060 567 686
Copyright & disclaimer | Privacy & cookie usage | Web accessibility

Close