Dr Catherine McHugh has been awarded the 2025 Early Research Career Grant.

Dr McHugh is a consultant psychiatrist with the headspace Youth Psychosis Program in Western Sydney, a senior lecturer at UNSW, and a translational research fellow with the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network.

Weight gain linked to psychotropic medication can be a significant challenge for people receiving treatment for psychosis, and concerns about physical health can affect whether they stay on medication. Dr McHugh’s project, Growing Minds Feeling Good – Youth (GMFG Youth), responds to this through a 12-week self-directed digital lifestyle program for 13 to 24-year-olds taking these medications.

Co-designed with young people, families, clinicians and peer workers, the project will assess the feasibility, engagement and acceptability of a mobile-friendly program that supports nutrition, physical activity, sleep and smoking cessation alongside usual care. It will also explore translation and cultural adaptation for Mandarin-speaking participants and families, addressing an important gap in accessible support.

It is hoped the research will help shape larger future trials and contribute to more accessible, culturally responsive physical health support in youth mental health services.

Read more about this and other RANZCP Foundation supported projects in foundation-2025-impact-report