The study of psychiatry has been part of the University since 1964.

Background

Originally the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, it has evolved into today’s School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. It would be true to say that it did indeed have humble beginnings.

Visiting Professor Ian Oswald, who headed the original department, had to start from scratch. There was no in-patient unit, no curriculum, no infrastructure, not even a designated office or site. He had temporary offices, one a ‘fibro’ hut at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

As Professor Hans Stampfer says in his Overview of the History of the School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences teaching was rudimentary and out-patient based. Selected patients were interviewed in a room full of students.

Undergraduate program

In 1968, Professor Cecil Kidd, from Aberdeen University, was appointed as the first permanent chair. He introduced a structured undergraduate program of didactic lectures, student/patient contact and small group clinical tutorials. However, the Department relied heavily on Heathcoate and Graylands mental hospitals (as they were then termed) to provide students with clinical experience.

Equal standing

Following Professor Kidd’s death, Professor GA German was appointed in December 1972. During the next 15 years, Professor German did much to give Psychiatry equal standing with other clinical departments. He felt strongly that clinical academics should also be practising clinicians and practised what he preached.

A national economic downturn in the 80s slowed down the department’s growth, although research output was maintained at a satisfactory level thanks largely to a few individuals.

Further developments

A previously negotiated research centre at Graylands Hospital became a reality, and in 1994, the Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry was opened.

By the end of 2000, there was good momentum in research related activity. Publications had increased substantially and areas of ongoing collaborative research had become established.

The much discussed formation of schools became a reality and the School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences was inaugurated in November 2002.

Front Row: Ms Hanh Ngo, Miss Stephanie Gee, Ms Helen Moran, Dr Milan Dragovic, Prof Assen Jablensky, Dr Roland Kaiser, Ms Vera Morgan, Mr Denis Brown, Ms Anna Waterreus,Dr Robert Tait, Dr David Chandler
Second Row: Prof Sasha Janca, Ms Cheryl Ackoy, Ms Giulietta Valuri, Ms Julie Johnston, Prof Nicola Lautenschlager, Prof Dieter Wildenauer, Ms Christie Plummer, Dr Mark Rooney,Dr Greg Price
Third Row: Prof Osvaldo Almeida, Dr Christina Read, Ms Ann Bates, Ms Kylie Marsh, Ms Brandi McCormack, Dr Maxine Croft, Mr Herbert Ludewick, Dr Danny Rock, Ms Kathy Lucas,Prof Ralph MartinsFourth Row: Dr Deb Faulkner, Assoc Prof Helen Slattery, Ms Virginia Stalenberg, Ms Cam Phan, Dr Vivienne Lawrence, Mr Llewellyn Saggers-Gray, Dr Sarron Goldman, Mr Kevin Taddei
Back Row: Dr Jo Badcock, Mr Ped Ristic, Dr Hans Stampfer, Ms Lynda Mitchell, Ms Jane Ventouras, Ms Jenny Griffith, Ms Peterina Duggan, Dr Sean Hood, Assoc Prof Mohan Isaac, Dr Jon Laugharne