Dr Jackie Curtis

Conjoint Professor Jackie Curtis (MBBS (Hons), FRANZCP) is the inaugural Executive Director of Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, which brings together the strengths of founding Members UNSW Sydney, Black Dog Institute, NeuRA and the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) to develop integrated research and clinical responses to mental health, drug and alcohol and neurological disorders. Conjoint Professor Curtis is a psychiatrist and is the Clinical Lead of Youth Mental Health at SESLHD. Her research and clinical work over several decades has focused on early psychosis and youth mental health, including improving the cardiometabolic health of people living with serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia, with the aim of reducing health inequalities and increasing life expectancy. Professor Curtis developed and implemented the internationally recognised Keeping the Body in Mind program, demonstrating that antipsychotic-induced weight gain can be prevented with lifestyle intervention, and is the co-founder and Co-Chair of the iphYs international working group advocating for improved physical health for youth experiencing psychosis. An invited committee member of the World Health Organisation working group for the international guidelines: management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders.