Sarah is a social scientist specialising in mental health research, critical suicidology, and qualitative research methods. She has worked on a range of projects in the areas of mental health inequalities and the social determinants of mental health, primary mental health care and suicide prevention/intervention. Her current work is funded by a Marsden Fast-Start and explores men's lived experiences of mental distress and suicidality using participatory visual research methods, critical gender theory and mental health geography.
In the project, titled 'Through the eyes of men', 21 men get behind the lens, taking photos which reflect their personal experiences of living with mental distress, and what helped or hindered their mental health journeys. Their images are displayed in a digital exhibition, along with descriptions of what they mean to the photographers:
Renan Lopes de Lyra PhD – Suicide exposure among first responders
Anna von Tunzelman PhD – Is some binge-drinking a form of deliberate self-harm?
Publications
McKenzie, S. K., Kelly, M. T., Cooney, E., & Oliffe, J. L. (2023). Men's accounts of anxiety: A photovoice study. SSM Qualitative Research in Health, 4, 100356. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100356
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S. K., Roguski, M., & Every-Palmer, S. (2023). Colonization drives silence and inequities in men’s mental illness. Nature Mental Health, 1, 609. doi: 10.1038/s44220-023-00113-0
Journal - Research Other
Goel, D., Dennis, B., & McKenzie, S. K. (2023). Is suicide a mental health, public health or societal problem? Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 36(5), 352-359. doi: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000888
Journal - Research Other
Das, T., Mathieson, F., & McKenzie, S. (2023, January). "Tunnelling into blackness": Metaphors men use to describe their lived experience with mental distress. Poster session presented at the University of Otago Summer Student Showcase, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Cooper, A., Jenkin, G., Morton, E., Peterson, D., & McKenzie, S. K. (2023). ‘We have to band together’: Service user experiences of naturally occurring peer support on the acute mental health unit. Kōtuitui, 18(2), 118-134. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2022.2093230
Journal - Research Article
Morton, E. K., McKenzie, S. K., Cooper, A., Every-Palmer, S., & Jenkin, G. L. S. (2022). Gender and intersecting vulnerabilities on the mental health unit: Rethinking the dilemma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 940130. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.940130
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S. K., Oliffe, J. L., Black, A., & Collings, S. (2022). Men's experiences of mental illness stigma across the lifespan: A scoping review. American Journal of Men's Health, 16(1). doi: 10.1177/15579883221074789
Journal - Research Article
Lyra, R. L. d., McKenzie, S. K., Every-Palmer, S., & Jenkin, G. (2021). Occupational exposure to suicide: A review of research on the experiences of mental health professionals and first responders. PLoS ONE, 16(4), e0251038. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251038
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S. K., Jenkin, G., Steers, D., Magill, R., & Collings, S. (2021). Young people's perspectives and understanding of the suicide story in 13 Reasons Why: A qualitative study. Crisis, 42, 64-70. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000688
Journal - Research Article
Picardo, J., McKenzie, S. K., Collings, S., & Jenkin, G. (2020). Suicide and self-harm content on Instagram: A systematic scoping review. PLoS ONE, 15(9), e0238603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238603
Journal - Research Article
Affleck, W., Oliffe, J. L., McKenzie, S., Ridge, D., Jenkins, E., & Broom, A. (2020). Addressing ethical issues in studying men's traumatic stress. International Journal of Men's Social & Community Health, 3(1), e16-e23. doi: 10.22374/ijmsch.v3i1.27
Journal - Research Article
Cunningham, R., Kvalsvig, A., Peterson, D., Kuehl, S., Gibb, S., McKenzie, S., Thornley, L., & Every-Palmer, S. (2018). Stocktake report for the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry: A background report prepared for the Inquiry panel. Commissioned by Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry. Wellington, New Zealand: EleMent Research Group, University of Otago. 267p. Retrieved from https://mentalhealth.inquiry.govt.nz/whats-new/resources/university-of-otago-stocktake-report-for-the-mental-health-and-addiction-inquiry
Commissioned Report for External Body
McKenzie, S. K., Collings, S., Jenkin, G., & River, J. (2018). Masculinity, social connectedness, and mental health: Men's diverse patterns of practice. American Journal of Men's Health, 12(5), 1247-1261. doi: 10.1177/1557988318772732
Journal - Research Article
Collings, S., Jenkin, G., Stanley, J., McKenzie, S., & Hatcher, S. (2018). Preventing suicidal behaviours with a multilevel intervention: A cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 18, 140. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5032-6
Journal - Research Article
Carter, K., Filoche, S., & McKenzie, S. (2017). Alcohol and young people: A review of New Zealand and other international literature. Commissioned by Health Promotion Agency. Wellington, New Zealand. 82p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Carter, K., Filoche, S., & McKenzie, S. (2017). Alcohol and young people: A descriptive analysis of changes in alcohol use in young New Zealanders from 2004 to 2009. Commissioned by Health Promotion Agency. Wellington, New Zealand. 72p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
McKenzie, S. (2017). Understanding men's mental health: Gender relations and mental well-being (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/7572
Awarded Doctoral Degree
McKenzie, S. (2017, November). Understanding men's suicide, mental health, and wellbeing. Verbal presentation at the Men's Health Conference: Meeting the Challenges, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
McKenzie, S. K., Li, C., Jenkin, G., & Collings, S. (2017). Ethical considerations in sensitive suicide research reliant on non-clinical researchers. Research Ethics, 13(3-4), 173-183. doi: 10.1177/1747016116649996
Journal - Research Article
Suicide Mortality Review Committee, including Jenkin, G., Atkinson, J., McKenzie, S., Peterson, D., Collings, S., & Mulder, R. (2016). Nga- Ra-hui Hau Kura Suicide Mortality Review Committee Feasibility Study 2014–15. Commissioned by Ministry of Health. Wellington, New Zealand: Health Quality & Safety Commission.
Commissioned Report for External Body
McKenzie, S. K., Jenkin, G., & Collings, S. (2016). Men's perspectives of common mental health problems: A metasynthesis of qualitative research. International Journal of Men's Health, 15(1), 80-104. doi: 10.3149/jmh.1501.80
Journal - Research Article
van der Deen, F. S., Carter, K. N., McKenzie, S. K., & Blakely, T. (2014). Do changes in social and economic factors lead to changes in drinking behavior in young adults? Findings from three waves of a population based panel study. BMC Public Health, 14, 928. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-928
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S., Carter, K., & Filoche, S. (2014). Alcohol and older people: A descriptive analysis of changes in alcohol use in older New Zealanders from 2004 to 2009. Commissioned by Health Promotion Agency. Wellington, New Zealand: Health Promotion Agency. 71p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
McKenzie, S. K., Imlach Gunasekara, F., Richardson, K., & Carter, K. (2014). Do changes in socioeconomic factors lead to changes in mental health? Findings from three waves of a population based panel study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 68, 253-260. doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-203013
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S., Collings, S., & Dowell, T. (2013). Implementing a Toolkit for primary mental health care development: Case study with Hutt Valley District Health Board. Commissioned by Research Partnerships for New Zealand Health Delivery. Wellington, New Zealand: Social Psychiatry and Population Mental Health Research Unit, University of Otago. 100p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Imlach Gunasekara, F., Carter, K., & McKenzie, S. (2013). Income-related health inequalities in working age men and women in Australia and New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 37(3), 211-217. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12061
Journal - Research Article
Blakely, T., McKenzie, S., & Carter, K. (2013). Misclassification of the mediator matters when estimating indirect effects. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 67, 458-466. doi: 10.1136/jech-2012-201813
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S. K., & Carter, K. (2013). Does transition into parenthood lead to changes in mental health? Findings from three waves of a population based panel study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 67(4), 339-345. doi: 10.1136/jech-2012-201765
Journal - Research Article
Carter, K. N., Imlach-Gunasekara, F., McKenzie, S. K., & Blakely, T. (2012). Differential loss of participants does not necessarily cause selection bias. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 36(3), 218-222. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00867.x
Journal - Research Article
Gunasekara, F. I., Carter, K., & McKenzie, S. (2011). Differences in health and health inequalities between Australia and New Zealand: A working paper. Proceedings of the Hilda Survey “10th Anniversary” Research Conference. Retrieved from http://melbourneinstitute.com/miaesr/events/conferences/conferences_HILDA_2011.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Jatrana, S., Carter, K., McKenzie, S., & Wilson, N. (2011). Binge drinking is patterned by demographic and socioeconomic position in New Zealand: Largest national survey to date [Letter]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1345). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1345/4954/content.pdf
Journal - Research Other
Blakely, T., Carter, K., & McKenzie, S. (2011). Fallibility in estimating indirect effects: Misclassification of the mediator matters more than collider bias. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 65(Suppl. 1), (pp. A11). doi: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976a.23
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Carter, K., Gunasekara, F. I., McKenzie, S., & Blakely, T. (2011). Differential loss of participants does not necessarily cause selection bias. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 65(Suppl. 1), (pp. A180). doi: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976f.99
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
McKenzie, S. K., Carter, K. N., Blakely, T., & Ivory, V. (2011). Effects of childhood socioeconomic position on subjective health and health behaviours in adulthood: How much is mediated by adult socioeconomic position? BMC Public Health, 11, 269. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-269
Journal - Research Article
Blakely, T., Ni Mhurchu, C., Jiang, Y., Matoe, L., Funaki-Tahifote, M., Eyles, H. C., Foster, R. H., McKenzie, S., & Rodgers, A. (2011). Do effects of price discounts and nutrition education on food purchases vary by ethnicity, income and education? Results from a randomised, controlled trial. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 65(10), 902-908. doi: 10.1136/jech.2010.118588
Journal - Research Article
Collings, S., McKenzie, S., Dowell, A. C., Currey, N., Gandar, P., & Rees, D. (2010). Toolkit for Primary Mental Health Care Development: Report. Commissioned by Health Research Council. Wellington, New Zealand: University of Otago and Synergia Ltd. 194p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Collings, S., Gandar, P., Dowell, A., Rees, D., McKenzie, S., & Currey, N. (2010). Toolkit for Primary Mental Health Care Development: Effective services for a sustainable future. Commissioned by Health Research Council. Wellington, New Zealand: University of Otago and Synergia Ltd. 247p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
McKenzie, S. K., Carter, K., Blakely, T., & Collings, S. (2010). The association of childhood socio-economic position and psychological distress in adulthood: Is it mediated by adult socio-economic position? Longitudinal & Life Course Studies, 1(4), 339-358.
Journal - Research Article
McKenzie, S. (2010, August). Participation action research: Involvement of DHB in research on management of mental health conditions. Verbal presentation at the Rehabilitation & Disability Research Theme Colloquium, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
McKenzie, S. K., & Carter, K. N. (2009). Are retrospective measures of childhood socioeconomic position in prospective adult health surveys useful? [Roundtable: Lifecourse epidemiology]. Australasian Epidemiologist, 16(3), 22-24.
Journal - Research Other
McKenzie, S. (2009). The association of childhood socioeconomic position and psychological distress: Is it mediated by adult socioeconomic position? Australasian Epidemiologist.16(2), (pp. 37). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
La Flamme, A. C., Harvie, M., Kenwright, D., Cameron, K., Rawlence, N., Low, Y. S., & McKenzie, S. K. (2007). Chronic exposure to schistosome eggs reduces serum cholesterol but has no effect on atherosclerotic lesion development. Parasite Immunology, 29, 259-266. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2007.00942.x
Journal - Research Article