Dr Sarah McKenzie, Suicide and Mental Health Research Group, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington

BSc(Hons), DPH, MPH, PhDSenior Research Fellow, Suicide and Mental Health Research Group, Department of Psychological Medicine

Contact details

Email sarah.mckenzie@otago.ac.nz

Research interests and activities

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:

Through the eyes of men

Postgraduate supervision

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., Mathieson, F., Das, T., Genuchi, M. C., & Oliffe, J. L. (2024). Understanding men's lived experience of mental distress through metaphors. American Journal of Men's Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/15579883241260920 Journal - Research Article

Sharp, P., Zhu, P., Ogrodniczuk, J. S., McKenzie, S. K., Seidler, Z. E., Price, S. M., & Oliffe, J. L. (2024). Men's peer support for mental health challenges: Future directions for research and practice [Perspective]. Health Promotion International, 39, daae046. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daae046 Journal - Research Other

Hoskin, A., McKenzie, S. K., Cooney, E. B., & Jenkin, G. (2024). Should menstrual cycle data be collected during suspected suicide autopsies? [Research letter]. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 137(1592), 113-115. Retrieved from https://www.nzmj.org.nz/ Journal - Research Other

McKenzie, S. (2024). Home as a place of retreat and despair for men coping with anxiety and depression: A photovoice study. Proceedings of the In Sickness & In Health (ISIH) 8th International Conference. (pp. 77). doi: 10.14426/ISIH2024CHB Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

2024

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Article

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

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 Other

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

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

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

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.

2022

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

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

2021

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

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

2020

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

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

2018

Journal - Research Article

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

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

Commissioned Report for External Body

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

2017

Journal - Research Article

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

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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.

Commissioned Report for External Body

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.

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.

Awarded Doctoral Degree

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

2016

Journal - Research Article

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

Commissioned Report for External Body

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.

2014

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

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

Commissioned Report for External Body

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.

2013

Journal - Research Article

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

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

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

Commissioned Report for External Body

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.

2012

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

2011

Journal - Research Article

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

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 Other

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

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

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: Abstract

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

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

2010

Journal - Research Article

McKenzie, S., & Carter, K. (2010). Measuring Whānau: A review of longitudinal studies in New Zealand. MAI Review, 3. Retrieved from http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/issue/view/17

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.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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.

Commissioned Report for External Body

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.

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.

2009

Journal - Research Other

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.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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]

2007

Journal - Research Article

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