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Mental health is an area of neglect for nationwide funding, possibly because of its abstract nature and difficulty in investigating. It is also an area not openly discussed, but it is a large community problem.

Dr John Harriott is a medical graduate of UWA. In 1967, inspired by his Professor, Mary Lockett, he won a pharmacology prize. He went on to complete his studies in 1970 at the then-named Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. 

John trained in anaesthesia and became successful and well regarded in the field. For 20 years he taught pharmacology to anaesthesia trainees and postgraduate dental students. John also served for more than 10 years on a drug research committee at Royal Perth Hospital. He maintains a passion for education and research, and likes to encourage others to undertake medical research. 

In 2005, John established a living bequest. Through a combination of lifetime donations and a bequest, John aims to set up the John Harriott Chair in Mood Disorders.

“My key area of interest now is mental health, but also the Medical School generally. I am a UWA medical graduate and was cared for by a previous professor of psychiatry at a difficult period in my life. I am grateful, and this episode taught me about the problem and magnitude of depression in the community, hence my ultimate plan for a Chair in mood disorders."

“Mental health is an area of neglect for nationwide funding, possibly because of its abstract nature and difficulty in investigating. It is also an area not openly discussed, but it is a large community problem."

John supports high-achieving medical students with his Doctor of Medicine Scholarship which is in honour of Professor Mary Lockett, Foundation Professor of Pharmacology at UWA. Just as Professor Lockett influenced his career path, John hopes to be able to encourage and assist high-achieving students follow a career in medicine.

One of the recipients of this scholarship is Dr Binu Jayawardena, who is undertaking groundbreaking research in suicide prevention with UWA’s Young Lives Matter Foundation. Cementing his legacy as a supporter of mental health research, Dr John Harriott was the first donor to the Young Lives Matter Foundation.

"Another area of interest and involvement is the newly minted Young Lives Matter Foundation, investigating youth suicide and the sources of resilience. UWA’s high quality researchers can manage funds provided in the most effective way."