Supporting young people's mental health may require a broader focus than the traditional ‘big three’ healthy habits of sleep, nutrition and physical activity, according to new University of the Sunshine Coast research.

About 100 seniors will put their best feet forward to promote a healthy hippocampus as part of University of the Sunshine Coast brain research aiming to reduce the risk of developing dementia.

A chance decision at UniSC set a Maleny teenager on the path to Harvard Medical School – and the cutting-edge brain research helping unlock the mysteries of children's mental health.