Research
Hello Sunday Morning is committed to ethical, high quality, meaningful, inclusive and quality-driven research and evaluation.
Research guides the way forward
We use the findings from our research to improve Hello Sunday Morning programs and services, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our community members who want to rethink their relationship with alcohol.
We support inclusive and consumer-centred research efforts, and recognise the importance of involvement in research and evaluation by those with lived experience or are currently on a journey of change. Our Research and Evaluation Framework outlines our commitment to this insightful research and evaluation process.
Please read our Framework or one page summary if you are interested in conducting research with Hello Sunday Morning. Our Data Strategy reflects our commitment to protecting and safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of the data we hold. Make sure to also read our Research Payment Packages guidelines if you are considering submitting an application.
Quarterly Impact Report
Our quarterly impact report highlights key achievements, milestones and data driven insights from the past three months. Each report offers a snapshot of how Hello Sunday Morning is helping individuals change their relationship with alcohol and the positive outcomes of our programs and initiatives.
Daybreak Member Experience Survey Report
Thank you to all our Daybreak members who participated in the Member Experience survey in October 2024. The results are now available and such feedback will help us improve the Daybreak app.
Research Outputs
Hello Sunday Morning evidence summary
Our Evidence Summary brings together the research, evaluation and real world data that underpin Hello Sunday Morning’s programs. It provides a clear overview of how our digital services support people to change their relationship with alcohol, including evidence of improved wellbeing and reductions in drinking risk among our members. The summary highlights the evidence behind our stepped care suite of programs, how they are developed and tested, and the impact they are having across Australia. By sharing these findings openly, we aim to contribute to better practice in digital health and alcohol support while demonstrating the measurable impact of our work.
Alcohol use, demographics and mental health of women using a digital peer support program
This study analysed data from more than 41,000 women who registered for the Daybreak program between 2019 and 2024. It shows that many women seeking digital support for alcohol use report high levels of risky drinking and psychological distress. The findings highlight the important role of accessible digital interventions in reaching women who may face barriers to traditional treatment and supporting them to change their relationship with alcohol.
Even a day off alcohol makes a difference - our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking
Hello Sunday Morning researchers recently contributed an article to The Conversation explaining the health benefits of taking a break from alcohol, based on current scientific evidence. The piece presents a simple timeline showing how the body can begin to recover from alcohol in the first days, weeks, months and years after reducing or stopping drinking — from improved sleep and energy within days to long term reductions in chronic disease risk.
Drink Tracker supports individuals to change their relationship with alcohol
In a recent study, the Hello Sunday Morning community was invited to use Drink Tracker; a digital tool for monitoring alcohol consumption over several months. Freely available in the Daybreak app, over 70% of Daybreakers accessed the Drink Tracker, with more than 87% finding it easy to use. At the 3-month follow-up, participants reported significant reductions in alcohol intake and psychological distress. These findings indicate that the Drink Tracker is an effective tool and well-received in helping individuals change their relationship with alcohol.
Research opportunities
The 'Using our Brains' donor program
The 'Using our Brains' donor program (University of Sydney) encourages community members to consider brain donation, to offer future generations the possibility of improved health. The donor program is a pre-mortem consent program inviting members of the community to donate their brain to neuroscience research after they pass away. Our collections focus on healthy individuals and people who have indulged in risky drinking behaviour during their lifetime. Healthy brain tissue is an important resource for researchers to identify physiological and chemical differences between healthy tissue and 'abnormal' changes that can occur with heavy drinking. If you are interested in learning more, please visit our website or contact medicine.uob@sydney.edu.au.
Online relationship support for couples affected by alcohol and other drug use
Are you or your partner struggling with alcohol or other drug problems and is this impacting your relationship with your partner? Do you want to improve communication skills, regain intimacy, and build more trust with your partner? Hello Sunday Morning is collaborating with Deakin University, Odyssey Victoria, Windana, and Anglicare to evaluate how online interventions can help you uncover, understand, and solve partner relationship issues. The project is still in its beginning stages but recruitment is expected to start early 2026. Feel free to contact the team at relationship-trial@deakin.edu.au for more information.
