University of Melbourne and RMH lead ground-breaking initiative in mental health

The establishment of the Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing was the primary recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. The Centre's mission is to instigate transformative changes in Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing services, ensuring that support is available when, where, and how individuals need it, with a strong emphasis on incorporating lived experience at the heart of their efforts.

In August 2023, the University of Melbourne (UoM) and the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) were appointed as Lead Partners of the Best Practice Consortium for Adults and Older Adults within the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. As Lead Partners, UoM and RMH will collaborate with 18 other Consortium members to advance best practice care and facilitate the translation of research into effective mental health strategies.

Amber Weller was appointed as Research Fellow and Program Coordinator in March this year. She is working closely with Carly Johnson, the Best Practice Consortium Partnership Lead from RMH, to manage all operational aspects of this partnership. They have been working closely with the Collaborative Centre on finalising a Memorandum of Understanding which will include details on ways of working. Once finalised the University will look to secure funding for PhD scholarships and research internships, which will be closely aligned with the Collaborative Centre's Research Strategy, set to be released in late June.

Additionally, UOM will soon appoint to the position of Academic Lead for the Best Practice Partnership, a role currently held by Professor Chris Davey. The Academic Lead, along with Amber Weller, will continue to be based in the Department of Psychiatry. They will focus on the design and delivery of translational research activities that align with the Best Practice Consortium and Collaborative Centre’s research priorities. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in enhancing mental health services and research, promising impactful changes in the way mental health and wellbeing support is provided across Victoria.