Griffith University will play a major role in a newnational academy purposely designed toensuremembers with experience of mentalillnessareat the forefront of research to transformAustralia’smental health care system.
Launched by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt,theNational Academy ofLIVed-Experience (ALIVE)will befunded over five years through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Special Initiative in Mental Health grant.
The Academyled by Associate Professor Victoria Palmer from University of Melbourne,will operate as a virtual network across 14 university partners from all states and territories, supportingthe move from reform to implementation of change in mental health care.
Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute QueenslandChanging Health Systems (CHESS)co-leadProfessor Amanda Wheeler is one theproject’schiefinvestigators and theAcademy’sleadofMental Health Care at Scale.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the team to co–design the national roadmap for translation of our planned work over the next five years with our communities,” Professor Wheeler said.
“It’s a new era for mental health care andGriffith will play itspartincreatinga center thatwill help implement badly-needed reforms in this area.”
Professor Wheeler, aresearcher in mental health for more than 25 years, saideverything will be designedin a waywhere research and lived experience communities work together.
“We want tounitethe best researchers, people with lived experience, and bring this knowledge into translation to impact change,” Professor Wheeler said.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said Griffith isaleaderinto mental healththrough its schoolsof HumanServices and Social WorkandApplied Psychologyand is proud to be part of the project.
“This is a tremendous initiativewhichwill helpgrow and develop the next generation of mental healthresearchers in this country.”
The national initiative will boast a diverse range of professionals, including government bodies, charities, and community-basedorganisations.
They will join more than 2200 members with lived experience of mental illness andcarersof people with mental health needs,who are part of an existing Co-Design Living Lab established by projectleadAssociate Professor Victoria Palmer.
Along with Griffith, participating universities include Curtin University, La Trobe University, Monash University, University of Western Australia, University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, University of Tasmania, University of New South Wales, University of Newcastle, University of Queensland, University of Sunshine Coast, Swinburne University and James Cook University.