Mental health researchers are to work with more than 2,000 people living with mental illness around Australia to deliver better models of mental health care.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the new national network, ALIVE, from the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Special Initiative in Mental Health would help lead a generational shift in mental health care research.
“Operating from research hub, to be based at the University of Melbourne, ALIVE will establish an Academy of Lived Experience and Co-Design Living Labs at 14 universities across all States and Territories,” Mr Hunt said.
“The Centre will use research to rethink models of mental health care and the way they are delivered, to find a national solution to a national problem,” he said.
“ALIVE will drive a national research agenda to deliver innovative, evidence-based mental health care.”
Mr Hunt said the Centre complemented the National Mental Health Commission’s reform program which aimed to help all Australians lead fulfilling lives by participating socially and economically in their communities.
“This national network will grow and develop the next generation of mental health researchers in Australia,” the Minister said.
He said the Centre would report to an independent governance committee, chaired by former Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Allan Fels and the National Mental Health Commission.
Chief Executive of NHMRC, Anne Kelso said the new Centre was the result of a considered assessment of existing mental health research and would complement other Government initiatives.
“This Centre is a strategic investment in national collaboration to develop long-term partnerships between research, health care and service delivery,” Professor Kelso said.
“It is designed to find approaches to prevention and treatment that can address the issue at a national scale,” she said.
