Southern Synergy

Centre Information

Staff

The Southern Synergy Workgroup – Staff directly employed in the Centre

Graduate Diploma – Community Mental Health

Research Group Members

Other Monash University or associated staff with research presence in the centre

Background of Southern Synergy

Southern Synergy was proposed as an initiative during the reorganization of Mental Health services operated by Southern Health through 2002. Following negotiations with Monash University, the outline plan for the establishment of the Centre was developed through 2002-2003. The Commitment from Southern Health to the Centre is: ongoing core funding for Southern Synergy comprising the full salary package of the Professor/Director, provision of an Administrative position and Research Assistant, provision of Business support and other infrastructure support services, with accommodation for the Director and support staff in existing research facilities at Dandenong Hospital, and provision for the development of a new Research Centre in the longer term redevelopment of Mental Health facilities on the Dandenong site. In addition to Southern Health funding, Monash University has provided significant funds to assist establishment of the professorial position.

Targeted and active recruitment to the Professor and Director of the Centre position led in November 2003 to the appointment of Professor Graham Meadows to this role. Professor Meadows had previously been Associate Professor of Acute Psychiatry with the University of Melbourne where he had developed clinical and service development interests particularly in primary mental health care, along with a major research interest in epidemiology and a long-term involvement in training the broad mental health workforce. Two substantial research and training grants were transferred from The University of Melbourne to Monash University with his new appointment.

Collaborators

• London School of Economics - Health Economics
• Université de Montreal -Epidemiology
• Université Paris 5 – Epidemiology
• University of British Columbia – Epidemiology
• University of Melbourne – Graduate Diploma; Health economics, epidemiology and program evaluation
• University of Queensland - Epidemiology
• University of Saskatoon – Epidemiology
• University of Toronto - Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
• University of Western Ontario - Primary care service models
•
• University of Wollongong - Adherence therapies
• Yale University - Services evaluation

Major internal collaborations include:

• Monash Institute for Health Services Research - Services Research
• Monash University - Organisational Psychology - Organisational change in mental health services
• Monash University Department of General Practice - GP training and intervention studies
• Monash University – School of Nursing – Mental Health Research