Change to Improve Mental Health

Using real-world research for regional healthcare transformation

Change to Improve Mental Health (CHIME), a collaboration between Barwon Health and Deakin University, aims to improve regional mental healthcare by putting the lived experience of people, from practitioners to patients to policy makers, front and centre. This real-world information, evidence and input will drive new approaches to the treatment, care and support for people experiencing mental illness and roadblocks to care.

Our research areas

CHIME is aiming to build a better care experience for patients and carers, a more resilient and accessible mental health system, improved community well-being and a culture of value and continuous improvement for mental healthcare workers. To achieve these goals, our research is based around five key topics.

Creating Healthy Places through Biophilic Design Research

Biophilia is the concept that humans have a biological need for connection with nature on physical, mental, and social levels. Incorporating biophilic design elements into spaces has been shown to have a positive impact on well-being (while ignoring these design ideas has demonstrated quite the opposite). This research can be used in the design of new mental healthcare facilities.

Creating a regional Listening and Learning Mental Healthcare System

This is a flagship project to build CHIME’s regional Listening and Learning Mental Healthcare System, using innovative systems-based approaches to improve mental healthcare services in the Barwon-Southwest region. This collaborative project aims to design, implement, and test changes to services and practices, initially focused on acute-inpatient care.

Evaluating the transition to telehealth for mental health services during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people had to access their mental healthcare appointments via telehealth. By exploring the rapid implementation and uptake of telehealth services at Barwon Health during the pandemic, we can assess the pros and cons of it and look at how to improve the integration of telehealth into models of care in regional public mental health service delivery.

Investigating diet and exercise as an effective treatment for psychological distress

CALM is a group-based, telehealth program by Deakin’s Food and Mood Centre to support positive lifestyle changes to improve mental health for adults experiencing psychological distress. A clinical trial is evaluating the health impacts and cost-effectiveness of this new program against established psychotherapy programs and contributing to the evidence base for the effects of diet and exercise on mental health.

Data Linkage for Youth Mental Health in the Barwon Region

The Data Linkage Feasibility Study on Youth Mental Health in the Barwon Region investigated the feasibility of linking health, justice, welfare, education and mortality data on a large group of young people in the region in regard to suicidal behaviours and opportune times for intervention. This ongoing study found data linkage to be both feasible and cost-effective.

Be part of an inspiring transformation in regional mental healthcare

By joining our research team, you’ll be part of an exciting partnership between Barwon Health and Deakin University. With innovative research programs and on-the-ground evidence, you can be part of a system reform that delivers nuanced pathways to good mental health in the regions and beyond.

Study with us

Starting right now, CHIME is working together with the community and stakeholders to restore hope, and to reimagine a system that will deliver the quality of care that enables people who have experienced mental illness to live their best lives.’

Ms Renae Carolin, Director, CHIME

Our research team

Ms Renae Carolin, Director, CHIME
Prof Peter Haddad, Academic and Clinical Director, CHIME
Prof Steve Moylan, Clinical Director, Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services Barwon Health and Clinical Professor with Deakin University School of Medicine
Alfred Deakin Prof Anna Peeters, Professor of Epidemiology and Equity in Public Health and Director of the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University
Dr James McLure, Barwon Health Senior Peer Support Worker and Lived Experience Engagement and Research Fellow
Mr Tony McManus, Development Manager for the Geelong Community Foundation
Alfred Deakin Prof Michael Berk, Alfred Deakin Chair of Psychiatry, Deakin University and Barwon Health and Director of IMPACT
Deakin Distinguished Professor Rachel Huxley, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Deakin University