Starting July 1, the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing will take on a key role in the professional development and upskilling of Victoria’s mental health workforce, the state government has announced. This initiative follows the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and marks the launch of the first such centre in Australia.
The Victorian Collaborative Centre is designed to integrate cutting-edge mental health research, innovative service delivery, and leadership driven by lived experiences, with the goal of transforming the mental health system. As part of this transformation, the centre will coordinate learning and professional development across the entire mental health and wellbeing sector.
In line with the Royal Commission’s findings, the centre will also assume responsibility for managing the programs previously run by the Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL). The CMHL’s resources and initiatives will transition into the Collaborative Centre, creating a unified platform for mental health education and training across the state. This consolidation aims to provide the mental health workforce with consistent access to the training and development opportunities they need.
Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health, Ingrid Stitt, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The workforce is the backbone of our mental health system, and delivering this recommendation will support them to continue developing their skills and deliver the best care possible.” She added that the centre would play a significant role in combining lived experience, research, and innovation to help grow Victoria’s mental health workforce.
The Victorian Collaborative Centre will work closely with local mental health services to ensure that staff members are given the necessary opportunities for continued professional development, ensuring no gaps in training and resources for the mental health workforce. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen and sustain mental health services across the state.
