Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research

The successful community reintegration of released prisoners is one of the projects currently undertaken by Deakin's Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research (CMHWBR).

Located within the School of Psychology (Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences), the CMHWBR combines mental health research of the general population with mental health research of socially marginalised and disadvantaged groups.

One of its most innovative and successful projects is the instigation and organisation of the annual Reintegration Puzzle Conference. Initiated in 2004 by Professor Joe Graffam (Head of School of Psychology and Deputy Dean of the Faculty), this conference connects the nation's policymakers and professionals who are involved in the reintegration of released prisoners.

Through this work, Deakin University now partners with a range of government and prison advocacy stakeholders. This has resulted in the development of important state and national networks and is providing effective interaction between government, providers and consumers.

With its lifespan approach to mental health and wellbeing, the CMHWBR's four research concentrations are:

• general population
• substance use and abuse and criminality
• disability and disadvantage
• ageing and dementia.

While funding comes from international and Australian research funding bodies, governments and industry, much of the Centre's research is facilitated through the support and collaboration of strong partnerships.

Because the majority of the Centre's research is applied, it encompasses a large network of active partnerships with community organisations including government departments, peak bodies, regional mental health services and regional community health services. These partners include:

• The Australian Childhood Foundation
• Australian Unity
• Department of Human Services (Barwon-South Western Region)
• Eastern Health
• Jesuit Social Services
• Kidsafe - the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
• The Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria
• MS Society Victoria
• Odyssey House Victoria
• ORYGEN Youth
• Southern Health
• Uniting Aged Care
• The Youth Substance Abuse Service
• Victoria Police
• WISE Employment Ltd.

The Centre's projects currently include:

• Prisoner reintegration
• Employment issues for people with disabilities or mental illness
• Pathways of care for the socially marginalised
• Body image, disability, ageing, depression, sexual dysfunction, and eating disorders
• Wellbeing and quality of life
• Forensic interviewing of vulnerable groups (i.e. children and persons with an intellectual disability)
• Adolescent health and substance abuse
• International health and health services in low middle income countries.