Research Impact:

Much of our work is commissioned by policy-makers, planners and managers who are trying to determine the best way to deliver services. Our work on suicide and the media has had, and is still having, a major impact.

Key research projects

Evaluation of Better Access

We were commissioned to undertake an evaluation of Better Access, which funds sessions of mental health care with psychologists and other eligible allied health professionals via dedicated items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). We conducted 10 novel, interconnected studies that informed questions about the accessibility, responsiveness, appropriateness, effectiveness, and sustainability of Better Access. Collectively, the studies involved: (1) primary analysis of routinely collected data (e.g., MBS service use data linked to other relevant administrative databases, consumer outcome data collected by psychologists in the course of providing sessions of care); (2) secondary analysis of longitudinal data from four large-scale existing studies (two cohort studies and two randomised controlled trials); (3) nationwide surveys of consumers, providers and referrers; (4) qualitative interviews with people with lived experience of mental health conditions; and (5) a consultative virtual forum with 100 key stakeholders. Our evaluation showed that people who receive treatment through Better Access tend to have positive outcomes, irrespective of how these outcomes are measured. The reach of Better Access has increased over time, but access is an issue for some – particularly those living outside major cities and those on relatively lower incomes.

Impact: The Australian Government released a response to our evaluation in 2024. We made 16 recommendations, and the response indicated that the Australian Government supported the majority of these and had taken steps to address them. For example, we noted that models of service delivery that complement Better Access were warranted, and recommended that, for people with lower levels of need, less intensive options (e.g., digital services) should be explored. From 2024-25, the Australian Government is providing: $588.5M (over eight years) for a free early intervention service for people experiencing mild mental health concerns or transient distress; $29.9M (over four years) for adult mental health centres which will increase access to free psychology and psychiatry services, particularly in areas of workforce shortages; and $71.7M (over four years) for Primary Health Networks to bring on mental health workers to provide free wraparound care.

COVID-19 and suicide

This project comprised two studies and was the first to provide rigorous international evidence on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on suicide. The first study used real-time data from 21 countries and showed that in the pandemic’s first four months suicide numbers remained unchanged or declined. This was critical because misinformation was circulating in news/social media that suicide rates had increased, and this was being used to oppose public health measures (e.g., lockdowns). We argued that although we needed to remain vigilant, the early signs were reassuring. The second study followed the first and considered any potential impact of the pandemic over a longer period (9-15 months), in more countries (33), and for different demographic groups. It confirmed that in the majority of countries and for the majority of age/sex groups, there were still no increases in suicide.

Impact: Together, the two journal articles that emanated from these studies have been cited 982 times. They were cited in numerous policy documents (e.g., the OECD’s “COVID-19 and Well-being”), helping to guide public health policy at the time. They received considerable media attention (300+ news reports in 15+ countries).