In this special episode, we celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Hamilton Centre with two leaders at the forefront of integrated mental health and AOD care: Professor Margaret Hamilton AO, the inspiration behind the Centre’s name, and our Clinical Director Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri.

They discuss the evolution of care models, the importance of addressing stigma and the future of integrated healthcare in Australia. Prof Margaret reflects on her long-standing career, including her foundational work at Turning Point, and the shifts in public attitudes towards addiction and co-occurring disorders. A/ Prof Shalini shares her insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector, as well as the critical role the Hamilton Centre plays in driving system change.

This episode explores collaboration, policy change and advice for clinicians on the frontlines of mental health and addiction care. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation and a look ahead at how comprehensive care can transform the landscape of mental health and AOD services.

Our guests:

Professor Margaret Hamilton has over 50 years of experience in the drug and alcohol field. With a background in social work and public health, she has worked across a wide range of research, including epidemiology and policy. She has held several notable roles: Executive Member of the Australian National Council on Drugs, President of the Cancer Council Victoria, Board Member of VicHealth, Patron of DANA (Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia), and Life Governor of the Australian Drug Foundation. Margaret was also the founding Director of Turning Point in Victoria.

Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri is the Clinical Director at both the Hamilton Centre and Turning Point, as well as a clinical researcher at Monash University. Her research focuses on co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. As an educator, Shalini is passionate about inspiring the next generation of medical professionals and actively promotes addiction psychiatry as a career to the medical students and junior doctors she mentors.

In this episode, we’re joined by two passionate advocates, Benn Veenker and Tharindu Jayadeva, who share their lived experiences and expertise in the mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) sectors.

They discuss how their journeys have shaped their work supporting others through recovery, the challenges they face and the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. From the role of lived experience workers to systemic service gaps, they explore how communities can better support individuals and the importance of inclusive, trauma-responsive care. 

Tune in for powerful insights on improving services, reducing stigma and creating more compassionate communities for those facing mental health and AOD challenges.

Our guests: 

Benn Veenker is the Manager for Lived Experience Workforce and Advocacy at Turning Point, Australia’s leading national addiction treatment, training, and research centre. Benn is a passionate recovery advocate, dedicated to breaking down the stigma associated with substance use and mental health. With over 10 years of sharing his lived experience, he aims to reduce the time it takes for individuals to seek help for their substance use and/or mental health challenges.

Tharindu Jayadeva is a lived experience worker with a public health and community engagement background, working towards more meaningful and trauma-responsive care practices. Tharindu has designed, delivered, evaluated and advised on health projects at local, national and international organisations, including Orygen, Headspace, Batyr and Oaktree, and now works with the Butterfly Foundation, Mental Health Victoria and Alfred Health to bring a focus on co-design, lived experience storytelling and community participation.

In this episode, Hamilton Centre Relationship and Partnership Lead Annie Williams is joined by A/Prof Brendan O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow and former Head of Practice and Service Development at The Bouverie Centre (La Trobe University), and Robert Campbell, Programme Manager at Family Drug and Gambling Help (SHARC), as they explore the complex challenges families and carers face when supporting loved ones with mental health, substance use and gambling issues.

They discuss how stigma, cultural perceptions and a lack of resources can impact family wellbeing, and share insights on creating more supportive services that empower families through compassion, connection and shared experience.

Support available for families and carers:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect - This service is dedicated to those who are supporting people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress. Support is free of charge, and you don't need a referral from your doctor or health professional. 

• Family Drug & Gambling Help - Family Drug and Gambling Help provides practical help, information and support to families and friends affected by someone’s drinking, drug use or gambling.

• Tandem - Tandem provides phone support, information and referral to anyone supporting someone with mental health challenges in Victoria.

For more services, visit our website: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/help/family-and-carers

In this episode hosted by Annie Williams, Hamilton Centre’s Relationship and Partnership Lead, we’re joined by two guests from Thorne Harbour Health: Molly (AOD Counselling Practice Lead) and Keiran (Peer Support Worker). They discuss the intersection of mental health and substance use issues with LGBTIQA+ people.

They explore the stigma these communities face, the challenges in seeking support, and how we can work together to create more inclusive and supportive services for people living with these experiences.

Welcome to the Hamilton Centre podcast, where we delve into integrated care within mental health and addiction services across Victoria, Australia.

In this episode hosted by Annie Williams, our Relationship and Partnership Lead, we’re joined by Sally Thomas (Senior Social Worker) and James Steevenson (Senior Psychiatric Nurse) from the Hamilton Centre Service Navigation Team. This team plays a crucial role in providing navigation, advocacy, support, and referrals for individuals facing complex and high-risk alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health issues.

Takeaways:

• The Hamilton Centre Service Navigation Team offers vital support and expertise to AOD and mental health workers, helping them connect clients with the appropriate services.

• They offer a mentorship line to support clinicians with complex cases, providing expert guidance on addiction and mental health services.

• Developing a strong therapeutic alliance between clinician and client is key to achieving successful outcomes.

• The AOD Pathways service is available to support clients and their families in navigating the AOD sector.

This episode explores the value and importance of lived experience workers in an integrated care model. Host Annie Williams is joined by Sally Chin and Lee-Ann, who bring their experiences and perspectives as part of the Hamilton Centre clinical team at Eastern Health. Sally highlights the challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues and the need for coordinated care. Lee-Ann emphasises the value of including people with lived experience in interdisciplinary teams and how their insights can inform and validate the care provided. The conversation also touches on the changes in staffing profiles for alcohol and drug services over the years, with a shift towards a more diverse and client-centred approach.

Takeaways

• Integrated care is crucial for individuals with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues, as it improves prognosis and coordination of care.
• Including people with lived experience in interdisciplinary teams brings authenticity, validation, and a unique perspective to the care provided.
• The role of clients in their own treatment is increasingly recognised, with a shift towards a more human-centred approach.
• The staffing profiles for alcohol and drug services have evolved to include a more diverse range of professionals, promoting a holistic and collaborative approach to care.

In this episode, Annie Williams, Clinical Transformation Lead at Hamilton Centre, welcomes Dr Thileepan Naren, a GP and Addiction Medicine Specialist with interests and experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare, custodial health, and drug and alcohol management, along with Tracy Wrigley, a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in the AOD sector, as well as health service redesign and clinician education in Australia and the UK.

They highlight the importance of collaboration between the mental health and addiction sectors in delivering integrated care, discussing barriers to seamless integration and the need for education and stigma reduction. The Hamilton Centre plays a pivotal role in treating patients with co-occurring conditions and amplifying the voices of marginalised individuals. 

Including people with lived and living experiences in the interdisciplinary team is crucial for promoting integrated care. The guests advise service providers seeking to implement or improve integrated care initiatives, emphasising the importance of involving individuals with lived experience in the planning and decision-making process. They also express excitement about the Hamilton Centre's future expansion into rural and regional areas, aiming to reach and support more people. 

Takeaways:

• Collaboration between the mental health and addiction sectors is vital for integrated care delivery.
• Education and stigma reduction are crucial for overcoming integration barriers.
• The Hamilton Centre plays a pivotal role in treating patients with dual diagnoses and advocating for marginalised individuals.
• Involving people with lived experience in the interdisciplinary team is essential for promoting integrated care.
• Service providers should involve individuals with lived experience in planning and decision-making for integrated care initiatives.

In this episode, Annie Williams, Hamilton Centre Transformation Lead, interviews two guests from the Hamilton Centre Clinical Network at Austin Health and Goulburn Valley Health: Professor Edward Ogden PSM, an experienced Alcohol and Other Drug Consultant, and Allison Szarejko, a Mental Health Nurse and Clinical Lead. They highlight the importance of building relationships and understanding the needs of individuals and services in order to provide effective integrated care. They also emphasise the need to address stigma and unconscious biases in the healthcare system. The guests discuss the challenges and rewards of working in rural and regional areas, as well as the importance of education and training in the mental health and substance use fields.

Takeaways

• Building relationships and understanding the needs of individuals and services are key to providing effective integrated care.
• Addressing stigma and unconscious biases is crucial in the healthcare system.
• Working in Victorian rural and regional areas presents unique challenges and rewards.
• Education and training in the mental health and substance use fields need to be improved.
• Integrated care requires collaboration and a client-focused approach.

In the first episode, Shalini Arunogiri, Clinical Director at the Hamilton Centre, interviews Dan Lubman, Addiction Psychiatrist and Executive Clinical Director at Turning Point, and Lisa Jarvie, Clinical Quality Improvement Lead at the Hamilton Centre. They discuss the importance of integrated care in the mental health and addiction sectors, the challenges faced by workers, and the role of the Centre in providing support and upskilling. They also touch on the need for data collection and evaluation to drive improvement and address gaps in the system. The episode concludes with a vision for the future of the Hamilton Centre, which includes service expansion and a unified approach to care.

Takeaways

• Integrated care is crucial in addressing the complex needs of individuals with mental health and addiction issues.
• Workers need support and upskilling to effectively provide care for individuals with co-occurring conditions.
• Data collection and evaluation are essential for driving improvement and addressing gaps in the system.
• The Hamilton Centre aims to expand its services statewide and create a unified approach to care.
• The ultimate goal is to provide meaningful support to all individuals seeking mental health and addiction services.