http://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/

Hamilton Centre, 110 Church Street, Melbourne (2025)

12/11/2025

By collaborating with service providers and supporting clinicians in delivering integrated care, our clinical partners are committed to improving health outcomes for Victorians living with co-occurring mental illness and addiction.

Dual Diagnosis Nurse Zoe shared her experience with the Centre and its Clinical Network:

"Our support from the Hamilton Centre has been a combination of training and clinical advice. I've participated in education sessions with our local community mental health service and I’ve also had access to secondary consultations with the clinicians from the Hamilton Centre Eastern Health clinical team. This has been invaluable when we’ve had clients we weren't sure how to proceed with or just wanted to explore other treatment options we hadn’t considered. It's been really helpful to have that clinical support and guidance.”

– Zoe Stanford, Mental Health and Wellbeing Local – East Gippsland

👉 More about our Clinical Network: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/about/clinical-partners

👉 Make a referral: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/referral

👉 For clinical advice, call our team on 1800 517 383 (9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday).

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Austin Health
Goulburn Valley Health
Western Health
Eastern Health

10/11/2025

🚨 The APSAD Conference continues today with Dr Ali Cheetham, Hamilton Centre Research Fellow, co-presenting with VAADA’s team on the Victorian Integrated Care Compass tool (VICC):

🔷 The USA Compass-EZTM integrated care organisational capability audit tool: Adaptation for Australian Alcohol and Drug (AOD) and Mental Health (MH) organisations

📰 Enabling quality AOD and MH integrated care has been a long-standing challenge in Victoria. In 2021, First Step piloted the Compass-EZ tool, originally from the US, to assess organisational capability. However, it became clear that an adaptation to the Victorian context was needed. This aligned with the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recommendation to create a statewide specialist addiction and mental health centre, leading to the launch of the Hamilton Centre in 2023. In 2025, the Hamilton Centre funded VAADA to adapt the Compass-EZ™ tool for local treatment contexts. A diverse working group, including sector representatives, people with lived experience and Indigenous Australians, ensured broad applicability, with a sub-group focused on rewording the tool for clarity and relevance.

👉 Read the abstract: https://airdrive.eventsair.com/eventsairaueprod/production-ashm-public/b2e0fdbe1f4b49f0b599f87b7352b254

09/11/2025

🚨 The APSAD Conference is happening this week, bringing together leading experts in alcohol and other drug (AOD) to share the latest insights and advancements in AOD practice, research and policy.

This afternoon, A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri and Dr Katrin Oliver will present their latest work on:

🔑 Keynote Address - Innovation and implementation in integrated care: trauma, PTSD and addiction
Presenter: A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri
Integrated care models for mental health and substance use disorders are critical yet remain under-implemented, particularly for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite a decade of evidence supporting trauma-focused interventions for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder (SUD), translation into practice is slow, with significant challenges for First Nations peoples and other priority populations.

👉 Read the abstract: https://airdrive.eventsair.com/eventsairaueprod/production-ashm-public/169be3f5c182429aba3e9de0294a7417

🔑 Relational, not just rational: Rethinking workforce development for integrated care Presenter: Dr Katrin Oliver
Outdated training models and entrenched workforce silos continue to hinder the integration of mental health and addiction services. This study challenges conventional approaches by focusing on the lived experiences of clinicians and peer workers, disrupting assumptions that individual training alone can enhance integrated care.

👉 Read the abstract: https://airdrive.eventsair.com/eventsairaueprod/production-ashm-public/368784dc7c904c1eb2aa3c69d7aec998

Check out the program: https://www.apsadconference.com.au/program-overview

05/11/2025

Don’t miss out – few spots left for our upcoming workshops!

📍 In-person: 19 Nov 2025 | 9:30am – 4:00pm AEDT
🔗 Register here: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events/our-training-events/workshops/19-nov-2025-in-person-the-role-of-pharmacotherapy-in-integrated-care

💻 Online: 27 Nov 2025 | 9:00am – 3:00pm AEDT
🔗 Register here:
https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events/our-training-events/workshops/27-nov-2025-online-the-role-of-pharmacotherapy-in-integrated-care

What you’ll learn:
🔹 The role of pharmacotherapy in integrated care
🔹 How to identify and overcome barriers to effective delivery
🔹 Practical skills to improve treatment outcomes
🔹 Emerging trends and developments in pharmacotherapy

For more training opportunities, visit 👉 https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events

29/10/2025

🎧 Podcast Ep 3: Insights from our Western Health clinical partners

In this episode, our clinical partners share their experiences working at the intersection of mental health and addiction care, highlighting the essential role of collaboration between sectors.

If you missed it, now’s the perfect time to catch up. Key takeaways include:

🔹 Overcoming common barriers to seamless integration
🔹 How education and stigma reduction support better care
🔹 The importance of involving lived experience workers in treatment planning

You’ll also hear practical advice for service providers looking to strengthen or launch integrated care initiatives.

👉 Listen to Episode 3: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/resources/podcasts/podcast-episodes/ep-3-inclusive-approaches-in-mental-health-and-addiction-care

26/10/2025

The &ImplementationSummit2025 kicks off today!

We’re excited to be part of this important event exploring how evidence translates into meaningful policy and practice.

If you’re attending, make sure to catch Katrin Oliver’s presentation tomorrow in the session “Integrated Care in Action: Rethinking Implementation Through Relationships and Systems.”

🧠 Topic: Rethinking workforce development to implement integrated care for mental health and substance use disorders
📍 Room 216
📅 Tuesday, 28 October 2025
🕒 15:35 – 15:55

The Hamilton Centre Education and Training Lead will share a co-designed roadmap for workforce development, developed in collaboration with clinicians, sector leaders, peer workers and lived experience advocates across Victoria.

She’ll unpack why delivering integrated care takes more than just training – it requires real change in relationships, culture and systems.

👉 Read the abstract:https://a.storyblok.com/f/255386/x/8090ed58b4/final-eis-2025-abstract-katrin-oliver.pdf

👉 Explore the full program: https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/74689/program

22/10/2025

It’s Leave a Review Day! 📝

We’re always looking for better ways to support clinicians and services across the state, and that’s why your feedback matters!

If you’ve connected with the Centre in any way, whether by referring a client, attending a workshop, completing a training module or joining one of our clinical network activities, we’d love to hear from you.

It only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts, and your insights really help shape what we do.

Leave your review here 👉 https://redcap.easternhealth.org.au/surveys/?s=3HF9LX7YPHCNXA9R

Thanks for being part of this!

19/10/2025

📢 Final week to apply – 2026 Scholarships for the Graduate Certificate of Addictive Behaviours!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your expertise and make a real impact in the AOD and Mental Health sectors.

Scholarship details:
✔️ Valued at $10,000 each
✔️ Fully online course
✔️ Delivered in partnership with Monash University
✔️ Course runs from February to November 2026

⏰ Applications close this Sunday, 26 October 2025.

Eligibility criteria:
✔️ Currently working in an AOD or MHWB agency funded by the Victorian Department of Health
✔️ Minimum two years’ experience in the AOD or MHWB sector
✔️ Committed to completing the course in 2026 and covering any additional fees

Apply now 👉
https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events/our-training-events/scholarships/hamilton-centre-scholarships-for-2026

15/10/2025

From in-person workshops and online training to a dedicated Advice Line, the Hamilton Centre is committed to supporting AOD and Mental Health & Wellbeing workers in delivering the best care to Victorians.

Hear from Jo Thomas, Consumer Peer Worker, about her experience with the Centre and our team:

“Support and education from the Hamilton Centre greatly improved my knowledge and confidence in combining mental health support with pharmacotherapy advice and referral options. Everyone I have dealt with at the Hamilton Centre has been friendly, non-judgmental, helpful and informative. Also, knowing that we can call its helpline for further information or advice is such a huge help.”

🔷 Register for our upcoming workshops 👇

🔗 19 Nov 2025 - In-person: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events/our-training-events/workshops/19-nov-2025-in-person-the-role-of-pharmacotherapy-in-integrated-care
🔗27 Nov 2025 - Online: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events/our-training-events/workshops/27-nov-2025-online-the-role-of-pharmacotherapy-in-integrated-care

🔷 Explore more training opportunities: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/events

🔷 Learn about our support line: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/faq-hamilton-centre-advice-and-mentorship-line

12/10/2025

National Carers Week is a time to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness about the 3 million carers in Australia who do so much for our communities.

At the Hamilton Centre, we understand the critical role carers play in supporting those affected by addiction and mental health challenges. We also acknowledge that being a carer can be incredibly tough – especially when navigating a complex and often overwhelming system.

👉 Find resources for carers here: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/help/family-and-carers

👉 Listen to episode 7 in our podcast series:
🎧 Holistic care for families affected by addiction and mental iIllness
🔗 https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/resources/podcasts/podcast-episodes/ep-7-holistic-care-for-families-affected-by-addiction-and-mental-illness

👉 Find an event near you: https://carersweek.com.au/events/

👉 Support for carers: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/

Carers Australia

09/10/2025

🌐 As a multicultural nation, Australia welcomes thousands of migrants and refugees every year. Many arrive fleeing conflict, public health emergencies or seeking better opportunities for themselves and their loved ones.

This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of people affected by humanitarian crises.

Mental health support in these situations isn’t just helpful. It can save lives, support healing and empower people to recover and rebuild as part of strong and connected communities. To make this possible, it’s essential that healthcare workers are equipped to offer compassionate and culturally responsive care.

Hamilton Centre Manager Irina Hart recently attended a Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) workshop on engaging with diverse communities in mental health settings. Reflecting on the session, she shared:

“The workshop is such a great reminder about the importance of meaningful engagement with diverse communities for anyone working in mental health, especially when supporting people affected by both trauma and addiction. It helped us to reflect on our practice and make sure we’re not only aware of cultural context, but actively working with it to provide care that’s respectful, inclusive and effective.”

The Matilda Centre's Comorbidity Guidelines also provide valuable insights into delivering integrated care to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

👉 Find out more here: https://comorbidityguidelines.org.au/part-c-specific-population-groups/people-from-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-backgrounds

We’re also excited to have Katrin Oliver and Lisa Jarvie attending the VTMH Forum 2025 on Practice and Research Innovations Towards Culturally Responsive Systems, and look forward to integrating their insights into our work at the Hamilton Centre.

👉 More about the forum: https://vtmh.org.au/events/vtmh-forum-2025-practice-and-research-innovations-towards-culturally-responsive-systems/

World Health Organization (WHO)

07/10/2025

🎧 Need something insightful to listen to? Episode 2 of our podcast is packed with valuable discussions on integrated care.

In this episode, our clinical partners from Austin Health and Goulburn Valley Health – Professor Edward Ogden PSM and Allison Page – share their insights on what it takes to deliver effective integrated care.

They reflect on the power of relationship-building, the importance of understanding the needs of both consumers and services, and the critical role of collaboration – especially in rural and regional settings.

The conversation also explores:
✔️ Addressing stigma and unconscious bias in the healthcare system
✔️ The need for better education and training in mental health and substance use care
✔️ The unique challenges of working outside metro areas

Listen here 👉 https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/resources/podcasts/podcast-episodes/ep-2-building-relationships-addressing-stigma-in-healthcare

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