Hamilton Centre

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Hamilton Centre

Statewide Centre for mental health and addiction in Victoria, Australia.

Working towards best practices in integrated care for people with co-occurring conditions through an innovative program of clinical, research, education and training streams.

09/12/2025

We're pleased to welcome Patrick Huang, our new PhD student at the Hamilton Centre!

Under the supervision of Hamilton Centre Clinical Director A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri and The Matilda Centre’s Prof Katherine Mills, Patrick's PhD will explore how integrated care for people experiencing both mental illness and substance use is understood, delivered and assessed within Victorian mental health services.

“I'm using a mixed-methods approach and plan to collaborate with clinicians, consumers, carers, peer workers and service leaders to explore current practice, barriers and enablers. The goal is to identify practical indicators of quality and safety and generate insights that can strengthen integrated care and inform future service improvement,” he explains.

Keep reading 👉https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/news/2025-news/welcome-patrick-huang

Monash University

07/12/2025

With a 97% satisfaction rate, we’ve officially wrapped up our workshops for 2025!

This year, our small but dedicated Central team had the opportunity to connect with more than 400 mental health and AOD workers across metro and regional Victoria. Each session offered rich discussions and practical learning to support clinicians in their vital work.

In a few regional locations, we were also honoured to be welcomed by local Aboriginal communities. The Welcome to Country ceremonies shared culture and stories that shaped the day and reminded us of the importance of connection, respect and inclusion in the work we do.

We’re grateful to every participant, presenter and clinical partner who contributed to making this year’s workshops such a success.

To stay updated on workshops and training opportunities for 2026, subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/newsletter

28/11/2025

📞 Our Advice Line provides Victorian healthcare workers with support and information for managing clients with co-occurring and conditions. Whether you need general guidance or client-specific advice, we're just a phone call or email away.

🌐 Call us on 1800 517 383 – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

✉️ Or submit an information request 👉 https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/referral

Find out more 👉 https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/hamilton-centre-advice--line

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

Address

110 Church Street
Melbourne, VIC
3121

Telephone

+611800517383

Website

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

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