Centre for Mental Health
We investigate the mechanisms involved in severe mental health disorders and ways to improve the lives of people with a severe mental illness.
Our research centre has merged
The Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences was established in 2023 – merging together the Centre for Mental Health, the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology and the Swinburne Neuroimaging Facility – to lead Swinburne's psychological and neurobiological mental health research.
We believe that people shouldn’t have to wait for improved mental health outcomes. We focus on causes and thinking creatively about treatments to create revolutionary and disruptive approaches to treating severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
We’re breaking down the silos of traditional western medicine that separate the mind, body and behaviour and aim to create a person-centred, holistic approach that will empower the individual at its centre. We’re making ground-breaking changes in the form of a whole new field of treatments that have never been tried before. Things like virtual reality to improve online psychotherapies and biopsychosocial treatments with psilocybin to help people with eating disorders, PTSD and chronic depression.
Our approach is resonating with mental health providers — locally and abroad. We’ve established research relationships with various government, commercial and not-for-profit sectors and collaborate with Victoria’s Clinical Mental Health Services.
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Our research
Learn about our research in mental health conditions and treatments or participate in our research programs.
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Our people
Learn more about our team of passionate and pioneering people that strive to revolutionise the treatment of severe mental health issues.
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Our industry partnerships and collaborators
Our industry partners, end users, stakeholders and national collaborators span government, commercial and not-for-profit sectors, as well as universities form around the country.
Study with us
We pride ourselves on an active developmental approach to our students. Beyond the support and resources that all students receive here at Swinburne, students working within our centre experience a dynamic learning culture, with a rich professional network in Australia and overseas.
You will be sharing labs and study spaces, and most importantly ideas, with some of the most capable and passionate students in Australia. You will be mentored by some of Australia’s leading researchers in clinical psychology and neuroscience.
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Peer Tree Program
Peer Tree is a gamified smartphone app designed to reduce loneliness in young people aged 18 to 25 years old. Available on iPhone and iPad.
Connecting with the community
We are an outwards-facing research centre that provides services for the local community and invites the community to work with us.
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National eTherapy Centre
NeTC offers evidence-based treatment programs for specific types of mental health problems such as generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD and more.
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Babylab
The Swinburne Babylab is a research facility that uses innovative techniques to explore cognitive, social and brain development in infants and children.
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Voices Clinic
National telehealth-based clinic for people with persisting experiences of hearing voices or hallucinations.
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Swinburne Psychology Clinic
Swinburne Psychology Clinic is the largest university psychology clinic in Australia. The clinic allows students undertaking postgraduate studies in clinical or counselling psychology to gain valuable experience, training and clinical skills needed to work independently.
Our research ethics and integrity
Our researchers are committed to the highest ethical, professional and scholarly standards. All of our studies conform to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
Centre news
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- Health
World-first study to develop early warning system for bipolar sufferers
A world-first Swinburne project will develop an early warning system for individuals with bipolar disorder.
Monday 08 September 2025 -
- Health
Incorporating animals in therapy create stronger relationships with therapists and creates better outcomes
New Swinburne research found that using animal-assisted therapy in combination with cognitive-behavioural therapy led to reductions in acute anxiety symptoms.
Thursday 14 August 2025 -
- Technology
World first study of young adults’ brain activity shows TV and gaming boosts focus, while social media hinders it
A world-first Swinburne-led study into young adults’ brain activity has found that TV and gaming are associated with increased focus, while social media is associated with decreased focus.
Thursday 07 August 2025 -
- Health
World-first intravenous psychedelic trial to treat binge eating to launch
The world-first IV-administered psychedelic trial for binge eating disorder will kick off this year at Swinburne.
Thursday 10 April 2025 -
- Science
- Media and Communication
Hearing voices is common and can be distressing. Virtual reality might help us meet and ‘treat’ them
New research suggests that virtual reality may help treat auditory hallucinations. Avatar therapy allows a person to create a virtual representation of the voice or voices, which looks and sounds like what they are experiencing.
Wednesday 26 June 2024
Find more news articles about our centre.
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Contact the Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences
We work with academia, industry and government to form meaningful and impactful partnerships. For more information, please email cmhbs@swinburne.edu.au.