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.

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.

  • 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

Find more news articles about our centre.

Explore other research centres

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.

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