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Dr Sandra Diminic
Dr

Sandra Diminic

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Overview

Background

Sandra Diminic is a Principal Research Fellow at Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) and leads the Mental Health Services Research stream. She has qualifications in psychology and public health and her PhD focused on understanding the service needs of carers and families of people with mental illness. Before joining QCMHR Sandra worked on the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank and interned in Mental Health Policy and Service Development at the World Health Organization; she has also been a visiting scholar at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto.

Sandra's research aims to reduce the population burden of mental illness through understanding demand for and utilisation of mental health services, identifying and evaluating evidence-based mental health service models, and applying these findings to improve mental health systems and services. This research program involves close collaboration with health system partners such as national and state governments, Primary Health Networks, and community organisations to provide evidence and advice to support integrated regional and national mental health service planning. Current major projects include development and application of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF) and Australian Suicide Prevention Planning Model (AuSPPM), needs-based planning tools which model population needs and required care to produce resource targets for optimal mental health and suicide prevention service delivery in Australia. Sandra also leads projects drawing on population surveys and health service administrative data to understand current mental health service delivery and identify service gaps for specific regions and populations.

Availability

Dr Sandra Diminic is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework) of Public Health, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Works

Search Professor Sandra Diminic’s works on UQ eSpace

146 works between 2010 and 2025

1 - 20 of 146 works

2025

Journal Article

Taking a Strengths‐Based Approach to Mental Health in Rural Communities: What Is the Evidence for Harnessing Strengths?

Luebbe, Annika, Diminic, Sandra, Rutherford, Zoe, Roovers, Hannah, Patel, Mikesh and Whiteford, Harvey (2025). Taking a Strengths‐Based Approach to Mental Health in Rural Communities: What Is the Evidence for Harnessing Strengths?. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (3) e70061, e70061-3. doi: 10.1111/ajr.70061

Taking a Strengths‐Based Approach to Mental Health in Rural Communities: What Is the Evidence for Harnessing Strengths?

2025

Other Outputs

Improving mental healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: new research findings

Zhou, Xiaoyun, Diminic, Sandra and Bainbridge, Roxanne (2025, 05 21). Improving mental healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: new research findings Croakey Health Media

Improving mental healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: new research findings

2025

Conference Publication

What proportion of adolescents would benefit the most from selective suicide prevention strategies in Australia?

Wright, Eryn, Pagliaro, Claudia, Wailan, Manuel and Diminic, Sandra (2025). What proportion of adolescents would benefit the most from selective suicide prevention strategies in Australia?. National Suicide Prevention Conference, Perth, WA, United States, 20-22 May 2025.

What proportion of adolescents would benefit the most from selective suicide prevention strategies in Australia?

2025

Other Outputs

Disparities in access to and utilisation of Medicare subsidised telehealth mental health services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in Southeast Queensland

Zhou, Xiaoyun, Smith, Anthony C., Nelson, Carmel, Suetani, Shuichi, Frazer, Randall, Borton, Tamsyn, Potgieter, Rayno, Basit, Tabinda, Williams, Hayley, Liu, Yan, Zhang, Lihong, Hou, Xiang-Yu, Bainbridge, Roxanne, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2025). Disparities in access to and utilisation of Medicare subsidised telehealth mental health services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in Southeast Queensland. doi: 10.31234/osf.io/kjs42_v1

Disparities in access to and utilisation of Medicare subsidised telehealth mental health services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in Southeast Queensland

2025

Other Outputs

Factors associated with Medicare mental health services access and frequency of utilisation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in Southeast Queensland

Zhou, Xiaoyun, Pagliaro, Claudia, Wailan, Manuel, Suetani, Shuichi, Basit, Tabinda, Frazer, Randall, Nelson, Carmel, Liu, Yan, Zhang, Lihong, Bainbridge, Roxanne, Hou, Xiang-Yu, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2025). Factors associated with Medicare mental health services access and frequency of utilisation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in Southeast Queensland. doi: 10.31234/osf.io/2ydwx_v1

Factors associated with Medicare mental health services access and frequency of utilisation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in Southeast Queensland

2025

Other Outputs

Patterns in the access, utilisation and budget allocation of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) psychosocial support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with mental health needs: a case study from Southeast Queensland

Zhou, Xiaoyun, Pagliaro, Claudia, Wailan, Manuel, Nelson, Carmel, Suetani, Shuichi, Frazer, Randall, Borton, Tamsyn, Potgieter, Rayno, Basit, Tabinda, Williams, Hayley, Liu, Yan, Zhang, Lihong, Hou, Xiang-Yu, Bainbridge, Roxanne, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2025). Patterns in the access, utilisation and budget allocation of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) psychosocial support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with mental health needs: a case study from Southeast Queensland. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6543013/v1

Patterns in the access, utilisation and budget allocation of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) psychosocial support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with mental health needs: a case study from Southeast Queensland

2025

Other Outputs

Effectiveness, facilitators and barriers of digital mental health services for First Nations Peoples in Australia: A systematic review

Zhai, Siyu, Goodman, Andrew, Smith, Anthony C., Diminic, Sandra and Zhou, Xiaoyun (2025). Effectiveness, facilitators and barriers of digital mental health services for First Nations Peoples in Australia: A systematic review. doi: 10.1101/2025.04.27.25326251

Effectiveness, facilitators and barriers of digital mental health services for First Nations Peoples in Australia: A systematic review

2025

Journal Article

Estimating population‐based need for lifestyle interventions among young adults with mental disorders in Australia

Gossip, Kate, John, Julie, Comben, Charlotte, Page, Imogen, Erskine, Holly E., Scott, James G. and Diminic, Sandra (2025). Estimating population‐based need for lifestyle interventions among young adults with mental disorders in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 34 (2) e70034, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/inm.70034

Estimating population‐based need for lifestyle interventions among young adults with mental disorders in Australia

2025

Book Chapter

Shaping national mental health policy

Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2025). Shaping national mental health policy. Oxford textbook of community mental health. (pp. 333-340) edited by Graham Thornicroft, Robert E. Drake, Oye Gureje, Kim T. Mueser and George Szmukler. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/med/9780198898818.003.0032

Shaping national mental health policy

2024

Journal Article

Taking a strengths-based approach to mental health in rural communities: a systematic literature review

Luebbe, Annika, Rutherford, Zoe, Diminic, Sandra, Roovers, Hannah, Patel, Mikesh and Whiteford, Harvey (2024). Taking a strengths-based approach to mental health in rural communities: a systematic literature review. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 48 (6) 100201, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100201

Taking a strengths-based approach to mental health in rural communities: a systematic literature review

2024

Conference Publication

Is telehealth associated with more mental health service utilisation by urban Indigenous Australians?

Zhou, Xiaoyun, Smith, Anthony, Bainbridge, Roxanne, Hou, Xiang-Yu and Diminic, Sandra (2024). Is telehealth associated with more mental health service utilisation by urban Indigenous Australians?. 24th Successes and Failures in Telehealth Conference (SFT-24), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13-15 November 2024. Brisbane, QLD, Australia:

Is telehealth associated with more mental health service utilisation by urban Indigenous Australians?

2024

Journal Article

Policy implications of the 2020–22 Australian study of mental health and wellbeing

Teesson, Maree, Whiteford, Harvey, Bower, Marlee, Smout, Scarlett, Burgess, Philip, Harris, Meredith G., Pirkis, Jane, Diminic, Sandra, Baillie, Andrew, Slade, Tim and Chapman, Cath (2024). Policy implications of the 2020–22 Australian study of mental health and wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 59 (6), 48674241292961-492. doi: 10.1177/00048674241292961

Policy implications of the 2020–22 Australian study of mental health and wellbeing

2024

Journal Article

Do non‐clinical services help to improve functional outcomes among young adults with mental disorders? a systematic review

Gossip, Kate, John, Julie, Comben, Charlotte, Erskine, Holly E., Scott, James G. and Diminic, Sandra (2024). Do non‐clinical services help to improve functional outcomes among young adults with mental disorders? a systematic review. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 18 (10), 773-788. doi: 10.1111/eip.13606

Do non‐clinical services help to improve functional outcomes among young adults with mental disorders? a systematic review

2024

Journal Article

Estimating levels of mental health service need by small geographic area: A case study for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults living in South East Queensland

Page, Imogen S., Pagliaro, Claudia, Ferrari, Alize J., Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2024). Estimating levels of mental health service need by small geographic area: A case study for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults living in South East Queensland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 48 (5) 100185, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100185

Estimating levels of mental health service need by small geographic area: A case study for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults living in South East Queensland

2024

Conference Publication

Development of a forensic mental health service planning model in Australia

Comben, Charlotte, Rutherford, Zoe, Meurk, Carla and Diminic, Sandra (2024). Development of a forensic mental health service planning model in Australia. EPA Section of Epidemiology & Social Psychiatry 2024 Congress, Lausanne, Switzerland, 11-14 September 2024.

Development of a forensic mental health service planning model in Australia

2024

Journal Article

Analysis of data items and gaps in Australia's national mental health services activity and capacity data collections for integrated regional service planning

Pagliaro, Claudia, Mundie, Arabella, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2024). Analysis of data items and gaps in Australia's national mental health services activity and capacity data collections for integrated regional service planning. Health Information Management Journal, 53 (3), 206-216. doi: 10.1177/18333583231175770

Analysis of data items and gaps in Australia's national mental health services activity and capacity data collections for integrated regional service planning

2024

Journal Article

Suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts among Australian adults: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Arya, Vikas, Burgess, Philip, Diminic, Sandra, Harris, Meredith G., Slade, Tim, Sunderland, Matthew, Tapp, Caley, Vescovi, Joshua and Pirkis, Jane (2024). Suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts among Australian adults: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 59 (6), 48674241256753-509. doi: 10.1177/00048674241256753

Suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts among Australian adults: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2024

Journal Article

Identifying core mental health services required for adult justice-involved populations in Australia: a Delphi study

Comben, Charlotte, Rutherford, Zoe, Meurk, Carla, John, Julie, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Gossip, Kate and Diminic, Sandra (2024). Identifying core mental health services required for adult justice-involved populations in Australia: a Delphi study. Psychiatry Psychology and Law, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-28. doi: 10.1080/13218719.2024.2330049

Identifying core mental health services required for adult justice-involved populations in Australia: a Delphi study

2024

Other Outputs

Evaluation services for the SANE pilot for people with complex mental health needs: Final report

Boyle, Fran, Diminic, Sandra, Chatterton, Mary Lou, Salom, Caroline, Dean, Julie H., Huang, Yanshu, Lee, Yong Yi, Harris, Meredith, Yousef, Noor, Lohan, Aditi, Juckel, Jennifer and Marrington, Shelby (2024). Evaluation services for the SANE pilot for people with complex mental health needs: Final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Evaluation services for the SANE pilot for people with complex mental health needs: Final report

2023

Journal Article

Review of Australia’s funding commitments for suicide prevention from 2021–22 to 2026–27

Hu, Di, Comben, Charlotte, Diminic, Sandra and Pagliaro, Claudia (2023). Review of Australia’s funding commitments for suicide prevention from 2021–22 to 2026–27. Australian Health Review, 48 (1), 45-51. doi: 10.1071/ah23176

Review of Australia’s funding commitments for suicide prevention from 2021–22 to 2026–27

Funding

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Multidisciplinary co-design of innovative, client-centred models for Indigenous mental health services in South East Queensland
    NHMRC MRFF - Indigenous Health Research Grant
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    LIFEWAYS: Translating suicide prevention research into policy and practice (Commonwealth Department of Health grant GO5248 administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Evaluation of the SANE Australia pilot for people with complex mental health needs
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Analysis of mental health service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in South East Queensland
    Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Analysis of national mental health workforce demand and supply to inform the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Understanding the factors associated with Australian mental health carer's employment
    Mind Australia Carer Development Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    The estimated value of informal care giving in mental health
    Mind Australia Carer Development Fund
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Updating estimates of service utilisation for mental disorders among Australian males
    Movember Foundation Research Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Sandra Diminic is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a forensic mental health service planning model

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mental Health Service Planning in Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford, Associate Professor Meredith Harris

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of non-clinical support services in improving functional outcomes among young adults with mental disorders in Australia: Evidence to inform mental health service planning

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Holly Erskine, Professor James Scott

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Rural strengths: Local assets, resources, and protective factors to improve rural mental health

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Sandra Diminic's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au