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
Fields of research
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
2023
Other Outputs
Analysis of estimated numbers of people needing psychosocial supports from the NMHSPF V4.3
Comben, Charlotte, Diminic, Sandra, Wright, Eryn and Pagliaro, Claudia (2023). Analysis of estimated numbers of people needing psychosocial supports from the NMHSPF V4.3. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2023
Journal Article
Using the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework to inform integrated regional planning: a case study in Tasmania, Australia
Gossip, Kate, Pagliaro, Claudia, Comben, Charlotte, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2023). Using the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework to inform integrated regional planning: a case study in Tasmania, Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 17 (1) 23, 23. doi: 10.1186/s13033-023-00591-w
2023
Other Outputs
Coordination and support for the NMHSPF 2022-23: Final report, 9 June 2023
Diminic, S., Comben, C., Pagliaro, C., Basit, T., Wailan, M., Page, I., Rivas, L., Wright, E., Corcoran, L. and John, J. (2023). Coordination and support for the NMHSPF 2022-23: Final report, 9 June 2023. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2023
Journal Article
A review of excluded groups and non-response in population-based mental health surveys from high-income countries
Wright, Eryn, Pagliaro, Claudia, Page, Imogen S. and Diminic, Sandra (2023). A review of excluded groups and non-response in population-based mental health surveys from high-income countries. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 58 (9), 1-28. doi: 10.1007/s00127-023-02488-y
2023
Journal Article
Mental health systems modelling for evidence-informed service reform in Australia
Whiteford, Harvey, Bagheri, Nasser, Diminic, Sandra, Enticott, Joanne, Gao, Caroline X., Hamilton, Matthew, Hickie, Ian B, Khanh-Dao Le, Long, Lee, Yong Yi, Long, Katrina M, McGorry, Patrick, Meadows, Graham, Mihalopoulos, Cathrine, Occhipinti, Jo-An, Rock, Daniel, Rosenberg, Sebastian, Salvador-Carulla, Luis and Skinner, Adam (2023). Mental health systems modelling for evidence-informed service reform in Australia. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57 (11), 000486742311721-1427. doi: 10.1177/00048674231172113
2023
Other Outputs
Evaluation of services for the SANE Australia pilot for people with complex mental health needs: Interim Report
Boyle, F.M., Diminic, S., Chatterton, M.L., Maravilla, J., Dean, J.H., Harris, M., Lee, Y.Y., Marrington, S., Yousef, N. and Salom, C. (2023). Evaluation of services for the SANE Australia pilot for people with complex mental health needs: Interim Report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
2023
Conference Publication
Estimating the Number of First Nations Adults Who Need Mental Health Services in Australia
Page, Imogen S., Ferrari, A., Slade, T., Anderson, M., Santomauro, D. and Diminic, S. (2023). Estimating the Number of First Nations Adults Who Need Mental Health Services in Australia. 16th Workshop on Costs and Assessment in Psychiatry ‘Mental Health Outcomes, Services, Economics, Policy Research’, Venice, Italy, 24-26 March 2023. Milano, Italy: International Center of Mental Health Policy and Economics.
2023
Conference Publication
Defining the types and intensity of services required by discrete population groups within specialist forensic mental health settings
Comben, Charlotte, John, Julie, Rutherford, Zoe, Meurk, Carla and Diminic, Sandra (2023). Defining the types and intensity of services required by discrete population groups within specialist forensic mental health settings. IAFMHS Annual Conference 2023, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 20 - 22 June 2023. Burnaby, BC, Canada: International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services.
2022
Conference Publication
Analysis of data items and gaps in administrative collections of health services activity and capacity data: a case example using mental health services data
Pagliaro, Claudia, Mundie, Arabella, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2022). Analysis of data items and gaps in administrative collections of health services activity and capacity data: a case example using mental health services data. Health Services Research Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 30 November - 2 December 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Defining the types and intensity of services required by discrete population groups within specialist forensic mental health settings
Comben, C., John, J., Rutherford, Z., Meurk, C. and Diminic, S. (2022). Defining the types and intensity of services required by discrete population groups within specialist forensic mental health settings. 12th Health Services Research Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 30 November- 2 December 2022.
2022
Other Outputs
Analysis of mental health service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Southeast Queensland – Final report
Diminic, S., Pagliaro, C., Page, I. and Wailan, M. (2022). Analysis of mental health service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Southeast Queensland – Final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research.
2022
Journal Article
Estimating the difference in prevalence of common mental disorder diagnoses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples compared to the general Australian population
Page, I. S., Ferrari, A. J., Slade, T., Anderson, M., Santomauro, D. and Diminic, S. (2022). Estimating the difference in prevalence of common mental disorder diagnoses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples compared to the general Australian population. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 31 e44, e44. doi: 10.1017/s2045796022000233
2022
Other Outputs
NMHSPF forensic care profiles and user webinars: final report
Comben, Charlotte, Diminic, Sandra, John, Julie, Wright, Eryn and Corcoran, Laura (2022). NMHSPF forensic care profiles and user webinars: final report. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2022
Conference Publication
Analysis of data items and gaps in administrative collections of health services activity and capacity data: a case example using mental health services data
Pagliaro, Claudia, Mundie, Arabella, Whiteford, Harvey and Diminic, Sandra (2022). Analysis of data items and gaps in administrative collections of health services activity and capacity data: a case example using mental health services data. Society for Mental Health Research, Hobart, TAS Australia, 24 - 26 March 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Understanding the core service components required in a forensic mental health system: an adapted Delphi survey
Comben, C., Rutherford, Z. and Diminic, S. (2022). Understanding the core service components required in a forensic mental health system: an adapted Delphi survey. Society for Mental Health Research Conference, Hobart, TAS Australia, 24-26 March 2022.
2022
Other Outputs
Coordination and support for the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework
Diminic, Sandra, Gossip, Kate, Comben, Charlotte, John, Julie, Wright, Eryn, Page, Imogen, Pagliaro, Claudia and Corcoran, Laura (2022). Coordination and support for the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2022
Journal Article
Modelling mental health service needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: a review of existing evidence and expert consensus
Page, Imogen S., Leitch, Elizabeth, Gossip, Kate, Charlson, Fiona, Comben, Charlotte and Diminic, Sandra (2022). Modelling mental health service needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: a review of existing evidence and expert consensus. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46 (2), 177-185. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13202
2021
Journal Article
Estimating demand for mental health care among Australian children and adolescents: findings from the Young Minds Matter survey
Pagliaro, Claudia, Pearl, Madeleine, Lawrence, David, Scott, James G and Diminic, Sandra (2021). Estimating demand for mental health care among Australian children and adolescents: findings from the Young Minds Matter survey. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56 (11) 00048674211069874, 48674211069874-1454. doi: 10.1177/00048674211069874
2021
Other Outputs
National Mental Health Service Planning Framework Service Element and Activity Descriptions
Woody, C., Page, I., Gossip, K., John, J., Wright, E. and Diminic, S. (2021). National Mental Health Service Planning Framework Service Element and Activity Descriptions. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2021
Other Outputs
Technical Appendices for the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework
Diminic, S., Page, I., Gossip, K., Woody, C., Wright, E., Sparti, C. and John, J. (2021). Technical Appendices for the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Sandra Diminic is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mental Health Service Planning in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford, Associate Professor Meredith Harris
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a forensic mental health service planning model
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zoe Rutherford
-
Doctor Philosophy
Rural strengths: Local assets, resources, and protective factors to improve rural mental health
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zoe Rutherford, Professor Harvey Whiteford
-
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
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Planning mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: an analysis of service models, prevalence, and local variation in needs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford, Dr Alize Ferrari
Media
Enquiries
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