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
2018
Conference Publication
A process evaluation of an integrated mental health service model
Page, I. S., Beere, D., Diminic, S. and Harris, M. (2018). A process evaluation of an integrated mental health service model. Society for Mental Health Research, Noosa, QLD, Australia, 28-30 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Planning mental health services for young people with severe, complex and persistent mental illness
Gossip, Kate, Diminic, Sandra, Hielscher, Emily, Lee, Yong Yi and Erskine, Holly (2018). Planning mental health services for young people with severe, complex and persistent mental illness. 40th Society for Mental Health Research Conference, Noosa, QLD, Australia, 28-30 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Floresco Centre service model evaluation
Page, I. S., Beere, D., Diminic, S. and Harris, M. (2018). Floresco Centre service model evaluation. West Moreton Hospital and Health Service 2018 Research Day, Ipswich, QLD, Australia, 6 September 2018.
2018
Journal Article
Does introducing public funding for allied health psychotherapy lead to reductions in private insurance claims? Lessons for Canada from the Australian experience
Diminic, Sandra and Bartram, Mary (2018). Does introducing public funding for allied health psychotherapy lead to reductions in private insurance claims? Lessons for Canada from the Australian experience. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 64 (1), 706743718784941-76. doi: 10.1177/0706743718784941
2018
Conference Publication
Planning mental health services for young people with severe, complex and persistent mental illness
Gossip, Kate, Diminic, Sandra, Hielscher, Emily, Lee, Yong Yi and Erskine, Holly (2018). Planning mental health services for young people with severe, complex and persistent mental illness. Youth Health Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 7-9 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Approach to developing a mental health planning framework
Gossip, K., Diminic, S., Harris, M., Fjeldsoe, K., Leitch, E., Wright, E. and Whiteford, H. (2018). Approach to developing a mental health planning framework . West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Research Day, Ipswich, QLD, Australia, 6 September 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Assessing service use for mental health by Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America: a rapid review of population surveys
McIntyre, Cecily, Harris, Meredith G., Baxter, Amanda J., Leske, Stuart, Diminic, Sandra, Gone, Joseph P., Hunter, Ernest and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Assessing service use for mental health by Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America: a rapid review of population surveys. Health Research Policy and Systems, 15 (1) 67, 67. doi: 10.1186/s12961-017-0233-5
2017
Other Outputs
Outcomes of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF) Stage 1 training for Primary Health Networks: Summary Report – August 2017
Leitch, Elizabeth, Gossip, Kate, Wright, Eryn, Diminic, Sandra, Fjeldsoe, Kevin and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Outcomes of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF) Stage 1 training for Primary Health Networks: Summary Report – August 2017. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2017
Journal Article
Estimating the number of adults with severe and persistent mental illness who have complex, multi-agency needs
Whiteford, Harvey, Buckingham, Bill, Harris, Meredith, Diminic, Sandra, Stockings, Emily and Degenhardt, Louisa (2017). Estimating the number of adults with severe and persistent mental illness who have complex, multi-agency needs. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51 (8), 799-809. doi: 10.1177/0004867416683814
2017
Journal Article
The prevalence and service utilisation associated with mental and substance use disorders in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: findings from a cross-sectional survey
Charlson, F., Diminic, S., Choulamany, C., Santomauro, D., Raja, S. and Whiteford, H. (2017). The prevalence and service utilisation associated with mental and substance use disorders in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: findings from a cross-sectional survey. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 28 (1), 1-12. doi: 10.1017/S204579601700035X
2017
Other Outputs
Supporting Primary Health Networks to implement stepped care for mental health planning - June 2017
Gossip, Kate, Diminic, Sandra, Leitch, Elizabeth, Wright, Eryn, Meurk, Carla, Harris, Meredith, Fjeldsoe, Kevin and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Supporting Primary Health Networks to implement stepped care for mental health planning - June 2017. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2017
Other Outputs
Training materials and support for Primary Health Networks in implementing regional planning and use of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework: Final report
Leitch, Elizabeth, Diminic, Sandra, Wright, Eryn, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Gossip, Kate and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Training materials and support for Primary Health Networks in implementing regional planning and use of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework: Final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2017
Other Outputs
Using mental health data to map existing services for comparison with the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF): Guidance for Primary Health Networks - June 2017
Diminic, Sandra, Leitch, Elizabeth, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Wright, Eryn, Gossip, Kate and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Using mental health data to map existing services for comparison with the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF): Guidance for Primary Health Networks - June 2017. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.
2017
Other Outputs
A summary of the structure and key outputs of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF): Report for Primary Health Networks - May 2017
Diminic, Sandra, Gossip, Kate, Leitch, Elizabeth, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Wright, Eryn and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). A summary of the structure and key outputs of the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF): Report for Primary Health Networks - May 2017. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.
2017
Other Outputs
Here’s how much it would cost the government to pay everyone who takes care of family with mental illness
Diminic, Sandra , Whiteford, Harvey and Brooks, Peter (2017, 03 23). Here’s how much it would cost the government to pay everyone who takes care of family with mental illness The Conversation
2017
Other Outputs
The economic value of informal mental health caring in Australia
Diminic, Sandra, Hielscher, Emily, Lee, Yong Yi, Harris, Meredith, Schess, Jaclyn, Kealton, Jan and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). The economic value of informal mental health caring in Australia. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland / Mind Australia.
2017
Other Outputs
A review of existing clinical and program evaluation frameworks for extended treatment services for adolescents and young adults with severe, persistent and complex mental illness in Queensland: Final Report
Wright, Eryn, Baxter, Amanda, Diminic, Sandra, Woody, Charlotte, Leitch, Elizabeth, Erskine, Holly, Scott, James, Hielscher, Emily, Lee, Yong Yi, Gossip, Kate, Scheurer, Roman and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). A review of existing clinical and program evaluation frameworks for extended treatment services for adolescents and young adults with severe, persistent and complex mental illness in Queensland: Final Report. -: QCMHR.
2017
Other Outputs
Refinement of the NMHSPF care profiles for youth with severe, persistent and complex mental illness in Queensland: Final Report - March 2017
Diminic, Sandra, Leitch, Elizabeth, Gossip, Kate and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Refinement of the NMHSPF care profiles for youth with severe, persistent and complex mental illness in Queensland: Final Report - March 2017. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.
2017
Other Outputs
Application of the NMHSPF to support integrated Primary Health Network and Hospital and Health Services planning: Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast
Leitch, Elizabeth, Wright, Eryn, Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Diminic, Sandra, Oakley, Padraig, Jimenez, Eliana and Whiteford, Harvey (2017). Application of the NMHSPF to support integrated Primary Health Network and Hospital and Health Services planning: Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research.
2016
Other Outputs
Mental health psychosocial support service needs from the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF): version 2, 21 November 2016
Diminic, Sandra, Gossip, Kate and Whiteford, Harvey (2016). Mental health psychosocial support service needs from the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF): version 2, 21 November 2016. 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
Development of a forensic mental health service planning model
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zoe Rutherford
-
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: Dr Zoe Rutherford, Professor Harvey Whiteford
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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