The Collaborative Centre would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Professor Jason Thompson for his contribution as Academic Lead under the Consortium partnership with the University of Melbourne over the past 12 months.

Jason has played an important role in supporting the development of the Consortium and advancing collaboration across mental health reform, research translation and system improvement. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, collegiality and commitment during a significant period of growth and change for both the Consortium and the broader mental health system.

Jason has advised that, following recent Federal Budget announcements and substantial changes underway within the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), he will be stepping down from the Academic Lead role to focus on leading a major national reform program connected to the NDIA New Framework Planning work. This represents one of the most significant reform agendas undertaken by the NDIA since the establishment of the Scheme. We would like to congratulate Jason for being the trusted leader to guide this important work.  

From 1 June 2026, Academic Lead responsibilities under the Consortium partnership will transition to Associate Professor Katrina Witt.

Katrina is Associate Professor of Mental Health Systems Reform within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and a Dame Kate Campbell Fellow at the Centre for Youth Mental Health. She is an internationally recognised leader in mental health research, with expertise spanning self-harm and suicide prevention, evidence synthesis, linked administrative data and computer simulation modelling to better understand and improve mental health systems.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Academic Lead for the Collaborative Centre, and look forward to working with colleagues across research, policy, practice and Lived and Living Experience to strengthen impactful, system-focused research that supports meaningful mental health system reform for Victoria.”

The Collaborative Centre congratulates and warmly welcomes Katrina into the role. The Centre looks forward to continuing to strengthen the Consortium’s contribution to impactful, system-focused mental health research aligned with our research strategy and reform priorities.

Importantly, Jason will continue to support existing research projects and student activities with the Collaborative Centre, and we are pleased that administrative support arrangements for the Consortium Executive Committee will remain unchanged.

We thank Jason again for his contribution and leadership, and look forward to continuing our partnership with the University of Melbourne and Consortium partners as this next chapter of work progresses.

Professor Sarah Wilson
CEO, Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing