ORIGINS OF THE TEAM

The Collaborative Therapy Unit, based at the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, originally developed the Optimal Health Program (OHP). The team members included: David Castle, Monica Gilbert, Brendan Pawsey, James Chamberlain, Catherine Burton, Kamal Bekhazi, Kathleen Crowley, Velma Ho, Amanda Tabone and Carolynne White. Funding was provided by Baker Foundation, Beyond Blue, Medical Benefits Foundation, National Health and Medical Research Council, Eli Lilly, Alfred Felton and Research Endowment Fund, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

OHP was revised in 2013 under the auspice of Frameworks for Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, directed by Professor David Castle, Chair of Psychiatry, in collaboration with De Bono Institute (Susan Mackie, Liisa Vurma and Thick) and Marco De Ieso, providing significant contribution; coordinated by Dr Gaye Moore and Frameworks for Health Steering Committee.

From 2019 Optimal Health, has been responsible for continuing the annual review of OHP and is dedicated to improving the accessibility of the program for clinician and participant alike, through research, program development and training; as well as direct service delivery.  

Optimal Health thanks everyone who has collaborated with and contributed to the development of OHP and who continue to invest in creating communities of wellbeing through the use of OHP.