WELCOME TO OPTIMAL HEALTH

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 Wellbeing Australia, trading as Optimal Health, is responsible for continuing the annual review of OHP and is dedicated to improving the accessibility of the program for clinician and patient alike, through research, program development and training; as well as direct service delivery.  

Optimal Wellbeing Australia 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. 

"The most significant advancement of mental health and wellbeing the Australian health sector has seen is to offer the Optimal Health Program to the general public. 

To have a mental health agency take a salutogenic practice to general population as an authentic and genuine preventative approach to mental health and chronic disease to improve holistic wellbeing.

Let our focus on sustainable wellbeing outcomes be radiant for those who wish to engage in this conversation of changing the status quo on mental health and wellbeing and increasing the choices and locus of control for every individual, so that we can build communities of wellbeing. 

What we build and role model with every engagement should inspire colleagues working in mental health, general health and wellbeing aspire to a new paradigm of engagement. 

May our generosity of spirit, time, commitment, persistence, expertise, empathy and reciprocity (essentially love for others) keep us grounded, enthused and engaged as we journey with those in need right now and co-create and recreate new narratives for effecting positive change. 

Whatever you draw strength from, whatever your passion is, bring it! We need it as a team committed to accessible wellbeing for all! People need it to feel inspired! The world needs it for healing and experiencing wellbeing!"