Research and evaluation
Research and evaluation underpin all of Beyond Blue's work, reflecting our commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
We play an active role in supporting and generating research that informs how we support the community, ensuring that evidence is used to create change and impact.
Since inception, Beyond Blue has invested over $68 million into mental health research in depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.
Our role in mental health research
Beyond Blue is both a funder and a translator of research evidence into; policy, practice and behaviour change through our advocacy, programs and services. This is implemented through complementary mechanisms including:
Commissioning research and evaluation to support Beyond Blue’s program and service delivery.
- Investment in large scale, collaborative research programs.
- Supporting investigator-led research proposals.
- Knowledge translation activities which support research findings to be applied both within Beyond Blue and by others.
Beyond Blue research priorities
To guide our investment in mental health research, Beyond Blue has three research priority areas:
Earlier intervention and low intensity mental health support.
Increase understanding of prevention and promotion.
Reduce complexity and increase access in a complex mental health system.
Research and evaluation initiatives
- For more information on any of our existing and prospective initiatives please email us at: research@beyondblue.org.au
Independent Evaluations:
An evaluation of Beyond Blue's previous strategy period (2020-2023) was completed in December 2023. The summary and full evaluation reports are available below, along with Beyond Blue's response to the evaluation and the opportunities it presented:
2020-2023 Independent Evaluation Summary Report
2020-2023 Independent Evaluation Full Report
Beyond Blue Response to Independent Evaluation 2020-2023
Past Independent Evaluation reports:
Collaborative research programs
Beyond Blue Research Partnership Grants Scheme
Through a Research Partnership Grants Scheme, Beyond Blue has partnered with a selection of research teams on National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Grants and Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grants. The following are projects that Beyond Blue are currently working with
- The Bridging Study (Navicare): Evaluating Navicare to improve mental health service access in regional Australia. The Bridging Study is led by Professor Zephanie Tyack from Queensland University of Technology.
- COMPAS-S: Checking on Mental health - Providing Alternatives to Suicide for Students. COMPAS-S is led by Dr Penelope Haskin from Curtin University.
- Healing Spirit, Healing Minds: A co-designed holistic healing approach to promote social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents. This is a First Nations Research Led project by Dr Hayley Williams from The University of Queensland.
- (LYAS) Sleep for Strong Souls: A co-designed sleep health program for better social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations youth. The LYAS project is led by Professor Fatima Yaqoot from University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Ageing Wisely: Translating evidence based psychological interventions for older adults with depression and anxiety into public and private mental health settings, using a stepped care framework. And, Improving mental health and social participation outcomes in older adults with depression and anxiety. Ageing Wisely is led and developed by Associate Prof Viviana Wuthrich from Macquarie University.
- The eCliPSE project: Integrating evidence-based eHealth interventions for comorbid mental health and alcohol/other drug use problems into health and community settings. The eCliPSE Project is led by Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin from The University of Newcastle.
- Counting on U: Protecting the mental health of small-medium enterprise owners; evaluating real-world approaches to mental health first aid and client relationship building training for small business owner. The Counting on U project is led by Professor Andrew Noblet from Deakin University.
- Changing Children’s Chances: Stacking interventions for equitable child health and development: building evidence to support precision policy. Changing Children’s Chances is led by Professor Sharon Goldfeld from The Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
