Our mission
Coming together to make a difference
Mindgardens Neuroscience Network was established to improve the lives of people who experience mental health, drug and alcohol and neurological disorders.
At Mindgardens, we bridge the gaps that have held our sector back. We are tackling decades-long delays between original discoveries and changes to practice. We are amplifying missing voices, including those of consumers, so they can challenge conventional thinking. We are breaking down barriers between academic researchers and people working at the coal-face. And we are scaling up pilot programs into efficient, responsive models of care.
Powered by innovation
We lead in the translation of research evidence into better care and support, responding to real-world questions and priorities across mental health, drug and alcohol and neurological disorders.
Collaboration and partnership
We provide the framework for our Member organisations to work together effectively and efficiently, combining their strengths to deliver the most meaningful patient-centred health and wellbeing outcomes.
A learning ecosystem
We are committed to high quality training, education, and support systems for our clinicians, researchers, health managers, peer workforce and community, building our capacity so everyone can contribute to achieving our shared goals.
Our history
Mindgardens is established
The Mindgardens Neuroscience Network makes its debut as a research partnership, established through a $7 million grant from the Commonwealth Government.
Seventeen projects are initiated across mental health, drug and alcohol and neurological disorders.
Mindgardens is launched
The Mindgardens board, executive team and scientists launch the organisation to an audience of politicians, research leaders and community members.
Additional project funding is received from NSW Government and private sources.
Professor Jackie Curtis appointed
After an international search, Professor Curtis is announced as Executive Director.
With extensive experience as a translational research leader and highly respected in clinical practice internationally, her appointment opens new opportunities for Mindgardens.
Mindgardens joins up with RHIP
The Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct confirms Mindgardens as an inaugural participant, with shared objectives for campus-wide collaboration.
Established as a company
Signalling its maturity, the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network transitioned from a partnership of its Members to become a company limited by guarantee.
A new home for Mindgardens
The Mindgardens team moves into dedicated office space at NeuRA headquarters in Randwick.
Our Members
Mindgardens brings together the strength of our four founding Member organisations, supporting them to share their unique expertise to address the most pressing challenges in mental health, drug and alcohol and neurological disorders.
Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute (BDI) is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan. It studies depression, anxiety and suicide prevention, integrating research, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.
Visit websiteNeuRA
Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) conducts research to prevent, treat and cure brain and nervous system diseases, disorders and injuries.
Visit websiteSouth Eastern Sydney Local Health District
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District provides care to more than 930,000 residents from Sydney’s CBD to the outskirts of the southern suburbs. SESLHD has nine hospitals and range of community based health care services.
Visit websiteUNSW Sydney
UNSW Sydney, one of Australia’s Group of Eight leading universities, has an especially strong reputation in life sciences and medicine.
View websiteMindgardens is a key collaborator in the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct (RHIP), which has been established to maximise the benefits from physically co-locating UNSW, Randwick campus hospitals, medical research institutes and health partners. As a young organisation that is already partnering successfully across these sectors, Mindgardens is powerful contributor to the Precinct where it represents the benefits and impacts of this approach.
News & Events
KRC opens new clinic to provide healthcare to people who use drugs
April 27, 2023The team from Population and Community Heath’s Kirketon Road Centre (KRC) has collaborated with Uniting to open a new free clinic in Kings Cross providing high quality, compassionate medical care to people who use drugs.
‘Nature prescriptions’ can improve physical and mental health: study
April 27, 2023Potential side effects include spontaneous euphoria and being in a good mood. Not to mention, it’s free and available all around you.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is more common than you think. But it can take nine years for an OCD diagnosis
April 27, 2023Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a misunderstood mental illness despite affecting about one in 50 people – that’s about half a million Australians.
Brings together the strengths of four founding organisations