Western Australian Mental Health Nurse Research Network^©

Established since 2024^{"Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than the one where they sprang up." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes~}

About this network

We are a group of mental health nurse researchers in WA that want to connect with our peers and colleagues who share our vision and mission. We welcome all Mental Health Nurses in WA (Academics, Clinicians, HDR students, ECR, MCR, SR) who are conducting and/or want to know more about research to join us.Our vision:
To promote excellence in mental health nursing research in WA.Our missions:
To increase mental health nursing research.To increase knowledge translation of research evidence to contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.

Upcoming events

Monthly meeting (every last Thursday of the month)
Next meeting on 23rd Janurary 2025, 4pm, Microsoft TeamsPresentationAnnouncements
Transition to ACMHN Research SiG

Network Chairs

Associate Professor Irene Ngune
Irene is the coordinator of postgraduate mental health courses at Edith Cowan University School of Nursing and Midwifery. She is a credentialed mental health nurse with over 20 years of experience as a practising clinician in acute general and mental health settings. Her research centres on the quality of patient care provided in acute mental health settings and the transition of care from hospital to primary care. Irene is passionate about involving consumers and their families in the care process to prevent re-admissions. She believes that partnerships in care are crucial for the well-being of consumers and their families and for ensuring that consumers receive the appropriate care they need.

Network Members

Dr Amanda Cole
Amanda is Edith Cowan Universities Lead, Mental Health and Project Lead, The Living Room. Amanda is a comprehensive trained Registered Nurse of 20 years, who has been specialising in mental health nursing in clinical settings and tertiary education for the past 10 years. A senior lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Amanda specialises in postgraduate and undergraduate mental health nursing, student wellbeing, and family research. Her PhD, titled "Narratives of 'living well': Exploring the experiences of family members living with a family member with depression," reflects her dedication to understanding the intricate dynamics of mental health, and mental health nursing within familial contexts. As the Project Lead for The Living Room, a pioneering low-barrier peer-led mental health service, Amanda is at the forefront of innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing student support systems and early intervention. Her multifaceted research interests also encompass teaching and learning in education, the promotion of wellbeing and primary mental healthcare nursing. Through her work, Amanda endeavours to advance knowledge and foster holistic approaches to mental health nursing and mental health care, striving for comprehensive well-being and transformative impact.

Ms Azlina Aripin
Azlina is a seasoned professional with 14 years of experience as a mental health nurse and a Curtin University School of Nursing lecturer. She did her undergraduate degree in nursing at Flinders University followed by master's in nursing at University of Notre Dame (Fremantle). Her research focuses on mental health nursing. She aims to explore on how mental health nurses recognise and respond to mental health clinical deterioration in acute mental health settings. The methodologies utilised are a mixed methodology approach.
She is currently enrolled in the PhD program at Curtin University.

Mr Ben Su
Ben is a PhD student researching neurodiversity using mixed methods at Murdoch University.

Mr David Kiguta
David is a credentialed mental health nurse with 13 years of experience as a registered nurse. He is a PhD candidate, conducting a formative evaluation of inpatient mental health nurses' psychotherapy practice in Western Australia using a mixed-methods methodology. David is committed to consolidating talk-based therapy and psychological support within the mental health nursing role. He works as a clinical nurse for the South Metropolitan Health Service in an inpatient mental health unit, where he applies his extensive experience to support patient care and therapeutic practices. David has also served as a sessional academic for Edith Cowan University and Notre Dame University, contributing to the education of future healthcare professionals. Through his research and clinical work, David aims to enhance the integration of therapeutic practices in mental health nursing, fostering improved patient outcomes and professional development within the field.

Ms Evah Ncube
Evah completed a postgraduate Perinatal Mental Health Certificate and a Diploma in Mental Health and is a practising midwife. She is currently completing her Master of Research focusing on the perceptions and practices of midwives regarding trauma-informed care in maternity services. Evah is very enthusiastic about this project and the expected findings and how they will contribute to positive health outcomes to the mother and infant dyad.

Ms Isha Sharma

Dr Lesley Barr
Lesley has been a Registered Nurse for over 20 years, working in the United Kingdom and Australia (Victoria and Western Australia). She is passionate about nursing and has held senior nursing and managerial positions in correctional healthcare and public health.
Lesley completed her PhD and undertakes qualitative and quantitative research in forensic and acute mental health nursing, with a specific focus on reducing restrictive/coercive practices and improving the mental health care for First Nation Australians.

Ms Liz Tshabangu

Dr Michael Leocadio

Ms Mingxin Zhang
Mingxin is a PhD student at Murdoch University exploring mental health nurses' experiences of the support provided by their organisation after experiencing aggression. Her PhD project aims to promote greater awareness of what mental health nurses perceive as critical factors to reduce the psychological and emotional impacts of experiencing workplace aggression. Before coming to WA, she worked as a lecturer/research assistant at the University of Sanya.