Modelling tools to support community mental health

Men and women healing during psychologist meeting talking about mental health

Decision makers in mental health face significant challenges in determining which initiatives to invest in. The sector is complex, with workforce capacity restrictions, changing population needs and varying degrees of supporting evidence. The Sax Institute’s Decision Analytics team is helping to navigate these challenges with an interactive ‘what-if’ tool that tests which community-based initiatives provide … Read more

Why suicide prevention needs community programs

Hand of community worker consoling a young man with psychological distress

Community-based interventions can reduce suicide rates and lessen the suicide-related burden on hospitals, says new research using modelling by the Sax Institute. Researchers from the Institute led the development of a system dynamics model to test the likely impact of suicide prevention interventions in New South Wales for adults 20 years and older. The interventions … Read more

New simulation tool will help hospitals live with COVID-19

Doctors and nurse preparing to work in hospital during COVID-19 outbreak.

Hospitals across NSW will be prepared for future COVID-19 waves thanks to a sophisticated modelling tool developed by the Sax Institute. The tool simulates the movement of patients through 25 hospitals in NSW during a surge in COVID-19 cases. It shows the impact of COVID-19 across the hospital, including emergency departments and intensive care units … Read more

Why simulation modellers are moving to public health

The red arrow finds its optimal path through many impassable options.

For many years, simulation modelling jobs could mainly be found in engineering, construction and business. But over the past decade, the health and medical sector has emerged as an area where a modeller can have a career that’s both sustainable and rewarding.  Mark Heffernan, consultant modeller with the Sax Institute, has seen this evolution first-hand. … Read more