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Dr Peri O'Shea

Dr Peri O'Shea

Senior Research Associate

B. Social Science (Psyc Hons), MSoc Policy, PhD Applied Sociology

Medicine & Health
Intl Ctr for Future Health Sys

Dr Peri O’Shea

BSocSc (Psyc Hons), MSoc Policy, PhD Applied Sociology

Dr Peri O’Shea is a Lived Experience Academic who specialises in qualitative, participative research in the mental health sector drawing on her academic and lived experiences.

Peri has substantial research and teaching experience in Academic, Public Health and Community settings working with people with lived experience of mental health challenges and their families; mental health and disability practitioners; policy officers; academics, and community leaders.

Peri’s work and personal histories have given prominence to social justice, social inclusion and participation. Peri has a strong history in working with Human Service NGOs and in-service management and a strong understanding of mental health policy and consumer issues.

Peri has degrees in psychology and social policy, a PhD in Applied Sociology and a lived experience of mental illness as both a consumer and a carer.
Phone
+61-2-9348-1997
E-mail
p.oshea@unsw.edu.au
Location
Â鶹Éçmadou International Centre for Future Health Systems Room 335, Level 3, AGSM Building Â鶹Éçmadou SYDNEY 2052
  • Book Chapters | 2019
    OShea P, 2019, 'Recovery and Resilience in Mental Health', in Hercelinskyj G; Alexander L (ed.), Mental Health Nursing Applying Theory to Practice, Cengage AU
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Giuntoli G; Fisher KR; O'Shea P; Purcal C; Zmudzki F; Dwyer O, 2024, 'Social Participation of People with Chronic Mental Health Needs: Building Horizontal and Vertical Forms of Social Capital', Health and Social Care in the Community, 2024, pp. 1 - 11,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Spooner C; OShea P; Fisher K; Harris-Roxas B; Taggart J; Bolton P; Harris MF, 2024, 'Access to general practice for preventive health care for people who experience severe mental illness in Sydney, Australia: a qualitative study', Australian Journal of Primary Health, 30,
    Journal articles | 2023
    O’Shea P; Williams KE; O'Shea P, 2023, 'Experiences of transition from hospital to community living via the Pathways to Community Living Initiative: A qualitative evaluation study of service users and family members', Australasian Psychiatry, 31, pp. 813 - 817,
    Journal articles | 2023
    Williams KE; Kobel C; Westera A; O’Shea P; Thompson C; Jackson K; Murray R; O'Shea P, 2023, 'Evaluation of a mental health service reform program, the Pathways to Community Living Initiative, for people with severe mental illness and complex needs', Australasian Psychiatry, 31, pp. 806 - 812,
    Journal articles | 2019
    Byrne L; Roennfeldt H; Wang Y; O'Shea P, 2019, ''You don't know what you don't know': The essential role of management exposure, understanding and commitment in peer workforce development.', Int J Ment Health Nurs, 28, pp. 572 - 581,
    Journal articles | 2018
    Byrne L; Roennfeldt H; O’Shea P; Macdonald F; O'Shea P, 2018, 'Taking a Gamble for High Rewards? Management Perspectives on the Value of Mental Health Peer Workers', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15,
    Journal articles | 2007
    O'Shea P, 2007, 'A discursive study of institutionalisation in community organisations', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY, 27, pp. 484 - +,
  • Reports | 2023
    O'Shea P; Forrester E; Purcal C, 2023, Making mental health services better for people with intellectual disability [Easy Read], Â鶹Éçmadou Social Policy Research Centre,
    Reports | 2023
    Purcal C; Giuntoli G; O'Shea P; Zmudzki F; Fisher KR; Campbell E, 2023, Evaluation of NSW Community-based Mental Health Programs: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Plus HASI Plus Evaluation Report, ,
    Reports | 2022
    O'Shea P; Fisher KR; Geehan O; Purcal C, 2022, Consultations to develop the Intellectual Disability Mental Health (IDMH) Strategy,
    Reports | 2022
    Purcal C; O'Shea P; Giuntoli G; Zmudzki F; Fisher K, 2022, Evaluation of NSW Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports and Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative. CLS-HASI Evaluation Report, Social Policy Research Centre Â鶹Éçmadou, Sydney, , /content/dam/pdfs/unsw-adobe-websites/arts-design-architecture/2022-10-cls-hasi-reports/2022-10-cls-hasi-reports-summary-evaluation-report-appendices-final.pdf
    Reports | 2020
    Katz I; O'Shea P; Bates S; Gendera S, 2020, Final Report Part A (Summary) Implementing the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the development and trialling of the InnoWell Platform, as part of Project Synergy (Phase 2, 2017–2020),
    Reports | 2020
    Katz I; O'Shea P; Bates S; Gendera S, 2020, Project Synergy (Phase 2) Implementation Evaluation: Final Report Part B (Full Report),
    Reports | 2020
    O'Shea P; Purcal C; Giuntoli G; Fisher K; Zmudzki F, 2020, Evaluation of Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports (CLS) and Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI). Aboriginal experience, Social Policy Research Centre
    Reports | 2020
    O'Shea P; Purcal C; Giuntoli G; Fisher K; Zmudzki F, 2020, Evaluation of Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative Plus (HASI Plus) – Report 3, Social Policy Research Centre
    Reports | 2020
    O'Shea P; Purcal C; Giuntoli G; Fisher K, 2020, Evaluation of Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports (CLS) and Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI). Recovery Focus, Social Policy Research Centre
    Reports | 2020
    Purcal C; O'Shea P; Giuntoli G; Campbell E; Fisher K; Zmudzki F, 2020, Evaluation of Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports (CLS) and Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI). Focus report 2: CLS-HASI and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Interface, Social Policy Research Centre
    Reports | 2019
    O'Shea P; Giuntoli G; Purcal C; Zmudzki F; Fisher K; Campbell E, 2019, Evaluation of Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative Plus (HASI Plus) – Report 2, Social Policy Research Centre
    Reports | 2019
    Purcal C; O'Shea P; Blunden H; Zmudzki F; Giuntoli G; Fisher KR, 2019, Evaluation of Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative Plus (HASI Plus) – Report 1, Social Policy Research Centre, Â鶹Éçmadou Sydney, Sydney, SPRC Report 13/19,
    Reports | 2018
    Giuntoli G; Hill T; Zmudzki F; Fisher K; Purcal C; O'Shea P, 2018, Evaluation Plan Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports (CLS) and Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI), Social Policy Research Centre, Â鶹Éçmadou Sydney, Sydney, ,
    Reports | 2017
    Byrne L; Roennfeldt H; OShea P, 2017, Identifying barriers to change: The lived experience worker as a valued member of the mental health team, ,

  • Â鶹Éçmadou 2025 Collaborative Research Seeding Grant Funding. Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Research Scheme.ÌýUnifying digital health self-management tools for adults living with severe mental illness: A novel approach to enable lifestyle behaviour change. Role: Chief Investigator (1 of 5).ÌýÌýThis study will co-develop and user-test a digital solution to improve holistic health self-care for adults living with severe mental illness (SMI). Partnership: Â鶹Éçmadou Faculty of Medicine and Health (School of Biomedical Engineering, International Centre for Future Health Systems, School of Clinical Medicine and School of Population Health),ÌýNeuroscience Research Australia (Neura) and Mindgardens Neuroscience Network.Ìý

  • ±·±á²Ñ¸é°äÌýNo-Body left behind: Integrated Physical Health Care for People living with Severe Mental Illness.ÌýRole: Chief Investigator (1 of 10). Partnership with School of Medicine, Â鶹Éçmadou, Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), University of Tasmania.Ìý 5-year Clinical trial to co-produce an individualised, integrated new service to improve physical health outcomes for people living with a severe mental illness (2023-28).Ìý

  • CESPHNÌýcontract project:ÌýCentral and Eastern Sydney Primary Health NetworkÌýGeneral Practitioner Mental HealthÌýShared Program Care (CESPHN GPMHSC)ÌýRedesign. Principal Investigating Officer.ÌýThe objectives of this re-design project are to:Ìýaddress systemic and operational barriers to achieving the aims of the program;Ìýuse co-design to develop a service model and guidance document; andÌýcreate an improved model of care that enhances access to and outcomes of primary care engagement. Funded by CESPHN Sept 2024 - JuneÌý2025.

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Research areas

  • Addressing gaps of physical health care for people with severe mental illness

  • ÌýLived Experience Participation and Co-design: in service design, research and policy

  • Mental Health: access, service provision, service coordination, information sharing between services and between jurisdictions, general health

  • Disability: rights, supported decision-making, effect of NDIS, services and supports, cultural support

  • Carers: rights, support, services

  • Community engagement, development and empowerment

Current Projects

  • Unifying digital health self-management tools for adults living with severe mental illness: A novel approach to enable lifestyle behaviour change. Role: Cheif Investigator (1 of 5).ÌýÌýThis study will co-develop and user-test a digital solution to improve holistic health self-care for adults living with severe mental illness (SMI). Partnership: Â鶹Éçmadou Faculty of Medicine and Health (School of Biomedical Engineering, International Centre for Future Health Systems, School of Clinical Medicine and School of Population Health),ÌýNeuroscience Research Australia (Neura) and Mindgardens Neuroscience Network. Funded by Â鶹Éçmadou 2025 Collaborative Research Funding.

  • Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health NetworkÌýGeneral Practitioner Mental HealthÌýShared Program Care (CESPHN GPMHSC)ÌýRedesign. Principal Investigating Officer.ÌýThe objectives of this re-design project are to:Ìýaddress systemic and operational barriers to achieving the aims of the program;Ìýuse co-design to develop a service model and guidance document; andÌýcreate an improved model of care that enhances access to and outcomes of primary care engagement. Funded by CESPHN Sept 2024 - JuneÌý2025.

  • No-Body left behind: Integrated Physical Health Care for People living with Severe Mental Illness.ÌýRole: Chief Investigator (1 of 10). Partnership with School of Medicine, Â鶹Éçmadou, Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), University of Tasmania.Ìý 5-year Clinical trial to co-produce an individualised, integrated new service to improve physical health outcomes for people living with a severe mental illness (2023-28).Ìý- Funded by NHMRC.Ìý

  • Shared Health Arrangements Research & Development (SHAReD) study. Role: Project Coordinator and Qualitative ResearchÌýLead. Randomised control trial of online shared-care software with the aim to improveÌýcommunication between mental health services, GPs and their shared patients. CPHCE Â鶹Éçmadou in partnership with Sydney Local Health District (Aug 2023 – Dec 2024).Ìý Funded byÌýTranslational Research Grants Scheme, NSW Health.

Previous Relevant Projects

  • IDMH NDIS Residuals Functions and Statewide Hubs Program evaluations and Consultations to develop the Intellectual Disability Mental Health (IDMH) Strategy. Senior Researcher. Â鶹Éçmadou SPRC (2022 – Dec 2023)

  • Developing the National Workplace Initiative Monitoring Framework and Baseline of Current State. Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI), UoW (2022-23)

  • Evaluation Family Carers Mental Health Program – AHSRI, UoW (2021-2022)

  • SUNNY consortium - Mental health literacy responsiveness project - Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity (CPHCE), Â鶹Éçmadou in collaboration Swinburne and Newcastle Universities (2021-22)

  • Evaluation of Pathways to Community Living Initiative - AHSRI UoW (2018-21)

  • HASI Plus Codesign Project – Ministry of Health Mental Health Branch (2020-21)

  • Evaluation of Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports (CLS) and Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) and HASI + SPRC, Â鶹Éçmadou (2017-21)

  • Development and Trialling of the InnoWell Platform evaluation. SPRC, Â鶹Éçmadou (2018-20)

  • Pathways to Preventive Care for People with Severe Mental Illness, Â鶹Éçmadou, CPHCE in partnership with SESLHD and Mission Australia (2019).

  • Identifying barriers to change: the lived experience worker as a valued member of the mental health team. Central Queensland University, School of Nursing and Midwifery. (2016-17).

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Dr O’Shea’s engagement has included: MindGardens Steering Committee (current), Heal for Life Foundation Director (current); CEO Being (consumer peak organisation in NSW 2010-17) Mental Health Commission of NSW Consumer Lived Experience Advisory Group 2016- 17; Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Community Council Community Council Member 2017; SESLHD Recovery College Steering Committee 2016-17; National Mental Health Commission Lived Experience Steering Group 2017-18.

Dr O'Shea was the CEO of Being: Mental Health Consumers NSWÌý 2010 - 2017. Being is the peak organisation representing people with a lived experience of mental health challenges in NSW. Dr O'Shea made many connections during herÌýtenure as the being CEO including with; staff and management in NSW and Federal Health Ministries, in LHDs and in community organisations; peer workers; and other people with lived experience and their carers. Dr O'Shea has maintained and built on these connections which she continues to draw on in her collaborative research work.

My Teaching

Dr O'shea is the Co-convenor Prevention & Management of Chronic Disease (PHCM9129) Masters courseÌý(T3/24) - offered as part of the Master of Public Health with the School of Population Health, Medicine and Health Â鶹Éçmadou. Dr O'shea has substantive teaching roles with the Mental Health Division of the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) including the co-facilitation of the Leadership in Mental Health for the Masters Course for mental health clinicians.

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