SAHMRI announces the SAHMRI Wellbeing and Resilience Centre and new Director

Professor Steve Wesselingh, Executive Director of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, announces the establishment of the SAHMRI Wellbeing and Resilience Centre inside the Mind & Brain Theme.

The Wellbeing and Resilience Centre will be housed in the Mind and Brain theme of SAHMRI alongside some of the world’s best psychiatrists and neurosciences including Theme Leader, Professor Julio Licinio. 

Gabrielle Kelly, former Director of the Office of External Relations and Adelaide Thinkers in Residence, has been appointed as the Centre's inaugural Director.

Professor Licinio states, "With the Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, SAHMRI and the Mind-Brain Theme will have in one site the full spectrum of research and translation to healthcare from depression, suicidality, and anxiety, all the way to resilience and wellbeing. This represents a unique type of new structure in Australia and the world."

Gabrielle Kelly is a film-maker, digital media executive, social entrepreneur and strategist. Until recently she was the Director of the Office of External Relations for the Department of Premier and Cabinet and previously ran the ground-breaking Adelaide Thinkers in Residence Program in South Australia delivering long-term benefits to the state in city design, digital media, advanced manufacturing, early childhood education and wellbeing and resilience by working with global and local leaders to drive systematic change.

Powerful strategic capability in a global business environment, underpins her reputation as an innovative leader and a visionary change agent, with a systems wide understanding of change management.

She has public and private sector experience as a leader in Australia and the USA and has served on many national and local boards.

Gabrielle will begin her new role at the SAHMRI Wellbeing and Resilience Centre on May 19.

The Wellbeing and Resilience Centre will:

• Lead, measure and build wellbeing in citizens across the life course: young people, families, community, elders, and the workplace;
• Coordinate, align and support wellbeing initiatives in all cohorts including prisons; indigenous, young people at risk;
• Conduct and publish research in wellbeing science; and
• Conduct public lectures and events.

This is an incredible opportunity for South Australia to take a global leadership role in understanding and building wellbeing and resilience at scale.