Therapeutic milieu and inpatient suicide

About the research project

Over three thousand Australians die by suicide annually (ABS 2024). Rates of suicide within mental health inpatient settings are significantly higher than in the general population (Madsen et al. 2020). Suicide within such settings accounts for 17% of total deaths and 56% of deaths for those aged 16-44 (Gunarante et al. 2023). Mental health nurses are the largest health discipline within inpatient settings and are vital to the creation of a therapeutic milieu that is responsive to suicidality (Elrefaay et al.2020).

The ongoing imperative to enhance safety and quality outcomes in relation to inpatient suicidality exists in the context of emerging technologies, such as Remote Patient Monitoring, that are being adopted to detect suicide risk (Tao et al. 2021; Shaik et al. 2023). As well as managing the physical aspects of inpatient settings, there is a vital need to enable recovery-oriented practice incorporating therapeutic interpersonal engagement (Lees et al. 2014). Mental health nurses may be well placed to manage the interrelated medical, physical, technological, and interpersonal aspects of a therapeutic inpatient environment. While the need for therapeutic milieu management has long been recognised (Belsiyal et al.,2022), more evidence is required to enable practice change.

The proposed study will employ an action-oriented research approach to understand and inform the role that mental health nurses play in milieu management related to inpatient suicidality. Key stakeholders, including nurses, carer-consumer representatives, and health service management, will be engaged to generate data. Findings will help inform service development in this important area of healthcare.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor David Lees

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
• Applications are open to Domestic applicants
• Familiarity with the Australian Mental Health Care Sector
• Registered Nurse

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor David Lees to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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