Silverchain’s mental health PhD grad: Dr Kelly

For Dr Julie Kelly, the opportunity to complete a PhD with Silverchain’s backing was about much more than earning a qualification. It gave her the chance to help develop and evaluate a new approach to mental health care for older people, while seeing first-hand how research could translate into better care at home. 

 Dr Kelly joined Silverchain as part of the organisation’s EMBED model of care (Enhanced Management of home-Based Elders with Depression) and undertook her PhD through a partnership between Silverchain and Swinburne University of Technology. 

 Over three-and-a-half years, Dr Kelly was involved in the development and implementation of EMBED, contributing to research examining how a new mental health model could work in the real-world setting of in-home aged care.

 EMBED was designed to address a significant gap in care for older Australians, bringing together early identification of depression, workforce training and access to evidence-based psychological support. The model also uses telehealth and digital resources to help people access support in their own homes.

A 2024 Victorian pilot showed promising results. Of the 25 Silverchain in-home aged care clients interviewed, 86 per cent reported that the treatment improved their mood, motivation and overall wellbeing. A significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression was also reported.
 
Additionally, 90 per cent of Silverchain care team members who completed EMBED training found it increased their confidence in identifying and supporting clients experiencing symptoms of depression.

“The benefit of having a partnership through a PhD with Silverchain is that it provides a really fabulous opportunity to engage with the in-home aged care clients and the aged care staff.”
 
 Working directly with clients and staff meant Dr Kelly’s research was grounded in the experiences of the people delivering and receiving care, rather than being confined to an academic environment.
 
 “The experience was incredibly rewarding and supportive, particularly the opportunity to work alongside Silverchain and use those real-world experiences to inform my research,” Dr Kelly said. 
 
 Adjunct Professor Tanya Davison, Silverchain’s Director of Research Discovery, supervised Dr Kelly for the duration of her PhD.
 
 “We are very proud of Julie and the contribution she has made to EMBED and other work at Silverchain,” Adj Prof Davison said.
 
“Julie has made a valuable contribution to Silverchain’s research capability throughout her PhD, with a strong understanding of the realities of delivering care in the community. 

“It has been a privilege to work alongside Julie and see her develop as a researcher while contributing to work that has practical relevance for the people we support. 
 
“Her achievement as Silverchain’s first PhD graduate in partnership with Swinburne is an important milestone and reflects the value of partnerships between research institutions and organisations delivering care.” 
 
Dr Kelly’s story highlights the impact of investing in research and people. The support provided through generous donors to Silverchain Foundation helped create an opportunity for research to be conducted alongside the organisation and its clients – strengthening the connection between research, innovation, education and Silverchain’s best care promise. 

“My PhD was not simply research about aged care; but rather it was research within aged care, made possible by the opportunity to work alongside the people, teams and clients who could help shape what better care at home should look like,” Dr Kelly said.
 
Dr Kelly continues to work across both Swinburne University of Technology and Silverchain, maintaining the industry-academic connection that was central to her research journey.
 
With recruitment for the EMBED treatment trial complete, results are expected to be available in mid-2027, providing further insight into the effectiveness of the EMBED model of care.