Award Winning Mental Health Organisation Set to Build Nation Leading Neuro-Innovation Precinct on Sunshine Coast

Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH) has been named the Sunshine Coast’s Best Large Health and Medical Services business at the 30th Annual Sunshine Coast Business Awards, as the organisation advances plans to develop a nation leading neuro-innovation and mental health hospital precinct in Birtinya.
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare was awarded Sunshine Coast’s best large Health and Medical Services business at the 30th Annual Sunshine Coast Business awards on Saturday night. The organisation is proudly advancing its plans to develop a nation leading neuro-innovation and mental health hospital precinct in Birtinya.
TBMH currently operate the Brain & Mind Hub mental health clinic in Maroochydore and was honoured as Organisation of the Year at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Community Gala Awards. CEO Professor Jim Lagopoulos was also a finalist for the Jess Cheverton Individual Award at the 2025 Queensland Mental Health Awards, further demonstrating the organisation’s leadership in mental health innovation for the Sunshine Coast and Queensland.
“These awards are a testament to the exceptional team we have built and the urgent need for innovative, accessible mental health care,” said Professor Jim Lagopoulos, CEO of TBMH. “We are proud to be pioneering neuroscience-led approaches that are reshaping how mental health is understood and treated.”
Since opening the Brain & Mind Hub clinic in Maroochydore 18 months ago, the organisation has delivered over 4,500 occasions of care, introduced Queensland-first treatments, and implemented a precision medicine model that provides timely, tailored support for individuals – especially those who have fallen through the gaps.
The clinic has seen a wide spectrum of mental health presentations, many of which are complex, multi-layered, and resistant to traditional treatment approaches. These include co-occurring conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, trauma-related presentations, and treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. This complexity reinforces the urgent need to shift away from one-size-fits-all models and toward integrated, neuroscience-informed care that addresses the unique biological, psychological, and social factors influencing each individual’s mental health.
Building on this success, TBMH is progressing their plans for a mental health hospital and neuro-innovation precinct within the Birtinya Health Precinct. This visionary development will improve access to advanced mental health services in the region and firmly position the Sunshine Coast as a national leader in neurotechnology – acting as a hub for the development of cutting edge research and product development.
“We have current development approval for this project and are actively working with government and local representatives to bring this project to life”, said Professor Jim Lagopoulos. “This precinct will be a cornerstone for mental health research, treatment and innovation –
not just for our region, but for the nation”.
The construction of this neuro-innovation and mental health hospital precinct, along with the ongoing delivery of mental health services to the Sunshine Coast community members who need it the most, would not be possible without the generosity and vision of philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson.
Thompson Brain & Mind board member Peter Thompson said, “My family and I are deeply excited to support this vision, and we are proud to stand behind TBMH as it works to make a lasting difference.”
These awards serve as a powerful reminder of the progress being made and the opportunities that lie ahead for the Sunshine Coast community. Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare remains deeply committed to ensuring every person in our region has access to world-class mental health support.

TBMH and ANU Partner to Advance Mental Health Research
The Brain & Mind Hub (TBMH) is proud to announce a landmark collaboration with The Australian National University (ANU) aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in neuroscience, psychiatry, and precision mental health care.
Mental illness remains one of Australia’s most pressing health challenges, affecting nearly half of the population during their lifetime. This partnership responds to the urgent need for scientifically rigorous solutions that deliver better outcomes for individuals and families.
Bridging Research and Clinical Practice
By combining TBMH’s clinical expertise with ANU’s world-class research capabilities, this collaboration creates a powerful translational pipeline—ensuring discoveries move swiftly from the lab into real-world care.
Key areas of focus include:
- Advanced brain imaging to uncover the biological basis of mental health conditions
- Neuromodulation therapies, including rTMS and emerging techniques
- Data-driven diagnostics powered by AI and biomarker models
- Personalised treatment strategies tailored to individual needs
Together, these initiatives aim to improve early detection, reduce ineffective treatment cycles, and enhance long-term recovery outcomes.
A Message from ANU
Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Director of the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology and Senior Staff Specialist at Canberra Health Services, emphasised the significance of this collaboration:
“This is an important new partnership which will expand the capacity of ANU to engage in research aimed at developing solutions for problematic mental health conditions. There is, now more than ever, a need for new approaches to mental ill-health and this partnership will assist in both organisations’ endeavours to conduct cutting edge research with substantive real-world impact.”
Looking Ahead
Beyond research, this collaboration is focused on strengthening workforce development and supporting emerging clinicians and researchers. With mental health needs continuing to rise, TBMH and ANU are working together to improve access to effective care, reduce the impact of chronic and severe mental illness, and support recovery and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Together, we are shaping the future of mental health care—and building a healthier, more connected Australia.