Transformational Leadership in Behavioral Health: Jason P. Sargent’s Story of Advocacy and Practice

December 10, 2024

Jason P. Sargent began his career in 1986 as a chef apprentice before joining the Australian Army. He then served in the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as a Counter Terrorism First Response (CTFR) Officer. During his tenure with the AFP, he participated in significant operations, including the Tampa Incident and Operation RAMSI in the Solomon Islands. After leaving the police force, Jason transitioned to roles with the Department of Defence and another Commonwealth Government Department. In 2014, he was diagnosed with PTSD stemming from his deployment to the Solomon Islands. Determined to channel his experiences into helping others, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Policing, a Graduate Degree in Psychology, a Master of Social Work, and several specialist mental health certifications. In 2018, after completing his master’s degree, Jason founded his first mental health clinic, Healthy Mind International PTY LTD, which has since expanded to three locations in South Australia, focusing on trauma, autism, and other mental health conditions. Committed to advancing his expertise, he enrolled in the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program in 2022 and initiated a partnership between Healthy Mind International PTY LTD and Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies. In this interview, Jason shares insights and highlights from his DBH student experience, partnership with CGI, and recent opportunity to present before the South Australian Select Committee on Police Mental Health.

How has the DBH program transformed your understanding of behavioral health and influenced your career?

The DBH has enriched my knowledge across the whole of the health care and mental health practicing sphere. It has not only increased by practice knowledge, but has also been a fundamental mechanism to enable me to better engage with a wide cohort of clinicians. It is and will continue to greatly guide my future clinical practice.

What innovative approaches or strategies do you believe have the potential to revolutionize the behavioral health landscape?

Adopting the Biodyne model and looking at health care from a change perspective to prevent mental health presentations and to reduce or better manage them has been a fundamental approach that I have adopted as part of the DBH.

If we look at mental health from more than a presentation or cause based view and rather include in that look one that includes, Diet, lifestyle, social, cultural, environmental, then we are looking at the presentation from such a wide view that we cant help but to change the behavioral landscape.

Looking back at your DBH journey, what specific insights or skills have you gained that have been instrumental in your professional development?

Understanding the Biodyne model is the initial element and how it flows into every aspect of a clinicians and patients’ life. Gaining knowledge of pharmaceuticals and their application so that I am better informed and am better able to inform my patients is another developmental point. Neurological learnings have also greatly enhanced my own knowledge and the insights I am able to pass on to patients. Learning to reflect on my own practice model, and my own written expression in the papers and assignments I complete has greatly improved my academic skills.

I think overall the consistent ability to use the knowledge gained is a testament to the DBH model and course. Being able to offer insights to other medical specialists and have them not discount you is one of my highlights.

Why did you choose for your business, Healthy Mind International PTY LTD, to partner with Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies?

As I am undertaking the DBH, and I could see the inherent value in the DBH Degree, I wanted to enable my staff to also have the ability to undertake the DBH. Secondly as I am in Australia, I wanted to start being part of the growth of Cummings Graduate Institute in Australia.

What are your future career goals within the behavioral health sector and how do you envision the DBH program contributing to your success?

My future goals are to use the knowledge from the DBH to enhance my clinical practice, and to obtain a lecturing position with CGI and a University in Australia. As an education partner with CGI I also want to grow the number of people in Australia pursuing the DBH and as such want to establish a CGI study hub in Australia

How do you view the role of leadership in advancing behavioral health outcomes, and in what ways has the DBH program prepared you for leadership positions?

As the Director of my own company, the DBH subjects that engage in quality improvement, management, and how to integrate the Biodyne model into your practice have substantially improved health outcomes for my patients due to the knowledge I have learned. This includes in the area of legal and ethical where I am now better able to guide patients in relation to practices of others that may not be in keeping with ethical and legal guidelines. Overall, the DBH has created both a foundation and future proof practice model for me.

In 2024, Jason was invited by the South Australian Police Service to provide evidence to the Parliamentary enquiry into the South Australian Police Service’s management of officer mental health. Jason shared the following about his experience and outcomes of his presentation.

How did the opportunity present itself to go before the South Australian Select Committee on Police Mental Health in 2024?

The South Australian Parliament publicly announced the Enquiry into Police Mental Health, and called for submissions from all members of the public. As a provider of Mental Health Services to many South Australian Police members in the trauma space, and observing the failings of the South Australian Police that directly impacted my patients, I felt I had an obligation to my Police patients to advocate for change and provide the inquiry with the perspective of a clinician.

What are some highlights from your presentation?

The ability to present and hopefully make a change was a highlight. Many of the Police members I provide therapy to have expressed their thanks for my advocacy for them. I feel as a clinical professional I have had my professional voice heard in probably one of the most important legislative organizations in the State, and that is a wonderful feeling.

I also feel that being a DBH candidate demonstrates to other DBH candidates that we are not simply students, we are disruptors to the status quo and for the benefit of our patients.

How did your education and experience at CGI prepare you for this significant opportunity to advocate for police mental health?

Being empowered to be a disruptor, and having undertaken my DBH studies, meant I was well prepared to stand in front of Parliament members and not be intimidated. Also having a depth of intricate knowledge in large part formed by my DBH studies meant that I was not caught off guard, and I could respond professionally and with sound knowledge.

What do you hope will be the outcome of your presentation, and how do you envision it impacting police mental health policies in South Australia?

My hope is that South Australian Police are forced to admit their failings and implement sound mental health support policies for their police members. I have already offered myself at the hearing to be a member of any advisory panel for this process. My overall hope is that my single voice may just be a catalyst for change in a world that still views mental health as something to ignore.

Jason’s journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and a profound commitment to transforming Australia’s behavioral health landscape. From his early career in law enforcement to founding Healthy Mind International PTY LTD and pursuing the Doctor of Behavioral Health, he has consistently turned challenges into opportunities for growth and impact. Through his studies in the DBH program and his advocacy efforts, Jason continues to drive meaningful change, both in his clinical practice and on broader platforms such as the South Australian Select Committee on Police Mental Health. His work serves as an inspiration, highlighting the power of knowledge, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of better outcomes for those in need.individuals and communities in need.

Connect with Jason Sargent

Healthy Mind International PTY LTD: http://www.healthymind.international/

Jason Shares What the DBH Means to Him

Jason Shares Why He Chose the DBH Program

Learn More About Jason’s Presentation to the South Australian Select Committee on Police Mental Health

Championing Police Mental Health in South Australia

Jason P. Sargent, B Policing, GDip Psych, MSW, JP, a Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) candidate at Cummings Graduate Institute (CGI), has taken his expertise and passion for mental health to the South Australian Select Committee on Police Mental Health. Jason’s testimony before the committee provided a powerful blend of professional insight, lived experience, and an urgent call for systemic reform.

Read more

Testimonials

“The totally online DBH program offered by Cummings Graduate Institute of Behavioral Health Studies is focused on the professional I have grown into: a synergistic disrupter for the healthcare industry, who is passionate about Wholistic Healthcare (e.g., health, behavioral health, and Social Determinants of Health and Mental Health), rendered skillfully through interprofessional teams. The program pillars of medical literacy, integrated behavioral health interventions, and entrepreneurship resonate loudly with me. The healthcare industry will continue to change, with doctoral level professionals needed to play a major role in any successful transformation. My goal is to further advance my knowledge-base, professional standing, and industry commitment to be part of these transformational efforts. In this way I can heed the Quadruple Aim: assuring quality-driven patient-centric care is rendered at the right time, through the right population-based treatment processes, at the right cost, and by empowered professionals embracing the work and committed to their charge.”
Ellen Fink-Samnick MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCM, CRPDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 11, 2020

“In the time that I have been a student at CGI, I have learned that integrated healthcare is no longer the exception; providers want behavioral health clinicians on their team. My courses demonstrate that the services that a DBH can offer are valuable and the opportunities abound. I’m learning that as a DBH, I can work to create a new norm in healthcare, one that promotes holistic care provided by a collaborative team delivering diverse services. I now view behavioral healthcare as a crucial piece of the medical care puzzle, rather than a separate entity. I can see the gaps in care that a DBH can fill and why including a DBH in treatment is critical. I am beginning to see how I will play a role in disrupting healthcare to provide quality treatment while advocating for my patients. Although I may still have to explain my role at times, I am learning that once I do, others will seek out my services. I am gaining confidence in what I bring to the medical team and am continuously expanding my knowledge of what else I can do.”
Jennifer KellyDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - July 26, 2020

“As a Social Worker, I believe my main mission includes advocating for and empowering patients. The DBH degree will allow me to fully integrate the “medical side of the house” with the “behavioral health side”. My experience working side-by-side with medical providers (PCM’s, ED docs, Hospitalists, etc…) has shown that most of them do not understand behavioral health issues nor how medical symptoms or diagnoses can effect a patients’ mental health and vice-versa. Alternatively, I have worked with a multitude of behavioral health providers who have very limited knowledge of how medical issues might affect their clients. I have often wondered how many patients I have had who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety or other DSM-V diagnosis when in reality the origin was medical. Earning a DBH will allow me to push the envelope when it comes to consulting with medical providers and promote the inclusion of “behavioral healthcare” within “healthcare” as its ALL healthcare! As Mahatma Ghandi said “be the change you wish to see in the world”; earning a DBH will enhance my ability to “change the world” – even if it’s one medical provider or one patient at a time.”
Diane Scott, MSW, LCSWDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - August 7, 2020

“My friend and I were talking about the challenges and frustrations that we face daily in our careers with the clear divide between mental health and physical health and how we wished we had the knowledge and skills to shake up healthcare and bridge the gap. She brought up researching doctorate programs and how interested she was in the DBH. My reponse was, “What on earth is a DBH?” She laughed and said it was a newer doctorate degree in behavioral health, that focused directly on integrated care and doing exactly what we were dreaming of doing….shaking up healthcare and bridging the gap and treating the person as a whole. I had a hard time believing her. It sounded too good to be true. How was there a degree out there that fit my goals and aspirations to a T without me knowing about it? I had been looking periodically throughout my 20 year journey in behavioral health for a program that resonated with me. It was here all this time? How had I missed it? I immediately spent hours scouring the internet to find any crumb of information that I could about the Doctorate of Behavioral Health and the programs associated with it. Then I hit the jackpot. I found the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies.”
Amy McConnell, LCSWDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 18, 2020

“During my tenure as a student at CGI, I wrote a book review that was published in the International Journal of Integrated Care. One of my papers became a newsletter article, a pitch for my population health class became a poster presented at a CFHA conference, a book chapter was developed based on a paper I wrote for my independent study, and I am submitting my CP project to a journal this weekend. So, everything that you write during the program is potentially publishable! You have the advantage of having faculty read and give you feedback on it before submitting it. Take risks! The worst that can happen if you submit a paper for publication is receiving a rejection letter. Well, if you don’t send it you’re already acting as if the paper had been rejected. 😉 Plus, if you receive a rejection letter, it usually comes with feedback, so you can improve your paper and send it again!”
Dr. Liliane de Aguiar-Rocha, DBH, BCBADBH Alumni, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - October 9, 2020

“There is a substantial need for integrating care between our physical, and mental health. The gap between these domains are more so overlooked among those with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities – the very population I serve as a Behavior Analyst. Filling these gaps entails work that demands for a DBH who is competent, empathetic, and altruistic.”
Pauline Pablo, BCBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 11, 2020

“My interest in a DBH degree grew out of frustration and hope. On one hand, I grew frustrated with the quality of care my clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities were receiving. As members of a marginalized population who lack the skills to advocate for themselves, the clients I serve receive subpar medical care, mental health care, and behavioral health care. Many healthcare providers are not trained to address the unique language and cognitive challenges present when serving a person with Autism and I/DD.

On the other hand, as I learned more about the DBH program, a potential solution came into view. I believe this program will allow me to acquire the knowledge and skills to become a better advocate for my clients, and new job opportunities will open up in positions in which I will be able to make a bigger impact on a system level, thus improving quality of life for many clients. A DBH degree will command interest and respect from other healthcare professionals who are evaluating their practices and noticing areas in which they are not being effective, namely the behavioral health side of the equation. As we are learning in our first classes about the Biodyne Model, the Integrated Care Model is not widely accepted or known in the healthcare field, despite its proven track record. I believe a DBH degree provides the necessary tool to change the landscape of healthcare provision by arming my passion for this topic with knowledge and concrete strategies.”
Valeria ParejoDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 15, 2021

“As a Doctorate of Behavioral Health (DBH) student my vision for healthcare is to disrupt the current model, close gaps to care and create healthcare improvements. In the evolving world of healthcare I believe behavioral healthcare providers (BCP) are essential to the development of integrative healthcare. Once I obtain a DBH degree, I know I will gain a leadership role and be able to add quality to the creation of integration efforts worldwide. I know I will graduate with the essential tools I need to stand at the forefront of integrated healthcare. I want to create healthcare improvements for marginalized populations that are typically underserved or forgotten. As an individual of two minority groups; woman and African American, I am very passionate about helping reduce cultural, ethnic, social economic and geographic disparities within healthcare systems.”
Ebony WatsonDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 30, 2021

“Since beginning my studies at CGI, I have been awakened to how much I truly did not know and understand despite my specialty training in Social Work and behavioral health needs. The classes at CGI allow me to explore topics that I may not have thought to investigate and encourage me to question and think outside the “normal” delivery of behavioral health services. Services that I previously thought were quality and designed to meet the needs of special populations, I now believe to be woefully inadequate to serve the needs of the patients. Patients cannot receive the best quality, efficient, and timely care they need and deserve within institutions that are not integrated. Institutions that continue to silo and do not encourage collaboration and integration are not focused on the needs of the patient.”
Amanda BarnardDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 30, 2021

“I believe, as a DBH, I will disrupt the current healthcare systemby promotingguaranteed health care for allasa right, not a privilege.I willadvocate fora national, rather than state, licensing of providers. This will allow clinicians (medical,behavioral health, etc…) to provide care across state lines using telemedicine.Finally, the skills I have learned at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies allow me to identify healthcare delivery concerns, propose alternative interventions and cost–effective solutions and evaluate theirreturn on investment.”
Diane ScottDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 29, 2021

“Since entering CGI, I have more confidence in discussing the need for healthcare systems to have a population health approach to care, and to put in place “upstream” programming. I have always been proud of working in a hospital and delivering care, working as a multidisciplinary team member, and making a difference. I now realize I have been part of healthcare’s focus of “treating the sick” rather than being an influencer for preventative care.

Preventative care can be part of service delivery from a hospital system; we should not rely only on public health programs to tackle social determinants of health. COVID-19 is not only impacting mental health but also how we are delivering medical care. Could COVID-19 be an unintended force for healthcare policy change? Apostolopoulos et al. (2020) reports the complexity presented to the health care system by COVID-19 has created change that will continue in healthcare for years to come. The needed changes to delivery and access will require a policy shift in all levels of healthcare (Apostolopoulos et al., 2020).”
Billie RatliffDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 13, 2021

“The DBH is exactly the type of doctorate degree that I’ve been searching for. A doctorate that is clinical focused is where my interest lies. I am motivated to pursue this degree, and courses like Pathophysiology, Psychopharmacology, Neuropathophysiology, only add to that excitement. One must be motivated to complete any degree program. The Doctor of Behavioral Health fits that bill for me. In fact, I would say that I am beyond motivated.”
Arthur Williams IIIDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - July 8, 2022

“As a member of the AAPI community, I’m very familiar with the barriers to mental health services and the need to break through the glass wall of cultural stigma that prevents many from receiving potentially life–saving treatment. I was the only Asian American person in my master’s cohort, the only Asian American person in many of my clinical work settings, the only Asian American person to walk into many of the professional settings that I pushed myself to show up to. In my current practice, I’m constantly reminded by my patients of how difficult it is to find an Asian American mental health provider, though this reminder constantly informs me that more needs to be done for my community. Day after day, I read stories of Asian American people who die by suicide as a consequence of our culture’s avoidance of mental health topics. As a DBH, my biggest goal is to use my expertise in whole–person care to amplify the conversation around mental health and help my community understand that mental healthcare is not a privilege that we are not entitled to, it is a crucial part of our healthcare that will manifest differently in us than what many Western psychology or psychiatry textbooks will describe, and that our unique experience of mental health issues are valid, important, and is time to be part of the larger conversation.”
Willam ChumDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“Pursuing a doctorate in behavioral health is essential in helping to transform my thinking as a healthcare provider; moving from a more traditional mindset, embracing change and a “different world view” of tools for successful client outcomes. This type of advanced study will equip me with the clinical and leadership skills to be a leader on the cutting edge of behavioral health. This type of training would make me an asset to the healthcare workplace; specifically to function effectively as a change agent for the successful outcomes of the workplace and its clients.”
Judith AllenDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 23, 2022 Previous Slide

DBH Student Profile: Jason P. Sargent, B Policing, GDip Psych, MSW, JP