Dr. Roopalal Anandan Palavila, PhD, RN, RPN, MACN, MACMHN

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

School of Caring Sciences | SCS Institute & Psychology Clinic

Dr. Roopalal Anandan Palavila is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the School of Caring Sciences and SCS Institute and Psychology Clinic. With over 30 years of experience in mental health nursing, education, and research, he is a respected leader in the field. He holds a PhD in Nursing from Federation University, Australia, and is a Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN). He is also a proud member of the Australian College of Nursing (MACN) and the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (MACMHN).

Dr. Roopalal has worked across diverse healthcare systems in Australia, India, Ireland, and the Middle East. His clinical expertise spans acute psychiatric care, dual diagnosis, eating disorders, youth mental health, and community-based mental health services. He has held senior leadership roles within major public mental health services.

As a passionate educator, Dr. Roopalal has taught and mentored nursing and paramedicine students at Australian Catholic University, La Trobe University Australia and Torrens University Australia.

His research is centred on improving care for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. He has published widely in respected international peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable insights to the field.

In his role as CEO, Dr. Roopalal leads with a strong commitment to quality care, innovation, and inclusive education. He brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, academic excellence, and cultural sensitivity to his leadership, and is deeply committed to advancing mental health care through research, education, and compassionate practice.