Southern Cross University (SCU) is offering free mental health and wellbeing services to the community through its Health and Wellbeing Clinics, available until 5th December.
No fee or referral is required, allowing community members to skip lengthy waitlists and access care from student practitioners under the guidance of senior, experienced health professionals.
Dr Carrie Thomson-Casey, Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist and Academic Lead of SCU’s Mental Health and Wellbeing services, highlighted the urgency of this program. “Many people wait months to see a mental health professional. Our service provides free, accessible support with no wait times, guided by a compassionate team of supervised student practitioners,” she said.
The initiative comes at a crucial time, with 20.4% of Australians delaying mental health care in 2024 due to cost, according to the National Mental Health Commission. The program is open to adults aged 18 and over and supports those dealing with everyday stressors, cost-of-living pressures, and impacts from extreme weather events.
Appointments are available in person at SCU’s Gold Coast and Lismore campuses, as well as online via Telehealth from Coffs Harbour. The clinic offers up to four months of regular sessions, ensuring consistent and reliable care.
In addition to mental health services, SCU’s Health Clinics provide a broad range of low-cost allied health options, including exercise physiology, osteopathy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, and naturopathy. Service availability varies by campus.
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