Virtual Clinic to Offer Free Mental Health Counselling

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PDF printable version of Virtual Clinic to Offer Free Mental Health Counselling (PDF 172 KB)

10 October 2012

Australians needing help with mental health issues will soon have access to free online and phone counselling when a new national 'virtual clinic' opens later this year.

Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler said the virtual clinic has taken a big step towards full operation after the Government signed a three year, $16.4 million funding agreement with Access Macquarie.

“We know that one in five Australians will experience a mental illness every year but we also know less than half of these people will seek treatment.”

“We need to eradicate the stigma mental illness can carry, but we also need to recognise that many people still prefer the convenience and anonymity the web can offer when it comes to seeking help.”

“This portal will allow people to access information and treatment as an alternative to traditional face-to­face services, in their own time, in an environment in which they’re comfortable,” Mr Butler said.

Mr Butler said people were already using the Internet to find out information and seek help about their mental health and the Government needs to support people to get the right help online.

“The fact is that four in five Australians continue to turn to the web for information about their health and around 50 per cent of Australians use the Internet to diagnose a health condition,” Mr Butler said.

“This gives people an alternative to face-to-face services, providing an easy way of taking the first step to deal with a mental health issue.”

“Over the first three years of service, about 38,000 people will gain access to web-based therapies through the clinic. People will be able to work with the same counsellor over several sessions.”

Mr Butler said the virtual clinic would be run through the Gillard Government’s new online mental health portal.

“The clinic will offer cognitive behavioural therapy from trained counsellors, which will be a huge help to people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression,” Mr Butler said.

“You can self-refer to the clinic, and it will also accept referrals from healthcare professionals.”

This stands to benefit every group in society, but most particularly people in rural and regional areas.

Access Macquarie will now commence detailed service planning and preparation and the virtual clinic will begin providing services in December 2012.

For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7280