Much like the rest of the world, Australia is facing a mental health care crisis. 

To combat this growing problem, the University of Newcastle, and the Hunter Medical Research (HMRI) Institute has launched an initiative to help Australia ‘eclipse’ this rising tide with a real time response.  

Much like the rest of the world, Australia is facing a mental health care crisis. 

COVID-19 has contributed more than a 25% increase in new cases of depression and anxiety, with the impact on alcohol and other substance use still being understood.  

This ‘rising tide’ of mental health and substance use problems could overwhelm the health systems capacity to provide timely support and treatment to people in need of help; some suggest this is already happening. 

To combat this growing problem, the University of Newcastle, and the Hunter Medical Research (HMRI) Institute has launched an initiative to help Australia ‘eclipse’ this rising tide with a real time response.  

eCliPSE is a digital ecosystem designed to provide 24/7 access – at no cost – to high quality, evidence-based, clinical treatment for depression, anxiety, alcohol/other drug use and trauma, as well as help for families and friends who are supporting loved ones experiencing these conditions.  

This is exciting innovative approach to mental health and treatment has the potential to facilitate the reform needed to help respond to the mental health challenges facing our community. 

eCliPSE is accessible via the web (eclipse.org.au) or the app store and provides a range of courses available to help people learn how to ‘be their own therapists’ and work with health professionals in mental health and alcohol/other drug services to improve their own health and wellbeing. eCliPSE also provides access to a moderated social network to allow people to connect with health professionals and peers about their experiences. 

“eCliPSE holds a lot of promise in being able to transform the way we all seek and access support for our mental health and wellbeing,” said Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin (CEO of HMRI and co-developer of eCliPSE).  

“Our research shows that the programs in eCliPSE help just as much and in a similar way to traditional therapy provided in traditional ways.” 

But eCliPSE doesn’t sit alone or separately from mental health or alcohol/other drug services. 

“We still need to connect with humans – and specialists – to help us along our mental health journey,” said Professor Kay-Lambkin.  

“So, as we roll out eCliPSE across NSW, we are collaborating with our fantastic clinicians in mental health and alcohol/other drug services across the public and private sector to help people access eCliPSE when it’s most beneficial to use eCliPSE and support access to a live therapist when that is needed too.” 

eCliPSE was developed by a team from the University of Newcastle, HMRI and the University of Sydney, in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health, the National Health and Medical Research Council, Ramsey Health Foundation, and Beyond Blue.  

The eCliPSE online portal aims to facilitate free 24/7 access to evidence-based online screening, eHealth treatments and resources for people experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use problems, as well as any clinical services supporting them.  

The continuing development of the site and its eHealth treatments has involved engagement with service providers in mental health and alcohol and other drug use sectors to create a clinical pathway to care that supports people in their journey to wellbeing. 

View the eCliPSE platform at https://eclipse.org.au/