Cabrini Women’s Mental Health at the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre is breaking down barriers and setting new standards in mental health care.

Australia’s first private mental health facility dedicated exclusively to women, the Centre opened in 2021 and has since treated more than 1000 patients, advancing its mission of helping women prioritise their mental health.

The Centre offers specialised care for a range of conditions, including mood disorders, burnout, stress, addiction and complex trauma, and has treated many victims of domestic violence. At a time when rates of family and gendered violence are increasing it is crucial to offer a model of acute care where women feel safe to seek treatment.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 1 in 6 women (1.6 million) in Australia have experienced violence by a partner since the age of 15. The psychological impact of domestic violence can be profound, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Addressing these mental health challenges is essential for the well-being and recovery of affected women.

The Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre offers vital support for women facing these challenges and provides a safe and nurturing environment where women can access specialised mental health services tailored to their needs. The comprehensive care includes individual and group therapy designed to help women heal and regain their sense of self-worth and empowerment.

Sharon Sherwood, Cabrini’s Chief of Mental Health and Outreach, says: “Our unique approach provides women with a safe environment to take control of their recovery, empowering them to achieve lasting well-being without the limitations often found in traditional mental health systems.”

By focusing on holistic and compassionate care, Cabrini’s program addresses immediate mental health needs and fosters long-term resilience and recovery. With a recommended length of stay between seven and 10 days, followed by a day program offering a range of therapies and group sessions, the model is designed to help women rebuild their lives, ensuring they havethe strength and resources to move forward positively.

The Centre’s namesake, Gandel

SHARON SHERWOOD (LEFT), CABRINI’S CHIEF OF MENTAL HEALTH AND OUTREACH, WITH HEAD OF WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSOR JAYASHRI KULKARNI

“You created a space for me to reconnect with my spirituality when I felt so lost and disconnected, and you made me feel seen, cared for and heard.” — Madison, Cabrini patient.

Foundation Director Lisa Thurin, celebrates the women-only facility:

“I commend the Centre’s emphasis on targeted trauma care with advanced treatments aligned with the latest research findings,” she says. “Such an approach ispatient-centred and helps empower women to reclaim agency over their lives and successfully return to the community and their families.”

The Centre fills a significant gap in the landscape of mental health services in Australia, which have historically been generalised and co-gendered, with little consideration for women’s unique experiences and needs. Its impact is best illustrated through the personal experiences of those who have benefited from its care.

Madison, a client of the service, praised the personal care she received from Cabrini, particularly Cynthia White, Cabrini’s Pastoral and Spiritual Care Practitioner: “You created a space for me to reconnect with my spirituality when I felt so lost and disconnected, and you made me feel seen, cared for and heard,” she says.

“You found me in a dark moment, where without question, [you] validated, believed and showed me that kindness exists within everyone, especially you.

“Thank you for creating a safe and loving space and for taking the time to listen and guide me down a healing path.”

This testimonial highlights the profound difference that specialised, gender-sensitive care, in a space where women feel safe and supported, can make in the lives of women struggling with mental health issues.

The success of the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre and the associated community program has led Cabrini to extend its availability to the community, facilitating greater accessibility and helping women start their journey towards recovery and healing. The team accepts GP referrals, so unlike most private health facilities, no psychiatrist appointment is needed.

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, the Head of Women’s Mental Health at Cabrini, says: “Our community program received high demand from patients, so we are proud to open this service to the wider community. We look forward to helping thousands more women heal through our community programs.”

Additionally, psychiatrist Dr Lisa Albert has recently been appointed as the new clinical director. Professor Kulkarni adds, “Under the leadership of Dr Albert, whose exceptional expertise and dedication to holistic care align perfectly with our vision, we are confident in our ability to foster healing and well-being.”

As a trailblazer in Australia’s women’s mental health care system, Cabrini’s model has been so successful that the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre is nowgetting attention from health care providers in other states looking to emulate the model—paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for women across Australia through best-practice compassionate care and innovative approaches.

The following is a full abstract of an article that appeared in the August 2024 edition of Catholic Health Australia Magazine.  Photos courtesy of the Catholic Health Magazine


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