Thebarton home for mental health centre

Psychology

A new centre for treating anxiety and depression based at the University of Adelaide's Thebarton Campus will help sufferers come forward rather than struggle in silence.

The Centre for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression was opened last month by State Premier Mike Rann, with help from well-known Australian actor, beyondblue board member and anxiety sufferer Garry McDonald.

CTAD is a joint initiative between the Faculty of Health Science's School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide and the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service.

Its main focus will be treating patients suffering anxiety and depression using a method known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This therapy lasts between 8 to 12 weeks, and has produced significant empirical evidence of success in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Head of the University's School of Psychology, Professor Ted Nettelbeck, said the centre will treat hundreds of South Australians free of charge each year and also provide training for University of Adelaide Clinical Psychology Masters students.

"I am delighted that the University and Central Northern Adelaide Health Service have collaborated to establish such an important facility," Professor Nettelbeck said.

"Students in our Master of Clinical Psychology program stand to gain an enormous amount. As part of the requirements of the qualification, they must carry out 1000 hours of supervised clinical training and as part of the partnership with the CNAHS, they will be guaranteed being able to carry out this training at the Centre. There is also scope for our Honours and PhD students to use the Centre for their research projects.

"Mental health is a major health issue in this State and this Centre will enhance the treatment, teaching and research being carried out in this field."

Mr Rann said the actions of people like Mr McDonald and former West Australian Premier, Mr Geoff Gallop, are doing much to erode the stigma surrounding mental health.

"Away from the limelight, it was a very different story for Garry," Mr Rann said. "In 1993, he had a breakdown as the result of long-term anxiety and panic attacks. He bravely spoke out about his difficult experiences at a time when very little was said about such conditions."

Story by Ben Osborne