Access mental health and substance use support anywhere with new digital hub

Research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic 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 system’s capacity to provide timely support and treatment to people in need of help. Advocacy and leading professional groups for health workers have already begun identifying this in workplaces across Australia.

The digital hub and website, eCliPSE (electronic Clinical Pathways to Service Excellence), was developed to help address these issues and improve access to evidence-based, effective support for people experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use problems.

What is eCLiPSE?

eCliPSE provides 24/7 access – at no cost – to evidence-based, self-help resources (e.g. factsheets), self-monitoring and tracking features and nine evidence-based and informed online programs addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use problems and trauma. Led in consultation with people with lived experience and mental health and drug and alcohol clinicians, the hub is a one-stop-digital-shop for supporting yourself and your families and friends when mental health or substance use becomes unmanageable.

It also provides help for families and friends who are supporting loved ones experiencing these issues.

eCliPSE is currently being rolled-out across NSW directly to consumers and mental health and drug and alcohol services, through a large trial funded by NSW Health, the National Health and Medical Research Council, Ramsey Hospital Foundation, and Beyond Blue. The trial aims to identify the most effective ways to encourage people experiencing mental health and substance use issues to take-up and use eCliPSE and how best to integrate eCliPSE into existing mental health and alcohol and other drug services.

I am interested in joining! Where can I find eCLiPSE?

An online marketing campaign launched in NSW this August 2023 to promote eCliPSE and give people easy access to timely, effective, evidence-based support.  

It was great to also attend several media events for the launch of the trial, including speaking to regional and rural stations to share the benefits of evidence-basedsupport for mental health and substance use disorders.  

We are proud of eCliPSE and its promise in being able to transform the way we all seek support for our mental health and wellbeing, and are looking forward to sharing the results soon.

If you would like to join the program, sign up at the eCLiPSE website.  

We'd like to thank the following people for their support for this program, including:

• Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin, Hunter Medical Research Institute
• Dr Louise Thornton, the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney
• Dr Dara Sampson, The University of Newcastle
• Dr Jane Rich, The University of Newcastle
• Professor Maree Teesson, the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney
  

We would also like to thank out funders:

• NSW Ministry of Health
• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
  
• Ramsey Hospital Foundation
• Beyond Blue