Water bottles for therapy

A LOCAL mental health provider is on a mission to provide free therapy sessions through its new water bottle initiative.

Calm Minds Clinic co-directors Tabitha Thompson and Dayle Johnson have introduced the Wellspring Project, where Geelong businesses are asked to sponsor a water bottle to contribute to free therapy sessions within the community.

Each water bottle will have nine customisable spots for businesses to have their design and a link to the initiative and sponsor websites.

The bottles will be handed out at community events, mental health gatherings and pop-ups, giving sponsors exposure throughout the region.

Sponsorship is priced at $500 per slot, with each round of the initiative raising $4,500 and will fund 24 free therapy sessions.

Mr Johnson said the initiative comes from wanting to provide everyone with help and support if they need it.

“I’d like it to be a part in breaking the barrier to accessible mental health and when I say accessible, I mean both accessible and affordable,” he said.

“In some cases, if you can’t afford therapy, finances are then a stress within your life so then all these compounded stresses that you have, you’ve got enough without being able to seek the help you need.

“We’re not going to change the world by any sense of the word but if we can just be a ripple within the ocean of effect in providing therapy to people that wouldn’t otherwise be able to access it.”

The free sessions will be offered to individuals including people with low-income, in crisis situations, living with disabilities and carers with Ms Thompson saying she also has a soft spot for small business owners who struggled through COVID.

“Their priorities have been all about everyone else and trying to keep things going and there’s a lot of collateral damage still.

“Something that’s been on my mind with regard to this, if we can make this happen, it would be awesome to be able to help a broad range of people.”

The initiative will start with one round of bottles, while the co-directors are hopeful it can be replicated and more rounds will be possible.

To get involved or for more information, head to calmmindsclinic.com.au