At just 28 years old, Sarah (not her real name) has already endured more than her fair share of hardship. After leaving an abusive relationship last December, she found herself struggling with severe mental health challenges, including a debilitating suicidal episode. Sarah’s mother, sensing her daughter’s distress, urged her to seek professional help, a prospect that initially left Sarah feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.

“I’d never been in a facility or anything like that,” Sarah recounts. “My only experience would be talking to a psychologist years ago.” However, a referral from a nurse at Epworth Hospital led Sarah and her family to the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, an all-female facility that immediately put Sarah at ease.

“Definitely the fact that it was an all-women’s Centre made me feel much safer,” Sarah explains. “If I wasn’t feeling comfortable in that environment, I probably wouldn’t have gotten much out of it.”

During her eight-day stay, Sarah immersed herself in the Centre’s comprehensive program, which provided her with a range of skills and perspectives for managing her mental health. “It made me feel like I have more control of my life,” she says. “Before, my emotions were completely controlling my mental state and behaviour. I didn’t feel in control if my emotions were there.”

The most meaningful aspect of Sarah’s experience was the Centre’s approach to validation and empowerment. “Being able to have a safe space to talk about my feelings and have people say, ‘Yeah, that makes sense,’ or ‘It’s okay to feel like that’ – it was like, ‘Oh, okay, I’m not crazy,” she reflects.

This stark contrast to her previous experiences, where Sarah had been “trained” to view her emotions as “stupid, selfish, or over reactive,” was instrumental in her healing process. “Not having someone shut me down or shut myself down anymore was so empowering,” she says.

Now, several months after her stay at the Centre, Sarah continues to benefit from Cabrini’s community program, particularly the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) program. “It’s given me quite a few good skills I can use in everyday life, so I don’t have to rely on talking to someone all the time,” she explains. “I have these little tools to use if something comes up, which has been helpful for avoiding conflict and handling my own emotions.”

As Sarah looks to the future, her hope is to find a job or context in her life that aligns with her improved mental health and allows her to continue using the skills she’s acquired. She also wants to be an advocate for other women hesitant to seek help due to past negative experiences.

“I’d say don’t give up,” Sarah advises. “I never would have sought out help if I didn’t find something like an all-women’s facility that’s really caring and supportive. Even if you’ve had bad experiences before, there are places out there that can make all the difference.”

Sarah’s journey is a testament to the power of trauma-informed, women-centred mental health services. By providing a safe, validating environment, the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre has equipped Sarah with the tools and confidence to reclaim her life and move forward with hope.

How to refer a patient like Sarah:

Unlike other private mental health facilities, Cabrini’s service can be accessed via GP referral (no psychiatrist appointment required). Visit our referral page for more information.