Cabrini Health will continue to pioneer female-focused mental health programs in 2025, by introducing the first ADHD and Autism assessment center specifically for women.
As the first women-only mental health facility in Australia, Cabrini’s Women’s Health Centre offers gender-sensitive, acute care for conditions such as PTSD, burn-out, mood disorders and addiction. Approximately 50% of our patients have either been diagnosed with or are seeking assessment for ADHD or Autism.
“The demand for ADHD and Autism assessments has remained high since COVID as more symptoms became apparent due to a sustained period of less socialization, structure and routine,” says Sharon Sherwood, Chief of Mental Health. In response, Cabrini recently launched a popular 10-week community day program focused on supporting women with understanding their neurotype and using a strengths-based approach to build strategies to use in daily life. Now, thanks to a grant from Cabrini Foundation and the generosity of its donors, Cabrini Women’s Mental Health is set to achieve another Australian-first and become the only female-focused ADHD and Autism assessment center.
“There is a strong correlation between mental health conditions, early life trauma and neurodivergence in women. However alarmingly, women struggle to receive an integrated diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They often don’t know how or where to find the right treatment and we aim to help change that,” said founding Medical Director of Cabrini Women’s Mental Health, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM.
“Too much of Australia’s mental health system is still generic and gender-blind. Women’s mental health is very different. Women need holistic, tailored models of care,” said Prof Kulkarni.
Cabrini Health continues to lead the way in creating female-focused mental health programs and this next step in becoming an ADHD and Autism assessment center in early 2025, means it can now support neurodivergent patients through their entire journey from diagnosis to ongoing treatment, via its tailored inpatient and outpatient programs.
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