United Minds

15/06/2026

This morning the Commonwealth Bank Whittlesea Branch Manager, Bernie, popped out to United Minds in Mernda to present us with $500 community grant. This grant will help fund support through our Community Clinic. Thanks for supporting local, CBA! United Minds and our local community thank you for your generous support.

20/05/2026

Did you know we run a community outreach service?

Our community outreach program delivers FREE workshops, psychoeducation sessions, and wellbeing initiatives within local schools, sporting clubs, community organisations, and other community settings. This service is facilitated by one of our provisional or early career psychologists and co-facilitated by our managing director on-site at your service, club or school.

More information about this service can be found below:

Check out this Booklet (210 x 297 mm) designed by Melissa Duckmanton.

27/04/2026

We loved being out in the community last week delivering our Mindset Workshop to the Under 14 and Under 16 girls at the Mernda Junior Football Club 💙🏉

At United Minds, this is exactly what community psychology looks like in action. Showing up in the spaces young people already exist in and giving them practical, evidence-based tools they can actually use.

Across the session, we explored:
• How pressure shows up in sport (and why it’s completely normal)
• Simple strategies to manage nerves before, during and after a game
• Focusing on what you can control in high-pressure moments
• Building a growth mindset and learning from mistakes
• The connection between mindset, performance and fueling your body

We’re proud to be delivering these workshops free of charge as part of our commitment to supporting young people at a community level. This is just the beginning.

Thank you to Mernda Junior Football Club for having us and to the incredible group of girls who showed up, engaged, and gave it a go 👏

If your club, school or service would like us to come out and run a workshop, feel free to reach out.

02/04/2026

Happy Easter 🐣. Our office is closed until Tuesday, the 7th of April. If you need support over the break, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

26/03/2026

This is a common misconception. All psychologists are able to assess and diagnose mental health conditions.

The Diagnostic Capacity of Registered Psychologists in Australia remains one of our most accessed resources for a reason.

It covers:
✅Key facts
✅The role of the Psychology Board of Australia
✅Core Diagnostic Competencies Required for General Registration
✅Legal and Professional Recognition
✅Misconceptions
✅Professional Responsibility

AAPi strongly advocates for recognition of the full scope of practice of all registered psychologists,
regardless of endorsement status.

Restricting diagnostic rights based on endorsement is inconsistent with the regulatory framework,
training pathways, and legal precedent in Australia.

Find it in the AAPi Library: https://ow.ly/e2BQ50Yv298

19/03/2026

Hoodie Up for Autism 💚

Today at the office, our team took part in “Hoodie Up for Autism” day.

Something as simple as a hoodie can make a meaningful difference by helping reduce sensory overwhelm, providing a sense of comfort, and creating feelings of safety in busy or unpredictable environments.

Today wasn’t just about wearing hoodies, it was about building understanding. It was a reminder that small, everyday supports can have a big impact on someone’s wellbeing.

We’re proud of our team for showing up, starting conversations, and continuing to foster a more inclusive and neuro-affirming community.

16/03/2026

Recent events in our community have reminded many families how important it is to talk with children about safety, boundaries, and trusted relationships at all ages.

For parents and caregivers, these conversations can sometimes feel difficult. Children also understand safety differently depending on their age and stage of development.

To support families, we are sharing this quick guide on how to talk with children about safe behaviours as they grow.

16/03/2026

When violent events happen in our community, we may feel unsure about how to speak about them to the children in our life, or even if we should speak about them at all. Talking to children about the event can help them share their thoughts and feelings about it, and allow you to help them cope with any big feelings that they may have.

Click through the slides below for some tips for this conversation.

10/03/2026

***Understanding Normal Responses After a Distressing Event***

Like many people in our community, we have been deeply saddened by the recent tragic event at the Mernda Train Station. When something like this happens close to home, it can affect people in many different ways.

I wanted to briefly share some information about normal responses people may experience after a distressing or traumatic event, because many people notice changes in how they are feeling, thinking, or even physically responding in the days or weeks that follow.

After an event like this, it is common for people to experience a range of emotional reactions. Some people may feel sadness, shock, anger, fear or frustration. Others may feel unsettled or find themselves thinking a lot about what happened. Different people respond in different ways, and there is no single “right” response.

People may also notice physical reactions. These can include things like difficulty sleeping, feeling more tired than usual, headaches, muscle tension, or feeling on edge. These reactions can happen because the body’s stress response system has been activated.

There can also be cognitive reactions, which relate to how the mind processes the event. Some people may find their thoughts returning to the incident, replaying what happened, or imagining different outcomes. Others may notice difficulty concentrating or feeling distracted.

While these experiences can feel uncomfortable, they are often a normal response from the mind and body when something frightening or shocking occurs. Our nervous system is designed to react when our sense of safety has been disrupted.

You may also notice that you are paying closer attention to news updates or social media discussions about the event. While staying informed can be important, repeated exposure to distressing information can sometimes increase anxiety or distress. Taking breaks from media and giving yourself space from these discussions can be helpful.

For many people, these reactions gradually settle with time, particularly when they stay connected with others and maintain normal routines where possible.

Simple strategies can also support the nervous system during stressful periods, such as slowing your breathing, spending time outside, engaging in physical activity, and talking with trusted friends or family members. We will share more information later in the week offering more detailed information about using these strategies.

If you find that distress continues, worsens, or begins to interfere with daily life, it may be helpful to seek additional support from a health professional or you can call lifeline on 13 11 14.

Events like this can have a profound impact on a community, but they can also remind us of the importance of looking out for one another and staying connected.

Please take care of yourselves and those around you.

Melissa Duckmanton - Psychologist/Managing Director