We’re thrilled to have partnered with Black Dog Institute, a global leader in mental health research and the only independent medical institute in Australia investigating mental health research for all ages. 

According to Black Dog Institute:

• 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental illness every year.
• 60% of Australians do not seek help. 
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44. 
• 75% of mental health issues develop before the age of 25. 
• 80% of Australians are showing increased signs of mental distress as a result of COVID-19. 

Needless to say, the statistics are staggering. 


 
At Temple & Webster, we believe everyone wants to live more beautifully, and we recognise how the beauty of well designed spaces that consider colour, material, shape and organisation in its form can have profound effects on mental health. As part of our commitment to make the world more beautiful one room at a time, we couldn’t be happier to be helping Black Dog Institute create therapeutic spaces for their patients to heal and live more beautiful lives. 
 

 

“We knew we could contribute to creating beautiful, relaxing and calming treatment rooms for Black Dog Institute patients. Everyone deserves to live more beautifully and this is our small contribution towards this at a time when people probably need it most.”

Lucy Sutherland, Head of Trade + Commercial, Temple & Webster
 

St Vincent’s Hospital treatment rooms

Our first project with Black Dog Institute was to transform two treatment rooms at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where Black Dog has been trialling Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP). Given that the patients are under the influence of psychedelics with both their internal and external sensory inputs heightened, the ‘set’ or ‘setting’ for this treatment is incredibly significant. 

The spaces allocated for this treatment were two standard meeting rooms which initially appeared cold and clinical. Our team was tasked to deliver a homely and inviting space that was conducive to PAP. 


 
To complement the ceremonial experience of the treatment, Temple & Webster designed a warm, bohemian-inspired sanctuary with earthy deep oranges and greens, and accents of burnished brass. Texture was key to create a cocooning feeling and our team used lots of natural materials such as timber, jute, linen and leather, paired with plenty of greenery. In addition to donating our interior styling services, we also donated all the required furniture and homewares, and organised the consolidated delivery and installation of these products. 
 

   

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It has sparked a conversation about how we spread this thinking to our other mental health spaces. We believe that these new treatment spaces should provide a template for all future mental health spaces where our patients and clients are treated with respect, and find solace and healing in the physical space at what is often the worst time of their lives.”

Mike Millard, Psychiatrist and Director of Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, University of NSW in partnership with St Vincent’s Public Hospital

In return for our services, Black Dog Institute will be supporting Temple & Webster with mental health tools and resources for our team members. 
 

“We also want to utilise the expertise of Black Dog Institute to access information, training and resources to ensure that we are doing the very best to support the mental health of our employees.”

Lucy Sutherland, Head of Trade + Commercial, Temple & Webster
 

 
Here are some of the great Black Dog resources that our team is currently using:

Sleep Ninja - Free, evidence-based smartphone app shown to be effective in helping young people with sleep problems.

The Online Clinic - Free mental health assessment tool.

HeadGear -  Free, easy-to-use smartphone app that guides you through a 30–day mental fitness challenge designed to build resilience and wellbeing, and prevent depression and anxiety.

myCompass - Free online tool that can help identify unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and learn strategies to deal with them.

Visit Black Dog Institute for more digital tools and apps, plus self tests and links to mental health services.