Why is peer support important?

By sharing lived experience, peer support mentors can provide practical guidance and understanding of your experiences with spinal cord injury. A peer support mentor can help you to solve challenges and create strategies that can help you to continue living a fulfilling life after a spinal cord injury.

How do I meet other people who have experienced spinal cord injury?

Ask us about joining a ‘Push Thru’ event, where you can meet other people living with spinal cord injury in your region. These events are inclusive, an opportunity to encourage others, share your experiences in a welcoming environment and be inspired. We also facilitate an inclusive community through our recreation programs and peer support groups.

How can peer support help me?

Peer support can empower you to feel seen and connected. You can learn new skills and strategies, discover new perspectives and provide encouragement to others. Our Peer Support Program gives you someone to talk to who has experienced spinal cord injury.

Mental health and wellbeing after spinal cord injury

Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury (SCI) can bring significant emotional change. Alongside the physical impacts of injury, many people also experience feelings of grief, loss, frustration, anxiety, or uncertainty about the future.

These feelings are common, but that doesn’t make them any less difficult to manage.

Figuring out what life after your injury looks like takes time, both mentally and physically, and everyone’s experience will be different. With the right support, many people find new routines, new confidence, and a new sense of normal over time.

The important thing to remember is that support is available, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Connecting with peer support

For many people, connecting with others who have lived experience of spinal cord injury can make a big difference.

Peer support can help you:

Feel less isolated
Share experiences and practical advice
Build confidence
Connect with community and recreation opportunities

If you’re interested in connecting with peers with lived experience of SCI, estara’s Peer Support Mentors and recreation programs can help provide connection, encouragement and practical support.

Looking for a psychologist or counsellor

Professional mental health support can also play an important role in adjusting after injury.

Finding the right psychologist or counsellor can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you’re searching for someone who understands spinal cord injury or disability.

While experience with SCI can be helpful, the most important thing is finding someone you feel comfortable with and supported by.

What’s the difference between the two?

Both psychologists and counsellors are qualified professionals who can help with improving mental well-being and developing skills; however:

A psychologist is trained to use specialised evidence-based therapies and tools to help support people, particularly those with more complex issues, and can assess and diagnose different mental health problems
A counsellor does not assess or diagnose, but instead uses talk therapy and guidance to help people explore and tackle everyday issues and develop personalised strategies

What to look for in a psychologist or counsellor

Many people prefer a psychologist or counsellor who is:

A clear communicator
Respectful and empathetic
A good listener
Trustworthy and supportive

It’s also important to think about how you feel during sessions. Like any relationship, building trust and connection can take time.

You may need to try more than one psychologist or counsellor before finding the right fit, and that’s completely okay.

Other things to consider

When choosing a psychologist or counsellor, you may also want to consider:

Whether the clinic is physically accessible
Availability of telehealth or online appointments
Session costs and rebates
Appointment wait times
How often appointments are available
Session times and flexibility

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to keep looking.

Finding a psychologist or counsellor

You can search for a psychologist or counsellor yourself, or ask your GP for a referral.

A useful starting point is:

Medicare mental health care plans

Unfortunately, counselling is not covered under Medicare. However, you may be able to claim some funding (e.g., through the NDIS) or other financial support for mental health sessions. If you have private health insurance, you may also be able to claim a partial rebate if it is included in your cover.

If psychology sessions are not covered by your funding or supports, you may still be eligible for Medicare rebates.

A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP can provide access to up to 10 subsidised sessions with a registered psychologist each calendar year.

To access this support, book an appointment with your GP and discuss your mental health concerns and support needs.

Immediate mental health support services

If you need immediate support, the following services are available across Australia:

Lifeline – 13 11 14
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
SANE Australia – 1800 187 263
13YARN – 13 92 76

At estara, we work side by side with people living with spinal cord injury and disability to support wellbeing, connection and quality of life at every stage of the journey.

Helpful Resources

Here are some additional mental health resources for people with SCI: