Medicare Mental Health Check In provides free, low-intensity digital mental health support for anyone living in Australia. The service helps people who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed build skills and confidence to take care of their mental health and wellbeing, with the support of a trained practitioner or self-guided at their own pace. Launched on 1 January, it marks a landmark step in how people can access early mental health support, making it simpler to find help sooner.
As Health Minister Mark Butler put it:
“Medicare Mental Health Check In will help people early before their problems get worse and they need more intensive clinical care.”
We worked with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the department) to shape how Medicare Mental Health Check In shows up, creating a compelling brand that can resonate nationally.
Why this launch matters
Finding the right help for your mental health can be challenging, and too often people only reach out for support when they’re already at a point of significant distress. Medicare Mental Health Check In changes that pattern. It reframes mental health care as something people can engage with earlier and on their own terms. It’s completely free with no referral or a diagnosis needed, and as a digital service it can be accessed from the comfort of home (or anywhere).
Using a safe, evidence-based approach, the service guides people through online activities designed to support everyday mental wellbeing, including:
- stress
- mild anxiety
- sleep
- fears and worries
- low mood.
By making it easier to take the first step, Medicare Mental Health Check In has the potential to support people sooner, leading to better outcomes for individuals and a stronger mental health system.
What we worked on
Medicare Mental Health Check In is part of the broader Medicare Mental Health service offering. Previously we worked with the department on the overall brand strategy and identity for Medicare Mental Health, creating a cohesive sub-brand that reduces fragmentation and reflects a commitment to a welcoming, calming and accessible support.
Our focus for Medicare Mental Health Check In was on translating that brand framework into a genuinely caring experience across every touchpoint. That meant the brand needed to be:
- Easy to recognise, creating a consistent experience that can resonate nationally.
- Easy to understand, simplifying how the service explains itself without diluting its credibility or warmth.
- Easy to feel welcomed, ensuring the name, visuals and language create a reassuring and approachable experience.
What’s next
By 2029, Medicare Mental Health Check In is expected to help more than 150,000 people each year. In the meantime, the service is continuing to roll out in stages to balance clinical safety with timely delivery and is being delivered by St Vincent’s Health Australia. There are updates on the Medicare Mental Health Check In website.
We’re proud to continue our partnership with the department on Medicare Mental Health and the launch of services that aim to make a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re interested in this broader journey, we also shared reflections on the launch of Medicare Mental Health Centres.
