A Sydney-based mental health app is gaining national traction after being officially endorsed by several medical professionals and featured on ABC’s health segment this week. The app, called MindMateAU, was designed by a team of psychologists, software developers, and users with lived experience of anxiety and depression.
MindMateAU offers daily check-ins, mood tracking, and a library of guided exercises focused on breathing, grounding, and mindfulness. Unlike many global apps, it was built from the ground up with Australian contexts in mind — including culturally sensitive language, local support referrals, and region-specific crisis response tools.
‘We noticed a gap in the market,’ said co-founder and clinical psychologist Dr. Renee Barlow. ‘Most mental health apps are imported, and while they’re helpful, they don’t always speak to the Australian way of life — the slang, the support systems, even the weather-related stressors.’
The app was beta tested among university students, frontline healthcare workers, and regional communities over a 12-month period. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with users citing its non-clinical tone and localised resources as key factors in sustained engagement.
One feature gaining particular attention is the “Breathe with Country” module — a mindfulness experience rooted in Indigenous perspectives of place and connection. Developed in partnership with Wiradjuri Elders and mental health workers, it guides users through breathing exercises while reflecting on nature, land, and belonging.
The app also includes emergency support buttons that directly link users to Lifeline, Beyond Blue, and other 24-hour services. GPS integration ensures users are directed to the closest available help, even in remote areas where phone signals may be weak but data access remains functional.
Since launching last quarter, MindMateAU has surpassed 70,000 downloads, with spikes during exam periods, major climate events, and lockdown-related stress. The developers are now working on a Mandarin version to support growing demand in multicultural communities.
Healthcare professionals say the app fills a gap in Australia’s overburdened mental health system. ‘We can’t always be there face-to-face,’ said GP Dr. Sarah Tung. ‘But tools like this give patients something tangible to hold onto between sessions.’
Schools and TAFEs are also taking notice. A recent pilot at a Western Sydney secondary school integrated the app into weekly wellbeing check-ins, allowing staff to monitor trends in student mood and stress. Teachers report better conversations and earlier interventions as a result.
While critics warn that digital tools shouldn’t replace professional care, advocates argue they are a necessary bridge. ‘Apps won’t fix everything,’ said Dr. Barlow, ‘but they can stop people from falling through the cracks — especially in moments of isolation.’
The federal government has shown interest in supporting the app’s expansion, and discussions are underway to include MindMateAU in national mental health strategy funding allocations for 2026–2028.
For users like Jai Thakkar, a 24-year-old hospitality worker, the app has become a lifeline. ‘Sometimes I just need a prompt to pause and breathe. It doesn’t judge. It just helps.’
With mental health challenges rising across the country, MindMateAU is proving that local tech — built with empathy and purpose — can play a meaningful role in national wellbeing.