Sydney Local Health District

Finalist: Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services​ Award

Sydney Local Health District is using an innovative approach to treat mental health conditions in the community mental health setting. This project uses a role-playing game to help consumers develop:

• social skills
• distress tolerance
• problem solving, and
• teamwork.

‘Therapeutic Dragon Taming’ combines the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) tabletop game with elements of psychological therapy, most commonly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Consumers participate in two-hour sessions each week for eight weeks. They are guided by a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and peer support workers.

Engaging consumers in their mental health treatment is crucial for improved social, functional and occupational outcomes. This approach has led to lower drop-out rates compared to the 25%-30% drop-out rate seen with traditional talk therapy. ​​