SCU Clinical Trials - Southern Cross University

Participate in one of our clinical trials and help shape the future of healthcare.

Healing climate-related trauma (HEART): Trialling arts-based and nature-based compassion groups

Are you an adult living in the Northern Rivers?

Have the floods, landslides, or bushfires between 2017 and 2022 had a direct impact on you?

Have you experienced trauma as a result?

You may be able to take part in the HEART clinical trial.

The Federal Government has funded Southern Cross University to undertake a world-first trial of a stepped-care model. The first step focuses on compassion groups and is now recruiting participants in the Lismore and Byron regions, and later in other Northern Rivers areas.

Step one of the HEART clinical trial consists of 2 programs: arts-based compassion or nature-based compassion groups. These programs build and strengthen the skills of self-compassion through guided activities.

The programs run for 5 weeks. Each group meets once a week for a 3-hour session.

You will complete questionnaires on your mental health and wellbeing before, during and after the program.

Step two consists of MDMA-assisted therapy. This will be a much smaller trial. It will test whether MDMA-assisted therapy is effective for people who still have PTSD. This is being planned for 2026 to 2027.

HREC numbers

Bellberry 2025-03-472 and AH&MRC 2386/25