LUCID ANT: CREATIVE CARE, ANYWHERE

“ A world of infinite care and creativity where everyone belongs and thrives”

What is LUCID ANT?

LUCID ANT is a new start-up that will revolutionise access to creative mental health care. This page provides information for potential partners, collaborators and funding opportunities. Over the coming months, we will be listing LUCID ANT as a company, and LUCID ANT will have its own URL with a website that becomes the platform for all of LUCID ANT’s activities.

LUCID ANT – The Guide

LUCID ANT is a friendly guide for help seekers, symbolising clarity and community. This character embodies a journey of awakening, realising the power of individual decisions while remaining part of a supportive, creative community. LUCID ANT aims to share innovative approaches to mental health and wellness for the collective good. Believing that creativity and care can eliminate loneliness and suffering, LUCID ANT invites us to envision a world where everyone belongs and thrives.

Australia’s Mental Health Crisis

In Australia, the mental health crisis is profound. Of the 4.2 million Australians suffering from mental distress, a staggering 2.4 million are navigating this pain alone, without access to the help they so desperately need (ABS, 2020-2022). This is not just a statistic; it’s a reality that could touch any of us or our loved ones at any moment.

Untreated mental health issues cost Australia over $60 billion annually in lost productivity. Meanwhile, therapy waitlists exceed 12 months in many regions, leaving millions without timely access to care (Productivity Commission, 2020).

The Maze of Mental Health Care

Our current mental health care system primarily emphasises one-on-one psychological sessions, or “talk therapy”, frequently overlooking the diverse needs of many individuals.

The system is known to be broken and not working. With a limited number of psychologists available, the gap in support for all those in need is becoming increasingly devastating.

The lack of access to psychological services is not the only problem. Talk therapy is not the choice for everyone, leaving many feeling dissatisfied and disconnected from essential care (van Laar et al., 2025).

Imagine a World where Creative Care is the Cure

The efficacy of connection and belonging, along with the transformative power of the arts and creative therapies, has been extensively researched and documented (Fancourt & Finn, 2019, van Laar et al., 2025).

Yet, these valuable resources remain largely untapped and underutilised in addressing this pressing mental health epidemic, both in Australia and globally. LUCID ANT bridges this gap by leveraging the therapeutic potential of community, creative therapies and the arts.

A Collaborative Community of Creative Care

LUCID ANT envisions a future where individuals can access and co-create diverse, effective, creative mental health support and resources that go beyond talk therapy, fostering self-efficacy, resilience and well-being through purposeful creativity, peer-to-peer learning and communal engagement.

Join us in transforming mental health care and ensuring that no one suffers alone. Together, we can create a Community of Creative Care that addresses the mental health needs of all Australians, with the potential to help millions world-wide.

LUCID ANT’s Theory of Change and Social Impact:

Vision and Purpose

LUCID ANT envisions a world of infinite care and creativity where everyone belongs and thrives.

Our mission is to create an online platform that supports mental health and wellness through creative and participatory activities, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

Lucid Ant helps individuals seeking creative mental health care within a supportive community, especially those experiencing barriers to mental health services due to location or past trauma within the mental health system. Our primary users desire creative mental health support, while artists and creative therapists look to connect with help-seekers. Lucid Ant offers a platform that empowers users to co-create their mental health journeys and engage in diverse creative projects and therapies for enhanced well-being.

Inputs

Funding: from diverse sources such as start-up grants, philanthropic and private investors.
Expertise: Gain Mentoring such as from Melbourne University MAP resources, faculty consultations, Master of Creative Arts Therapy students.
Partnerships: Potential Swinburne University Student Partnerships Program, Collaboration with registered charity BeCause Movement, and relevant research organisations such as Creative Agency and Black Dog Institute.
Technology: Existing platforms for CRM, dashboards, and social collaboration tools.

Activities

Form a company and consolidate business structure.
Conduct needs assessments through surveys, creative experiments and focus groups to understand target audiences.
Develop the AI quiz to analyse participants’ needs and recommend personalised plans.
Collaborate with stakeholders, students and faculty to create a diverse range of creative resources and therapies.
Build the platform’s interface that integrates CRM, billing, and membership functionalities.
Implement stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure feedback and participation in the platform’s development.

Outputs:

Completed needs assessment report.
Prototype of the AI quiz.
A library of creative resources and therapy options.
Functional platform interface.
Initial user engagement metrics.

Outcomes:

Increased access to personalised mental health care plans.
Enhanced community engagement through participatory forums and projects.
Improved mental health and wellness indicators among participants.
Greater awareness of the importance of creativity in mental health.

Impacts:

Long-term societal change in attitudes toward mental health and wellness.
A supportive community culture that promotes belonging and creativity.
Reduced stigma around seeking help for mental health issues.
A sustainable new paradigm approach that embeds co-creation and creative therapies into online mental health care and support.

Milestones for the First Five Months (to Minimum Viable Product):

Month 1: Conduct needs assessment and finalize platform features.
Month 2: Develop AI quiz and begin creating a repository of creative resources.
Month 3: Collaborate with stakeholders to design the platform interface.
Month 4: Test the AI quiz and creative resources with focus groups.
Month 5: Refine the platform based on feedback and prepare for soft launch.

Milestones for the Next 12 Months (to Full Launch):

Months 6-8: Finalize platform features and conduct beta testing with a select user group.
Month 9: Launch marketing campaign to build awareness and attract users.
Month 10: Implement feedback from beta tests and finalize platform functionalities.
Month 11: Establish partnerships with mental health professionals and community organizations.
Month 12: Official launch of LUCID ANT platform and ongoing evaluation of user engagement and outcomes.

WHY NOW?

Now is the critical moment for LUCID ANT to respond to the increasing demand for accessible and innovative mental health support. People are seeking choice and control over their care, favouring creative and empowering approaches that promote transformation rather than the pathologising approach of the medical model (Bloch-Atefi et al., 2023; van Laar et al., 2025).

The imminent release of new National Standards for the psychotherapy and counselling workforce will further elevate the profile of Creative and Experiential Therapies (CET). This change is expected to drive demand, supported by greater awareness, increased confidence, and more public health funding.

With the Australian government’s focus on enhancing access through remote and telehealth services, LUCID ANT is well-positioned to respond to these converging opportunities. Acting now will not only meet the evolving needs of those seeking holistic mental health support but also foster significant change within the sector.

WHY US?

With expertise in community engagement and innovative mental health care, our team combines experience, education, disruption, and talent to realise the vision of LUCID ANT.

We are committed to establishing a horizontal organisational structure that empowers external providers and users to shape their own unique creative mental health journeys. LUCID ANT wants everyone to have access to creative mental health support. To achieve this, we embrace an organisational framework that encourages collaboration among all key stakeholders, including co-founders, service providers, creators, and users. We incorporate AI assistance and gamification, creating a unique currency for bartering, enabling everyone to contribute and use their credits for services offered by the LUCID ANT platform alongside established modes of access to mental health care and support.

CEO Dr Carla van Laar

Dr Carla’s personal mission is to “transcend systems of oppression”. As CEO of LUCID ANT, she embodies the innovative spirit and mission of the start-up. With over 35 years of experience leveraging the power of arts in health and well-being, she brings a wealth of expertise in creative arts therapy and community cultural development. Her impressive history of project management and relationship building sets her apart as a leader capable of driving LUCID ANT’s vision forward. As the founder of the Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat, Dr. Carla has a proven ability to cultivate dynamic, collaborative environments where creativity and technology converge. Her passion for enhancing lives through art aligns perfectly with LUCID ANT’s goals, making her an inspiring choice to lead this transformative venture. Under her leadership, LUCID ANT is destined to create a vibrant community that not only meets user needs but also redefines the intersections of creativity, community and mental health.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Henry De Oleveira

Henry DeOleveira embodies a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and community-oriented vision that is essential for the LUCID ANT team. As a performing artist with a passion for gaming and devising theatre, Henry brings a high level of creativity that will drive the platform’s innovative content and user engagement strategies. His unique background in nanotechnology adds a layer of technical sophistication, allowing him to seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technology with creative arts. As the Creative Director, Henry is committed to excellence in customer service and engagement, ensuring that LUCID ANT consistently delivers an exceptional user experience. His focus on community arts and his ability to connect with people makes him an outstanding connector, fostering relationships that will enhance the platform’s reach and impact. Henry’s millenium perspective and deep connection to the target market enable him to understand and anticipate the needs and desires of LUCID ANT’s audience, making him an indispensable leader in achieving the platform’s mission.

NEXT GENERATION CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST Sarah Culy

Sarah Culy is a dynamic addition to the LUCID ANT team, bringing fresh insights and enthusiasm from her current training as a Creative Arts Therapist studying Drama Therapy at Melbourne University. With a substantial background as a performing artist, Sarah is poised to merge her artistic talents with therapeutic practices, becoming a newly qualified member of the creative therapies workforce in 2027. She represents a key stakeholder group—new graduates entering the field—who are eager to gain experience and thrive within a nurturing and supportive team environment. Sarah’s collaboration on the planning and delivery of the annual Creative Mental Health Forum underscores her commitment to professional development and community engagement. Her dedication to LUCID ANT’s vision and mission, combined with her emerging expertise and passion for creativity, positions Sarah as a pivotal force in shaping the platform’s future and fostering a vibrant community of users and contributors.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2020-2022). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-2022.

Bloch-Atefi, A., Day, E., Snell, T., & O’Neill, G. (2021). A snapshot of the counselling and psychotherapy workforce in Australia in 2020: Underutilised and poorly remunerated, yet highly qualified and desperately needed. Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.59158/001c.71216

Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329834/9789289054553-eng.pdf

Productivity Commission 2020, Mental Health, Report no. 95, Canberra

van Laar, C., Bloch-Atefi, A., Grace, J. & Zimmermann, A. (2025). Empowering Voices: Learning from NDIS Participants. PACJA, Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia.