Twitch Australia and Movember Launch Squad Support: Free Co-op Gaming With a Therapist
By Alex Reed··4 min read
Twitch Australia has teamed up with Movember, Minds Support Network and GamerCounsel to launch Squad Support — free online gaming groups and private sessions with a gaming therapist for Australians aged 18 and over. Instead of a couch and a clipboard, you get a Discord call, a co-op game and a qualified counsellor in your squad.
Squad Support at a glance
- What
- Free online gaming groups with a qualified gaming therapist, plus 1:1 co-op therapy sessions
- Partners
- Twitch Australia, Movember, Minds Support Network and GamerCounsel (runs the program)
- Who can join
- Gamers in Australia aged 18+, any skill level — pitched at men for Movember
- Format
- Matched squads on Discord, one therapist per 2–3 players
- Example games
- Helldivers 2, Rocket League, Minecraft
- Cost
- Free
- How to join
- Expression-of-interest form; places are limited and not guaranteed
How a Squad Support session works
You are matched into a squad, the squad meets on Discord, and then you play. The ratio is small on purpose: one therapist for every two or three players, so the counsellor is a teammate rather than a host. The program page names Helldivers 2, Rocket League and Minecraft as examples — co-op games where talking happens naturally between rounds.
There is no script. You can talk tactics, talk about life, or just play — the pitch is that a lot of men find it easier to open up shoulder to shoulder over a game than face to face across a room. If a group is not the right fit, one-to-one co-op therapy sessions with a therapist are offered too.
Session schedules and start dates have not been published; successful applicants get the details by email.
How to sign up
- 1
Enrol
Fill in the registration form on the Squad Support page. It is an expression of interest, not a booking.
- 2
Confidential review
The GamerCounsel team reviews each application privately.
- 3
Watch your inbox
Successful applicants get a placement offer by email. Places are limited; people who miss out may be told about future rounds.
Apply through the Squad Support registration form or read the full details on GamerCounsel's Squad Support page. Questions go to squadsupport@gamercounsel.com.
For streamers: a free overlay and emote pack
Streamers who want to back the campaign on their channel can register for a free Squad Support overlay and emote pack. It is an easy Movember add-on for Australian channels, and a natural pairing with a stream about your own habits — our streamer health guide covers sleep, breaks and burnout on long broadcasts.
Need help now?
Squad Support is not a crisis service, and the sign-up form is not monitored for urgent help. In Australia:
- Emergency (immediate danger)000
- Lifeline, 24/713 11 14
- MensLine Australia1300 78 99 78
- Beyond Blue1300 22 4636
- 13YARN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)13 92 76
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Squad Support?
Squad Support is a free digital mental health program from Twitch Australia, Movember, Minds Support Network and GamerCounsel. Australians aged 18+ are matched into small gaming squads on Discord with a qualified gaming therapist — one therapist for every two or three players — and play co-op games such as Helldivers 2, Rocket League or Minecraft together. Private one-to-one co-op therapy sessions are also available.
Is Squad Support free?
Yes. The program page lists Squad Support as free for eligible participants. Places are limited.
Who can join Squad Support?
Gamers living in Australia who are 18 or older, at any skill level from casual to competitive. The campaign is aimed at men as part of Movember, but the page does not list gender as an eligibility requirement.
How do I sign up for Squad Support?
Fill in the expression-of-interest form linked from gamercounsel.com/squadsupport. The team reviews applications confidentially and emails a placement offer to successful applicants. Submitting the form does not guarantee a spot — places are limited.
Do I have to talk about my mental health?
No. The program is built around playing together: you can talk tactics, talk about life, or just play. The therapist is in the squad as a qualified support player, not running a formal interview.
Is Squad Support a crisis service?
No. GamerCounsel says it is not a crisis counselling service and the registration form is not a way to get urgent help. In Australia, call 000 in an emergency, Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7), MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 13YARN on 13 92 76.
Can streamers support Squad Support on Twitch?
Yes. Streamers can register for a free Squad Support overlay and emote asset pack through a separate form on the program page, to promote the program on their channel during Movember.
Who are GamerCounsel and Minds Support Network?
GamerCounsel is an Australian company that provides counselling through video games, in many countries. Minds Support Network is an Australian allied health and disability support provider that offers therapy inside games.