Privacy Policy
Last updated: 04 October 2026
About this policy
This policy explains what personal information The Mental Oracle (thementaloracle.com, including the Heavy Mental blog) collects, why, and how you can access, correct or remove it. We handle personal information in line with the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” mean The Mental Oracle, operated by Unconditional Write. You can contact us at mail@thementaloracle.com.
What we collect
We only collect what we need for each purpose below. You can read the site without giving us any personal information.
| Where | What we collect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Contact form | Name, email address, your message | To reply to you |
| Email sign-up | Email address, name if you give it | To send updates and new articles you asked for |
| Donations | Name, email, donation amount, billing details | To process your donation and send a receipt |
| Comments | Name, email, comment text, IP address | To publish and moderate comments and filter spam |
| Analytics | Pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser, how you arrived | To understand which content helps readers |
| Cookie banner | Your cookie choices | To remember your consent settings |
Card payment details are entered directly with our payment provider. We never see or store your full card number.
Health information
This is an information site, not a clinic. Please do not send us details of your own health, symptoms or treatment through the contact form, comments or email. We cannot give personal medical advice here.
If you do send health information, it is sensitive information under the Privacy Act. We will use it only to respond to you, will not share it, and will delete it once we have replied.
How we use it
We use personal information only for the purposes it was collected for (see the table above), or for a directly related purpose you would reasonably expect.
- We do not sell, rent or trade personal information.
- We send marketing emails only if you signed up, and every email has an unsubscribe link.
- We do not use your information for automated decisions about you.
Who we share it with
We share personal information only with the service providers that run the site, and only what each needs. Some are based overseas, so your information may be stored or processed outside Australia.
| Provider | What they do | Where data may be held |
|---|---|---|
| DreamHost | Website hosting and email | Netherlands and United States |
| Google Analytics | Visitor statistics | United States and other countries |
| [PAYMENT PROVIDER, e.g. Stripe or PayPal] | Processing donations | United States and other countries |
| [EMAIL SERVICE] | Sending newsletters | United States |
| Akismet / Gravatar (Automattic) | Comment spam filtering and profile images | United States |
We may also disclose information if the law requires it.
Cookies and analytics
Cookies are small files your browser stores. When you first visit, our cookie banner asks which cookies you accept, and you can change your choice at any time.
- Essential cookies keep the site working and remember your consent choice.
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics) are used only if you agree. They help us see which articles are read, not who reads them.
- Comment cookies remember your name and email if you tick the box when commenting. They last one year.
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings.
Storage, security and retention
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access. These include an encrypted (HTTPS) connection, restricted admin access and keeping software up to date. No website is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee it.
| Information | How long we keep it |
|---|---|
| Contact form messages | Up to 12 months, then deleted |
| Health details sent to us | Deleted once we have replied |
| Email sign-up | Until you unsubscribe |
| Donation records | 5 years, for tax and accounting purposes |
| Comments | While the comment is published |
| Analytics data | 14 months (Google Analytics setting) |
Your rights and complaints
You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, have it corrected, or have it deleted. Email mail@thementaloracle.com and we will respond within 30 days. We may need to confirm your identity first.
To stop marketing emails, use the unsubscribe link in any email, or tell us.
If you have a privacy complaint, email us first and we will try to resolve it within 30 days. If you are not satisfied, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.
Medical disclaimer
Content on this site is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor–patient relationship. See your own GP or health professional about your health.
If you need help now: call 000 in an emergency, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. All are available 24/7.
Changes and contact
We may update this policy. The date at the top shows when it last changed.
Contact: mail@thementaloracle.com
