Black Dog Institute Podcasts for Health Professionals

Many of us are aware of the term Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), but what does SEWB mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how it might impact on our clinical practice? For this brief webinar, Dr Jan Orman will be joined by Angela Sheridan, a Wiradjuri woman and member of eMHPrac's WellMob website team. The WellMob website is based on this holistic SEWB model of health and wellbeing.  They will discuss how connection to culture, country and community can be a protective factor to tap into for your Indigenous patients and client wellbeing.

Resources: https://d34ery7y7ckzql.cloudfront.net/3cb2dc2e-f580-4584-973a-0f95f04b43ff/Public/Resources/Resources%20and%20References%20-%20Webinar%2062.pdf

A good formulation provides a solid foundation for effective mental health care. In this podcast GP Dr Jan Orman and psychologist Dr Melissa Black discuss the process of making a formulation, how it may work alongside a mental health diagnosis, and its value to both the clinician and their patient/client. 

Melissa is the Clinical Research Lead and Clinical Psychologist at Black Dog Institute. She works across clinical research projects focusing on new models of care for specific populations such as healthcare workers and emergency service workers, as well as transdiagnostic treatments for common mental health problems (including depression, anxiety, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder). She is interested in how to better integrate digital tools with person-to-person therapy. She also works collaboratively with patients in Black Dog Institute Clinical Services, embracing her role as a scientist-practitioner.

You can view the slides referred to in this Webinar here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/152_U2oukNtxsEheTWr_hA97Ul5oAWooT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114901012576974386472&rtpof=true&sd=true

The effect of loneliness on mental health: How can we strengthen meaningful connections?

Loneliness is a growing community health concern which has been associated with social anxiety and mood concerns as well as physical health complaints and disturbed sleep. End of year rituals and celebrations can serve to exacerbate a sense of loneliness, particularly in socially vulnerable and isolated people who can be more prone to its effects. In this episode, Dr Alexis Whitton (Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) will share her research findings on loneliness and mental health. Dr Diana Chan (Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) and a lived experience panellist will discuss the varied experiences and effects of loneliness, reflecting with Alexis on helpful, practical approaches to strengthen opportunities for meaningful connections and activities.

Moderator – Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

Researcher – Dr Alexis Whitton, Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute

Clinician – Dr Diana Chan, Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute

Lived experience representative - Stephanie

Join us for the conversation! Screens tend to be a regular part of many young people's lives - to connect, play, learn, and to get news and information. To what extent does screen time affect young people's mental health? Dr Sophie Li, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at the Black Dog Institute will share her research on this topic to help us understand the various nuances of the effect of screen time on young people's wellbeing as well as helpful considerations, and practical approaches we can take to this issue. Dr Li will be joined by a clinician who works with young people and also by a lived experience panellist. This session will be moderated by Dr Sarah Barker.

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition, and the leading cause of total burden amongst females aged 5-64. This webinar summarises the factors that increase the risk for anxiety amongst women and discusses how biological factors like the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception impact anxiety severity and treatment responsiveness. We describe how to modify the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders to improve outcomes for women by attending to these female-specific factors.

Panel:

Professor Bronwyn Graham, Professor and Clinical psychologist from University of New South Wales, Sydney

Dr Catherine Choi, General Practitioner in Inner Sydney and the GP Lead at headspace Camperdown

Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP

Mental Health Treatment Adherence: What can clinicians do to support clients and patients to stick to treatment for mental health concerns?

Listen to our discussion with Dr Matthew Coleshill (Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog Institute) where we will delve into his recent research findings on treatment adherence, particularly regarding how to increase adherence to medication. Professor Sam Harvey (Psychiatrist and Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute) will also share his experiences of what is helpful from a clinical perspective, and we will also be joined on the panel by the powerful voice of lived experience as to what helps and hinders adherence to treatment.

Moderator – Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

Researcher - Dr Matthew Coleshill, Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog Institute

Clinician - Professor Sam Harvey, Psychiatrist and Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute

Lived experience representative – Cass.

Climate change is a major global existential challenge that provokes intense feelings in many people. In most cases, concerns about climate change are a rational response to the problem and may lead to positive adaptation, but some people experience significant mental distress. This webinar explores the range of emotional responses to awareness of climate change and how they may impact mental health.  Key aspects of assessment and response to climate distress are discussed, with reference to emerging evidence and existing psychotherapeutic models. 

Panel:

Dr Anna Seth, GP, Co-chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia Mental Health Specific Interest Group, Climate Aware Practitioner, and facilitator with Psychology for a Safe Climate

Brenda Dobia, Psychologist, Adjunct Fellow in the School of Education at Western Sydney University, a clinical practitioner at Headspace and a member of Psychology for a Safe Climate and the Climate Psychology Alliance

Dr Chloe Watfern, Postdoctoral fellow at the Black Dog Institute’s Arts Based Knowledge Translation Lab and research associate of the Knowledge Translation Strategic Platform of Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE (Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise)

Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP

In this episode, Black Dog Institute researcher Dr Chloe Watfern, will share her findings about the links between climatic change and climate distress, with research informed by her personal responses to climate crises. She will also be joined by Dr Charles Le Feuvre and a lived experience representative who will discuss the impact of climate change on individual and community wellbeing; collective, creative, and meaning-focused approaches to coping with climate distress and how clinicians, communities, and others can effectively support those experiencing climate distress.

Panel members:

• Dr Chloe Watfern – Post Doctorate Fellow, Black Dog Institute.
• Dr Charles Le Feuvre – Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Psychology for Safe Climate.
• Karla – Lived experience representative.

Moderator

• Dr Sarah Barker -Clinical Psychologist and facilitator with the Black Dog Institute

Whether they’re dealing with a close family member’s cancer or their own, our studies show that young people are up to six times more likely to experience high or very high levels of psychological distress than their peers their own age. This webinar explores the impacts on young people, their needs, and how you can support them.

Panel:
Dr Esther Davis, clinical psychologist and Acting Research Manager for Canteen Australia

Kelly Blackman, social worker and Clinical Team Leader for Canteen Australia
Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP