Gambling is deeply woven into Australian culture, from sports betting and pokies to online casinos, and while many people engage casually, Australia also records some of the highest gambling participation rates in the world. For members of the Irish community, this can be particularly confronting. In Ireland, gambling is not as visible or widespread, which can leave Irish migrants especially vulnerable to the risks here in Australia.

In this webinar, we explore the reality of gambling in Australia and unpack the factors that make it so widespread. We are delighted to be joined by Dr. Kate Fennessy, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the St. Vincent’s Hospital Gamble Aware Program. Dr. Kate shares insights into how gambling addiction develops, what’s happening in the brain, and the risk factors that leave some people more vulnerable than others. We also discuss the far-reaching impacts, from financial stress to relationship breakdowns, mental health struggles, and even suicide risk.

Importantly, we highlight early warning signs to look out for and share practical advice on how to support a loved one without pushing them away. You hear about the treatment options and supports available in Australia.

Whether you’re personally affected, supporting someone you care about, or simply want to understand this important issue more deeply, this webinar offers valuable knowledge, practical takeaways, and a message of hope: recovery is possible, and help is always available.

Join us as we explore the epidemic of loneliness, why we feel shame to admit that we are lonely, the importance of connection, and how we can seek out connection in adulthood despite a fear of rejection.
Humans have a fundamental need to form and maintain supportive interpersonal relationships. When this need goes unmet, people may experience a variety of negative consequences, including loneliness.
People who feel lonely often are ashamed to admit it. They think it’s equivalent to admitting that they are not likeable or that they’re socially insufficient in some way.
As expats, our sense of loneliness can be exacerbated by our lack of familial support and friendships. Often, the advice given is to put yourself 'out there', and while that is important, it is also important to acknowledge that for some people, this isn't easy. So if we are experiencing a fear of rejection or social anxiety, how can we connect with others in a meaningful way?

A conversation about the uncertainties of life, balancing between the familiar comforts of home and the new experiences in Australia, and the challenge of committing to long-term decisions as an expat.
The in-betweens are the moments we’re unsure—of who we are, where we’re going, what we should be doing next.
Existing in the in-betweens means finding a way to let go of all the expectations that we had created in ourselves and replacing them with new dreams and goals. It means building a new road map as life shifts.
An issue many face after leaving Ireland. Join us as we share our shared experiences, and for those who have navigated this journey, how did they come out the other side?

Dóchas is back for a new season!

To kick off the new season, we’re taking it back to basics. With the growing number of Irish people relocating to Australia, navigating the country’s complex mental health system can be challenging. Join us as we explore the support options available to you,  with or without Medicare. 

We'll also delve into the different types of mental health services on offer, from Psychiatry and Psychology to Counselling and Psychotherapy. No matter your personal circumstances, tune in to uncover the paths that might be right for you. 

Click here to access the resources discussed in this episode - https://www.irishsupportagency.org.au/other-mental-health-supports

Show notes:

App: https://iamsober.com/en/site/home

Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/learning-as-i-go/id1613155026

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/millie-mackintosh-on-quitting-drinking-perfectionism/id1295306961?i=1000634227571

Supports:

https://align56.com/

As 2023 comes to a close, many of us will be feeling the pinch financially, with the cost of living rising.

So with this in mind, we will be joined by Jessica Brady, a leading licensed financial adviser in Australia and has over 17 yrs experience in the Financial Services industry, working with some of the biggest names in finance including, Macquarie Bank, CBA and Zurich. Recently she launched, The Greenhouse -an online program designed to make accessing affordable financial programs jargon free, stigma free and fun!

We will be exploring why Christmas time induces us to spend more money and how can we set boundaries with ourself and others when it comes to Christmas spending.  

If you have taken a big hit financially in 2023, we will look at how can we look towards our financial future in 2024 without dread and anxiety.

The original recording was a webinar, hence the reference to slides, the audio content is still very worthwhile. If you would like to see the slides used, please go to the Youtube epsiode.

Unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives, leaving a profound and enduring impact on our emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. The wounds of the past can manifest in various ways, from persistent anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem to difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. These unresolved experiences may influence our coping mechanisms, leading to maladaptive behaviours such as substance abuse or self-destructive patterns. Additionally, trauma can affect our ability to trust and connect with others, hindering our capacity for intimacy and often perpetuating a cycle of isolation.

For this episode, we are joined by psychotherapist Helen O’Byrne, who has a practice in Neutral Bay and works with clients from many backgrounds and walks of life,. Helen has a deep understanding how unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives.

Helen helps us to understand what trauma actually looks like and what we can begin to do in our adult lives to address this and start to move forward.

Show notes: ;

Helen O'Byrne - [email protected]

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEmmIJ6cXY

Recommended Books:

Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine PHD

The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD

The Myth of Normal - Gabor Mate, MD

Waking The Tiger - Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine PHD

Have you ever had a poor night's sleep and you notice your mood, energy and attention span has completed depleted?

Sleep plays a pivotal role in maintaining and promoting good mental health. Sleep is also a cornerstone of good physical health. It serves as the body's natural reset button, allowing the brain to consolidate memories, process emotions, the immune system strengthens, and hormones, such as those that regulate appetite and metabolism, are balanced.

When we consistently get an adequate amount of quality sleep, our cognitive functions are optimised, enabling us to think clearly, make sound decisions, and manage stress effectively.

On the other hand, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a range of mental and physical health issues, it can also exacerbate existing conditions.

Join Emer McDermott, Clinical Psychologist, who views Sleep as one our Superpowers! Something that significantly improve our overall wellbeing. We will dive into some of the causes of ill-sleep and what we can actually do (that works!) to get a better night's sleep.

In this episode of Dóchas, we will be looking at relationships, in particular with a partner. As an expat, often romantic relationships can have additional stresses put on them, so we want to create a safe space where we could talk about the issues that we can face in terms of boundaries, communication and expectations.

We are delighted to be joined by Katie O’Donoghue, originally from Cork, Katie is the resident relationship coach at the online counselling practice 'The Indigo Project', host of the self-help podcast 'Self Explained' and creator of 'Reclamation' a newly launched self-paced Inner Child program. She coaches a mix of singles and individuals in relationships who are looking to rewire their patterns so that they can rewire their relationships.