In this episode, host Nicole Rollbusch is joined by Alicia Phillips, a family therapist in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector, to talk about child-focused conversations with parents who use substances. Alicia shares how practitioners can build trust, avoid shame and keep children’s wellbeing in mind.

In this episode, we speak with occupational therapist Sarah Seekamp about the importance of play for children’s mental health and their social, emotional and physical development. Sarah shares practice insights into how to partner with children and parents to support play.

This podcast is a little bit different. In this episode, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and practitioners share their reflections on what supports strong social and emotional wellbeing for children and families. Through stories, insights and practice wisdom, they explore the healing and protective factors that strengthen connection, resilience and wellbeing within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

In this episode, we’re joined by Becca Allchin, an occupational therapist and clinical researcher. Becca shares her experience in engaging with children and families to gather their perspectives on programs. She outlines the important role of relationships and creating safety when incorporating children’s voices into processes and practice.

How can practitioners support the communication needs of children who have experienced complex trauma? In this episode, speech pathologist Kate Headley shares a range of neurodivergent-affirming strategies and examples from her work supporting children in out-of-home care.

Paediatricians are trusted entry points for families seeking mental health support – but they require the right skills, structures and supports to do this work. In this episode, Dr Victoria Carter and Dr Anagha Jayakar explore how to champion infant mental health through targeted workforce development for junior paediatricians.

Early relationships underpin infant mental health and lifelong wellbeing – but not all practitioners in the Australian mental health workforce feel confident in supporting infant mental health. In this episode, we’re joined by Vicky Gilroy, Director of Innovation and Research at the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV). She speaks about how iHV’s Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Champions Programme has helped support workforce development and system transformation to support children’s mental health.

In this episode, we’re joined by Amber Brock-Fabel and Dr Ben Lohmeyer, the authors of a recent study about young people’s experiences of loneliness and its connection to bullying. They discuss the implications of the study’s results for young people’s wellbeing, the importance of creating safe spaces for young people and what practitioners and families can do to best support them.

This two-part series focuses on a recent Australian study about loneliness and its relationship with young people’s experiences of bullying and undesirable social connections. In the first episode, we’re joined by youth advocate Amber Brock-Fabel and academic Dr Ben Lohmeyer, who co-designed the study with young people. They share findings from the study that redefine loneliness as being created by social dynamics within school environments, rather than stemming from isolation. Amber and Ben also discuss the process of co-designing the study; the increased incidence of loneliness for young people in Australia; and the connections between bullying, social systems and experiences of loneliness.

When adults are supported to pause, tune in and respond to an infant’s cues, they can build the strong relationships that underpin lifelong mental health and wellbeing. In this episode, Professor Andrew Whitehouse explores ways to foster connection and understanding between infants with developmental differences and their caregivers.