This Expert Insights session explores the differences and similarities between therapeutic frameworks with a focus on CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy. It also discusses the application of these frameworks and their efficacy for specific disorders. 

Facilitated by Dr Carol Newall

Panel Members

– Hayden: Lived Experience Representative

– Melissa Black: Clinical Research Fellow & Clinical Psychologist

– Chien Hoong Gooi: Clinical Psychologist and Director of the UNSW Psychology Clinic

This podcast showcases a world first research project (Future Proofing) at the Black Dog Institute, taking on the challenges of implementing a universal prevention intervention program for adolescent school students. Can a focus on prevention strategies during adolescence be the key to reducing the prevalence of mental health disorders later in life? What are the early warning signs that can critically inform efforts to inoculate against the damaging effects of mental health issues? What are some of the challenges and opportunities in working with schools to prevent ill health?

Future Proofing has the ambitious target of recruiting over 10,000 adolescent participants across and following them up each year over a 5-year period that will provide major innovations in what we know about trajectory of mental health in adolescents. For more information and interested schools: futureproofing.org.au

This podcast explores this project and what it could mean for adolescent mental health and wellbeing.

Panel Members
Dr Aliza Werner-Seidler – Senior Research Fellow & Clinical Psychologist
Holly Saxon – Primary School Teacher and Lived Experience Rep
Dr Lyndsay Brown – Research Officer, Future Proofing

Facilitated by – Dr Carol Newall, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant
Recording and sound production – Nathan Bell
Voiceover – Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

COVID-19 is having a great impact on us all in terms of the way we live our lives including our ability to travel to and access treatment. As a result, online programs may become a treatment of choice for many patients. 

This 60-minute expert panel session takes a deep dive into the emerging area of psychotherapy: structured online CBT programs. We discuss the controversies and uses of online programs, including its efficacy and applicability for our most common mental health disorders namely, anxiety and depression.

Panel Members

Dr Jan Orman – GP Services Consultant, BDI

Dr Kathleen O’Moore – Senior Clinical Researcher Manager at the Black Dog Institute and Clinical Psychologist

Dr Sarah Barker – Clinical Psychologist and Training Facilitator at the Black Dog Institute

Facilitated by – Dr Carol Newall, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant

Recording and sound production – Nathan Bell

Voiceover – Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

At the best of times the work undertaken by healthcare workers is demanding and stressful. Add in a pandemic and the situation is amplified.
This 60 minute expert panel session explores the wellbeing of healthcare workers, the personal and organisational factors which lead to vulnerability, and barriers to help-seeking. Experts also discuss the evidence based resources and supports currently available to primary and allied health professionals to support their own mental health and wellbeing

Panel Members
Dr Jan Orman – GP Services Consultant, BDI
Dr Basia Radlinska- Clinical Psychologist, Headspace Coffs Harbour and Lecturer in Psychology at Southern Cross University
Dr Benvinda Xabregas- GP and Lived Experience Representative

Facilitated by – Dr Carol Newall, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant
Recording and sound production – Nathan Bell
Voiceover – Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

This Expert Insights session will focuses on understanding and supporting youths throughout the COVID-19 era.  We discuss some of the advantages and drawbacks of staying home for youths, and the differences in impact for adolescents and children. Finally, we explore some practical ways to support and maintain the wellbeing of youths and parents.

On the Panel:

Helen Dodd, Professor of Child Psychology, University of Reading

Stephanie Healy, Diverse Learning Co-ordinator, Villa Maria Primary School and St Patrick Primary School

 Sophie Li, Senior Clinical Research Manager, The Black Dog Institute

Facilitated by: Dr Carol Newall, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant
Recording and sound production: Nathan Bell
Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

This Expert Insights session focusses on the longer term mental health effects of the bushfires. Trauma related to events like the bush fires experienced late 2019/early 2020 are real. Throughout this session, we discuss the elements of successful mental health support and recovery in the months and years after the bushfires.  We also cover the latest research evidence on community recovery, the services that are available to support best outcomes and the recent expansion of Medicare funding for mental health services for people affected by bushfires.

On the Panel:

Wayne, Lived experience representative

Ms Ros Knight, Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, President of Australian Psychological Society and Clinic Director at Macquarie University Psychology Clinic

Professor Richard Bryant, Scientia Professor at School of Psychology UNSW and Director of Traumatic Stress Clinic Westmead Hospital

 Professor Zachary Steel, St John of God Chair of Trauma and Mental Health, School of Psychiatry UNSW and The Black Dog Institute

Facilitated by: Dr Carol Newall, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant
Recording and sound production: Nathan Bell
Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

Attempting suicide is one of the strongest markers of increased risk of dying by suicide particularly in the days, weeks and months following the attempt. However, many people who survive a suicide attempt find it difficult to access the care they need to improve their safety and to address their underlying concerns.

In this podcast, our panel of clinicians, researchers and lived experience representative discuss models of care and current best practice for supporting people after a suicide attempt.

Panel Members
Paige: Lived Experience Representative
Fiona Shand: Snr. Researcher at the Black Dog Institute, Clinical Psychologist
Annie Petherbridge: Support Co-ordinator Wayback
Tim Heffernan: Mental Health Peer Coordinator COORDINAIRE

Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant
Recording and sound production: Nathan Bell
Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

Bipolar 2 disorder can be challenging for clinicians to both diagnose and manage effectively. However, timely recognition and intervention are vital to prevent a range of adverse biopsychosocial outcomes for people living with the disorder.

Listen into this discussion between clinicians, researchers and lived experience representatives as we discuss the distinguishing features of Bipolar 2 disorder and explore a range of management strategies to help facilitate recovery and long term wellness.

Panel Members:
Professor Phillip Mitchell – Scientia Professor at the school of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales
Jo Leidreiter – Psychologist specialising in bipolar and mood disorders
Alana Fisher – Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney
Ollie – our Lived Experience Representative for this session

Facilitated by:
Dr Vered Gordon

Podast recorded and edited by:
Nathan Bell

Physical and mental health are often viewed as two entirely distinct entities, each catered for by its own set of services, providers and treatments. In recent years, the interrelationship between physical and mental well-being has been more widely studied and a range of physiological pathways linking the two have come to light.

This Expert Insights podcast explores the science of the mind – body interface and examines some of the emerging evidence underpinning the call for a more integrated approach to overall health.

Panelists:
– Jamie | Lived Experience Representative
– Ute Vollmer-Conna | A/Professor, School of Psychiatry UNSW
– Dr Maryanne O’Donnell | Consultant Psychiatrist, Prince of Wales Hospital
– Michaela Pascoe | Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Facilitated by:
– Dr Vered Gordon

The relationship between cannabis use and mental illness is complex, with cannabis implicated in both precipitating and perpetuating mental ill-health, while also being used by people experiencing mental distress as a means to alleviate symptoms.
In February 2019 our expert panel of researchers, clinicians and lived experience representatives explored strategies to assist people facing the dual challenge of managing mental illness within the context of ongoing cannabis use.

Panel Members:
Elle: Lived Experience Representative
Belinda Volkov: Clinical Coordinator, Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre
Dr Kylie Bailey: AOD Program Convenor, Senior Clinical Psychologist, University of Newcastle
Dr Julia Lappin: Senior Lecture, School of Psychiatry (UNSW) and National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC).

Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant
Recording and sound production: Nathan Bell
Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute