Get Real: Talking mental health & disability

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

Across Australia, conversations about reconciliation, cultural awareness and genuine partnership are growing, yet many organisations are still grappling with what that actually looks like in practice.

Anyone who works in community services knows cultural safety and cultural competency is an expectation of program delivery, workforce training and overall excellent practice.

But what does this really mean? How do non-indigenous organisations move beyond good intentions in a way that is meaningful and respectful of cultural protocols and lived and living experience. Not tokenistic, transactional or even harmful.

In this episode, we're joined by Aboriginal leader, artist and author Shannon Best to talk about his excellent book Indigenous Rules of Engagement, which is a practical guide that offers clear, grounded pathways for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in ways that honour culture, history, and spirit.

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

This episode of GET REAL is introducing that our podcast is now brought to you by Meridia, which brings together the service organisations of ermha365, The Disability Trust, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc, which collectively support thousands of people in Australia across disability, mental health, employment, social enterprises and complex services.

Meridia is the overarching parent brand of these services, created from the understanding that people's lives don't fit neatly into systems or service categories, so support should be connected, coordinated and centred around each person. 

In this episode, we’ll unpack Meridia's Strategic Direction plan and what means for the future, at a time when demand is growing, needs are becoming more complex, and the social services sector is changing rapidly.

Guests:

Dr Peter Langkamp OAM, group Board Chair, who brings extensive leadership experience across the private, public and community sectors, as well as lived experience as the primary carer for his eldest son who has a disability. 

Deputy Board Chair Carol Heijo, a passionate disability advocate and leader whose lived experience has shaped her commitment to inclusion, accessibility and self-determination. 

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

Geoff Radford is the CEO of the Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition who joins us for this episode from Darwin.

The coalition is the peak body for community-managed mental health services across the Northern Territory, also known as the NT, The Territory or  the Top End.

The Northern Territory is a unique part of Australia and we find out why from Geoff, as well as what this means for mental health services in this vast region of the country.

MORE INFO:

https://www.ntmhc.org.au/

Enough Talk, Time for Action - award-winning social and emotional wellbeing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. 

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

This is part 2 of our episodes on the changes to the NDIS. In this episode we talk about self-care amid this time of uncertainty – for people who access the NDIS, their families and also those who work in the sector. 

Sharing his thoughts is Shane Clifton, an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and Director of Centre for Disability Research and Policy. Shane is also an NDIS participant – he lives with spinal cord injury – and he is a board member of The Disability Trust. 

You'll also hear from Evelyn Ireland - a psychologist, a behaviour support practitioner and general manager of The Disability Trust’s Clinical Services.

If you haven’t already, go to Part 1 which is a conversation with National Disability Services (NDS) CEO Michael Perusco.

MORE INFO

Information on the proposed reforms to the NDIS (Australian Government)

NDS's Wellbeing Program for NDIS Support Workers

The NDIS belongs to us. We fought for it. We sustain it. We’ll protect it. (PWDA).

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

The NDIS will be undergoing signifcant reform. The Disability Trust Group CEO Karenza Louis-Smith speaks with National Disability Services CEO Michael Perusco to unpack the newly announced NDIS reforms -  what is clear right now, what is still unknown, and how these changes could reshape eligibility, plans, and supports outside the scheme.

More info:

Information on the proposed reforms to the NDIS (Australian Government)

National Disability Services (NDS) 

How will the changes to the NDIS affect me? Five key takeaways from the government's planned overhaul (ABC News, 22 April 2026)

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

Maggie Toko has spent decades raising the voice of those who live with mental heath issues and emotional distress, using her own living experience of mental illness and professional work in homelessness, sexual assault, and youth services.

At the time of recording this chat with Maggie at the Complex Needs Conference in 2025, she was the consumer commissioner for the Victorian Government's Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Now, she is the Chair Commissioner.  

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is an independent statutory authority that holds government to account for the performance, quality and safety of Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. The Commission operates under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022.

New Zealand-born Maggie, who is of Ngāpuhi – Ngāti Whātua descent, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) earlier this year for her significant service to mental health governance and awareness.

We mention Voices Vic in this episode. Hear our conversation with Voices Vic here.

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

Chelsea Troutman is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and Clinical Supervisor, and Director of a Behaviour Support Practice Elements ABC.

Chelsea has extensive experience working within Government and Community Service Sectors with expertise in disability services, children and family services, out of home care, and forensic disability. 

She presented at the Complex Needs Conference last year on the topic Promoting 'enabling environments' in restrictive settings to progress treatment and meaningful outcomes for all. 

 Enabling environments are defined as "places where good relationships are upheld and facilitate well-being for all participants, staff and service users alike, and where new ways of relating can be learned through mutual respect and recognition, nurturing a sense of belonging". 

Karenza Louis-Smith spoke with Chelsea after the presentation and the pair spoke more about this, particularly in the context of custodial settings, like prisons and youth justice centres - and why it is so important.

More info:

• Hear from Chelsea about Elements ABC's approach
• enabling environments (ee) resources Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK)
•  Architectures of Harm or Architectures of Hope? - The effects of carceral space on the wellbeing of prisoners 

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

OVA is a matter for everyone to understand and report but in particular for frontline support workers who work with NDIS participants and provide mental health support in community programs.

Awareness of, education about and the importance of reporting Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) has been a concerted focus for ermha365.
Our work on OVA reduction was recognised in a big way in October 2025 at the Australian Workplace Health and Safety Awards with our OVA taskforce named Team of the Year.

Our guest for this episode is Clare Hutton, ermha365's Manager Work, Health and safety and Emergency response to explain more about what we've been doing about OVA and why. 

More info:

Incident-reporting education critical to WHS outcomes (OHS Alert, 2 December, 2025 and republished by ermha365 with permission.)

Workplace violence and aggression - why training is crucial (Podcast episode)

Australian Work Health and Safety Award Winners 2025 

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

Dr Astrid Birgden is a consultant Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and NDIS Behaviour Support Specialist who has years of experience working in corrections and disability settings. 

Astrid's career is quite extraordinary. She is a trailblazer in behaviour intervention support in Australia and worked overseas on international projects. She has even been an assistant sheriff/warden of a remand centre in New Orleans.

We caught up with Astrid at the Complex Needs Conference in March 2025 where she was part of a panel discussion on Integrating mental health, disability, and human rights for comprehensive support.

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...

Got feedback, a question, or a topic suggestion? Drop us a Fan Mail message right here.

Hearing voices is often assumed to be a symptom of a mental health condition. However this is not always the case and up to 1 in 10 people hear voices, making it not an uncommon human experience. 

The Voices Vic program is led by peers with lived and living experience in hearing voices, seeing visions or having other sensory experiences. This program offers recovery groups, mentoring and support across Victoria.

Our guests for this episode are Janet Karagounis, Senior Peer Mentor and Tali Brash, AOD & Mental Health, Lived & Living Experience for Uniting Vic Tas.

We spoke at the Complex needs conference in March 2025 after they gave a presentation "Overcoming barriers and simplifying support for people who hear voices and experience unusual sensory events".

More info (not an exhaustive list):

Voices Vic support for hearing voices 

The Voices Clinic (Swinburne University)

Hearing Voices (QLD)

Hearing Voices Network (WA)

Hearing Voices Community Group (Darwin, NT)

Voices and Visions peer support group (Sunshine Coast, Qld)

Hearing Voices Network (UK) 

Meridia represents the next evolution of a group of long-standing and trusted social service organisations working across disability, mental health, employment, community inclusion, social enterprise, allied health and clinical services.

Together, we bring organisations including The Disability Trust, ermha365, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford and embarc into a more connected and future-focused structure.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline  13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Meridia acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

...