How can a systems approach improve care for young people with complex trauma? 

Join host Dana Shen (Consultant), and guests Seanna Davidson (Systems Change Practitioner and Education) and Tim Crowley (Nurse Practitioner in Child and Adolescence Mental Health) as they explore how family, community and services connect around a young person and shape trauma-informed care. Equally focused on the efficacy of these broader services, Dana, Seanna and Tim discuss the role that systems thinking plays in helping multidisciplinary teams to navigate workplace challenges and collaboratively engage.

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.

Explore resources on trauma-informed care and multidisciplinary practice on the MHPN website. 

Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

Content advice: This episode discusses the topic of suicide, listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis, support is available. In Australia, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (call or chat online), or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800 – for those aged 25 and under). If it is an emergency, call 000.

How can practitioners overcome barriers to effectively engaging men in care? 

Join Co-Directors of the Ballarat Men's Mental Health Service, Maxine Troon, Andrew McPherson and Mick Fryar, as they share their insights into why men delay help-seeking and can find it difficult to remain engaged in supports. They explore common experiences, such as challenges with referral pathways, alongside other barriers that are unique to this demographic. By cultivating a person-centred environment, this episode demonstrates how the Ballarat Men’s Mental Health service continues to innovate, evolve and meet men where they're at. 

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice. 

Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form. 

Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/. 

Anxiety can often be difficult to recognise during the perinatal period, with many people hesitating to seek support. Robyn Stanislavski and Katie Rogerson from PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) discuss their roles as peer worker and clinical practitioner, and how the intentional and safe sharing of lived experience can reduce shame and complement clinical care during this stage of life. 

Drawing on both lived experience and professional practice, Robyn and Katie discuss the value of peer support for people experiencing anxiety in the perinatal period. As part of the conversation, they also clarify what peer workers do in real practice settings and how collaboration between peer and clinical roles can strengthen support for parents.

Listen to gain a deeper understanding of how peer support works in practice and the positive difference it can make in perinatal mental health.

Robyn Stanislavski recently shared her expertise at an MHPN webinar, Supporting Perinatal Mental Health After Loss or a History of Eating Disorders. You can watch the full webinar recording on our website here: https://mhpn.org.au/webinar/perinatal-mental-health/

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.

Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form.

Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

This Wednesday 4 March, join Robyn Stanislavski and Katie Rogerson from PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) as they explore how perinatal anxiety can show in day-to-day life, the value of peer support for people experiencing anxiety during this period, and how collaboration between peer and clinical roles can strengthen care. 

Listen to gain a deeper understanding of how peer support works in practice and the positive difference it can make in perinatal mental health.

Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.

Mental Health Occupational Therapist Emma Ketley and ADHD and autism advocate Amy Green explore neurodivergent burnout and why it is so often misunderstood in clinical settings. Amy candidly shares her lived experience, highlighting how burnout differs from depression and occupational burnout, and the impact it can cause to sensory tolerance and executive functioning. 

Emma and Amy unpack what accessible, neurodiversity-affirming care looks like in practice. From working with individual strengths and tailoring communication, to creating flexible, collaborative spaces, they explore practical ways that practitioners can reduce barriers and truly support neurodivergent people in engaging with care.  

This episode is essential listening for health practitioners, mental health professionals, and anyone supporting people with ADHD. It provides clear strategies to incorporate into your practice, to create safer, more inclusive, and supportive spaces. 

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice. 

Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form. 

Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

How can people with ADHD be supported beyond medication?

Occupational Therapist and ADHD Coach Emma Ketley and ADHD and autism advocate Amy Green bring their professional insight and lived experience, for an honest conversation about supporting people with ADHD beyond medication. 

They explore sensory load, masking, ADHD burnout, and nervous system regulation, and discuss practical, non-pharmacological strategies that can make a meaningful difference for neurodivergent adults. 

This episode is essential listening for health practitioners, mental health professionals, and anyone supporting people with ADHD. It offers guidance on neurodiversity-affirming approaches, and on how to create safer, more inclusive spaces in practice. 

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.

Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form.

Share your comments, questions and feedback about Mental Health in Practice: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

MHPN Presents is returning in 2026 with a new name – Mental Health in Practice. 

The new name reflects what the podcast has always been about – practical, evidence-informed conversations that support real-world mental health care.

While the name is changing, the podcast you know stays the same. You will still hear thoughtful discussions grounded in clinical work, featuring experts from across the mental health sector.

From 2 February 2026, this show will appear as Mental Health in Practice on all major podcast platforms and on the MHPN website. If you already subscribe, there’s nothing you need to do. New episodes will continue to arrive automatically under the new name.

We look forward to bringing you conversations that support mental health practice in 2026.

MHPN would like to thank everyone who contributed to our podcasts in 2025. 

MHPN Presents will be taking a short program break for the festive season. 

As we celebrate this time of year and look forward to the next, it is a good time to look back at our diverse range of episodes, which cover practical stories and real lessons from multidisciplinary mental health care in Australia.

We’ll be back on Wednesday 4th February 2026 with new episodes on non-pharmacological support options for ADHD.

We’re excited to be launching a new podcast program in 2026, so stay tuned for future episodes, stories, and opportunities to learn.

MHPN welcomes your feedback. If you’ve listened to any of our episodes this year, you can share your comments, questions and feedback on the MHPN website: mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/

We look forward to exploring topics in 2026 that will help you learn something you can use in your practice tomorrow. 

What happens when social workers work inside a law firm? Clients get more support than you might expect. 

This episode features Olga Gountras and Alexis Stonebridge from Slater and Gordon. They speak about supporting clients’ mental health, managing risk, and keeping people linked to care during stressful legal processes. 

Hear how this model improves collaboration across legal and health services and helps clients feel safer, clearer and more confident as they navigate complex claims. 

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.

Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form.

Share your comments, questions and feedback about A Conversation About... or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

When people learn to understand their anger, it can become a tool for insight, stronger relationships and positive change. 

In this episode, Dr Tony McHugh and Prof Glen Bates explore how mental health professionals can support individuals to respond to anger constructively. They discuss practical strategies to build insight, helping people turn moments of anger into opportunities for personal growth and stronger relationships. 

Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes by following Mental Health in Practice.

Visit the MHPN website for episode host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form.

Share your comments, questions and feedback about A Conversation About… or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.