In this four-part series, host Professor Mark Creamer will be joined by expert clinicians, researchers, service providers, emergency workers and partners of emergency workers to discuss experiences and topics unique to this workforce, who provide a vital and valuable service to the community. 

The series will cover how and why the nature of their work can put emergency workers at greater risk of mental health problems, the kinds of problems they might develop, the best models of care, and the common challenges faced by clinicians when providing support.

Brought to you by a partnership between Phoenix Australia’s Responder Assist – the Centre for Excellence in Emergency Worker mental health and the Mental Health Professionals’ Network. 

Subscribe to Mental Health in Focus now on Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcasting platform.

“No one can prepare you enough for what parenthood is like” - Natasha Lindros

What is perinatal mental health? You might be surprised to learn it encompasses more than you think. 

In this episode of A Conversation About…, Dr. Nicole Highet, psychologist, and Natasha Lindros, clinical psychologist, share their perspectives on what Perinatal Mental Health is; how and why the field - of which Australia is a world leader - is growing and evolving; and why it is a rewarding specialty in which to work. Tune in to equip yourself with the clinical knowledge and tools to support parents during the vulnerable life stage of becoming, or trying to become a parent.   

Nicole and Natasha have both worked in the field for many years. They identify the value of the biopsychosocial model, treatment options they find useful, explore what is needed to support clinicians, and offer personal insights into what it is like to hold the dual roles of provider and parent. Mindful of the challenges often associated with ‘becoming a family’, they reflect on the particular disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

You’ll be inspired by Nicole and Natasha’s positivity and hope for all families, to not just survive but to thrive.

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… Perinatal Mental Health, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

Do you feel moral panic about the digital well-being of young people? Are you swamped by the effects of the ‘data deluge’? This digitally nutritious conversation will leave you with a sense of competence and control, ready to better support young people’s (and perhaps even your own) digital well-being.

Listen in to this episode of A Conversation About Digital Well-being and Young People’s Mental Health as Dr. Lyn O’Grady, Community Psychologist, and Jocelyn Brewer, Psychologist explore the role technology plays in our lives and how we can support young people to use it in safe and savvy ways. 

Jocelyn's professional journey, from teacher to psychologist and mother, gives her a unique perspective into the definition of digital well-being. She shares her insights on supporting young people’s well-being, including how to involve them in the conversation around their own digital well-being.

Lyn and Jocelyn share how they have evolved professionally to work in this space supporting families, discussing how technology has changed across generations, and how to ‘get curious, not furious’, with young people in order to help them navigate and stay safe online.

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 Digital Well-being and Young People’s Mental Health or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

In this five-part series, hear about the mental health service system through the respective - and at times contrasting – lenses of clinician and lived experience experts; psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine; and Victoria’s inaugural Executive Director of Lived Experience, Mary O’Hagan.

In the final episode of the series, Mary seeks Ruth’s perspective on several critiques of psychiatric practice. Tune in as they debate Mary’s description of the ‘pills and pillows’ approach to public psychiatric care, and whether diagnosis is a scientific or political process. While they don’t agree on everything, they do agree on the significance of each individual’s experience of mental illness, and the importance of empathy and curiosity in service provision.

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 In Conversation With…, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

In this five-part series, hear about the mental health service system through the respective - and at times contrasting – lenses of clinician and lived experience experts; psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine; and Victoria’s inaugural Executive Director of Lived Experience, Mary O’Hagan.

In the previous three episodes Ruth took the conversational lead. In episodes four and five, Mary takes the lead as they explore Ruth’s views and experiences of psychiatry as a profession. The challenges they both experience in finding a balance between the biological, psychological and social approaches to treatment – and how the balance has progressed and changed over the years – is the consistent thread throughout their conversation.

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 In Conversation With…, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here:  https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

“Every time my pager went off, I felt like vomiting.”

In this episode, clinical psychologist Professor Mark Creamer sits down with former client and volunteer firefighter, Alex, and his partner Lyn, to reflect on Alex’s experience and clinical treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Tune in to hear the couple’s journey through and beyond the cumulative impacts of Alex’s role as a Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer firefighter, attending bushfires - including the Victorian Black Saturday Bushfires - car accidents, house and factory fires over his 20 years of service.

In sharing their powerful and personal story, Alex and Lyn highlight what helped and hindered their progress before, during and after seeking treatment, while Mark reflects on the challenges and opportunities that presented while treating Alex’s PTSD. 

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 In The First Person, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

“The book talks about things that society would rather not talk about.”- Dr Nivanka De Silva

Ignite your ‘personal fire’ in this episode of Book Club, featuring clinical psychologist, Dr Radhika Santhanam-Martin and psychiatric registrar Dr Nivanka De Silva - two migrant women of colour based in Melbourne - as they explore Judith Herman’s ‘Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror’ (1992).

Tune in to hear Radhika and Nivanka’s ‘aha moments’ as they reflect on the book’s powerful themes of witnessing and remembering trauma; how it has inspired a ‘new way of seeing and knowing’ in their practice; and why the ideas presented are more relevant than ever for Australian society and mental health 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 Book Club, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

Does mental health legislation help or hinder outcomes for people seeking help?

In this five-part series, learn about the mental health service system through the respective - and at times contrasting – lenses of clinician and lived experience experts; psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine; and Victoria’s inaugural Executive Director of Lived Experience, Mary O’Hagan.

In episode three, Ruth and Mary discuss the ‘dominant clinical world view’ that Mary argues underpins the mental health service landscape, and the challenges this poses for reform. Tune in to hear how our host and guest, from their respective clinical and lived experience leadership positions, direct a critical lens on current practices for managing risk in care settings; how the presence of the Mental Health Act works for and against clinical management of risk; and discuss the impacts for both service providers and service users.

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

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

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

Why are peer led services central to the current reforms aimed at improving consumers’ experience of mental health services?

In this five-part series, learn about the mental health service system through the respective - and at times contrasting – lenses of clinician and lived experience experts; psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine; and Victoria’s inaugural Executive Director of Lived Experience, Mary O’Hagan.

At a pivotal time of reform - underpinned by a heightened awareness of the need to include the lived experience perspective into mental health service provision - Ruth and Mary sit down to discuss peer led services; including how, while staying true to their intent and values, they can be incorporated within current clinical models. Their conversation explores the challenges facing both clinical and peer workers to work effectively - independently and together; and identifies where their respective clinical and lived experience point of views differ.

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 In Conversation With…, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://mhpn.org.au/podcast-feedback/.

What does the first Executive Director of Lived Experience think of the current support provided to people in mental health crisis? There’s no holding back in this passionate conversation!

In the first installment of this five-part series, learn about the mental health service system through the respective - and at times contrasting – lenses of clinician and lived experience experts; psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine; and Victoria’s inaugural Executive Director of Lived Experience, Mary O’Hagan.

Tune in as Ruth and Mary debate the strengths and limitations of the current mental health system from the perspective of their leadership positions. In this episode they consider how lived experience is taking a lead role in the provision of mental health care; what’s in the practitioner risk management ‘toolkit’ – and ask the vital question: is this enough to provide effective support to people in need within a system under pressure?

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

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

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