Dr Kathy O’Grady is a GP who has been working in the Newcastle area for over 30 years. She has a special interest in Mental Health. Kathy has been working as a Medical Educator with the Black Dog Institute for the last 8 years, delivering a range of workshops dealing with Depression, Anxiety, Perinatal Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Youth Mental Health, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, eMental health and Professional wellbeing and burnout.

Kathy speaks about the work of the Black Dog Institute and about some of the ways we can enter into a conversation with adults who may be struggling. She shares some of the more concerning signs as well as some ways in which we can respond. This response may include providing personal support or exploring some professional avenues. Kathy speaks about the value of empathy and of creating a space where people can share their distress without judgement.

Jesus modelled this in his life time and inspires us to do the same. It’s from this open and attentive place that we can best offer support.

** Please note that there are some references to sensitive mental health issues including suicide. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed at any point during the Episode please reach out to someone for help, connect with one of the support agencies like Beyond Blue or Life Line, or contact a medical practitioner directly.

 

Black Dog Institute is celebrating 20 years of impact in mental health research, and is the only Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan. 

Since 2002, The Institute has expanded from treating and researching mood disorders to being leaders in suicide prevention, digital mental health, workplace mental health, new treatments, and early intervention in young people. 

The Institute’s unique translational approach allows us to quickly turn our world-class scientific findings into clinical services, educational programs and e-health products that improve the lives of people with mental illness. 

The Institute connect research answers, expert knowledge and the voices of lived experience to deliver solutions that work across the health care system for patients and practitioners alike. 

The Institute is proud to have been a trusted partner for 20 years with government, universities, health services, clinicians, industry, workplaces, schools and philanthropists and is excited to be shaping the future of mental health science.  

 

Resources referenced during the Podcast:

Conversations Matter: Conversations Matter is a practical online resource to support safe and effective community discussions about suicide.

5 Ways to Wellbeing: 5 Ways to Wellbeing introduces you to five simple and effective ways to improve your psychological and emotional health that are based on extensive international research.

Eric Cruz is an official RUOK Day Ambassador. He is 38 years of age, he is married to his wonderful wife Sarah and is very proud of his Filipino heritage. Eric is from Adelaide and works in the Community Services Sector for CatholicCare. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has worked across the corporate, disability, aged and mental health sectors. In addition to this role Eric owns and manages his own Mental Health Awareness Enterprise called Man About Adelaide. Through this mental health online platform, Eric has shared his story with over 50 groups.

Eric’s passion for mental health awareness stems from his own lived experience with anxiety and depression as well as the effects that it has had on those close to him. In this episode he generously shares his personal story and speaks to the power of checking in on family and friends. Eric names some of the barriers in speaking about mental health issues and the power of asking RUOK?

** Please note that there are some references in this episode to sensitive mental health issues including suicide. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed at any point please reach out to someone for help, connect with one of the support agencies like Beyond Blue or Life Line, or contact a medical practitioner directly.

Andrew Chinn is a musician, an educator and a gifted performer and collaborator. He has visited more than 1000 Catholic Primary Schools sharing his music and his faith with children, teachers and parents. Since 2000 Andrew has been recording Christian music for children and for some adults too, for use in Religious Education and liturgy. He travels extensively and has performed in 3000 concerts across Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

During the pandemic Andrew developed Butterfly House which is an online resource for teachers of Religious Education. It was created by Andrew and a team of teachers of faith to appeal to the spirituality of children through a creative arts approach to Religious Education. Andrew’s driving force is about “responding to need.”

Throughout these years Andrew has been supported by his wonderfully gifted and creative wife Bernadette, his four daughters and his ten grandchildren. In the year 2000 Andrew and Bernadette’s beautiful daughter Belinda tragically died from cancer at the age of 15. This had a profound impact on Andrew and his family and influenced the path he chose to pursue. I welcome Andrew to our program as we converse about his extraordinary journey and his calling to share God’s message of love through music.

One of the things I've learnt is how powerful liturgy with children can beand how music is critical to that.Andrew Chinn

 

Key References:

Butterfly Music: www.butterflymusic.com.au

Butterfly House: https://www.butterflyhouse.online/

 

Music included in the Episode:

The Face of God by Mark Raue (Sung by Belinda Chinn)

These Hands by Andrew Chinn

This program will include a 2 minute introduction and a 10 minute Guided Meditation on balancing work and rest. Throughout any day we work in a number of different ways. We spend time at work and at home doing lots of things (functional) and we spend some of our time trying to slow down and refuel (contemplative). This guided experience will focus on some of the contemplative practices which can support our wellbeing and our relationships. These life-giving practices include stopping, being in the present moment and letting go. After reflecting on these three practices some time will be given to apply them and experience their fruits through a Breathing Meditation – breathing in God's Love and breathing out God's Peace.

Our hearts will be restless, until they rest in you.St Augustine

Kevin Bates sm is the Parish Priest of Holy Name of Mary Parish in Hunters Hill in Sydney. He was born in Geelong, Victoria and was ordained as a Marist priest in Melbourne in 1972.  Over the years he has been involved in a broad and exciting range of ministries. He has been a lecturer, a facilitator, a retreat leader and was the Director of the Marist Centre in Toongabbie and later the Aquinas Centre in Sydney. In the early 1990’s he lived in community at Holy Spirit in Bellambi (Wollongong) and travelled extensively around Australia and beyond conducting retreats for primary and secondary school students, staff groups and parish-based groups. Over these years Kevin has also composed, published and recorded beautiful music which has been shared at countless Masses, Weddings and Funerals.

Throughout the years Kevin’s ability to walk with others, to listen to their pain and to empower them to use their gifts has been so clearly evident. It is a story which reflects the power of offering others a loving and encouraging presence. 

"We need to have a listening heart together." Kevin Bates sm

In this Second Episode Paul Field shares the story of his time as the Manager of the Wiggles and his newly emerging solo music career. He delves more deeply into some of the barriers in asking RUOK? and he shares some of the life-giving ways he has learnt to connect with people in his own life. It is a powerful and engaging story and one that reminds us all of the value of connection and community and of pursuing those things in life that bring us joy.

“Do things that are positive and that bring you joy. That’s kind of a theme in my life.” Paul Field

To listen to the new solo album “Love Songs for Lonely People” check out Paul Field’s official YouTube channel.

Paul Field is a renowned musician and author and is our special guest in support of RUOK Day 2021. Paul was the lead singer for the Cockroaches, the Manager of the Wiggles for almost 25 years and more recently released his first solo album. Paul is married to Pauline and they have five children. In this first of two Episodes Paul shares his own story, both his professional career as well as the tragic death of his daughter Bernadette who died from SIDS when she was eight months old. He speaks about the impact of people checking in on him at critical times and of the value of reconnecting with those things that bring you life. Paul highlights how his music, family, friends and faith have all played such an important part in his wellbeing. It is a moving and authentic story and one that reminds us all of the value of a single conversation.

Are they really OK? Ask them today."There's nothing like a human voice."  Paul Field

Please note that there are some references to death in this Episode. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed at any point during the Episode please reach out to someone for help, connect with one of the support agencies like Beyond Blue or contact a medical practitioner directly.

This program includes a 5 minute introduction and a 10 minute guided reflection entitled “A Meditation for Centering and Connection”. It has been created in support of RUOK Day 2021. It is a day that reminds us of the value of connection.

This time of COVID-19 and lockdown is effecting us all in different ways. Many have expressed that they are feeling disorientated and disconnected. This guided meditation seeks to create a space where you can feel centered and connected. The first part of the meditation involves a grounding exercise. Even simple grounding exercises can be very helpful when we are feeling disorientated. In the second part of the meditation you will be invited to reflect on a series of quotes. Each quote is an invitation to connect with yourself, with others and with our compassionate God. 

"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always."Brad Meltzer

Patricia Thomas currently works for Grief Care which is an ecclesial Pastoral Care agency of the Church at Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria. In the first episode (Episode 25) Patricia reflected on the challenges our students are facing in this time of COVID-19. In this second episode Patricia explores some strategies which can assist with emotional regulation and agility for both students and adults. She also explores some of the more healthy and helpful ways to express or offer support. Patricia delves deeply into the human experience of pain or struggle and the place of God in this time of great turmoil and uncertainty.

“If our children develop the skills of emotional agility, acceptance and mobility they’ll become our greatest prophets.” Patricia Thomas

Patricia Thomas currently works for Grief Care which is an ecclesial Pastoral Care agency of the Church at Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria. Grief Care supports individuals, families and communities during times of loss, grief, bereavement and trauma offering accompaniment and a range of programs and resources in preparing for funerals. In this first episode Patricia reflects on the challenges our students are facing in this time of COVID-19 and some of the ways they may react to these challenges (Flight, Fight, Fright and Fawn). She also speaks about the great value of putting language around these experiences and of the need to create spaces where feelings can be heard and held.

“Every grief, every loss of something that we value, is traumatising.” Patricia Thomas

“Not everything can be fixed or cured, but it should be named properly.”Richard Rohr