The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each year we chat with Dr Yvonne Luxford CEO of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre here in the ACT.

The centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the ACT.  As an Accredited Mental Health Service it provides perinatal mental health support to clients from pregnancy until their youngest child reaches two years of age. The organisation offers a range of programs tailored to provide mental, emotional and physical benefits to those experiencing perinatal depression and/or anxiety.

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Radhiah Chowdhury one of the editors of 'Admissions' (Upswell Publishing, 2022).  The book was recently launched in Melbourne at the Big Anxiety Festival during mental health month.  'Admissions' is a new anthology documenting the lived/living experience of mental health issues in Australia, featuring 100+ pieces from some of our leading writers, poets and public figures.

Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

October is National Mental Health Month promoting and raising awareness of issues affecting those living with disability, mental illness, or as a lived experience Carer or Consumer.

I speak with local Canberra girl Leisa Keen, who is not only a well-known and respected professional musician, music teacher, singer and producer of musical theatre, but who also shares the care of two sons with Autism with her partner, fellow musician Steve.

Leisa speaks openly about the challenges that musicians have faced across the past few years during the Covid lockdowns and how that impacted her and her families’ well-being, especially as Carers for their sons living with Autism.  She speaks about her role as a Carer, about Autism and the importance of music in her life. 

Leisa shares about her latest musical project the Olivia Show, ‘I Honestly Love You’ soon to be performed at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre on 28th October 2022, a fitting tribute to Olivia Newton – John recently deceased, whose endeavours in both music and life as a Cancer campaigner, animal lover and philanthropist inspired Leisa to pursue her love of singing and a career in the music industry.  We all need to be inspired and uplifted and this show seeks to do just that!

To hear more join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page at 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio. 

Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

"According to the Better Health Channel, 45% of adults will experience mental health challenges in their lifetime, with Lifeline reporting that 75% of those who take their own life are male".

Áine chats with Simon Jarvis about the support and needs of men in our communities today and how Mentoring Men is assisting.  "Mentoring Men aims to help men experiencing distress or a sense of helplessness by providing free one-to-one life mentoring, enabling them to adjust and transition to a better and normal quality of life”.  Mentoring Men is a registered charity and relatively new organisation founded in Sydney in 2018 to support men and provide a listening ear and mentoring.  They provide free long-term life mentoring programs for men Australia-wide. Focusing on a proactive approach, the charity seeks to engage with men who need help before they spiral into crisis. Simon discusses how the program works and who can be involved. 

Simon has a bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Psychology and over 20 years of management experience in the not-for-profit sector in the United Kingdom and Australia.  Simon brings a broad and deep range of expertise that puts the best Mentor and Mentee experience at the core of the Mentoring Men team. 

Transforming Perceptions on 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

On this weekend of the Garma Festival (July 2022) in the Northern Territory we share an Indigenous story of resilience and strength.

Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt is a member of the stolen generations.  Four generations of her family were stolen.  She grew up under segregation and government control in Western Australia as part of the White Australia Policy away from her family and without any human rights.  She shares her personal story of survival, resilience and recovery through writing children’s books, creating art and poetry.

We chat about her latest children’s book Bobtail’s Friend – From the Desert to the Sea which was inspired by Aunty Rhonda's own experiences.  It has themes around bullying and racism which are conveyed in a way that children can understand.  The beautifully illustrated and crafted book helps younger children to understand and learn about inclusivity and the importance of speaking up when you see someone being treated differently.  

We yarn about her book Alice’s Daughter – Lost Mission Child and the devastating impacts of being stolen; about racism and truth telling.  Aunty Rhonda says “it’s hard to speak about and hard for people to hear, but we need to hear.”  We need to strengthen our youth and have a strong voice and advocacy for our people.  Speaking with Aunty Rhonda was an extraordinary experience full of learning, being taught and sharing.

Transforming Perceptions on 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

Áine chats with Rachel Green CEO of Sane Australia. Rachel shares her own lived experience story of recovery from mental illness, growing up in Canberra and how that has guided her work with SANE and in providing care to others who need mental health support.

In response to data from the Federal Government’s Productivity Commission showing that 150,000 Australians are currently missing out on vital psychosocial support services that could help them manage daily activities, increase social connection, and improve their quality of life, SANE has developed the country’s first digital and telephone service that provides ongoing mental health support. The service was co-designed with those with lived experience of autism, psychosocial and intellectual disability and representatives from Indigenous, multicultural and LGTBIQ+ backgrounds.

“Developed and delivered by leading complex mental health organisation SANE, this new service provides guided support for people with issues like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or OCD.  The service is also built for the autistic community and those with intellectual disability seeking mental health support”.  “Participants will have their own personalised programs of online or over the phone counselling and peer support as well as recovery activities, such as online community forums, social groups and art sessions – all via a new digital participant portal”.

In Conversation with Julie Tongs, OAM, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah, Nominee, Senior Australian of the Year 2022 and Author - The Housing Growth and Renewal Program - Impact on Indigenous Families in the ACT; Over-representation of Aboriginal People in the Justice System and Systemic Racism.

Julie is a Wiradjuri woman an incredible leader, service provider and campaigner for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT and beyond. She is openly acknowledged as a warm and generous person, ready with her time, offering advice and information on matters involving the health and wellbeing of the Australian Capital Territory’s Indigenous population.  She has been CEO of the ACT Aboriginal health and community service for 25 years overseeing the growth of the service and its role in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and providing a culturally safe environment.

Julie provides us with raw and honest insights into the impact of a number of significant actions being undertaken by the ACT government.  The effects of forced removals of ACT Indigenous women from their public housing homes as part of the Housing authorities Growth and Renewal program which she has called the social cleansing of the inner north and inner south suburbs of Canberra. We also discuss the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the ACT justice system and the call for a royal commission. Julie is unapologetic and genuine about the impacts of our mainly white dominated perspectives and systems that keep Aboriginal people entrenched in poverty.

Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

Áine speaks with Dr Emma Campbell from the ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS) about their latest media release advocating on behalf of public housing tenants who are being threatened with the loss of their homes as part of the ACT governments' Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program.  

In the government's latest move this week to oust women, children, elderly and disabled tenants, government representatives rang tenants and gave them under 48 hours to arrange representation and prepare to appear before a government-appointed panel to request an exemption. 

"ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “ACTCOSS has written to the ACT government on numerous occasions asking for details of the promised refined process through which vulnerable tenants can receive a discretionary decision to remain in their properties (Canberra City News, June 15, 2022)."

Dr Campbell provides an update on what ACTCOSS and its partner organisations from the community sector are doing to advocate for these tenants.  She also talks about the importance and value to the whole community of planning a City around the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and should "commit to consulting with, and prioritising the needs of those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage (Canberra City News, 17 June 2022)".

Áine chats with boxing veteran and bestselling author Gary Todd who has released a very personal coming-of-age memoir called Annie's Boy, a tale of resilience and rising up above a violent childhood in gritty Dundee, Scotland, where fear and violence were rife, and struggle was an everyday part of life.  Gary and his mother Annie, who worked multiple jobs to put food on the table, were stuck in an abusive cycle, living in fear for their lives due to the intimidation and violence perpetrated by Gary's Father.  When Gary was only ten years old, everything came to a head as he was called to testify against his father in court as he ultimately tried to end the abuse for good.

Gary discusses aspects of his personal story, moving to Australia when he was 21 and his long-term passion for fitness using boxing as a way to overcome adversity and be strong to protect his Mum.  There is a great deal more to Gary's story which is documented in his new book Annie's Boy out now and available through New Holland Publishers and all good bookstores. 

Áine chats with Jason Ball, whose personal experience of coming out as a young gay man involved in his local AFL team in Yarraglen led to his passionate activism, the establishment of the Pride Cup and development of resources to educate communities and sports teams about inclusivity and the LGTBIQ+ community.

"Ball started a petition on change.org on 9 September 2012 that called on the Australian Football League (AFL) to play "No To Homophobia" television commercials on the big screen of the 2012 AFL Grand Final and also commit to a Pride Round. The petition received over 29,000 signatures and gained national and international media coverage. The AFL agreed to screen the No to Homophobia TVCs during the preliminary finals that year. Ball was invited to lead the 18th Pride March Victoria alongside his teammates from the Yarra Glen Football Club. They were also joined by AFL footballers Brock McLean and Daniel Jackson, marking the first time AFL players had been formally involved in the event. In 2013, Ball partnered with the AFL Players Association to launch a social media campaign tackling homophobic language in sport, featuring some of the AFL's biggest names, including Jobe Watson, Scott Pendlebury and Andrew Swallow." (Wikipedia, 13/6/2022).

Jason has been recognised with numerous awards and acknowledgements including being named the Victorian Young Australian of the Year in 2017.