On the ARC with Cat Morgan -Aspire Recovery Connection

On the ARC Episode 6: Powerful things to Share On this episode of On the ARC Jenny interviews Cat about the On the ARC project, what's next for the podcast and why lived experience stories are powerful to share. We also touch on labels, diagnosis and the importance of building identity outside of the experience of distress and experiences with mental health.Stay tuned for season 2 of On the ARC, coming later in 2025.On the ARC is proudly sponsored by ARC (Aspire Recovery Connection). ARC is a 100% lived experience organisation, centred on human rights and social justice. They provide a range of NDIS supports, including recovery coaching, peer support and counselling. ARC offers human connection and understanding to support healing from mental and emotional distress.Find out more about Aspire Recovery Connectionhttps://aspirerecovery.com.au/

On the ARC Episode 5: Attitude of Gratitude On this episode of On the ARC, we talk to Jadee about her experience being involved as a volunteer with the organisation Talk Out Loud, a mental health and suicide prevention organisation working with young people.We also talk to Dan, who shares wisdom found through his experiences of distress, including experiences around mental health and addiction. Ultimately Dan found gratitude and a passion to help others through similar struggles. Dan is also a musician and this podcast features a track of his called “A New Beginning” . Mentioned on this Episode: Find Out More about Talk Out Loud on their website:https://www.talkoutloud.com.au/  See Episode One of On the ARC: “Approaching Distress Differently” for more content around approaches to suicide distress and to learn about the Alternatives to Suicide approach On the ARC is proudly sponsored by ARC (Aspire Recovery Connection). ARC is a 100% lived experience organisation, centred on human rights and social justice. They provide a range of NDIS supports, including recovery coaching, peer support and counselling. ARC offers human connection and understanding to support healing from mental and emotional distress.Find out more about Aspire Recovery Connectionhttps://aspirerecovery.com.au/ 

On the ARC Episode 4: Sowing the SeedsOn this episode of On the ARC, we talk to Taimi Allan, South Australia's mental health commissioner, about her role as mental health commissioner and her philosophy to changing the mental health system- one seed at a time. We also talk to Cleo, who talks about their recovery and the influence of their culture on their experiences with mental health and on reaching out for support. On the ARC is proudly sponsored by ARC (Aspire Recovery Connection). ARC is a 100% lived experience organisation, centred on human rights and social justice. They provide a range of NDIS supports, including recovery coaching, peer support and counselling. ARC offers human connection and understanding to support healing from mental and emotional distress.https://aspirerecovery.com.au/ 

On this episode of On The ARC we hear from Jenny first. She shares her lived experience, her relationship with diagnosis and labels and how she’s building upon self belief. Jenny also shares some of her poetry.We will also hear from Vrinda, a Melbourne University academic and consumer advocate. We have a conversation about the importance of academic research in the lived experience space, stigma, advocacy and Vrinda’s "Why" for her advocacy: A mental health system that treats people as human.Links and additional information about what was discussed this episode:Find out more about Vrinda’s researchhttps://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/7943-vrinda-edan  Contact Vrinda for information about her current research into Advance Care Directives:V.edan@unimelb.edu.au Journal Article Mentioned written by Indigo Dayahttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/inm.12653

On this episode of On the ARC, we hear from Emrys about what peer work is and about options for using lived experience, including the advantages of completing a Peer Work Certificate IV as well as alternatives to the certificate.We also hear from Danni, who tells us what has helped her across her experiences of distress. She explains why she rejects the concept of “being resilient” and how finding a path leading away from the medical model has helped her move towards recovery.Links and additional information about what was discussed this episode:The Centacare website has information about studying the Mental Health Peer Work Certificate IV in SA (in regional and metropolitan SA)https://centacare.org.au/become-a-qualified-lived-experience-peer-worker/The podcast is proudly supported by ARC (Aspire Recovery Connection)ARC is a 100% lived experience organsation, centred on human rights and social justice. They provide a range of NDIS supports, including Recovery Coaching, Peer Support and Counselling. ARC offers human connection and understanding to support healing from mental and emotional distress.https://aspirerecovery.com.au/

On the first episode of On The ARC we hear Kate talk about what she has learned from her experiences of distress and how cultivating a sense of kindness has helped her along the way.We will also hear from Tanya, who works for LELAN. We have a conversation about the Alternatives to Suicide approach. Tanya explains how the philosophy differs from how the majority of the current mental health system approaches those in distress and why it's important for our community.Links and additional information about what was discussed this episode:LELAN is the independent peak body for people with lived experience of mental distress, social issues or injustice in South Australia. We amplify the voice, influence and leadership of people with lived experience to drive change.https://www.lelan.org.au/Alternatives to Suicide peer-led community-based groups centre mutual connection and meaning making around suicide distress, thoughts and experiences. They offer non-clinical spaces where people can be honest about their experiences without fear of forced treatment, other forms of coercion, or risk assessment that shuts conversation down.Learn more about Alt2Su, including what groups may be offered currently.https://www.lelan.org.au/alt2su/The podcast is proudly supported by ARC (Aspire Recovery Connection)ARC is a 100% lived experience organisation, centred on human rights and social justice. They provide a range of NDIS support, including Recovery Coaching, Peer Support and Counselling. ARC offers human connection and understanding to support healing from mental and emotional distress.https://aspirerecovery.com.au/