MHPN Presents

Tune in to the second episode in this two-part series as Sabin Fernbacher and Louise Newman build on their previous conversation and explore in more depth, the complex inter-relationship between family violence and mental health; and trauma and mental health.  Join them as they identify the potential significant social, developmental and mental health costs on adults, families, children and, in fact, communities that experience trauma. Hear as they describe diagnosis as a form of ‘shorthand’ and how diagnosis, in and of itself, doesn’t describe how the experience of trauma, poor attachment, repetition of dysfunctional maladaptive relationships, complex trauma and/or relational trauma has impacted. From their extensive clinical experience working with women and children who have suffered from the persistent effects of family violence, Sabin and Louise explore the importance of sensitive enquiry about family violence; how compassionate questions mitigate blaming and labelling, shifting the focus away from ‘what is wrong with this person?’ to ‘what happened to them?’; providing a much richer perspective.  They provide practical tips and strategies about when to ask and how to craft questions which will elicit responses which actually help clinicians to understand. This episode is a must-listen for mental health professionals looking to better understand the impact of family violence on mental health. Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of A Conversation About… by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

In this two-part series of A Conversation About… join Sabin Fernbacher and Louise Newman, peers and experts in this area as they share their insights into the complex nature and prevalence of family violence and its impact on Australian women, children and their mental health. Listen as they traverse the challenges of the field – the chicken and egg of intervention (What came first, the experience of family violence or the mental illness?) to the limitations of merely diagnosing and treating the mental illness. From gaslighting to coercive control, Sabin and Louise share what they have learnt from their extensive experience working clinically with women and children who have suffered the persistent mental health challenges linked with family violence. Guest and host leave no stone unturned as they delve into the unique challenges and triumphs of their work, as well as the critical role mental health professionals play in providing trauma-informed care.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of A Conversation About… by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

“When students have a high sense of school belonging, we see reduced mental health [concerns], improved well-being, even improved physical health and better school experiences, the benefits of a sense of school belonging are really quite compelling...”Get ready to put the research into practice about the key elements that contribute to young people feeling a sense of belonging. Discover the relationship between belonging and inclusion and find out how belonging relates to loneliness. Tune in to this episode of ‘A Conversation About..., as community psychologist Dr. Lyn O'Grady and educational and developmental psychologist, Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Allen unpack the complexities and value of belonging – how it is nuanced across individuals and time – and how ultimately a sense of belonging can be connected to long-term well-being. They also discuss the ‘dark side of belonging’ and how a need to ‘fit in’ can lead young people to engage in behaviors that may not support their mental wellbeing.Kelly-Ann shares her research into ‘discovering the ingredients’ that helps young people feel they ‘belong’ at school. How teachers play a key role and what schools can do to support both students and teachers to belong. They also reflect on the COVID-19 lockdowns and how our collective sense of belonging has evolved, creating innovative new ways to connect.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of A Conversation About... by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

“I just remember thinking he could be someone else's baby and I was just holding him.”Ariane, mother of Henry, former elite dancer, child services caseworker, and psychologist and now advocate, shares her raw and unedited account of the experience and clinical treatment of postpartum psychosis. Listen in as Ariane shares her powerful story of being a first-time mum experiencing psychosis. What did the psychosis feel like? How did she find being in a Mother and Baby Unit? What were the personal and system barriers that impeded her health seeking behaviour? What was the impact of receiving incorrect diagnoses? What were the triggers for her recovery? Be reminded of the power of feeling safe and seen and feel inspired by Ariane’s “renewed sense of purpose and drive to support the next group of mothers to come through.” Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of In The First Person by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasting platform.

“No one can prepare you enough for what parenthood is like” - Natasha LindrosWhat 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 of A Conversation About by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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 of A Conversation About by following MHPN Presents. 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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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? Listen to previous episodes featuring Mary and Ruth on MHPN Presents. And stay tuned for future episodes of In Conversation With… by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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? Listen to previous episodes featuring Mary and Ruth on MHPN Presents. And stay tuned for future episodes of In Conversation With… by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

“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 of In The First Person by following MHPN Presents.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

“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 of Book Club by following MHPN Presents. 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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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 more featuring Dr Ruth Vine and Mary O’Hagan continuing their conversation, by following the MHPN Presents podcast show.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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 more featuring Dr Ruth Vine and Mary O’Hagan continuing their conversation, by following the MHPN Presents podcast show.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

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 more featuring Dr Ruth Vine and Mary O’Hagan continuing their conversation, by following the MHPN Presents podcast show.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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

What inspires and sustains the work of accomplished psychiatrist Sid Block, in his ‘lifelong endeavour’ to navigate the complexities of psychiatric practice, and how it has changed over the decades?This episode of In Conversation With… features early-career psychiatrist Shuichi Suetani ‘picking the brain’ of late-career psychiatrist Sid Bloch - to discover what has supported and inspired Sid in his long, esteemed psychiatry career, and what advice he has for practitioners entering the field.Learn how Sid’s three pronged ‘triangle’ framework of science, art and ethics helps him to better understand mental health and wellbeing.From Aristotle to Spike Milligan to Franz Schubert, tune in to find out how and why Sid’s ‘triangle’ might inspire you in your mental health practice.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of In Conversation With… by following MHPN Presents.Visit the MHPN website to access 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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

This episode looks at the value of curiosity in providing mental health support; and how it has helped Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health and psychiatrist, Dr Ruth Vine, Priseena Radha a recent graduate of mental health nursing from medical nursing, and psychologist and policy specialist Dr Sarah Cavanagh chart their careers.Ruth, Priseena and Sarah describe how they have applied their curiosity across a range of sectors and roles – private, public, acute, community-based, and policy making – to contribute their part in “holding” hope for patients; and how working as part of a team has reaped benefits for both their practice and patients. Tune in to hear from the real people who have worked on the frontline of Australian mental health.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of In Conversation With… by following MHPN Presents.Visit the MHPN website to access 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://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

In this episode of Book Club, join returning host Dr Rick Yeatman and guest Dr Paul Cammell – two Melbourne based psychiatrists – as they discuss Rick’s chosen book, ‘Handbook of Good Psychiatric Management for Borderline Personality Disorder’ (2014) by John Gunderson and Paul Links.Paul says, [On diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)] “a lot of practitioners will wonder ‘do I name it’ or ‘do I make the diagnosis,’ and we know in lots of contexts BPD is underdiagnosed…” “he [the author] really demonstrates an approach to making the diagnosis and educating a person in a way that’s demystifying and not, in any way about stigma.”Drawing on their extensive clinical experience in the field, Rick and Paul explore the book’s key themes, presenting an empowered and empowering perspective on working in the field of BPD.Tune in to hear why Paul describes Gunderson as a ‘titan of the field’ whose goal was to simplify and make more mainstream the diagnosis and treatment of BPD; how Rick and Paul summarise the key messages and principles chapter by chapter, ultimately celebrating the book’s practical usefulness.Be inspired by the positive messages about working in the field of, or living with BPD that Rick and Paul channel through this book.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of Book Club by following MHPN Presents.Visit the MHPN website to access this episode’s host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form for this episode.Share your comments, questions and feedback about Book Club, or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://bit.ly/3d6nFea.

In this episode of Book Club, join our host Dr Rick Yeatman and his invited guest, Dr Paul Cammel - both psychiatrists, as they discuss ‘Persuasion and Healing’ (1961) by Jerome D. Frank. This seminal and highly acclaimed book is currently in its third edition - Rick and Paul share their initial responses to the book as new graduates; and their responses now, as colleagues who work together in emergency and post-emergency mental health.Listeners will hear Rick and Paul as they unpack the meaning and rhetoric behind the key ideas, imagery, and approaches described in ‘Persuasion and Healing’ and how these have shaped broader understandings about the role of religious and secular systems of thought, the placebo effect, the importance of the qualities of the therapist, and the efficacy of different approaches to practicing psychotherapy.Rick and Paul also share their opinions, reactions, and responses to Frank’s central arguments on the evolving place and value of psychotherapy on mental wellbeing and human behaviour in the 21st century. They identify the book’s resonating key messages and why they continue to find it a compelling introductory text to psychotherapy which has resonance and relevance to their current clinical work.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of Book Club by following MHPN Presents.Visit the MHPN website to access this episode’s host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form for this episode.Share your comments, questions and feedback about Book Club or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://bit.ly/3d6nFeaNote: This episode of Book Club was originally released in July 2021 to the Book Club podcast show, and has since been re-released on MHPN Presents.

What are the connections between different psychotherapeutic approaches? And has psychotherapy become more, or less, ‘chaotic’ since its inception as a field?In this episode, host Dr John Cooper, psychiatrist, and his guest, Professor Mark Creamer, clinical psychologist, share their views on the value of an orthodox versus an eclectic approach to psychotherapy by discussing Jerome Frank’s article ‘Common Features of Psychotherapy’ (1972).Join John and Mark as they reprise a conversation John initiated with Mark many years ago, as colleagues in the field, about Jerome Frank’s views on psychotherapy, different psychotherapeutic approaches, and the risks and efficacies of psychotherapy in its various modalities. Tune in now to hear how, if at all, John and Mark’s respective positions on these issues have changed over time.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of Book Club by following MHPN Presents.Visit the MHPN website to access this episode’s host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form for this episode.Share your comments, questions and feedback about Book Club or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://bit.ly/3d6nFeaNote: This episode of Book Club was originally released in August 2021 to the Book Club podcast show, and has since been re-released on MHPN Presents.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the question – ‘do we choose the work, or does the work choose us?’ How do our experiences of loss and love influence our world?” – Christopher Hall, episode host.All of us will experience loss at some point in our lives. As professionals who work alongside others’ experiences of grief and bereavement; how do therapists’ personal experiences of loss impact the work that they do? For the first time on Book Club, listeners will hear directly from the author of this episode’s text, as New York based social worker Phyllis Kosminsky unpacks the inspiration behind her article, ‘From practice to theory and back again: A personal perspective on grief and bereavement in a changing world’, with her colleague and episode host, psychologist Christopher Hall.Listen in as Christopher and Phyllis recount their experiences of personal loss, and how these experiences have shaped their respective work in psychology and social work, respectively. Christopher brings to the conversation his insights, experience and expertise as the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement; as Phyllis shares her expertise on the topic as both Christopher's colleague, the author of this episode’s text, and a clinical social worker at the Centre for Hope in Darien, Connecticut.Liked this episode? Stay tuned for future episodes of Book Club by following MHPN Presents.Visit the MHPN website to access this episode’s host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form for this episode.Share your comments, questions and feedback about Book Club or any of MHPN’s podcast series here: https://bit.ly/3d6nFeaNote: This episode of Book Club was originally released in September 2021 to the Book Club podcast show, and has since been re-released on MHPN Presents.