Black Dog Institute - For Health Professionals

In 2013, the First Australian National Trans Mental Health Study reported on elevated rates of depression, anxiety and suicide in transgender people, calling for increased attention to the mental well-being of gender diverse people. Join our panel for this month’s Expert Insights as they explore the issues that underpin the psychological distress facing gender diverse people and look at the ways in which health professionals can provide meaningful and effective support to enhance their safety, well-being and sense of being understood. Panel members: Dr. Mike Scott – Psychiatrist, Private Practice Sydney Johnny Kieran – Senior Clinician and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker  Casssie and Kaya – Lived Experience Representatives Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

The perinatal period is a peak time for mental health difficulties to arise. It is now well recognised that perinatal mental illness can affect the entire family unit, both in the present and into the future. In May 2017, our Expert Insights panel explored the contexts and meanings that surround perinatal mental health. Join our panel of clinicians, researchers, and lived experience representatives as they discuss strategies to enhance mental wellness throughout the perinatal period and how to best support families as they navigate this challenging time. Panel members: Prof. Marie Paul Austin – Acting Director Perinatal Psychiatry (Royal Hospital for Women) Dr. Richard Fletcher – Associate Professor Family Action Centre (University of Newcastle) Linda Hayes Cameron – Clinical Psychologist, Parent-Infant Therapist. Athena – Lived Experience Representative Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Bla

Mental illness occurs across all cultures and ethnic groups. However, every community understands and experiences mental illness uniquely within its own context. For practitioners working in diverse settings it can at times be challenging to provide care that is culturally sensitive, relevant and aware. In our March 2017 Expert Insights forum the panel explores some of the key issues inherent to mental health practice in multicultural Australia. Panel members: Dr Diba Pourman - Senior Clinical Consultant Transcultural Mental Health Centre Gabriela Salabert - Clinical Psychologist/Senior Cross Cultural Clinical Consultant NSW TMHC Mahnoosh - Lived Experience Representative Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

The second Australian Child and Adolescent survey of Mental Health and Well-Being, released in 2015, reported that around one in 10 teenagers had engaged in some form of self-harm. Many clinicians are finding this reflected in their practices, where presentations of self-harm have become an increasingly familiar response of young people to the way in which they are experiencing their lives. In February 2017 our Expert Insights panel explored the contexts and meanings that surround youth self-harm as well as sharing strategies that can assist young people to move safely through this challenging life stage. Panel members: Gregory Carter - Psychiatrist and Conjoint Professor (Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research) Johnny Kieran - Senior Clinician and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Samuel - Lived Experience Representative Kaitlin - Lived Experience Representative Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost Voiceo

In this podcast Dr Jan Orman gives us an insight into a consultation with her patient Tegan. Tegan has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Jan takes a look at the warning signs that trigger an episode of depression or hypomania, for Tegan and explains how the use of the free online screening tools for mania and hypomania used at the Black Dog Institute can help detect a bipolar high.

In this podcast Dr Jan Orman talks to Professor Gavin Andrews, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of NSW, about what GP's can do to help patients get the best out of online programs.

Alcohol use disorder is often co-morbid with a variety of mental health conditions. It can be challenging for clinicians to tease out which of these conditions are primary, with alcohol being used as an attempt to alleviate symptoms, and which of these are secondary to the physiological and psychosocial impacts of alcohol itself. In the lead up to Christmas 2016 our expert panel tackled the complexities of the interface between alcohol and mental health presentations. Panel members: Dr Oliver O’Connell - Consultant Psychiatrist, Addiction Specialist, Psychotherapist Medical Director Drug & Alcohol Services and Medical Superintendent, Wesley Hospital Ashfield Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin PhD - NHMRC Senior Research Fellow Director (Translation), NHMRC CRE in Mental Health & Substance Use, Deputy Director (Mental Health Hub), Centre for Brain and Mental Health Priority Research Centre, The University of Newcastle Matthew - Lived experience representative Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Ins

myCompass is a personalised self-help program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet. In this podcast Dr Jan Orman talks to Dr Janine Clarke, one of the developers of myCompass, to discuss the benefits of myCompass and where the future is heading.

For many people living with mental illness, discovering tangible ways in which they can positively contribute to their own well-being engenders a sense of hope and purpose. In our October forum the panel explores the impact of exercise, diet and meditation on mental well-being – which interventions are useful and how are they best applied? Panel members: Simon Rosenbaum - Lecturer UNSW, Honorary Fellow, Black Dog Institute & The George Institute for Global Health, Director, Exercise Sports Science Australia Scott Teasdale - Dietitian Keeping the Body in Mind, Eastern Suburbs Mental Health Service Tania Perich - Post-doctoral Research Fellow School of Social Sciences and Psychology Richie - Lived Experience Representative Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

Experiences of trauma appear to underpin a wide range of physical and mental health presentations. In our August forum, our expert panel explores current thinking in the field of trauma mental health and in delivering trauma informed mental health care for people living with a trauma history. Panel members: Prof Zachary Steel, St John of God Professorial Chair of Trauma and Mental Health School of Psychiatry, University New South Wales St John of God Health Care, Richmond Hospital; Dominic Hilbrink, Senior Clinicial/Social Worker St John of God Health Care; Dr Susan Rees, Senior Lecturer/Researcher UNSW School of Psychiatry; Elana, Lived Experience Representative Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute