Black Dog Institute Podcasts for Health Professionals

With increasing rates of chronic disease and comorbidity, a cohesive, team-based approach to address a broad range of mental health and wellbeing issues has never been more crucial. This webinar explores how GPs can effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals within integrated care teams, breaking down silos and ensuring better patient outcomes. Whether you're a GP looking to enhance collaboration with your team or simply seeking to understand the latest trends in integrated care, this webinar will provide you with the knowledge and tools to transform patient care in your practice. Facilitator: Dr Phoebe Holdenson KimuraGuest: Dr Paul Fung

People with mental health challenges, particularly those with complex needs, often require more support than conventional health services can provide. But where can they turn for additional help? In this insightful webinar, Dr. Jan Orman is joined by Rachel Green, CEO of SANE Australia, to explore the power of digital mental health services and online psychosocial support.Learn about Guided Recovery programs, moderated, clinically governed online communities, and other accredited services that provide a safe, supportive environment for individuals and their families. These services, offered by trusted organizations like SANE Australia, can be an invaluable complement to primary care, offering more accessible and targeted support than unmonitored social media groups.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, a time of declining and erratic hormonal activity often impacting both physical and mental health. Common symptoms include fatigue, hot flushes, irritability, loss of joy, anxiety, depressed mood, intrusive thoughts, and insomnia. Only 1 in 5 women seek help for menopause, stigma and shame are common, anxiety and depression risk increase significantly, and this is the highest point of suicide risk in a woman's life.  Join us for this short webinar where Clinical Psychologist Dr Sarah Barker and GP Dr Ceri Cashell will discuss how GPs can learn to consider whether perimenopause could be a contributing factor to mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression that patients are experiencing. 

Discover the transformative impact of integrating digital mental health resources into clinical care. While these tools are effective on their own, their full potential is realised when clinicians play an active role in guiding, coaching, and engaging with patients. Join Dr. Jan Orman and clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah Barker as they explore how incorporating these resources into your practice can elevate patient outcomes, boost engagement, and offer a more holistic approach to mental health care.

This important webinar is designed to equip health professionals and leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies to foster mental wellbeing in their teams during crises and beyond. This session will:* Present key research findings on healthcare workers' mental health needs during crises like COVID-19.* Introduce an insightful report and checklist as actionable resources for enhancing mental health support in healthcare settings.* Demonstrate how addressing mental health can strengthen teams and improve organisational outcomes.* Use compelling data to outline what needs to change and the steps leaders can take to drive improvement.* Empower healthcare leaders with clear, implementable recommendations for creating mentally healthy workplaces. Facilitator: Dr Peter Baldwin – Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute | Co- Investigator, Future-Proofing the Frontline guide Panellists: Prof Natasha Smallwood – Respiratory Physician, Department of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine at The Alfred Hospital; Head Chronic Respiratory Disease Group and Respiratory Research Training Lead                                          Respiratory Research @ The Alfred School of Translational Medicine, Monash University; and Chief Investigator, Future-Proofing the Frontline report Dr Bethan Richards – Chief Medical Wellness Officer / Director SLHD MDOK Centre | Rheumatologist, Co- Director Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, PhD Health ProfessionalJess Maher- Lived Experience Representative, endorsed enrolled nurse                 Future-Proofing the Frontline: Organisational strategies to support frontline healthcare workers and leaders during times of crisis, is a guide that brings together insights from diverse perspectives and multiple sources of data to understand the best organisational strategies for supporting the mental health of healthcare workers. The guide and Organisational Checklist are available here: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/news/future-proofing-the-frontline/

As the new school year begins, it's the perfect time to focus on supporting children's mental health. Join this webinar to discover powerful, evidence-based tools that help children manage depression, anxiety, and unhappiness. In this insightful session, Professor Sonja March will speak with Dr. Kathy O'Grady about the exciting opportunities in digital mental health and how personalised care can make a real difference. Learn how Momentum Hub is supporting children aged 7-17 years old, providing them with the resources they need to thrive this school year and beyond. Don't miss out – register today to empower both you and the young people in your care. Professor Sonja March is the director of the University of Southern Queensland's Centre for Health and Research, where she is also a Professor in the School of Psychology and Wellbeing and leads the Momentum Hub team.  Momentum Hub is a platform developed by a team of researchers, mental health experts, and web designers from across the country, and supported by the federal government under the Medical Research Future Fund.  The hub extends from Professor March's work with Griffith University researchers – professors Caroline Donovan and Sue Spence with the popular BRAVE Self-Help program – which has reached more than 80,000 young people with anxiety.Hosted by Dr Kathy O'Grady.

The federal government has made vaping illegal without a prescription for very good reasons. We know that vaping and nicotine can have an impact on brain development, affecting your memory, attention, learning and mood. Vaping can also make mental health issues like anxiety and depression worse. It is also highly addictive. There are two issues for health professionals to consider·      people don't understand vaping's health impacts.·      Generally the advice for those who are concerned is to  “talk to your GP or a trusted health professional” Why is that a problem? Because most of us don't have effective strategies for helping people stop. In this recording, GP Dr Chris Lee will increase our understanding of the risks of vaping and provide some very practical advice about talking to people about their habit. 

Newborns are wonderful things, but their arrival can cause enormous upheaval for their parents. Dads, as well as Mums, are at risk of psychological distress in the neonatal period. In this webinar, Dr Jan Orman is joined by Associate Professor Richard Fletcher from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle.  Richard leads the Fathers and Families Research Program and is the founder of SMS4dads, a service designed to provide support for dads until their baby is one year old. 

Despite decades of government investment, significant research endeavour, and a growing commitment to mental health training and response activities in schools and workplaces, rates of mental health in Australia are rising. The scale of this issue is staggering: a recent report shows that 494,000 Australians with moderate to severe mental health problems are not receiving the support they desperately need. Long wait times and a shortage of mental health professionals are leaving vulnerable Australians without access to timely and appropriate care, particularly those in rural and remote areas. When people finally get care, it doesn't always help. We know the current system is broken. We know what we need – a robust mental health system that is well-staffed, adequately funded and integrated across the country that will lay the foundations for a mentally healthier future. But how do we get there? How do we plan for a better future? And what is the role of Health Professionals? Listen to our Mental Health Month edition of Expert Insights were Black Dog Institute's Dr Peter Baldwin, Senior Research Fellow and Policy Research Manager, will share findings from BDI's recent mental health poll and discuss the key issues facing the health sector.   Panel Members: -Dr Peter Baldwin - Senior Research Fellow and Policy Research Manager, Black Dog InstituteDr Laura Kampel - Head of Clinical Services and Senior Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog InstituteMatt - Lived Experience Representative Facilitator: -Dr Sarah Barker - Clinical Psychologist

eMHPrac (e mental health in practice) Project Director Heidi Sturk recently spoke at the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII) in Limerick, Ireland and at the Digital Mental Health Congress in Ottawa, Canada. She returned with a lot of exciting news about what's going on internationally in the digital mental health space.In this webinar, Dr. Jan Orman will speak with Heidi Sturk about the conference learnings and some of the developments she found most exciting. It seems there is a lot happening and talking to Heidi will help us all keep up! 

Screen-based devices play a central role in adolescents' daily lives, serving purposes such as education, entertainment, social interactions, and creativity. While public concern about the impact of screen use on adolescent mental health has grown, evidence of a direct link remains unclear. The association between screen use and mental health is complex, influenced by many factors. This webinar will report on new data about this association based on an analysis of the data provided by Australian adolescents currently enrolled in the Black Dog Institute's Future Proofing Study. These findings will be framed within the broader context of screen use research and offer recommendations for both societal and individual changes to help adolescents benefit from online experiences while reducing potential harms.Dr. Lyndsay Brown has worked for five years as a Research Officer on the Future Proofing Study, now the largest and most comprehensive longitudinal study of adolescent mental health in Australia. Between 2019 and 2021, thousands of Year 8 students across Australia were recruited for this six-year study and each year they complete confidential questionnaires about their mental health, identity, experiences, and well-being. The team analyses this data to identify the risk and protective factors associated with adolescent mental health and the early interventions that could help adolescents thrive. Lyndsay's work spans school engagement, data collection, research, public presentations, and community outreach.Hosted by Dr Kathy O'Grady.

The median age of onset for mental disorders is 14 years. This means, 50% of individuals who will develop mental illness will have already developed the disorder by the age of 14 years.Since children's diagnoses are missed, they do not receive the care that they need and are less likely to receive help, which has a flow-on effect to adolescence where more complicated conditions can present.In this episode, Professor Jennie Hudson from Black Dog Institute shares her findings on understanding the onset of anxiety and depression in children and teenagers, focusing on correcting the myth that mental health problems begin in adolescence.Joining her on the panel, is Psychiatrist Dr Brenda Heyworth who shares her insights from working with children and teenagers, and by Fiona, a lived experience representative who also discusses the topic from her perspective.Panel Members: -- Professor Jennie Hudson - Director of Research at Black Dog Institute- Dr Brenda Heyworth - Psychiatrist, Educator and Facilitator- Fiona - Lived Experience RepresentativeFacilitator: - - Dr Sarah Barker - Clinical Psychologist

The term dMH (digital mental health) covers a wide range of online resources for mental health care.  This includes, but is not limited to, the CBT-based treatment programs that Australia has led the world in developing.   The scientific evidence is important for practitioner confidence but sometimes our patients and clients want to know about it too. This webinar will make it easier for you to explain why you are recommending an online treatment program. Please join Dr. Jan Orman and Prof Nick Titov, founder of the Mindspot Clinic at Macquarie University, who will discuss the evidence to support online CBT delivery.  They will talk about the evidence to support the use of online mental health treatment programs in general as well as the Mindspot Clinic specifically. Learning outcomes:By the end of the webinar participants will be able to:Describe some of the research that supports the use of online mental health treatment programsDescribe the situations in which they may consider recommending an online programExplain how they would talk to a patient about the evidence base for these programs and the best ways to get benefit from themNick Titov is a Professor of Psychology at Macquarie University.  He is also a Clinical Psychologist and Executive Director of the Australian MindSpot Clinic. MindSpot is a digital psychology service, which provides psychological assessments and treatments to adults across Australia. MindSpot employs mental health professionals to deliver care, it is accredited under the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, and it has been funded by the Australian Government since 2012.Nick has worked on >100 trials of psychological interventions and has published numerous reports of outcomes of digital psychology services in peer reviewed papers including in the Lancet Digital Health. Nick serves on multiple advisory groups to national and international organisations.Dr Jan Orman MBBS MPsychMed is a Sydney GP with a special interest in mental health and psychological medicine. She has a Masters in Psychological Medicine (CBT) from the University of NSW and has combined general practice and specialised work in mental health for over two decades.  Jan has also worked for more than 10 years as a facilitator in Black Dog Institute's Professional Education team. She is currently responsible for developing the content of, and delivering, the GP education programs for the Black Dog Institute's arm of the e-Mental Health in Practice Project.Click here to see the slides

Can engagement with the arts improve children's wellbeing? In this episode, we talk to Dr Diane Macdonald (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Black Dog Institute/School of Psychiatry, UNSW) about her research on Culture Dose for Kids, an arts engagement program for children and their caregivers that has been designed to improve mental health and wellbeing in children who are experiencing anxiety.Joining on the panel is Art Therapist, Jennifer Blau, and Lucia Barrera, a Culture Dose for Kids parent participant, researcher, and UNSW Scientia PhD Scholar (Mental health and arts-based knowledge creation/translation).Listen to explore the promise of an arts-based intervention for childhood anxiety that highlights the value of the role of community and cultural care in children's mental health and well-being.Panel MembersDr Diane Macdonald - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Black Dog Institute/School of Psychiatry, UNSW)Jennifer Blau - Art Therapist, Art of WellbeingLucia Barrera - Parent Participant.FacilitatorDr Sarah Barker

Many of us know something about the post-colonization history of Australia and most have some understanding of the transgenerational impact that history has had on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Nonetheless, it is often difficult to know what we need to do and how we need to be as clinicians to respect indigenous culture and behave as allies to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and clients.  Many of us have done "cultural awareness" training and even adjusted our workplaces to make indigenous people feel comfortable but what other changes do we need to make to be good allies?In this webinar, Dr. Jan Orman, Mim Weber (WellMob) and Angela Sheridan (WellMob) will discuss how clinicians can be good allies to their First Nations patients.  Check out the slides here.

With the plethora of digital CBT apps and programs available, how do you select one that's effective, safe, and engaging for teens? In this webinar Dr. Mirjana Subotic-Kerry, Senior Research Program Manager at Black Dog Institute delves into her research on digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and its impact on teen mental health.Mirjana shares the latest research findings and insights on navigating interventions to ensure they're evidence-based and prioritise the safety of teens' data and privacy, among other considerations.  She introduces the new app ClearlyMe.You can find the slides here.

To celebrate the 2024 NAIDOC week (7 - 14 July) theme, Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud (www.naidoc.org.au), this Expert Insights session focuses on the enduring wisdom, vitality, and strength in First Nations communities, passed down through generations. We explore the power of cultural healing approaches within suicide prevention, with a particular focus on what works, achievements, and excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention.  Listen and learn from the rich contributions and wisdom of First Nations cultural healing approaches, which can be leveraged to promote positive wellbeing for Indigenous communities and beyond. Panel Members· Maddison O'Grady-Lee, Clinical Psychology PhD candidate (UNSW/Black Dog Institute), Dalai Lama Peace Fellow, and winner of The Diana Award· Shannon McNeair, a proud Malgana woman and a Psychologist from McNeair Aboriginal Psychological Services· Uncle Monwell Levi - First Nations Lived Experience Representative Facilitator· Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

Sleep is vital to mental health, especially for adolescents who are in a critical stage of development and forming lifelong habits. However, 40% of young people face significant sleep problems which can put them at risk of developing anxiety or depression. There is extensive evidence for the benefits of Cognitive Behaviour for Insomnia (CBT-I), but an app delivering this gold standard treatment to adolescents was missing.In this webinar, Dr Sophie Li (Postdoctoral Research Fellow and clinical psychologist at Black Dog Institute) introduces Sleep Ninja®; a free, evidence-based smartphone app shown to be effective in helping young people with sleep problems.Hosted by Dr Sarah Barker

Research evidence clearly supports exposure as a key ingredient in first line treatment for anxiety, yet practitioners can be reluctant to use it with children and young people.In this episode, Professor Jennie Hudson from Black Dog Institute will share her research findings on exposure therapy for anxious children and adolescents as part of an app and programs she has developed for them and their caregivers. We will be joined by clinical psychologist, Anna McKinnon, who will share her clinical insights from extensive exposure therapy with children and families over the years about how we can use it effectively and by a lived experience panelist who will share their experience as a caregiver of an anxious young person.Listen to the conversation about the benefits of exposure therapy for anxious children, young people, and their caregivers and about approaches that practitioners can take to successfully introduce and effectively use exposure in order to have the best chance of children and their families achieving lasting, positive outcomes in anxiety management.Panel MembersJennie Hudson – Professor and Director of Research at Black Dog InstituteAnna McKinnon – Clinical PsychologistEmma – Lived Experience RepresentativeFacilitatorDr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

With the plethora of digital CBT apps and programs available, how do you select one that's effective, safe, and engaging for teens? In this episode, Dr. Aliza Werner-Seidler, Scientia Associate Professor and Head of Population Mental Health at Black Dog Institute, delves into her research on digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and its impact on teen mental health. Aliza shares the latest research findings and insights on navigating interventions to ensure they're evidence-based and prioritise the safety of teens' data and privacy, among other considerations. Joining her on the panel is Hazel McKenzie, a psychologist specialising in teen mental health, who discuss how clinicians currently integrate digital CBT into practice. Additionally, Ruby, a teenager serving as a lived experience representative, will offer invaluable perspectives on her firsthand experiences with digital CBT, shedding light on its impact and usability. Panel Members· Dr. Aliza Werner-Seidler - Scientia Associate Professor and Head of Population Mental Health at Black Dog Institute· Hazel McKenzie - Psychologist in private practice· Ruby - Lived Experience Representative Facilitator· Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

Eating disorders have low rates of early detection and intervention, but both are needed for the best outcomes. Research shows that a multi-disciplinary team including the patient's GP is needed to facilitate recovery.In this webinar, Dr Karen Speilman (Primary Care GP Advisor at InsideOut Institute) and Peta Marks (National Programs Manager at InsideOut Institute) will introduce the new InsideOut GP Hub & Tools which will complement and support GPs in their role which includes early identification, intervention and management. Hosted by Dr Kathy O'Grady

We look at neuroaffirming strategies that ADHD adults can use to live well with ADHD. Dr Sarah Barker is a clinical psychologist who is interested in approaches to living well with ADHD to increase wellbeing. This webinar is hosted by Dr Jan Orman MBBS MPsychMed. Jan is a Sydney GP with a special interest in mental health and psychological medicine.

With Dr Jan Orman and Dr Melanie BabooramAs health practitioners, we are trained to focus on the negative. But many of the people we talk to could benefit from exploring positive emotions as well.In addition to learning how to restructure and manage unpleasant emotions, we can also explore the ways they are generating positive emotions. Together we can explore what they are doing well, what skills and concepts they can tap into to enhance these, and – most importantly - how that positive emotion feels to them.In this brief and practical webinar, we discuss the importance of highlighting the positive emotions in clinical conversations and explore some ways in which we can help people (and ourselves) enhance the experience of those emotions.

While there is concern that excess screentime may impact young people's mental health, smartphone technology can also provide a gateway to providing critical support in daily life.  Join Dr Imogen Bell, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Psychologist at Orygen Digital, as she summarises the research into smartphone interventions for depression and anxiety in young people, including what apps are currently available and considerations for their use in everyday clinical practice. She will also highlight some of the promising innovations, including the artificial intelligence, research into the effectiveness of transdiagnostic apps, and the development of new transdiagnostic app, Mello. Curious about the impact of screen time on the mental health of young people? See the initial results from our Future Proofing Study this white paper (Chapter 2 Are screens making young people sad and anxious?). Dr Imogen Bell is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at Orygen, the Centre for Youth Mental In conversation with Dr Kathy O'Grady

How do lengthy mental health service wait times affect service delivery to young people in Australia? In this episode, Bridianne O'Dea, Associate Professor and NHMRC MRFF Investigator at Black Dog Institute, will share her research on wait times for mental health treatment for young people in Australia. Bridi will discuss her research on the impact of long wait times on service provision to young people and upon their coping capacity while they wait. Also on the panel is Anna Ricciardello, psychologist, who will speak to how clinicians are managing lengthy wait times and by Emily, a lived/living experience representative who will share their experience of lengthy wait times while waiting for much needed mental health services. This discussion will focus on the impact of wait times as well as strategies and ideas for how both clinicians and services consumers can respond to this important complex issue. Panel Members· Bridianne O'Dea - Associate Professor and NHMRC MRFF Investigator at Black Dog Institute· Anna Ricciardello - Psychologist in private practice· Emily - Lived Experience RepresentativeFacilitator· Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

Many people experience difficulties when a family member, friend or someone under their care is diagnosed with dementia. Health professionals are increasingly being asked what community members can do to assist a person maintain their dignity and a good quality of life after a diagnosis of dementia. In this webinar we discuss these issues with Dr Hilton Koppe, GP Educator at Dementia Training Australia and facilitator of the award-winning Australian podcast "Dementia in Practice". Hosted by Dr Jan Orman.Here's the link to the graph to include in the podcast notes: https://d34ery7y7ckzql.cloudfront.net/3cb2dc2e-f580-4584-973a-0f95f04b43ff/Public/Resources/Webinar%2066%20Handout.pdf?150

Measurement-based care is gaining popularity, but which questionnaire should you use and what do the data really mean? Psychometric assessment encompasses everything from neuropsychological testing to self-report questionnaires like the K10. Clinical Psychologist Dr Peter Baldwin takes us through how self-report questionnaires work, how to choose a questionnaire, and how to quickly and effectively interpret the scores. He also busts some common myths about mental health questionnaires and share insights from his research and clinical practice.Peter is joined by Dale Skinner, who lives with bipolar II. Dale is determined to provide a better understanding of mood disorders and in this webinar will share his own experience of navigating self-report questionnaires. Panel:Dr Peter Baldwin, academic clinical psychologistDale Skinner, who lives with bipolar II Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-KimuraAccess resources from this podcast here: https://d34ery7y7ckzql.cloudfront.net/3cb2dc2e-f580-4584-973a-0f95f04b43ff/Public/Resources/Webinar%2065%20Resources.pdf?448

In this bonus episode, we have an opportunity to hear from Dr Wee-Sian Woon about international models of care for ADHD. He is a GP and Clinical Editor for HealthPathways. He was awarded the Churchill Fellowship and explored models of care overseas to increase accessibility for the diagnosis and management of ADHD in adults. In this episode, he shares a distillation of the state of play in Australia, some of the innovative models of care being used abroad, and possible models of care for Australia going forward. Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura.

We discuss the prevalence of ADHD in adults and what prompts adults to seek a diagnosis. We explore neuroaffirming approaches and strategies for living well with ADHD. We look at strategies related to organisation, memory, stimulation, and sleep. Panel:Dr Sarah Barker, is a clinical psychologist with an interest in approaches to living well with ADHD to increase well-being.Dr Wee-Sian Woon is a GP and Clinical Editor for HealthPathways.Dr Sarah Sibson is a specialist GP with expertise in women's health and neurodivergence, as well as lived experience with ADHD. Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura.

The WellMob website is digital library with links to over 350 online resources to support the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Using the example of an Indigenous client presenting with depression, podcast explains how the SEWB framework is relevant to clinical and community practice and show how to find and effectively use WellMob resources. Panel:David Edwards, Worimi man and Director of WellMobAngela Sheridan, Wiradjuri woman and Project Officer at WellMobDr Mim Weber, Senior Workforce Development Officer at WellMob Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura.

Many of us are aware of the term Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), but what does SEWB mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how it might impact on our clinical practice? For this brief webinar, Dr Jan Orman will be joined by Angela Sheridan, a Wiradjuri woman and member of eMHPrac's WellMob website team. The WellMob website is based on this holistic SEWB model of health and wellbeing.  They will discuss how connection to culture, country and community can be a protective factor to tap into for your Indigenous patients and client wellbeing.Resources: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Resource Sheet Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework Social and emotional wellbeing: a welcome guide for the Aboriginal workforce Stronger You wheel

A good formulation provides a solid foundation for effective mental health care. In this podcast GP Dr Jan Orman and psychologist Dr Melissa Black discuss the process of making a formulation, how it may work alongside a mental health diagnosis, and its value to both the clinician and their patient/client.  Melissa is the Clinical Research Lead and Clinical Psychologist at Black Dog Institute. She works across clinical research projects focusing on new models of care for specific populations such as healthcare workers and emergency service workers, as well as transdiagnostic treatments for common mental health problems (including depression, anxiety, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder). She is interested in how to better integrate digital tools with person-to-person therapy. She also works collaboratively with patients in Black Dog Institute Clinical Services, embracing her role as a scientist-practitioner.You can view the slides referred to in this Webinar here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/152_U2oukNtxsEheTWr_hA97Ul5oAWooT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114901012576974386472&rtpof=true&sd=true

The effect of loneliness on mental health: How can we strengthen meaningful connections?Loneliness is a growing community health concern which has been associated with social anxiety and mood concerns as well as physical health complaints and disturbed sleep. End of year rituals and celebrations can serve to exacerbate a sense of loneliness, particularly in socially vulnerable and isolated people who can be more prone to its effects. In this episode, Dr Alexis Whitton (Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) will share her research findings on loneliness and mental health. Dr Diana Chan (Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) and a lived experience panellist will discuss the varied experiences and effects of loneliness, reflecting with Alexis on helpful, practical approaches to strengthen opportunities for meaningful connections and activities. Moderator – Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical PsychologistResearcher – Dr Alexis Whitton, Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog InstituteClinician – Dr Diana Chan, Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog InstituteLived experience representative - Stephanie

Join us for the conversation! Screens tend to be a regular part of many young people's lives - to connect, play, learn, and to get news and information. To what extent does screen time affect young people's mental health? Dr Sophie Li, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at the Black Dog Institute will share her research on this topic to help us understand the various nuances of the effect of screen time on young people's wellbeing as well as helpful considerations, and practical approaches we can take to this issue. Dr Li will be joined by a clinician who works with young people and also by a lived experience panellist. This session will be moderated by Dr Sarah Barker.

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition, and the leading cause of total burden amongst females aged 5-64. This webinar summarises the factors that increase the risk for anxiety amongst women and discusses how biological factors like the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception impact anxiety severity and treatment responsiveness. We describe how to modify the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders to improve outcomes for women by attending to these female-specific factors. Panel:Professor Bronwyn Graham, Professor and Clinical psychologist from University of New South Wales, SydneyDr Catherine Choi, General Practitioner in Inner Sydney and the GP Lead at headspace Camperdown Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP

Mental Health Treatment Adherence: What can clinicians do to support clients and patients to stick to treatment for mental health concerns? Listen to our discussion with Dr Matthew Coleshill (Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog Institute) where we will delve into his recent research findings on treatment adherence, particularly regarding how to increase adherence to medication. Professor Sam Harvey (Psychiatrist and Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute) will also share his experiences of what is helpful from a clinical perspective, and we will also be joined on the panel by the powerful voice of lived experience as to what helps and hinders adherence to treatment. Moderator – Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical PsychologistResearcher - Dr Matthew Coleshill, Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog InstituteClinician - Professor Sam Harvey, Psychiatrist and Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog InstituteLived experience representative – Cass.

Climate change is a major global existential challenge that provokes intense feelings in many people. In most cases, concerns about climate change are a rational response to the problem and may lead to positive adaptation, but some people experience significant mental distress. This webinar explores the range of emotional responses to awareness of climate change and how they may impact mental health.  Key aspects of assessment and response to climate distress are discussed, with reference to emerging evidence and existing psychotherapeutic models.  Panel:Dr Anna Seth, GP, Co-chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia Mental Health Specific Interest Group, Climate Aware Practitioner, and facilitator with Psychology for a Safe ClimateBrenda Dobia, Psychologist, Adjunct Fellow in the School of Education at Western Sydney University, a clinical practitioner at Headspace and a member of Psychology for a Safe Climate and the Climate Psychology AllianceDr Chloe Watfern, Postdoctoral fellow at the Black Dog Institute's Arts Based Knowledge Translation Lab and research associate of the Knowledge Translation Strategic Platform of Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE (Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise) Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP

In this episode, Black Dog Institute researcher Dr Chloe Watfern, will share her findings about the links between climatic change and climate distress, with research informed by her personal responses to climate crises. She will also be joined by Dr Charles Le Feuvre and a lived experience representative who will discuss the impact of climate change on individual and community wellbeing; collective, creative, and meaning-focused approaches to coping with climate distress and how clinicians, communities, and others can effectively support those experiencing climate distress.Panel members: Dr Chloe Watfern – Post Doctorate Fellow, Black Dog Institute. Dr Charles Le Feuvre – Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Psychology for Safe Climate. Karla – Lived experience representative. ModeratorDr Sarah Barker -Clinical Psychologist and facilitator with the Black Dog Institute

Whether they're dealing with a close family member's cancer or their own, our studies show that young people are up to six times more likely to experience high or very high levels of psychological distress than their peers their own age. This webinar explores the impacts on young people, their needs, and how you can support them.Panel:Dr Esther Davis, clinical psychologist and Acting Research Manager for Canteen AustraliaKelly Blackman, social worker and Clinical Team Leader for Canteen AustraliaModerated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP

Did you know that e-mental health resources provide practitioners with a wealth of additional evidence-based treatments? We'll provide you with key insights and digital resources that you can begin to integrate immediately to into your everyday practice. Panel:Dr Ruth Crowther, Psychologist / Clinical RegistrarDr Lasse B. Sander, Licensed Psychotherapist (CBT)Dr Jan Orman, GP Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP

To celebrate the 2023 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For Our Elders', this Expert Insights episode will look at the vital role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders play, and have played for generations, in guiding communities and families through everyday life right through to broader national advocacy and activism across a plethora of sectors. It will explore the role Elders have in sharing culture and cultural knowledge and the positive influence of this on community, family and individual social and emotional wellbeing. Join our panel discussion to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' history, cultures, strengths, and accomplishments in the lead up to the NAIDOC Week celebrations.Panel:Researcher – Clinical Psychology PhD Candidate (Black Dog Institute & UNSW) and Dalai Lama Peace Fellow, Maddison O'Gradey-LeeClinician - Peer Support Worker for Cape and Torres Hospital and Health Service, Anthony GeaGeaElder and Lived Experience Representative – Uncle Joe MillerModerator – Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist

In this Expert Insights session, we share recent research findings about the concerning rates of mental health concerns and burnout in Australian teachers as well as considerations for improving teacher mental health and well-being and teacher attrition.Teachers' mental health and teacher burnout have long been concerns, and these have been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has placed further pressure on teachers, with serious consequences for their wellbeing. Consequently, we are now seeing a significant increase nationally in the number of teachers leaving, or considering leaving this vital profession. Join us for a conversation exploring the factors leading to poor mental health and burnout in teachers as well as effective, practical strategies for preventing and managing burnout in educators in the face of growing workload and role expectations within the increasingly complex and dynamic nature of schools.Panellists: Scientia Associate Professor Aliza Werner-Seidler, NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog InstituteMorgana Walker, Director and Psychologist from Morgana Walker and Associates and Bee Kind PsychologyLiz, Lived Experience RepresentativeModerator, Dr Sarah Barker, Clinical Psychologist and Facilitator with the Black Dog Institute

This Expert Insights session will focus on the social and emotional well-being of First Nations Peoples as a result of discussions surrounding The Voice to Parliament. Discussions and media about The Voice to Parliament are a regular phenomenon in the lead-up to the referendum later this year. What is the effect of these conversations and reports on the social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? This Expert Insights panel considers this question, exploring what practitioners can do to increase their awareness of issues and distress that dialogue, discourse and debate about The Voice to Parliament may give rise to in Indigenous peoples as well as to ways to tune into the various ways that these responses may present. Join us to hear about some of the considerations we can open our minds and hearts to in conversations about The Voice to Parliament with First Nations peoples.Panelist: Dr Clinton Schultz: Gamilaroi man and Director of First Nations Strategy and Partnerships at Black Dog Institute Dr Shannon Springer: Associate Professor, First Peoples Health Stream, School of Medicine, Griffith University), our clinician. Michelle: Lived experience representative. ModeratorDr Sarah Barker: Clinical Psychologist and facilitator with the Black Dog Institute

Join us for webinar 56 in the eMHPrac series, to learn how to define and manage diabetes specific mental health issues. Emotional and mental health problems are common among adults with diabetes.

We'll cover how feasible self-care really is in the current healthcare system, the difference between burnout and mental illness and identify resources to help re-think unrealistic expectations.

 Dr Zac Seidler will share his research on men's mental health which has looked at shifting how we understand, approach, respond to, and treat men's distress by creating mental health services and therapeutic approaches that specifically take masculinity into account. Our conversation will explore the perspective and insights from the voice of lived experience as well as of those of a clinician who works closely with men. Join us for a conversation about ways to better understand and respond to men's distress so that together we can enhance mental health in men.Panellists:Zac Seidler: Senior Research Fellow at Orygen - University of Melbourne, Director of Mental Health Training at Movember, Honorary Research Fellow at Black Dog Institute, Clinical Psychologist.Anna Ricciardello: PsychologistChris: Lived Experience RepresentativeModeratorDr Sarah Barker: Clinical Psychologist

Ways to recognise, prevent, and manage burnout have been on the minds of many health professionals, particularly over the past few years. Black Dog Institute has developed a free, evidence-based resource called The Essential Network (TEN) in response to research on burnout in health care workers to address this issue. This Expert Insights session explores the findings of Black Dog Institute's research on burnout and the TEN service, the potential benefits of TEN, and we also hear first-hand perspectives on burnout from a supervisor of health professionals and from BDI's Lead researcher on the TEN program.PanellistsJodie Wassner: Developmental Psychologist, Curious Kids.Matthew Coleshill: Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog Institute. ModeratorDr Sarah Barker: Clinical Psychologist

 Black Dog Institute's recent report, Turning the Tide on Depression: A journey that starts with Australia's youth, has tracked an alarming rise in depression and depressive symptoms in Australia's youth, especially among girls and young women. This Expert Insights session will explore the research behind the report with a focus on the socioeconomic factors at play. It also looks at the role of sex hormones and how they may contribute to the vulnerability of women and girls in internalising disorders. Our panellists will propose innovative interventions, more inclusive social policies and treatment/research protocols to reduce prevalence rates of mental health disorders for women and girls. 

Can participation in arts program improve wellbeing? This question was explored in several major projects by Professor Katherine Boydell in partnership with the Australian Gallery of New South Wales. This Expert Insights panel session explores the research findings and ongoing studies that explore the therapeutic effect of art on mental health. It discusses the important elements that target mental health in art programs, and how we can use these findings and apply them in practice across a range of age groups. Panelists;Katherine Boydell: Professor of Mental Health at the Black Dog InstituteDanielle Gullotta: Senior Access Programs ProducerTEmma: Lived Experience RepresentativeFacilitator: Dr Carol Newall: Clinical Psychologist

Exercise is a neglected area for intervention in mood and anxiety disorders, yet the evidence is unequivocal in terms of benefit to mental health.This Expert Insights panel session examines some of the predictors of poor implementation in the clinical space, and what practitioners can do to overcome these barriers to exercise. We also focus on some of the major benefits as well as emerging innovations in wellbeing and exercise.PanelSimon Rosenbaum: Scientia Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney; President, Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress StudiesAlexander Svenson: Clinical Psychologist at the Black Dog InstituteCaroline Bellenger: Lived Experience RepresentativeFacilitated by: Carol Newall, Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog InstituteRecording and sound production: Nathan BellVoiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute

Adolescence can be a period of significant sleep disruptions and can contribute to excessive tiredness and family conflict.This Expert Insights session covers sleep changes during this developmental period. We discuss established as well as emerging interventions for sleep. There is also a focus on working with families/caregivers, the use of digital technology, and working with or around demanding school schedules to improve adolescent sleep.Panelists:Dr Amanda Gamble - Clinical Psychologist Dr Sophie Li -  Clinical Psychologist and Researcher at Black Dog Institute Stephanie - Lived Experience RepresentativeDr Carol Newall - Clinical Psychologist and facilitatorNathan Bell - Recording and sound productionCameron Banks - Voiceover