Get Real: Talking mental health & disability

Send us a textIn this episode we are discussing the importance of provider-family partnerships for people with complex needs.Cheryl Jameson is our guest and she was in conversation with Emily Webb, host of this podcast, at the Complex Needs Conference in late March for the lived experience stream.A mental health support worker of many years, Cheryl found herself on the other side of systems when her eldest child Josh was 16 and developed psychosis. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which was drug-resistant for many years.  We discover how her family has navigated systems and worked with providers to ensure Josh has the support he needs and wants. Josh gave his consent for his mum to speak to us about their journey so far.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textWe are a few weeks on from The 2025 Australian federal election (May 3) which resulted in a more than convincing victory for the incumbent Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. So, as the federal government begins its new term, and we await the Victorian Government's State Budget next week (May 20),  ermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith  thought it was a good time to catch up with Mental Health Victoria's CEO Phillipa Thomas to talk about what mental health reform and investment will look like for Australia.Mental Health Victoria website.Subscribe to Mental Health Victoria's fortnightly newsletter Follow Mental Health Victoria on LinkedInermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textThis is another conversation from the Complex Needs Conference 2025 and our guest is Adjunct Associate Professor Danny Sullivan, Consultant Forensic and Adult Psychiatrist.Dr Sullivan gave a keynote at the conference about the prescribing of psychotropic medications, which are namely drugs that influence a person's mood, thoughts, and behavior - for people with complex needs.He is the Board Director of ACSO Australia and Director of Victoria's Sentencing Advisory Council.This episode was recorded at the Complex Needs Conference in Melbourne  co-hosted in March 2025 by ermha365 and ACSO Australia with support from Swinburne University's Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and funded by the Victoria State Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith has a thought-provoking conversation with Clinical Forensic Psychologist Dr Lisa Warren, Clinical Director of Code Black Psychology about the Stable Bases Model that the organisation developed to support young people involved in serious youth-to-youth violence to guide their developmental journey and foster long-term positive outcomes. This episode was recorded at the Complex Needs Conference in Melbourne  co-hosted by ermha365 and ACSO Australia with support from Swinburne University's Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and funded by the Victoria State Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textSophie Harrington is our guest for this episode. Sophie is the CEO of NOFASD Australia, the nation's peak body supporting people and families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.NOFASD presented at the Complex Needs Conference 2025 on the complexities of this hidden disability, sharing research, therapeutic strategies and resources, in particular for health care professionals and support workers.NOFASD Helpline 1800 860 613ermha365 co-hosted the conference with ACSO Australia on behalf of Victoria Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), which funded the 2-day conference.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textAndrew Radford lives in New South Wales and is a long-time advocate for people with intellectual disability and autism.Andrew himself has autism and a mild intellectual disability and has recently taken his advocacy to the next level with his appointment to the board of The Disability Trust. The trust is not-for-profit registered NDIS provider of supports and services and  last year it celebrated its 50 years!The Disability Trust has been part of Andrew's life for more than 20 years in many ways, including education and employment support.Andrew was also a part of the ABC series The Assembly where one of Australia's most renowned interviewers, Leigh Sales, mentors Autistic journalism students as they learn their craft and interview well known Australian personalities.Andrew is making history with The Disability Trust, which is the first major not-for-profit organisation in Australia to appoint a person with an intellectual disability to its Board.More info:VALID - the Victorian peak advocacy organisation for adults with intellectual disability.The Assembly (ABC)Andrew Radford Joins TDT Boardermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textThe Complex Needs Conference 2025 on March 26-27 in Melbourne is co-hosted by ermha365 and ACSO – Australian Community Support Organisation. The conference is funded by the Victorian Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. BOOK NOW Both ermha365 and ACSO deliver the pilot program Assertive Outreach and Support on behalf of the DFFH. This service is for people with complex needs who are experiencing significant service barriers. Our guest is Associate Professor, Dr Armon Tamatea who will deliver the closing keynote address at the conference - ‘We must remember, these people's history follows them': Maori, marginality and the Complex Needs of Gang Communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.Armon is a clinical psychologist and the Director of clinical psychology training at the School of Psychology at the University of Waikato in the North Island. ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textA restrictive Intervention is any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. The Research Report Restrictive Practices: A Pathway to Elimination, which is available on the Disability Royal Commission website states: "Restrictive practices are at odds with the human rights of people with disability and represent a significant form of violence and coercion".What are the obligations of NDIS providers and practitioners and the path to elimination? Our guest is Maddy Bilal, who is a Behaviour Support Practitioner/Senior Clinician at ermha365. ermha365 provides client-centred, evidence-based specialist behaviour support for people who experience a range of complex and high-risk presentations as a result of their disability and/or mental health condition. INFO:Regulated Restrictive Practices Guide (NDIS Commission) Behaviour Support and Restrictive PracticesRecognising Restrictive Practices: Guide (National Disability Service)ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textThis is a short episode revisiting some tips for wellbeing over the so-called festive season.The Christmas and New Year period can be an emotional rollercoaster. Things like complicated family dynamics and the absence of loved ones can heighten feelings of loneliness. Not everyone feels happy and bright at this time of the year. In fact, Christmas is considered as one of the six most stressful life events, along with divorce, moving house and changing jobs. Our special guests for this episode is Belinda Ellis. Belinda is a registered psychologist, specialising in forensics and she is ermha365s Chief practice officer. If you need to speak to someone:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MORE SUPPORTMensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467Free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicideSuicideLine Victoria 1300 651 25124/7 telehealth service that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in VictoriaQLife (LGBTI peer support and referral)ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a textParticipants, families and providers across Australia are trying to make sense of what the latest NDIS Price Guide means for them – and this is in addition to the changes slated in the Federal Government's Getting the NDIS Back on Track Bill. ermha365 is right behind the #4aBetterNDIS campaign that's in response to the latest NDIS Pricing Review. This campaign is a joint effort of peak bodies – National Disability Services, Disability Intermediaries Australia, CEO Collab and Allied Health Professions Australia and their member organisations.There are changes that particularly impact the NDIS support and services that the organisations of each of these Peak Bodies provide.   For us at ermha365 the biggest impact is high intensity supports for people with complex and challenging behaviours being downgraded to standard supports category.  This is a reduction in the funding available and a downgrading in recognition of the skill and experience of the workers in this area. For this special episode we are going to hear from ermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith and Melbourne mother Anne, whose adult son James is supported by ermha365 as part of his NDIS plan. He has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and experiences other psychosocial conditions. James relies on daily, intensive support for daily living, including for complex and challenging behaviours.MORE INFOermha365 response to consultation on draft lists of NDIS Supports Disability sector organisations raise the alarm on NDIS market failure (media release)4 a Better NDIS - A campaign for a better NDIS for people with a disability through the delivery of services from a safe, quality focused and a vibrant service market, underpinned by fair and transparent pricing.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a Text Message.Our guest for this episode is Dr Michelle Lim, Scientific Chair and CEO of Ending Loneliness Together - a national network of organisations that work together to address the loneliness in people living in Australia. This is done through evidence-based research, advocacy and public information and awareness.MORE INFOFind out more about Ending Loneliness Together and Loneliness Awareness Week. ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a Text Message.This is an edited version of our 2020 two-part podcast Celebrating PARCs, hosted by Chief Marketing Officer Robyn Haydon.Prevention and Recovery Care services (PARCs) are short and extended residential and day programs that provides 24-hour support in a “home-like” environment to people experiencing mental ill health and whose recovery can be supported without hospital admission. PARCs also supports people discharged from hospital who are not quite ready to return home.ermha365 delivers PARCs in South Yarra, Barwon and Warrnambool for partners Alfred Health, Barwon Health and Southwest Healthcare.Guests: Karenza Louis-Smith (ermha365 CEO), Sally Wall, Senior Manager, Mental Health, Forensic and Community Services, Kez and Sharon (PARC participants).ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Helplines (Australia):Lifeline 13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Kimberley Irwin and Ian Graham from Change Mental Health in Scotland to talk about the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Programme, which was developed and first piloted in 2016 in parts of Scotland to respond to the needs of people experiencing distress. DBI is now an established part of mental health support in Scotland.  The program was highlighted as a model for a similiar service in Victoria in recommendation 27 of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.MORE INFOFind out more about Change Mental Health's origins and journey to where the organisation is today.More about the DBI Programme in ScotlandHelplines (Australia):Lifeline  13 11 14QLIFE 1800 184 52713 YARN 13 92 76Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467 Helplines in the UKSamaritans  116 123  ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

This is a special episode in recognition of International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) which happens every year on March 31. This day is for learning more about and celebrating the lives and achievements of transgender people.  Our theme for this episode is inclusion for transgender and gender diverse people and why it matters.  And what does meaningful inclusion really look like when it comes to things like community participation, health services, human rights and policy development, to name just a few. Our guest for this episode is Tara Laursen who is ermha365's Chief Operations Officer. Tara is bringing her own living experience as a member of the transgender community to this conversation.General information and basic concepts:Transhub 101Minus18: Trans 101 – The Basics (youtube)Support for transgender and questioning people:Transgender VictoriaQueerspaceSupport for family members/parents:Transcend Information for alliesGLAAD: Tips for allies of transgender peopleMinus18: How to be a trans allyTrans Justice Project: Conversations for Trans JusticeInformation entioned in podcastEquality Australia research Banning trans women from sport ignores so many inconvenient truths by Natalie Feliks (online article)Australian Human Rights Commission national project mapping threats to trans and gender diverse (TGD) human rights in Australia.Helplines:Lifeline on 13 11 14QLIFE can be contacted on 1800 184 527 13 YARN on 13 92 76ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our first guest for 2024 is Jodi Rodgers. Jodi is a sexologist, counsellor and special education teacher and has a Masters in Sexual Health. For Jodi, connection, intimacy and relationships are a basic human right and this drives her work, in particular with autistic people to support developing their social skills and understanding their emotions. Jodi's appeared on the series Love on the Spectrum Australia, working with some of the show's participants. Her new book, Unique: What autism can teach us about difference, connection and belonging has just been released and draws on her 30 years' of experience.Find out more about Jodi at birdsandbees.com.au More info:Aspect - Aspect is Australia's largest national service provider for people on the autism spectrum.Yellow Ladybugs - Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals. CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.Helplines:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467Free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicideSuicideLine Victoria 1300 651 25124/7 telehealth service that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Victoria 

This is our final episode for 2023, and we thought it would be timely to talk about self-care, especially during Christmas and the New Year period with, as always, a focus on mental health.  Donna Markham is our guest. Donna is a qualified occupational therapist, an adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University and also a member of our ermha365 board, and chairing the Practice Governance, Quality and Safety Committee. Donna is Victoria's former Chief Allied Health Officer and is now focused on entrepreneurship, using her allied health leadership experience to coach professional women, many in allied health, around career transition, among other things with her business Disequilibrium. Donna joined us on Get Real for our last episode of 2021 and since then a lot has happened in Donna's life, including the honour of being the recipient of the medal of the Order of Australia in 2022 for her contributions to healthcare administration and the diagnosis of her young son as autistic/ADHD.CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.Helplines:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467Free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicideSuicideLine Victoria 1300 651 25124/7 telehealth service that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Victoria

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Jakqui Barnfield,  Lifeline Direct's Executive Director of Service Delivery.Jakqui is a registered nurse with a passion for mental health and suicide prevention. She tells us about the power of reaching out to Lifeline Australia's services and that you are not alone.Helplines:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicideSuicideLine Victoria 1300 651 25124/7 telehealth service that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in VictoriaMORE INFO about the Safety Plan mentioned in this episode.CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our special guest, veteran court reporter and author, Megan Norris talks about her book 'Look What You Made Me Do' which examines revenge killings by estranged fathers during marital breakdowns. This episode of Get Real comes with a strong content warning. Topics discussed include family violence, suicide and the murders of children. Listener. Discretion is advised.Domestic Violence and Family Court Lawyer Kathleen Simpson, who was named the Queensland Solicitor of the Year in 2022 said Megan's book is "A must read for all domestic and family violence professionals, DFV frontline workers, educators, judiciary, police, lawyers and students, as an important resource to guide in what could be done, or should be done, to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future".Find out more about Megan at her website megannorrisauthor.com FURTHER READING/LISTENINGWhen Parents Kill (ABC News)Fathers who kill (ABC Radio Local)If you need help phone 1800 RESPECT - Australia's national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service on 1800 737 732.If you or someone else is in immediate danger phone Triple Zero 000 in Australia or the emergency number in the country you are listening from.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our guest for this episode is Abuzar Mazoori, who came to Australia from Afghanistan as a refugee in 2017.Abuzar, who has a law degree and worked as an advocate for human rights in Afghanistan, currently works for Foundation House in Melbourne. Foundation House is a specialist refugee trauma agency supporting survivors of torture and other traumatic events. Abuzar speaks with us about his experience coming to Australia, starting a new life and the challenges that refugees face in their new home.MORE INFO:Foundation House - The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of TortureRefugee Council of Australia - the national umbrella body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them. Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre - a for-purpose community-based agency providing services to migrants and refugees living in the southern region of Melbourne.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together. 

Our guest for this episode is Isabelle Oderberg. Isabelle is a Melbourne-based journalist and author who  joins Get Real to talk about her book Hard to Bear: Investigating the science and silence of miscarriage. It's an in-depth investigation about miscarriage – the world's most common pregnancy complication and she brings her own living experience, as well as that of many others to this book.MORE INFO:Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition - https://eplc.auUnrecognised and underestimated: the fight to get Australian women proper care after miscarriages (The Guardian, 9 August 2023)Understanding miscarriage and pregnancy loss with Prof Dame Lesley Regan and Lucy Bannerman (YouTube)Miscarriage Australia ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

How can a support worker establish a supportive relationship in recovery-oriented practice? In the world of mental health, there's no one-size-fits-all approach.  This conversation offers versatile strategies and insights to understand how to interact with clients for build supportive relationships. In this episode we discuss:Strategies to aid the establishment of a supportive relationship What do you need to know about your clients?Techniques for fostering a supportive relationship Treating people as individuals Tips for new workers Framework for Recovery-oriented PracticeThis episode is part of our Skills for Support Workers training podcasts, available on our website and produced as  part of the Developing the growing new NDIS (psychosocial disability) Workforce Project, supported by the Victorian Government.Host - Ellen, Trainer and Project ManagerGuests -Dr Melissa Petrakis, Senior Lecturer of Social work, Monash University, Tamara, Trainer and Lynne, Practice Leader. ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

This is an episode recorded during Homelessness Week 2023, live from Harmony Square Dandenong in Melbourne's south east at an event on 8 August co-hosted by Wayss and City of Greater Dandenong.We speak with ermha365's Rosie Taylor, Practice Leader for Pathways and Dannie O'Leary, Mental Health Support Facilitator, Pathways.Rosie and Dannie work with people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne's south east who are referred to Pathways from Monash Health and Councils and assist clients with support.For more information on ermha365's Pathways program: https://www.ermha.org/community-connect/If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our guest for this episode is Nicole Madigan. Nicole is a writer, author and investigative journalist. Nicole has written her first non-fiction book called Obsession, which is an investigation into stalking and the psychology behind stalking behaviours and the impact on victim-survivors. Nicole was stalked for over three years. The relentless and debilitating experience wreaked havoc in her personal and professional life, leaving her trapped in a constant state of fear and anxiety.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website. Our Specialist Behaviour Support is mentioned in this episode. Our specialist practitioners are highly skilled professionals who have expertise in supporting people with complex needs.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MORE INFO:https://www.police.vic.gov.au/stalking (or go to the website of the Police service in your state).Friends with Dignity - Nicole is a non-executive director of this charity that supports survivors of domestic violence. SPARC (US-based) https://www.stalkingawareness.org/Suzy Lamplugh Trust (UK) - https://www.suzylamplugh.org/CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

What is trauma-informed practice? Learn how trauma is defined and understood, and strategies for helping. This podcast is part of ermha365's Skills for Support Workers training podcasts, available on our website and produced  part of the Developing the growing new NDIS (psychosocial disability) Workforce Project supported by the Victorian Government. In this episode, peer support workers Tamara and Charlotte share how you may recognise when a person has a history of complex trauma and how to respond. ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.All content © 2023 Get Real: Talking mental health & disability.

Our guest for this episode is award-winning Theatre & Cabaret Artist, playwright, producer, musician and all-round creative dynamo Chelsea Plumley.  Chelsea has written and produced her first play, Beautiful Highness, which premiered in May 2023 at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne.Beautiful Highness centres around one family's incredible grit and determination dealing with mental ill-health and is based on Chelsea's living experience.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website, including our carer support.Find out more about Chelsea at her website https://www.chelseaplumley.com/ and her play Beautiful Highness https://www.beautifulhighness.com/ If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Other support and organisations mentioned in this episode:Mindframe - supports safe media reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide, mental ill-health, alcohol and other drugs.The Voices Clinic - a specialist psychology treatment and research clinic, run by Swinburne for people who hear voices or have similar experiences.Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI) - general information about the program and locations.ANZACATA - the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Imagine going through a traumatic childbirth injury, then finding out you have severe pelvic organ prolapse, an invisible and life-altering disability. How would you cope? Our guest for this episode is  Stephanie Thompson, a courageous mother, teacher, athlete, and advocate for women's pelvic health. Stephanie shares her harrowing journey, the impact on her physical and mental well-being, and how she's found healing through her platform, Brave Mumma.Stephanie recounts her unexpected whirlwind of medical interventions during childbirth, which left her with little control over her own experience. We also explore the broader implications of pelvic organ prolapse on mental health, relationships, career, and motherhood.Tune in to hear Stephanie's story and how she's turning her pain into purpose, empowering others to navigate their own journeys with pelvic organ prolapse.Find out more about Stephanie at BRAVE MUMMA and buy her book The Day My Vagina BrokeIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Lifeline on 13 11 14Other helpful organisations that Stephanie recommends:Continence Foundation of AustraliaPANDAAustralasian Birth Trauma Associationermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

This is an edited version of an episode from a podcast series produced by ermha365, which is part of the Developing the growing new NDIS (psychosocial disability) Workforce Project supported by the Victorian Government. The  podcast series is available be used as part of any Training Delivery / Assessment or Workplace Coaching and available on ermha365 website here: https://www.ermha.org/podcast-training-resources/The episode was recorded in 2020 with guests:Robyn Oxley, A Proud Tharawal woman from South-West Sydney, Criminologist, Academic and ActivistBelinda, Support Worker Mentis AssistThe podcast ep includes discussion of:What is truth telling? What does intergenerational trauma look like for Australia's First Peoples? What is the ongoing impact of government policies on Australia's First Peoples? Why Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country are important How non-Indigenous workers can effectively support Australia's First Peoples Trauma-informed practiceThe importance of family and kinship relationships If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Lifeline on 13 11 14ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our guest for this episode is Martha Gatwech, a young women from Melbourne's south east.Martha, who is South Sudanese Australian, is also a podcaster who talks about the realities of being a young woman, racism, mental health and finding your authentic self.Martha's podcast is BROKEN RHYTHM.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service providerCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Marcelle Mogg, CEO of Mental Health Victoria is our guest for this episode.Mental Health Victoria is the peak body for mental health and wellbeing in Victoria.Mental Health Victoria drives policy, advocacy, workforce training, best practice…and much more. Any organisation that operates within, or intersects with, the mental health system in Victoria - and ermha365 is one of these - can become members of Mental Health Victoria to connect with others, collaborate and contribute to policy development.  MHV's purpose is to ensure that people living with a mental illness can access effective and appropriate treatment and community support to enable them to participate fully in society. If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service providerCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Rod Hannifey's been driving B-double trucks for decades. He's driven millions of kilometres over that time, all across Australia. Rod came to my attention when I was researching wellbeing and the Truck Driving industry. Rod's a well-known advocate in this space. He's currently the President of the National Road Freighters Association, he contributes to magazines radio and online for the industry and he's a Churchill Fellow – which is a worldwide, prestigious fellowship set up in Sir Winston Churchill's name where people selected travel overseas to conduct research in their chosen field. Rod's focus was heavy vehicle road safety best practice. Rod's made advocating for himself and his fellow truck drivers a hobby and it's become a passion. MORE INFO:Rod's Facebook page Audiobooks for the RoadRod's TRUCKRIGHT blogDriving Health Reasearch  Monash University research finds poor truck driver health could cost Australia $2.5 billionHealth in Gear 1800 464 327 (24/7 support)If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service providerCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Satellite Foundation is focused on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people where a family member, like a parent or sibling has a mental illness or mental health challenges and the youth they support are aged 8-25 and live in Victoria, Australia.  CEO Rose Cuff and Youth Coordinator Mia Boonen are the guests for this episode.Find out more about Satellite Foundation online or or phone 1800 973 444You can follow Satellite Foundation on social media:Instagram - @satellite_foundationFacebook -  facebook.com/satellitefoundation If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service providerCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Dr Ahona Guha is a Melbourne-based forensic and clinical psychologist. She works with survivors of abuse and those who live with trauma.Ahona also works with perpetrators of harmful behaviours to assess risk, and provides treatment to reduce the risk they pose to others — and she has a deep understanding of the psychological and social factors that cause people to abuse others. Ahona has written her first book RECLAIM: Understanding complex trauma and those who abuse.MORE INFO:Ahona's websiteAhona on Twitter @drahonaguha and Instagram @drahonaguhaA broad definition of trauma is useful; an open-ended one isn't (Psyche, May 2022)What people ask when they find out I'm a forensic psychologist (SBS Voices, March 2023)If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Blue Knot Foundation - empowering recovery from complex traumaFREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service providerCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our guest for this episode is Alan Tomkins who is an ambassador for the Burn Chef Project, which was set up in the UK in 2019 to eradicate mental health stigma within hospitality.Alan was a chef for 22 years before finally leaving the industry he loved after he experienced significant impacts on his mental health. Now he's using his living experience to work in mental health and recently started work at ermha365 as a Carer Respite Facilitator.MORE INFO:Alan's Facebook Page: Mental Health and the Hospitality industryBurnt Chef Project - Committed to making the hospitality profession healthier and more sustainable by focussing on people's wellbeing first.Experiencing burnout? Here's what to do about it via The Black Dog InstituteThe clip you heard at the start of the episode is from a film called boiling point starring british actor Stephen Graham. If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service provider CREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our guest for this episode is Brianna Pauuwe who lives in the United States and advocates for and supports people with disabilities, with a focus on fitness, wellbeing and community for people who use wheelchairs.Brianna herself uses a wheelchair, after a life-altering car crash in 2011 when she drove under the influence of alcohol. She owns this experience and says she thinks it actually saved her life and gave her a purpose.She now works for the Wheel with Me Foundation that supports people with disabilities, including through the world's first fitness app Wheel With Me Fitness - made for wheelchair users by wheelchair users. We'll have details in the show notes so you can find out more.And Brianna is passionate about accessibility and doing the things she loves like attending music festivals…and encouraging others to do the same.She is also really open in talking about relationships and intimacy for people with disabilities.  You can find Brianna on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bribabe16Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bribabe16/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brigrace90If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service provider https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mhwlocal#find-your-nearest-serviceCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of

Our guest for this episode is Elfy Scott, a Sydney-based journalist whose work has appeared in Buzz Feed Australia, Guardian, The Saturday Paper, Junkee and VICE. Elfy has just released her first book called THE ONE THING WE'VE NEVER SPOKEN ABOUT: EXPOSING OUR UNTOLD MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. It's an incredibly engaging and compelling book. part-memoir about Elfy's living experience and that of her mum, who lives with Schizophrenia. It's also a journalistic delve into why there's still massive barriers for people who experience mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorder…to name a few.More episodes on complex mental health:Heidi Everett – writing fearlessly about my psych realityJacqueline Ellwood - Living through sexual and domestic violence and my bipolar diagnosis at age 42 Vietnam Veteran Dave Morgan - My battle with PTSD and keeping hope If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)SANE Australia on 1800 187 263Bipolar Australia FREE mental health support is available in Victoria through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services. All support is free, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help.  ermha365, in partnership with Barwon Health, Wellways Australia  and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative provide services in the Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe area, 12-14 Thompson Road, North Geelong. Find your local service provider https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mhwlocal#find-your-nearest-serviceCREDITSProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We re

Christmas is considered as one of the six most stressful life events, along with divorce, moving house and changing jobs. Although Christmas is meant to be a happy and joyful time, this isn't how everyone feels at this time of the year. Christmas can be a stressful and depressing time for many people. Some people find that the “Christmas spirt and celebration” can be really hard. Our special guests for this episode are Belinda Ellis and Jackie Ashmore from ermha365.Belinda is a registered psychologist, specialising in forensics and is ermha365s Chief practice officer. She also operates her own private practice focusing on forensic and child development psychology.Jackie is a registered nurse who specialised in forensic and mental health nursing. Jackie is our Chief Operations Officer at ermha365. Before training as a nurse Jackie was a corrections officer in prisons.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MORE SUPPORTSuicide Callback ServiceQLife (LGBTI peer support and referral)Beyond BlueSalvation ArmyProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

NOTE: This episode contains discussion of death, grief and stillbirth. Listener discretion is advised.There's a lot of reasons why Christmas and the New Year can be difficult, stressful and affect our mental health. Our guest for this episode is Kelly Scott, the current Victorian President of the Australian Funeral Directors Association and also its National Senior Vice President.Kelly is the General Manager of T J Scott & Son Funeral Directors based in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria – it's a family business, which was established by her great-grandfather Thomas John Scott in 1938. She works alongside her father John Scott, and brother Daniel and has been in the profession for more than 25 years.Kelly sees grief and loss up front and works with people during the most difficult time of their lives. We thought she'd offer insightful living experience of the how the Christmas and New Year can be a particularly tough time. And we were interested to know more about how funeral directors play a role in supporting individuals and communities. It's an area of support that may not be front of mind when we think about mental health and wellbeing.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MORE SUPPORTSANDS - miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death supportSuicide Callback ServiceThe Australian Centre for Grief and BereavementOther Bereavement ServicesProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

NOTE: This episode contains discussion of trauma, suicide and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Dave Morgan a Vietnam Veteran who has written a book called The Invisible Trauma: Coping with PTSD.We know from some of the conversations we've had on this podcast that serving and veteran military members are particularly vulnerable to trauma. The Invisible Trauma is Dave's journey and details the various treatments and studies that he's been a part of in a quest to find what works for him so he can help others.The book also includes the living experience of others with Trauma and also the ripple effect on his family with Dave's wife Debbie and children detailing their perspectives. It's a book for all those suffering similarly, not solely defence veterans.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)MORE SUPPORTOPEN ARMS counselling and support for veterans and families 1800 011 046LEGACY supporting families of veteransMATES4MATES support for veterans, current-serving members and families Produced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Our guest for this episode is a dynamo! Heidi Anderson's got influence and as she's on her personal journey of confidence and being her authentic self, she's bringing others along on the ride. Heidi's had a successful career in radio, including the breakfast show in Perth on HIT 92.9, was a contestent in Big Brother and is a podcaster. When she spoke vulnerably on air to listeners about her battle with hating herself and her anxiety,  it sparked a reaction she never imagined. it's changed her life and revealed her purpose.  Read Heidi's memoir Drunk on Confidence Listen to Heidi's poscasts Champagne Confidence and First Time Parents, which she hosts with her husband GriffoFollow Heidi on InstagramIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Produced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.  

LISTENER NOTE: this episode contains some content that may be confronting and distressing to people – listener discretion is advised.In this episode of GET REAL we meet DAVID MCGOWAN, a veteran Police officer who is the CEO of POLICE VETERANS VICTORIA, a not-for-profit organisation that supports Victoria Police Veterans and their families.Police Veterans Victoria has Veteran Peer Support Officers - volunteers who provide support to other police veterans and their families who may be dealing with personal issues, need to talk, or are seeking someone to confide in. Police Veterans Victoria has big ambitions… and it boils down to building community and purpose for police veterans after they leave the job. But like most not-for-profit organisations, this takes funding – and currently Police Veterans Victoria runs on community, corporate and individual support and contributions and a lot of goodwill, as well as support in a number of ways from Victoria Police. So, David and the team are busy raising awareness, encouraging membership and advocating for financial support from government.David first joined Police Veterans Victoria as a veteran peer support officer before being asked to step into the CEO Role. He was compelled to volunteer following a shocking traffic crash in 2020 tragedy when four Victoria Police were killed in the line of duty on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway.For more info on POLICE VETERANS VICTORIA: https://policeveteransvic.org.au/Follow Police Veterans Victoria on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/policeveteransvicLISTEN TO Police Veterans Victoria's podcast THE PLODCAST (available on Anchor, Apple Podcasts & Spotify) If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Produced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.Follow ermha365 on social media:FACEBOOK - @ermhaorgTWITTER - @ermha365INSTAGRAM - @ermha365ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, known as VMIAC is running a pilot project giving consumers of mental health services the opportunity to get education, training and practical learning experience to participate in leadership and governance arrangements across Victoria's transforming mental health system. Our guests for this episode are Erandathie Jayakody and Jo Rasmussen.Both Erandathie and Jo have living experience of being consumers of mental health services and are heavily involved in consumer leadership and elevating consumer perspective for the co-design, delivery and outcomes of these services.     Erandathie is VMIAC's senior project lead for the Consumers Leading in Governance pilot program and has extensive experience in advocacy for mental health consumers, including as a board member at Mind Australia and a Tribunal member at the Mental Health Tribunal Victoria.  Jo is currently the Lived Experience Strategic Integration Consultant at Mildura Base Public Hospital in Regional Victoria. Much of Jo's passion and work is driven by helping to reduce community stigma around mental health conditions.  Jo is also a mental health consumer representative at the local, state and national level and is a participant in VMIAC's Consumers Leading in Governance program. In 2019 Jo was named National Mental Health Advocate of the Year.   MORE INFO:VMIAC's Consumers Leading in Governance pilot program If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)Produced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor with Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

We've been talking about foster carers in the last few episodes, to share the important role they have in the community. Foster care is the temporary care of children, with the goal to reunify them with their birth family.These conversations will give you an insight into what it takes to be a Foster Carer – the ups and downs and how people who do this vital role can change the lives of the children they care for…and how their lives are changed too. In this final episode in our Foster Carer mini-series, we meet Allison,  an Aboriginal woman in Victoria's Gippsland region. Allison's a mum, grandmother and a foster carer of more than 25 years who has a particular passion and skill in caring for teenagers. If you haven't already, listen to our previous episodes:Jasmine Isaacs, a foster care specialist Foster Carer Stories Part 1: JacksonFoster Carer Stories Part 2: CamillaIf you are interested in becoming a foster carer and live in Victoria, contact Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Produced by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

We've been talking about foster carers in the last few episodes, to share the important role they have in the community. Foster care is the temporary care of children, with the goal to reunify them with their birth family.These conversations will give you an insight into what it takes to be a Foster Carer – the ups and downs and how people who do this vital role can change the lives of the children they care for…and how their lives are changed too.  In this episode we meet Camilla, a mum and foster carer of more than 12 years in Gippsland, Victoria.  In this role, and as a foster carer she's had more than 100 children come into her care and has care for a very diverse range of children with complex needs.After providing foster care for many, many children in her home over these years, Camilla now works in a professional capacity in what's called retainer care, which is for younger children who are awaiting a foster care placement. If you haven't already, listen to our previous episodes:Jasmine Isaacs, a foster care specialist Foster Carer Stories Part 1: JacksonIf you are interested in becoming a foster carer and live in Victoria, contact Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Produced by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

We're focusing on Foster Carers over the coming month to share the important role they have in the community. Foster care is the temporary care of children, with the goal to reunify them with their birth family. In this episode we meet Jackson, a teacher in Northern Victoria. Jackson became a foster carer in 2021 when he was in his mid-20s. Jackson's situation is unique and he is now stepping into the role of permanent carer.These conversations will give you an insight into what it takes to be a Foster Carer – the ups and downs and how people who do this vital role can change the lives of the children they care for…and how their lives are changed too.And If you haven't already, listen to our previous episode with Jasmine Isaacs, a foster care specialist who talks about the process of becoming a foster carer.If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and live in Victoria, contact Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Produced by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

 Foster Care Week happens in September and celebrates and recognises foster carers and their dedication to the children and young people in their care.  Foster Carers provide safe, nurturing homes for children and young people who cannot live with their families.  What is foster care and what is involved in becoming a foster carer?Thanks to Fostering Connections, a joint initiative of foster care agencies across metropolitan and regional Victoria we have Jasmine Isaacs, Foster Care Specialist and accredited foster carer trainer and assessor joining us for this episode. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and live in Victoria, contact Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088.If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Produced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

In this episode we will be talking about the topic of non-suicidal self-injury, also known as self-harm and also mention suicide and suicide ideation.  So, please do keep this in mind and take care of yourselves when deciding to listen to this content.    Educator, author and parent champion Michelle Mitchell joins us on GET REAL to talk about how families can support their teenagers who are hurting themselves through non-suicidal self-injury, which we'll refer to as self-harm in this episode. Michelle's written a book, called Self Harm - Why Teens Do It and What Parents Can Do To Help to assist families to tackle this distressing and often isolating situation.MORE INFO:What to Say If Your Child is Self-Harming: A Guide to the Initial DiscussionWhen You're on the Wait List: 18 practical ways to support a struggling teenIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)HeadspaceProduced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

In this episode we will have some discussion about childhood sexual abuse and trauma. So, please do keep this in mind and take care of yourselves when deciding to listen to this content.   Anders Villani is a Melbourne-based poet, writer, teacher and PhD candidate in Creative Writing. Anders is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and lives with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  His new collection of poetry is called Totality. In Anders own words, this collection is a creative inquiry into the childhood sexual abuse he experienced and its ramifications for his adult life.For his PhD research, Anders is exploring how poetry represents personal trauma – in particular the tension that exists for artists between the ‘tellable' and ‘untellable' aspects of traumatic experience. When were talking on email prior to this interview, Anders wrote  that a quote from Judith Herman's book Trauma and Recovery was at the heart of his PhD research, which is focused on how poetry represents trauma. This quote is: 'the conflict between the will to deny horrible events and the will to proclaim them aloud is the central dialectic of personal trauma.'  Anders discusses this in this episode as well as how poetry is a survival tool, how he discovered he had PTSD and what that has meant for him and the meaning of his new poetry collection.Anders' poetry collection TOTALITY  is published by RECENT WORK PRESS - and you can find out more about Anders at his website andersvillani.comIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode please contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Blue Knot on 1300 657 380Bravehearts on 1800 272 831Hosted by Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365. Produced and co-hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.

Laurie Leigh who is the CEO of National Disability Services, also known as NDS. NDS is Australia's peak body for non-government disability service organisations, representing over 1200 non-government service providers, of which ermha365 is one.We caught up with Laurie to talk about a number of things, including  the NDS-led national campaign Teamwork Works that ran in the lead-up to the recent Federal Election. This campaign communicated the importance of the partnership between people with a disability and the teams that supports them – AND was a call for all candidates in the election to commit to opposing moves that weaken Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme.More info:NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2022-23Shortage of disability workers becoming a crisisTeamwork Works campaignNDS update blogsIf you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode please contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Hosted by Karenza Louis-Smith, CEO ermha365. Produced and co-hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

Michelle Macpherson, a pediatric psychologist in Victoria, Australia with more than 20 years in the field of educational and developmental psychology. Michelle is passionate about supporting children to adapt to change and one of the ways she does this is through her initiative Dragonfly Global, to produce positive children's books.  Michelle founded this positive change movement in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and its effects on children and families.   Michelle realised the best way for her to help children navigate change was to write a children's book that would entertain, empower, inspire and strengthen them.  That book is called A Global Pandemic Won't Change Me – the story of Emily, a spirited young girl who embarks on a journey of self-discovery amidst a time of change and challenge.Michelle has more books planned and a powerful vision for helping create positive change.Find out more about Michelle's work and her debut children's book A Global Pandemic Won't Change Me  at Positive Children's Books - Dragonfly Global (dragonflyglobal.com.au)If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode please contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Produced and hosted by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

Content Note: We will be discussing childhood trauma, sexual assault and family violence during this conversation. If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode please contact:Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service)Jacqueline Ellwood is an artist and writer in Melbourne. Her intricate two-dimensional paper art has a focus on encouraging discussion about family violence, sexual assault and mental illness. There's a personal reason for this focus – Jacqueline is herself a survivor of family violence as a child, in a marriage and sexual assault at the age 19. Jacqueline spent years in what she describes as an “endless treadmill” of highs and lows, risky behaviour and searching for answers. Then in her early 40s – Jacqueline was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a treatable mental illness. Jacqueline has written an extraordinary book called The Late Bloomer and her Two Polar Bears: a personal story of living with bipolar through sexual and domestic violence.In this episode Jacqueline mentions services in Victoria that helped her when she was leaving her  marriage. Since this time, access to family violence services has changed. If you are experiencing family violence and live in Victoria go to Orange Door to find a service near you. There's also information on statewide, after-hours services.Women's Health East (WHE) is the women's health promotion agency for the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR) of Melbourne.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith hosts this episode.Produced and co-hosted by Emily Webb Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

For this episode we  talk about occupational violence and aggression – what it is, who it affects and how people can be educated and supported to manage situations where clients, the public, even co-workers, may become verbally or physically aggressive. According to Work Safe Victoria, occupational violence and aggression is when a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in a situation related to their work. It might come from anywhere – clients, customers, the public or even co-workers.It's a challenging issue for workplaces and employees, more so since the COVID-19 pandemic.Our guests for this episode are:Belinda EllisBelinda  is  ermha365's Chief Operating Officer – Quality, Safeguarding and Risk, and a registered psychologist who has more than 15 years' experience working within high risk and complex need service areas, including forensics.  She is passionate about progressive, clinically informed and evidence-based service provision and strives for positive intervention outcomes for individuals and communities.Rod CatterallRod is a highly-sought after specialist in behaviour management, security and assessment and is regarded nationally as a leader in this area.  He is the director of Rod Catterall & Associates where he heads a team of specialists that provides education and training to organisations around Australia around occupational violence. Find out more about Rod's work or get in touch with him via Rod Catterall & Associates, phone 03 9579 0800 or email info@rodcatterall.com.au In the conversation Rod mentions Dr Malini Singh, a partner at Rod Catterall & Associates who is the lead trainer in delivering Autism Training across Victoria. Rod also mentions Jody Barney who is lead trainer in delivering Disability Cultural Awareness Training (including specific to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples) around Australia. ermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith hosts this episode.Produced and co-hosted by Emily Webb, Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.If you have been affected by anything discussed in these episodes contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. There are free translation services available.13 YARN on 13 92 76 is 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.