Black Dog Institute for Health Professionals

Irregular hours. Night Shifts. Long days, blurring into longer nights. For many health professionals, disrupted sleep isn’t the exception; it’s the norm. But poor sleep doesn’t have to be part of the job. In this panel discussion, we’ll explore the science behind sleep and shiftwork, share the latest research on how disrupted sleep impacts health and wellbeing, and provide practical strategies to...

What happens when perimenopause overlaps with neurodivergence - especially when a person may be unaware of their neurodivergent profile? Dr Sarah Barker (Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) and guest Dr Ceri Cashell (GP, Avalon Family Medical Practice) and will explore supportive, respectful, and validating approaches to taking a comprehensive life history. Their discussion will focus on c...

What happens when standard treatments for depression don’t work? In this special Mental Health Month episode from the Black Dog Institute, we explore the next steps for primary care teams supporting patients with treatment-resistant depression. Designed for GPs and allied health professionals, this conversation explores practical strategies, novel interventions, and referral pathways that can make...

Join us for an insightful webinar on how digital resources can play a vital role in youth self-harm and suicide prevention. In this webinar, Dr. Michelle Tye and Dr Lauren McGillivray will share research on the effectiveness of digital suicide prevention innovations, explore the potential of existing and emerging digital tools for at–risk young people, and discuss how these could be integrated int...

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an ideal framework and set of tools to enhance mental health support provided to clients and patients in a range of settings. It is evidence-based, easy to learn, clearly structured, time-limited, and it is respectful and consultative. Health professionals working across all fields are reporting mental health aspects to their work with clients. Indeed, all he...

To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 and its theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, this Expert Insights episode brings together an all First Nations panel to explore how the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Framework can be used to support and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Our panellists will discuss how the SEWB wheel can be a powerful tool in strength...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies carry the potential to revolutionise the delivery of mental health therapy in a way that benefits both clinicians and clients. For clinicians, this may involve a reduction in administrative burden. For clients, this might include developing more robust and cost-effective approaches to treatment. Given the rapidly evolving possibilities of AI in mental heal...

Burnout continues to be a critical challenge in the Australian healthcare system, impacting not only the wellbeing of individual health professionals but also the sustainability of the sector. Despite its prevalence, targeted treatment options have often been limited. As part of The Essential Network (TEN), a blended care mental health support service for Australian health professionals, Black Dog...

With increasing rates of chronic disease and comorbidity, a cohesive, team-based approach to address a broad range of mental health and wellbeing issues has never been more crucial. This webinar explores how GPs can effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals within integrated care teams, breaking down silos and ensuring better patient outcomes. Whether you’re a GP looking to enhan...

People with mental health challenges, particularly those with complex needs, often require more support than conventional health services can provide. But where can they turn for additional help? In this insightful webinar, Dr. Jan Orman is joined by Rachel Green, CEO of SANE Australia, to explore the power of digital mental health services and online psychosocial support. Learn about Guided Recov...

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, a time of declining and erratic hormonal activity often impacting both physical and mental health. Common symptoms include fatigue, hot flushes, irritability, loss of joy, anxiety, depressed mood, intrusive thoughts, and insomnia. Only 1 in 5 women seek help for menopause, stigma and shame are common, anxiety and depression risk incr...

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

This important webinar is designed to equip health professionals and leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies to foster mental wellbeing in their teams during crises and beyond. This session will: * Present key research findings on healthcare workers' mental health needs during crises like COVID-19. * Introduce an insightful report and checklist as actionable resources for enhancing mental...

As the new school year begins, it's the perfect time to focus on supporting children's mental health. Join this webinar to discover powerful, evidence-based tools that help children manage depression, anxiety, and unhappiness. In this insightful session, Professor Sonja March will speak with Dr. Kathy O'Grady about the exciting opportunities in digital mental health and how personalised care can m...

The federal government has made vaping illegal without a prescription for very good reasons. We know that vaping and nicotine can have an impact on brain development, affecting your memory, attention, learning and mood. Vaping can also make mental health issues like anxiety and depression worse. It is also highly addictive. There are two issues for health professionals to consider · people don’t u...

New-born's are wonderful things, but their arrival can cause enormous upheaval for their parents. Dads, as well as Mums, are at risk of psychological distress in the neonatal period. In this webinar, Dr Jan Orman is joined by Associate Professor Richard Fletcher from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle. Richard leads the Fathers and Families Research Program and is the fou...

Despite decades of government investment, significant research endeavour, and a growing commitment to mental health training and response activities in schools and workplaces, rates of mental health in Australia are rising. The scale of this issue is staggering: a recent report shows that 494,000 Australians with moderate to severe mental health problems are not receiving the support they desperat...

eMHPrac (e mental health in practice) Project Director Heidi Sturk recently spoke at the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII) in Limerick, Ireland and at the Digital Mental Health Congress in Ottawa, Canada. She returned with a lot of exciting news about what's going on internationally in the digital mental health space. In this webina...

Screen-based devices play a central role in adolescents’ daily lives, serving purposes such as education, entertainment, social interactions, and creativity. While public concern about the impact of screen use on adolescent mental health has grown, evidence of a direct link remains unclear. The association between screen use and mental health is complex, influenced by many factors. This webinar wi...

The median age of onset for mental disorders is 14 years. This means, 50% of individuals who will develop mental illness will have already developed the disorder by the age of 14 years. Since children's diagnoses are missed, they do not receive the care that they need and are less likely to receive help, which has a flow-on effect to adolescence where more complicated conditions can present. In th...

The term dMH (digital mental health) covers a wide range of online resources for mental health care. This includes, but is not limited to, the CBT-based treatment programs that Australia has led the world in developing. The scientific evidence is important for practitioner confidence but sometimes our patients and clients want to know about it too. This webinar will make it easier for you to expla...

Can engagement with the arts improve children's wellbeing? In this episode, we talk to Dr Diane Macdonald (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Black Dog Institute/School of Psychiatry, UNSW) about her research on Culture Dose for Kids, an arts engagement program for children and their caregivers that has been designed to improve mental health and wellbeing in children who are experiencing anxiety. Joini...

Many of us know something about the post-colonization history of Australia and most have some understanding of the transgenerational impact that history has had on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Nonetheless, it is often difficult to know what we need to do and how we need to be as clinicians to respect indigenous culture and behave as allies to our Aboriginal and Torres Stra...

With the plethora of digital CBT apps and programs available, how do you select one that’s effective, safe, and engaging for teens? In this webinar Dr. Mirjana Subotic-Kerry, Senior Research Program Manager at Black Dog Institute delves into her research on digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and its impact on teen mental health. Mirjana shares the latest research findings and insights on...

To celebrate the 2024 NAIDOC week (7 - 14 July) theme, Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud (www.naidoc.org.au), this Expert Insights session focuses on the enduring wisdom, vitality, and strength in First Nations communities, passed down through generations. We explore the power of cultural healing approaches within suicide prevention, with a particular focus on what works, achievements, a...