Black Dog Institute for Health Professionals

Sleep is vital to mental health, especially for adolescents who are in a critical stage of development and forming lifelong habits. However, 40% of young people face significant sleep problems which can put them at risk of developing anxiety or depression. There is extensive evidence for the benefits of Cognitive Behaviour for Insomnia (CBT-I), but an app delivering this gold standard treatment to...

Research evidence clearly supports exposure as a key ingredient in first line treatment for anxiety, yet practitioners can be reluctant to use it with children and young people. In this episode, Professor Jennie Hudson from Black Dog Institute will share her research findings on exposure therapy for anxious children and adolescents as part of an app and programs she has developed for them and thei...

With the plethora of digital CBT apps and programs available, how do you select one that's effective, safe, and engaging for teens? In this episode, Dr. Aliza Werner-Seidler, Scientia Associate Professor and Head of Population Mental Health at Black Dog Institute, delves into her research on digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and its impact on teen mental health. Aliza shares the latest r...

Eating disorders have low rates of early detection and intervention, but both are needed for the best outcomes. Research shows that a multi-disciplinary team including the patient's GP is needed to facilitate recovery. In this webinar, Dr Karen Speilman (Primary Care GP Advisor at InsideOut Institute) and Peta Marks (National Programs Manager at InsideOut Institute) will introduce the new InsideOu...

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

With Dr Jan Orman and Dr Melanie Babooram As health practitioners, we are trained to focus on the negative. But many of the people we talk to could benefit from exploring positive emotions as well. In addition to learning how to restructure and manage unpleasant emotions, we can also explore the ways they are generating positive emotions. Together we can explore what they are doing well, what skil...

While there is concern that excess screentime may impact young people’s mental health, smartphone technology can also provide a gateway to providing critical support in daily life. Join Dr Imogen Bell, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Psychologist at Orygen Digital, as she summarises the research into smartphone interventions for depression and anxiety in young people, including what apps are...

How do lengthy mental health service wait times affect service delivery to young people in Australia? In this episode, Bridianne O'Dea, Associate Professor and NHMRC MRFF Investigator at Black Dog Institute will share her research on wait times for mental health treatment for young people in Australia. Bridi will discuss her research on the impact of long wait times on service provision to young p...

Many people experience difficulties when a family member, friend or someone under their care is diagnosed with dementia. Health professionals are increasingly being asked what community members can do to assist a person maintain their dignity and a good quality of life after a diagnosis of dementia. In this webinar we discuss these issues with Dr Hilton Koppe, GP Educator at Dementia Training Aust...

Measurement-based care is gaining popularity, but which questionnaire should you use and what do the data really mean? Psychometric assessment encompasses everything from neuropsychological testing to self-report questionnaires like the K10. Clinical Psychologist Dr Peter Baldwin takes us through how self-report questionnaires work, how to choose a questionnaire, and how to quickly and effectively...

In this bonus episode we have an opportunity to hear from Dr Wee-Sian Woon about international models of care for ADHD. He is a GP and Clinical Editor for HealthPathways. He was awarded the Churchill Fellowship and explored models of care overseas to increase accessibility for the diagnosis and management of ADHD in adults. In this episode he shares a distillation of the state of play in Australia...

We discuss the prevalence of ADHD in adults and what prompts adults to seek a diagnosis. We explore neuroaffirming approaches and strategies for living well with ADHD. We look at strategies related to organisation, memory, stimulation, and sleep. Panel: Dr Sarah Barker, clinical psychologist with interest in approaches to living well with ADHD to increase wellbeing. Dr Wee-Sian Woon is a GP and Cl...

The WellMob website is digital library with links to over 350 online resources to support the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Using the example of an Indigenous client presenting with depression, podcast explains how the SEWB framework is relevant to clinical and community practice and show how to find and effectively use WellMob resources. P...

Many of us are aware of the term Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), but what does SEWB mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how it might impact on our clinical practice? For this brief webinar, Dr Jan Orman will be joined by Angela Sheridan, a Wiradjuri woman and member of eMHPrac's WellMob website team. The WellMob website is based on this holistic SEWB model of health an...

A good formulation provides a solid foundation for effective mental health care. In this podcast GP Dr Jan Orman and psychologist Dr Melissa Black discuss the process of making a formulation, how it may work alongside a mental health diagnosis, and its value to both the clinician and their patient/client. Melissa is the Clinical Research Lead and Clinical Psychologist at Black Dog Institute. She w...

The effect of loneliness on mental health: How can we strengthen meaningful connections? Loneliness is a growing community health concern which has been associated with social anxiety and mood concerns as well as physical health complaints and disturbed sleep. End of year rituals and celebrations can serve to exacerbate a sense of loneliness, particularly in socially vulnerable and isolated people...

Join us for the conversation! Screens tend to be a regular part of many young people's lives - to connect, play, learn, and to get news and information. To what extent does screen time affect young people's mental health? Dr Sophie Li, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at the Black Dog Institute will share her research on this topic to help us understand the various nuances of...

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition and the leading cause of total burden amongst females aged 5-64. This webinar summarises the factors that increase the risk for anxiety amongst women and discusses how biological factors like the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception impact anxiety severity and treatment responsiveness. We describe how to modify the assessment a...

Mental Health Treatment Adherence: What can clinicians do to support clients and patients to stick to treatment for mental health concerns? Listen to our discussion with Dr Matthew Coleshill (Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog Institute) where we will delve into his recent research findings on treatment adherence, particularly regarding how to increase adherence to medication. Professor Sam Harvey (Ps...

In this episode, Black Dog Institute researcher Dr Chloe Watfern, will share her findings about the links between climatic change and climate distress, with research informed by her personal responses to climate crises. She will also be joined by Dr Charles Le Feuvre and a lived experience representative who will discuss the impact of climate change on individual and community wellbeing; collectiv...

Climate change is a major global existential challenge that provokes intense feelings in many people. In most cases, concerns about climate change are a rational response to the problem and may lead to positive adaptation, but some people experience significant mental distress. This webinar explores the range of emotional responses to awareness of climate change and how they may impact mental heal...

Whether they’re dealing with a close family member’s cancer or their own, our studies show that young people are up to six times more likely to experience high or very high levels of psychological distress than their peers their own age. This webinar explores the impacts on young people, their needs, and how you can support them. Panel: Dr Esther Davis, clinical psychologist and Acting Research Ma...

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

To celebrate the 2023 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For Our Elders’, this Expert Insights episode will look at the vital role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders play, and have played for generations, in guiding communities and families through everyday life right through to broader national advocacy and activism across a plethora of sectors. It will explore the role Elders have in sharing cul...

In this Expert Insights session, we share recent research findings about the concerning rates of mental health concerns and burnout in Australian teachers as well as considerations for improving teacher mental health and well-being and teacher attrition. Teachers' mental health and teacher burnout have long been concerns, and these have been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, whic...