Mental Health in Practice

This episode was originally released in 2024 as part of MHPN's three-part series, Health in all its Complexity. This three-part series features academic General Practitioners, Dr Wei-May Su and Professor Louise Stone, in conversation with various GPs about the complexities of providing meaningful primary health care.  In episode one, May and Louise sit down with General Practitioner and resea...

Unsure what to listen to next? We've got you covered. Over the next six weeks, we'll be re-releasing three episodes from our archive and invite you to revisit them with us. Whether you're new to Mental Health in Practice or have been listening for a while, these episodes provide an opportunity to reflect on some of the realities of practice: from recognising when care requires more...

How can mental health practitioners build trust and create meaningful connections when people's experiences, expectations and understanding of care differ from their own?  Drawing on extensive experience working alongside migrant communities, people seeking asylum and refugee communities, this episode explores practical ways to build meaningful therapeutic relationships and creating a space t...

How is AI already being used in mental health practice, and what does it mean for you as a practitioner?  In this episode, our presenters discuss the growing role of AI across healthcare and mental health settings, including where it is already being used in clinical and service settings. They discuss the practical opportunities AI may offer for communication, accessibility and support while also...

How can reflective practice repair therapeutic relationships? Lenice Murray (Mental Health Social Worker) and Lee Crothers (Mental Health Occupational Therapist) explore how ruptures to relationships are common with a focus on how these can show up when working with consumers, carers and teams. They explore why avoiding communication breakdowns can damage trust and care, and how honest conversatio...

How can peer-led digital spaces support LGBTIQA+ young people? Hamish Czygan (Online Peer Work Team Lead at headspace National) is joined by Kevin Tran (Peer Worker) and Jack Ebacioni (Senior Mental Health Clinician). Together, they highlight the increasingly valuable role that peer-led digital spaces play in strengthening engagement and connection for young people in the LGBTIQA+ community. The e...

What does engagement-focused care for young people with school attendance challenges look like in multidisciplinary practice?  Join Paige Davey (School Re-engagement Specialist and Trainer) and Richard Crawshaw (Founder of Can’t Face School ) as they explore the increasing complexities of school attendance challenges. Together, they unpack the practical barriers and enablers to system-wide collabo...

What does effective conflict management in multidisciplinary teams look like?  Host Radhika Santhanam-Martin (Clinical Psychologist) is joined by guests Aly Butchers (Manager of Legal Practice for the Family Violence Program at Youthlaw), Kate Raseta (National Manager, Strategic Initiatives at headspace) and Dr Kirsten Meyer (Dramatherapist). Together, they explore how relational repairs within mu...

How can a systems approach improve care for young people with complex trauma?  Join host Dana Shen (Consultant), and guests Seanna Davidson (Systems Change Practitioner and Education) and Tim Crowley (Nurse Practitioner in Child and Adolescence Mental Health) as they explore how family, community and services connect around a young person and shape trauma-informed care. Equally focused on the effi...

Content advice: This episode discusses the topic of suicide, listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis, support is available. In Australia, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (call or chat online), or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800 – for those aged 25 and under). If it is an emergency, call 000. How can practitioners overcome barriers to effectively e...

Anxiety can often be difficult to recognise during the perinatal period, with many people hesitating to seek support. Robyn Stanislavski and Katie Rogerson from PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) discuss their roles as peer worker and clinical practitioner, and how the intentional and safe sharing of lived experience can reduce shame and complement clinical care during this stage o...

Mental Health Occupational Therapist Emma Ketley and ADHD and autism advocate Amy Green explore neurodivergent burnout and why it is so often misunderstood in clinical settings. Amy candidly shares her lived experience, highlighting how burnout differs from depression and occupational burnout, and the impact it can cause to sensory tolerance and executive functioning.  Emma and Amy unpack what acc...

How can people with ADHD be supported beyond medication? Occupational Therapist and ADHD Coach Emma Ketley and ADHD and autism advocate Amy Green bring their professional insight and lived experience, for an honest conversation about supporting people with ADHD beyond medication.  They explore sensory load, masking, ADHD burnout, and nervous system regulation, and discuss practical, non-pharmacolo...

What happens when social workers work inside a law firm? Clients get more support than you might expect.  This episode features Olga Gountras and Alexis Stonebridge from Slater and Gordon. They speak about supporting clients’ mental health, managing risk, and keeping people linked to care during stressful legal processes.  Hear how this model improves collaboration across legal and health services...

When people learn to understand their anger, it can become a tool for insight, stronger relationships and positive change.  In this episode, Dr Tony McHugh and Prof Glen Bates explore how mental health professionals can support individuals to respond to anger constructively. They discuss practical strategies to build insight, helping people turn moments of anger into opportunities for personal gro...

Anger can be a helpful and productive emotion, but for some people it can impact what matters most to them.  Join Tony McHugh and Glen Bates as they explore effective ways for mental health professionals to better support individuals experiencing challenges with regulating or responding to anger. In this episode, Tony and Glen discuss practical strategies for responding to anger constructively, wi...

Music therapist, Jason Kenner, and art therapist, Pam Hellema, explore how their disciplines overlap, influence and amplify each other. Drawing on their collaboration in acute mental health at The Alfred, they describe what happens when art and music therapy are practised side by side and how creativity can spark connection and confidence. They also share a spontaneous demonstration of music thera...

In this episode, Senior Mental Health Nurse and Family Therapist, Kate Cogan, joins Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Sidney Bloch, and Palliative Medicine Consultant, Dr Adrian Dabscheck, to explore providing support and care for people receiving palliative care. They discuss the challenges of supporting families through dying, grief and bereavement, along with the importance of empathy. They als...

In this episode of Book Club, Sidney Bloch and Jeremy Holmes unpack The Death of Ivan Ilyich , Leo Tolstoy’s exploration of mortality, self-deception, and the search for meaning. They reflect on Ivan’s experiences with illness, the reactions of those around him, and his final insights into love, humility, and human connection.  The conversation explores the relevance of literature in mental health...

Interpreters do so much more than translate words. In mental health, they offer support to help clients feel understood, and practitioners to deliver care across cultures and languages. Dr Radhika Santhanam-Martin speaks with Nellie Bi, Blossom Ah Ket and Susan Esmaili about the emotional aspects of their work, the challenges they face, and why more recognition and support is needed.  Liked this e...

Culture and connection are at the heart of Indigenous wellbeing.  Professor Pat Dudgeon, Dr Abi Bray and Professor Alan Rosen return for the second episode in this two-part series on Indigenous flourishing. Building on their earlier discussion of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), this episode focuses on practical ways to support SEWB in both community and clinical settings. They explore how s...

Culture and connection are at the heart of Indigenous wellbeing. Professor Pat Dudgeon, Dr Abi Bray and Professor Alan Rosen explore Indigenous flourishing in this first episode of a two-part series. During their discussion, they explore the concept of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), how SEWB is based in culture, country and connection, and how much it differs against colonial and individua...

Supporting mental health in remote communities requires strong relationships, clear communication and a shared understanding.  In this episode, Timothy Corcoran (Social Worker), Wendy Hall (Mental Health Nurse), and Josephine Tan (Mental Health Nurse); all based in Alice Springs; reflect on the importance of collaborative care across a wide landscape of professionals and services. They share real-...

What does meaningful support look like for someone living with an eating disorder?  In this episode, Peta Marks (National Programs Manager – InsideOut Institute) and Stephanie Boulet (Provisional Psychologist) share insights for mental health practitioners working with individuals living with eating disorders. They discuss early warning signs, the cognitive effects of malnutrition, and the role fa...

In a convergence of medical practice and governance, this episode’s guests are both practicing medical professionals and representatives at their respective boards: Ava Carter (Psychiatrist, RANZCP) joins Rebecca Loveridge (GP, RACGP) and Chris Dickie (GP Registrar, GPRA).  In this episode, Ava, Rebecca and Chris reflect and discuss the importance of trainee and registrar voices in board roles, an...