How do lengthy mental health service wait times affect service delivery to young people in Australia? In this episode, Bridianne O'Dea, Associate Professor and NHMRC MRFF Investigator at Black Dog Institute, will share her research on wait times for mental health treatment for young people in Australia. Bridi will discuss her research on the impact of long wait times on service provision to young people and upon their coping capacity while they wait. Also on the panel is Anna Ricciardello, psychologist, who will speak to how clinicians are managing lengthy wait times and by Emily, a lived/livi ..read more

The effect of loneliness on mental health: How can we strengthen meaningful connections? Loneliness is a growing community health concern which has been associated with social anxiety and mood concerns as well as physical health complaints and disturbed sleep. End of year rituals and celebrations can serve to exacerbate a sense of loneliness, particularly in socially vulnerable and isolated people who can be more prone to its effects. In this episode, Dr Alexis Whitton (Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) will share her research findings on loneliness and men ..read more

Mental Health Treatment Adherence: What can clinicians do to support clients and patients to stick to treatment for mental health concerns?   Listen to our discussion with Dr Matthew Coleshill (Postdoctoral Fellow, Black Dog Institute) where we will delve into his recent research findings on treatment adherence, particularly regarding how to increase adherence to medication. Professor Sam Harvey (Psychiatrist and Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute) will also share his experiences of what is helpful from a clinical perspective, and we will also be joined on the pan ..read more

In this episode, Black Dog Institute researcher Dr Chloe Watfern, will share her findings about the links between climatic change and climate distress, with research informed by her personal responses to climate crises. She will also be joined by Dr Charles Le Feuvre and a lived experience representative who will discuss the impact of climate change on individual and community wellbeing; collective, creative, and meaning-focused approaches to coping with climate distress and how clinicians, communities, and others can effectively support those experiencing climate distress. Panel members: Dr ..read more

To celebrate the 2023 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For Our Elders’, this Expert Insights episode will look at the vital role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders play, and have played for generations, in guiding communities and families through everyday life right through to broader national advocacy and activism across a plethora of sectors. It will explore the role Elders have in sharing culture and cultural knowledge and the positive influence of this on community, family and individual social and emotional wellbeing. Join our panel discussion to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait I ..read more

In this Expert Insights session, we share recent research findings about the concerning rates of mental health concerns and burnout in Australian teachers as well as considerations for improving teacher mental health and well-being and teacher attrition. Teachers' mental health and teacher burnout have long been concerns, and these have been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has placed further pressure on teachers, with serious consequences for their well-being. Consequently, we are now seeing a significant increase nationally in the number of teachers leaving, or cons ..read more

This Expert Insights session will focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations Peoples as a result of discussions surrounding The Voice to Parliament.  Discussions and media about The Voice to Parliament are a regular phenomenon in the lead-up to the referendum later this year. What is the effect of these conversations and reports on the social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? This Expert Insights panel considers this question, exploring what practitioners can do to increase their awareness of issues and distress that dialogue, disc ..read more

This Expert Insights session will focus on men's mental health and the rise in international male suicide rates.   Dr Zac Seidler will share his research on men's mental health which has looked at shifting how we understand, approach, respond to, and treat men's distress by creating mental health services and therapeutic approaches that specifically take masculinity into account. Our conversation will explore the perspective and insights from the voice of lived experience as well as of those of a clinician who works closely with men. Join us for a conversation about ways to better un ..read more

Ways to recognize, prevent, and manage burnout have been on the minds of many health professionals, particularly over the past few years. Black Dog Institute has developed a free, evidence-based resource called The Essential Network (TEN) in response to research on burnout in healthcare workers to address this issue. This Expert Insights session explores the findings of Black Dog Institute's research on burnout and the TEN service, the potential benefits of TEN, and we also hear first-hand perspectives on burnout from a supervisor of health professionals and from BDI’s Lead researcher on the T ..read more

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