Listen to real stories and informed thinking around mental health.
The Mental Health Podcasts series is a joint Communities of Practice initiative between nurse leaders from SA Health and academics from the University of South Australia’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group. It is designed to share fresh thinking in contemporary mental health practice and will involve hearing the voices of consumers, carers, practitioners and policymakers revealing what they think, feel, say and do to achieve best practice. New podcasts will be available approximately every two months.
Listeners are invited to add comments and reflection on the podcast episodes after listening.
Podcast episodes
-
Episode 21: Promoting nurses’ wellbeing through mentorship and bi-directional learning
In this episode Christine Economos, Acting Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Experience at Central Adelaide Local Health Network, speaks with Nicholas about CALHN’s focus on supporting nurse wellbeing to contribute to high-quality, safe care in acute and community settings. Christine has initiated CALHN’s A Day in My Shoes program to promote camaraderie, develop collaborative relationships and foster two-way learning between nurses and leaders at various levels. Christine and Nicholas also discuss the importance of mentorship and how it can facilitate safe, confidential, non-judgemental conversations to promote learning and professional wellbeing.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 22.9MB]
-
Episode 20: Engaged practice and deep listening in child and adolescent mental health nursing
In this episode senior clinicians Rashi and Kayla share with Nicholas how they use their nursing skills to build psychologically safe, therapeutic relationships and trust with young people and families, and work towards a holistic recovery pathway with clients and their loved ones. Kindness, compassion, non-judgement, effective listening and repair are central to the therapeutic relationship. Kayla and Rashi also share their career pathways to becoming senior mental health nurses working with children and adolescents, and what the next generation of mental health nurses can expect when they enter this specialist area.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 39.3MB]
-
Episode 19: Advancing suicide prevention through community engagement and supportive services
In this podcast Nicholas speaks with Karen about her life’s work in community engagement, service and, more recently, suicide prevention. Karen brings a range of life experiences to her work, most importantly finding ways forward in challenging and changing circumstances.
If you need support with any of the issues raised in this podcast, the following resources are available:
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 37MB]
-
Episode 18: Trust, transparency and connection in child and adolescent mental health nursing
Central to child and adolescent mental health nursing is the integration of therapeutic care within a person-centred approach. In this podcast Max talks through her career trajectory to become a mental health nurse, informed by the drive for connected and compassionate approaches to engagement. Today’s conversation is foundational to effective child and adolescent mental health nursing.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 18.1MB]
-
Episode 17: Validation and human connection in child and adolescent mental health nursing practice
Many nurses transition to child and adolescent mental health nursing following successful careers in other fields of nursing. In this episode Nicholas talks with Carol about her decision to advance her specialist nursing career. Nowadays, after 37 years of practice in community settings, Carol is leading support for children and young people in Southern Adelaide. This conversation explores the nature, scope, and consequences of fundamentals of how to connect with young people and their family as foundational to effective child and adolescent mental health nursing.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 19.9MB]
-
Episode 16: Authentic engagement in child and adolescent mental health nursing
Authentic engagement is a key feature of child and adolescent mental health nursing practice. In this episode Nicholas speaks with Chris, Jane and Kim about child and adolescent mental health nursing in diverse contexts including perinatal and rural settings. This conversation also explores nursing as a rewarding career choice and what the next generation of mental health nurses can expect to see when they to enter the specialist area of CAMHS.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 34.93MB]
-
Episode 15: Therapeutic relationships in child and adolescent mental health nursing
Therapeutic relationships in child and adolescent mental health nursing is built around trust and transparency. In this episode Nicholas talks with Jorja, Pat and Gary about the importance of therapeutic engagement in community and secure care settings, as well development of individual career journey. This conversation also explores ways to support the next generation of mental health nurses to enter the CAMHS specialty area.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 43.54MB]
-
Episode 14: The International Declaration on Mental Health Crisis Care
Sue Murray joins Mark in discussing the key elements of the Declaration and how our systems can develop more effective forms of support for people and their families. Further information can be found at the Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia and Crisis Now websites.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 33.19MB]
-
Episode 13: Global lived experience leadership
In Episode 13, Mark talks with Matthew, who is a lived experience leader, academic and global activist. Matthew shares on his engagement with global mental health forums and how lived experience connects with social theory, social justice perspectives and social work. Below are the organisational links Matthew refers to and his lived experience profile.
Global Mental Health Peer Network
Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health
Generation Mental Health
Global Shapers
Lived Experience Profile - Matthew Jackman> Listen to the episode [mp3, 29.4MB]
-
Episode 12: Lived experience of Borderline Personality Disorder: Perspectives on emergency department care and peer support
In this episode, Mia, Jake and Karen talk with Mark about their experiences of care and peer support when dealing with crisis. The conversation offers many insights into preferred communication, care and support for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 28.7MB]
-
Episode 11: A personal journey of discovery
Recovery is about finding what is meaningful and what works for you. In this conversation, Helen shares aspects of her journey on inner work, spirituality and exploring choices.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 24MB]
-
Episode 10: Recovery practice
In this episode, Jane speaks with Ingrid, Adrian and Tom about recovery practice. This valuable conversation covers many key ideas about personal recovery and the support that clinicians can provide.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 32MB]
-
Episode 9: The Shared Voices Support Group
This podcast is focused on group design and facilitation. Mark speaks with Rob, who has worked with local consumers to establish Shared Voices. Rob shares his experience and passion for finding the wisdom that already exists in a group.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 27MB]
-
Episode 8: Becoming a mental health nurse
In this episode, Mark talks with Jasmine and Sarah about the transition of entering mental health nursing practice. Both speakers are recent graduates who are working with young people in an acute care service. This conversation also explores skills associated with engagement, trauma informed care, reflection and self-care.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 16.33MB]
-
Episode 7: Care across hospital and home
Andrew shares his perspective on what has helped him to establish his life at home after spending long periods in hospital care. He talks about the value of encouragement, voluntary work and engaging in treatment planning.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 10.2MB]
-
Episode 6: Peer work in community rehabilitation
In this podcast we speak with Mark, who is a peer worker in the community rehabilitation area. Marks speaks about the importance of goal setting and motivation in recovery.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 18.6MB]
-
Episode 5: The Strathalbyn and Communities Suicide Prevention Network
The last decade has seen the development of many local suicide prevention networks in rural Australia. In this episode, Mark speaks with Cliff about the Strathalbyn Suicide Prevention Network’s role and its educational work with the community. Cliff is a former chairperson of the Network and continues to lead community education and support initiatives. He offers many insights and key learning about this work. Further information about the role and resources of the Network can be found on its Facebook page.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 26.6MB]
-
Episode 4: Carers’ perspectives
The experience and perspective of primary carers is a key part of best practice mental health care. In this episode, Rhonda and Jane share their views on carer inclusion and how consumers, carers and clinicians can develop effective partnerships in care.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 22.8MB]
-
Episode 3: Recovery, participation and care planning
In our third conversation, Mark speaks with Shane, a consumer advocate and guest speaker within various mental health reform projects and activities. Shane shares his story about the key principles and practices that have supported his recovery journey. He also discusses the importance of care planning and highlights the benefits for consumers and health professionals.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 17MB]
-
Episode 2: Peer specialist work in acute mental health care
This podcast episode features Geoff, who works as a peer specialist in acute care in a major mental health hospital in Adelaide. Geoff speaks about his own journey towards peer work, and how both his story and passion for arts has informed the recovery groups he runs with consumers.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 18.4MB]
-
Episode 1: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in community mental health nursing
Our first podcast features Lorraine Smitham, who practises as a nurse psychotherapist in community mental health. Lorraine discusses her experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and raises many important considerations for supporting consumers, including young people, in therapeutic work. She is joined by Professor Nicholas Procter and Dr Mark Loughhead.
> Listen to the episode [mp3, 19.9MB]
Get involved in the Mental Health Podcasts series
Would you like to tell the story of your mental health care experience or practice?
We are looking for both consumers and carers and practitioners and policymakers who are interested in telling the story of what they say, do, think and feel when they experience or deliver what they believe to be best practice in mental health care. The podcast will be heard by practitioners and policymakers interested in learning more about practice, as well as the next generation of mental health nursing students and interested consumers and carers.
What is involved?
Participation in the Mental Health Podcasts series is completely voluntary. Consumers, carers, practitioners and policy makers who choose to be involved will attend an interview with a member of the Mental Health Podcasts team at the University of South Australia or another neutral venue, with example questions provided in advance. The interview will be recorded and edited into a 15-20 minute podcast in collaboration with the interviewee and will become available online via the UniSA website.
If you would like to be involved in the Mental Health Podcasts series, please contact us at mentalhealth@unisa.edu.au. Alternatively, telephone Dr Mark Loughhead on 08 8302 1267.
What are 'Communities of Practice'?
Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis. Communities of Practice often involve people that don’t necessarily work together every day, but meet because they find value in their interactions. As they spend time together, they typically share information, insight, and advice. They help each other solve problems by discussing their situations, their aspirations, and their needs; they ponder common issues, explore ideas and act as sounding boards. They may create tools, standards, and other documents, or they may simply develop a tacit understanding that they share with each other.
The Mental Health Podcasts series was developed by a community of our members from the Shared Learning in Clinical Practice initiative.
