eMHPrac Newsletter Vol.4, No.5, May 2022

eMHPrac Newsletter Vol.4, No.5, May 2022

Sign up below to receive monthly eMHPrac newsletters and updates about the latest digital mental health news, events, and resources.

National Reconciliation Week is almost here, commencing just after Sorry Day (May 26) and ending on Mabo Day on June 3. Each year, it is a time to learn about our shared histories and cultures and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

This year’s Reconciliation theme is ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’  Lifeline are embracing this theme with the launch of their new support line dedicated to Australian and Torres Strait Islander Australians. 13YARN is the first national, 24/7, free call crisis support line run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Learn more in this edition.

In this edition:
  • Reconciliation Week: Discover Australia’s new 13YARN service
  • National Sorry Day: Stolen Generations Resources on WellMob
  • Podcast: Digital Mental Health Musings is Back!
  • Upcoming Live Webinar: Overcoming barriers to e-mental health interventions May 24
  • New eMHPrac resources! – Addictions Factsheet Series
  • See the eMHPrac team at these upcoming conferences
  • Read the latest dMH research articles
  • This month’s featured service: 13YARN

13YARN (13 92 76)

Nationwide Indigenous Helpline

13YARN logo

‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ For the first time, and just ahead of Reconciliation Week, First Nations people across Australia will have access to a culturally safe, dedicated, 24/7 crisis hotline.

Newly launched, 13YARN:

  • Is run fully by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Has been co-designed with Lifeline expertise, several Aboriginal mental health professionals and input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples with lived experience.
  • Offers a confidential, one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
  • Is available 24/7

https://www.13yarn.org.au/
13 92 76 (24/7)
Email: enquiries@13yarn.org.au

Visit the 13YARN Website

National Sorry Day

Stolen Generation Resources on WellMob

National Sorry Day acknowledges the history and continued impact of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It not only reminds us that the historical injustice is still an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma, but also the strength of Stolen Generation survivors, their families, and communities. It is a time to reflect on and play a part in how we can contribute to the healing process as people and as a nation.

Sorry means you don’t do it again.

WellMob website has a range of online resources that can build your capacity as a worker and strengthen your understanding of Stolen Generations and its ongoing effects on our mob. We need to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait families in our roles as health professionals and tap into online resources that connect them to protective factors of culture and country. Access these resources at the link below.

Stolen Generation Resources

Podcast: Digital Mental Health Musings is Back!

New Episode Out Now

The second season of Digital Mental Health Musings has landed! This season, host Dr Ruth Crowther invites you deeper into the world of digital mental health. Taking you beyond the basics, Dr Crowther and her guests will explore the role of dMH in a complex health system and the use of dMH for specific mental health issues. They’ll also take a detailed look inside some individual apps and tools.

In this first episode, Dr. Ruth Crowther speaks to Jane Austin and Lyndal Sherwin from TheMHS. They discuss the role of dMH in helping consumers access mental health care in an increasingly complex health system. Listen to it here!

And if you’re new to the podcast (or feel like a refresh on your digital mental health basics and some PD while you’re at it), here’s your chance to catch up on Season 1, Episodes 1-8!

Catch up on Season 1!

Upcoming Live Webinar

Webinar 53 | Overcoming barriers to e-mental health interventions

Tues 24th May 1:00pm (Australia/Sydney)

Tues 24th May 8:00pm (Australia/Sydney)

Hosted by Black Dog Institute, this upcoming webinar will cover common barriers for health practitioners and AHPs, when recommending and integrating e-MH treatments.

Learning objectives:

  • List your own barriers to applying e-Mental Health interventions
  • Outline 3 strategies to overcoming barriers to e-Mental Health interventions
  • Explain the difference between an e-Mental Health treatment and e-Mental Health tool, and their clinical use
  • Identify 2 benefits of integrating e-MH treatments for both the client/patient and health professional
Register Now

New eMHPrac Resources!

Addictions Factsheet Series

eMHPrac have just released a new series of factsheets outlining digital mental health resources for people looking for information, online tools and phone/online counselling and advice regarding addictions. These include a general Addictions factsheet, and specific addictions (listed below).

Alcohol Use Problems

This factsheet provides brief information about how digital mental health resources can help people worried about their own or a loved one’s relationship with alcohol and suggests a range of digital interventions including information sites, apps, phone services and online programs to help with alcohol use problems and recovery.
https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/alcohol-use-problems/

Gambling Disorder

This factsheet provides brief information about gambling disorders and how digital mental health can help, suggesting a range of suitable online resources providing information, support and tools to improve gambling behaviour.
https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/gambling-disorder/

Internet or Gaming Addiction

This factsheet provides brief information about problematic internet and gaming behaviour and how digital mental health resources can help. The factsheet suggests a range of suitable information tools, online programs, apps and phone services.
https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/internet-or-gaming-addiction/

Quitting Smoking

This factsheet provides brief information about how digital mental health resources can help people thinking about quitting smoking and suggests are range of digital interventions including information sites, apps, phone services and online programs.
https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/quitting-smoking/

Substance Use

This factsheet provides brief information about substance use disorders and how digital mental health resources can help. The factsheet suggests a range of suitable information sites, phone services, apps and online programs to help people understand, manage and recover from a substance use disorder.
https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/substance-use-problems/

View these factsheets online or download at the link below and feel free to share and distribute widely!

View Online
emhprac logo

Catch us at these upcoming conferences

AIATSIS

30 May to 3 June 2022, Sunshine Coast

The annual AIATSIS Summit provides a unique forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, academics, native title stakeholders, legal experts, community and cultural sectors and government to collaborate in addressing current and future challenges. Hosted by the Kabi Kabi people on their traditional Country, this year focuses on the value of Indigenous ways of knowing and seeing that world, offering opportunities to support and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge and governance.

To register for the conference or view the program, click the link below:

Learn more

Workplace Wellness Festival

23 to 25 June 2022, Sydney and Online

The Workplace Wellness Festival is an annual event about all things workplace health and wellness, bringing together over 100 expert speakers, industry vendors, and thousands of business professionals on the expo floor. Over two days attendees can learn about the big picture of workplace wellbeing, or deep-dive into key topics of interest.

Speak to the eMHPrac team at our trade booth, online and in person to find out more about digital mental health tools for the workplace.

To register for the conference or view the program, click the link below:

Learn more

On our reading radar…

Therapeutic Alliance in Online and Face-to-face Psychological Treatment: Comparative Study

Mercadal Rotger J, Cabré V. Therapeutic Alliance in Online and Face-to-face Psychological Treatment: Comparative Study. JMIR Ment Health 2022;9(5):e36775. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2022/5/e36775. DOI: 10.2196/36775

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of online mental health treatments have grown exponentially….This study aims to evaluate the differences in the establishment of the therapeutic alliance (TS) based on the intervention modality (online or face-to-face), the type of attachment, and diagnosis.

…The results show that the treatments conducted face-to-face obtain significantly better scores in the creation of the TA than those conducted online (t=-42.045, df=289, P<.001).

…We believe that professionals are not yet prepared to conduct remote treatment with a degree of efficacy similar to that of face-to-face. It is essential for professionals to receive training in this new technical resource and to understand and incorporate the variants it entails into their daily practice.”

Social Robot Interventions in Mental Health Care and Their Outcomes, Barriers, and Facilitators: Scoping Review

Guemghar I, Pires de Oliveira Padilha P, Abdel-Baki A, Jutras-Aswad D, Paquette J, Pomey M. Social Robot Interventions in Mental Health Care and Their Outcomes, Barriers, and Facilitators: Scoping Review
JMIR Ment Health 2022;9(4):e36094. URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2022/4/e36094. DOI: 10.2196/36094

“The use of social robots as innovative therapeutic tools has been increasingly explored in recent years in an effort to address the growing need for alternative intervention modalities in mental health care.

…The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe social robot interventions in mental health facilities and to highlight their outcomes as well as the barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

…A total of 30 papers met the edibility criteria for this review. Studies involved participants with dementia, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and an intellectual disability. 

…Despite the presence of certain barriers to their implementation (eg, technical problems, unsuitable environment, staff resistance), social robot interventions generally show positive effects in patients with mental health disorders.”

This edition’s featured service…

13YARN logo

13YARN

Australia’s first Indigenous-led crisis helpline.

About 13YARN

‍13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line funded by the Australian Government with the support of Lifeline and developed in collaboration with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. The service is designed, led and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across varying demographics including age, family status, urban, rural and remote locations that have high rates of suicide and self-harm.

13YARN has been co-designed using Lifeline expertise with several Aboriginal mental health professionals including NACCHO, Black Dog Institute Aboriginal Lived Experience team and the Centre for Excellence in Suicide Prevention along with input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples with lived experience. The 13YARN team work to explore options for ongoing support and community members will always be reassured they will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where they are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.

Who is 13YARN for?

13YARN is for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis.

Is there a cost to access 13YARN?

No – 13YARN is free and accessible by any phone in Australia.

How to access 13YARN

To speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Information is also available on the website – https://www.13yarn.org.au/