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In this edition:
- Mother’s Day – Digital tools for mums
- eMHPrac Podcast – Season 3 is here! Episode 1: ‘Support for Family and Friends: Spotlight on Minds Together’
- Live webinar from BDI: ‘Climate Change and Mental Health’
- THIS WAY UP modules now available outside of Australia
- TheMHS Conference early bird registration closing soon
- WellMob – new blog post
- See the eMHPrac team at these upcoming conferences
- Read the latest dMH research articles
- This month’s featured service: Sleep Ninja
Mother’s Day
Digital tools for mums
On Sunday 14th of this month we had the opportunity to celebrate Mother’s Day and show our gratitude for the incredible mums in our lives. Mothers are often the pillars of strength and support in our families and the back bones of our communities, so it’s important to remember that they too need care and attention for their own well-being and mental health. There are a range of digital mental health resources designed for mums at all stages of motherhood, including MumSpace, COPE, and Healthy Families.
There are also a number of online resources found on the WellMob website that can help support the health and wellbeing of First Nations women. These resources include a journey to your self-healing book and a mindful colouring in book.
Digital Mental Health Musings – Season 3 is here!
Season 3 Episode 1 – ‘Support for Family and Friends: Spotlight on Minds Together’
Guest: Dr Sally Fitzpatrick, Program Manager – Everymind
Caring for loved ones with mental illness puts caregivers at risk themselves – now two new digital mental health programs have been developed to support them.
In our first episode of 2023 we take a look at the ‘hidden workforce’ of the Australian mental healthcare system – the family, friends, and caregivers of people living with mental illness. The role of caregivers can come at a high personal cost. In this episode we look a the role of digital mental health in supporting the wellbeing of informal caregivers with Dr Sally Fitzpatrick, a Program Manager at Everymind.
Watch or listen to the episode here and learn more about the series here.
Live Webinar from BDI
“Climate Change and Mental Health”
When: Wednesday 24th of May, 1pm and 8pm AEST
Climate change is a major global existential challenge which provokes intense feeling 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 will explore the range of emotional responses to awareness of climate change and how they may impact mental health. Key aspects of assessment and response to climate distress will be discussed, with reference to emerging evidence and existing psychotherapeutic models.
THIS WAY UP modules now available for people outside Australia
Did you know that THIS WAY UP’s treatment programs can now be prescribed from anywhere in the world? Any licensed or registered health professional can sign up as a clinician for free. Alongside their suite of translated multilingual coping tools and resources, global access is another aspect of THIS WAY UP’s commitment to delivering affordable and accessible mental health care to all.
TheMHS Conference Early Bird Registration closing soon
Join the mental health community at TheMHS Conference ‘Making Rights Real’ in Adelaide from the 15-18 August, 2023. Register by 2 June to catch Early Bird rates.
Burn Out: What is it? How it can be managed and even prevented!
Burn out is experienced at such a high rate in the health care sector for very valid and understandable reasons, especially given the extremities of the last few years! Read this blog to learn more about the warning signs as well as useful tips and online resources to put into your self-care practice to manage and prevent burnout.
Catch us at these upcoming conferences
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Conference
6 June2023, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney NSW
Trade exhibit
Restart, recharge, reconnect at National Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference 2023. Learn from counselling and psychotherapy experts and network with industry practitioners and like minded professionals at an in-person event.
Visit the eMHPrac team at their trade exhibit.
International Mental Health Conference
7-9 June 2023, RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast QLD
Presentation + Trade exhibit
Join your peers and learn the innovations seen across communities, cultures and countries in our sector which are transforming outcomes for professionals and patients.
See eMHPrac Director Heidi Sturk present on ‘Finding human connection amidst the digital mental health revolution’ and visit the eMHPrac team at their trade exhibit.
Workplace Wellness Festival
20-21 June 2023, International Convention Centre, Sydney, NSW
Trade exhibit
Australia’s giant festival of workplace wellbeing.
Visit the eMHPrac team at their trade exhibit.
Occupational Therapy Conference
21-23 June 2023, Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, QLD
Presentation + Trade exhibit
Join like-minded OTs at Australia’s largest scientific conference for occupational therapists.
See eMHPrac Director Heidi Sturk’s presentation ‘Guiding you through the world of digital mental health services and resources’ and visit the eMHPrac team at their trade exhibit.
On our reading radar…
Krieger, T., Bur, O. T., Weber, L., Wolf, M., Berger, T., Watzke, B., & Munder, T. (2023). Human contact in internet-based interventions for depression: A pre-registered replication and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Internet Interventions, 32, 100617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2023.100617
Hensler, I., Sveen, J., Cernvall, M., & Arnberg, F. K. (2023). Longitudinal follow-up of the randomized controlled trial of access to the trauma-focused self-management app PTSD coach. Internet Interventions, 100618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2023.100618
Nuo, M., Fang, H., Wang, T., Liang, J., He, Y., Han, H., & Lei, J. (2023). Understanding the research on tracking, diagnosing, and intervening in sleep disorders using mHealth apps: Bibliometric analysis and systematic reviews. Digital Health, 9, 20552076231165967. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231165967
This edition’s featured service…
Sleep Ninja
About Sleep Ninja
Developed by Black Dog Institute, Sleep Ninja® is a free, evidence-based smartphone app shown to be effective in helping young people with sleep problems.
Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I), across six ‘training sessions’, Sleep Ninja teaches strategies to develop healthy sleep habits and improve sleep quality.
Developed in consultation with young people and their parents, Sleep Ninja is designed for use during the day, not at bedtime.
The app:
- Educated young people about the importance and role of sleep.
- Helps them become aware of any habits contributing to poor sleep (e.g. sleep environment, daytime routine, bedtime routine).
- Teaches both behavioural and cognitive strategies to change their unhelpful sleep patterns.
Who is Sleep Ninja for?
The app is suitable for young people aged 12-16 years who are experiencing mild to moderate sleep difficulties such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, poor sleep quality, or not getting enough sleep.
If sleep disturbance is causing significant distress or is impacting school, work, or other important areas of life, it is recommended that they talk to a trusted adult or see a doctor.
Is there a cost to use Sleep Ninja?
There is no cost to use Sleep Ninja.
How to access Sleep Ninja
Sleep Ninja is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play.
About the author
