There are a range of online modules, webinars, and podcasts available to provide health professionals with information and training around digital mental health resources, but it can be difficult to know which is the right one for you.

This article breaks down our top five free podcasts and webinars for any practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders looking to learn more about digital mental health resources and how they can start using them with their clients. The resources below are all reputable, evidence-based, Australian podcasts and webinars designed specifically for GPs, Allied Health professionals, and other health practitioners. They explore what is out there for Indigenous patients, the benefits, evidence, and how they can be integrated into practice.

1. Using online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing

This webinar, recently made available as a podcast through Soundcloud comes from Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac and was first released in October 2020. In this webinar, made in collaboration with URCH, David Edwards, Tiarnee Schafer, Nathan Bramston, and Samantha Wild discussed how frontline health and community workers can use online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing. They explore the range of websites, apps, and other online resources that health and community workers can use with their clients, as well as introducing listeners to WellMob, a social and emotional wellbeing website with a bank of over 200 Indigenous-specific digital resources.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how digital social and emotional wellbeing (d-SEWB) resources can play a role in keeping our mob well.
• Identify how to use the new WellMob website and its d-SEWB resources with clients/community.
• Describe new Indigenous-specific digital SEWB resources.

Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/367

Listen to the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/user-739013830/using-online-resources-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-mental-health-wellbeing

2. Introduction to Online Mental Health Resources for Primary Health Care Providers

The first episode in Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac’s webinar series for Allied Health and Nurses provides an introduction to online mental health resources and lays the foundation for further training and support for primary health care providers incorporating e-mental health resources into practice. Julia Reynolds discusses the main types of online mental health resources, ways they can be incorporated into services, the benefits of using digital mental health, and how to find the relevant tools for your clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the types of online resources that may be useful to use with patients.
• Understand the benefits of digital mental health.
• Identify ways to use digital mental health resources with patients.

Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/100

3. Supporting Indigenous Wellbeing through digital resources: an introduction for Clinicians

This webinar is another great episode from the Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac series, which is also available as a podcast on SoundCloud. In this webinar, Dr. Jan Orman, David Edwards, Simon DuBois, and Anthony Vogelpoel discuss the use of culturally appropriate digital resources for promoting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They explore the use of digital mental health resources, how COVID-19 has brought their relevance and use to the forefront of treatment options, and the gaps in cultural appropriateness and engagement amongst mainstream digital mental health platforms. This webinar also includes case examples, exploring some resources and how they can be implemented into clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the term ‘social and emotional wellbeing’ (SEWB) in an Indigenous health context.
• Identify digital SEWB resources as found on the WellMob website.
• Explain the difference between Indigenous SEWB and mainstream mental health digital resources.
• Understanding the application of digital SEWB resources with Indigenous clients.

Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/364

Listen to the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/user-739013830/supporting-indigenous-wellbeing-through-digital-resources-an-introduction-for-clinicians

4. Online Resources to Help Improve Indigenous Mental Health

This Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac webinar explores the range of online treatment programs designed specifically for Indigenous users and how to use them. Dr. Jan Orman, Carlie Schofield, and Dr. Anita Campbell take a close look at MindSpot Clinic’s Indigenous Wellbeing Program, which Carlie Schofield was responsible for adapting, and discuss its development and content. This webinar also explores the feasibility of using an online program to help indigenous patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions through a case study.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how MindSpot Clinic’s Wellbeing Program was adapted for indigenous users and the content.
• Identify the feasibility of using online programs with indigenous patients.
• Understand the patient outcomes of using digital mental health programs.

Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/56

5. Integrating Digital Mental Health Tools and Resources Into Your Practice

This podcast from Black Dog Institute was developed based on the Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac webinar ‘Using digital mental health tools to enhance your practice. Julia Reynolds and Jamie Marshall discuss the recent developments in the use of digital mental health services in routine care and support, and how to support practitioners as they explore these tools.

Listen to the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/user-739013830/integrating-mental-health-tools-and-resources-into-your-practice

All of these podcasts and webinars are free to access and the webinars can contribute towards CPD points for health professionals.