September edition
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In the September edition of MHPN Connect:
Browse upcoming network meetings
Join or start a peer support network
Access CPD resources ahead of BPD Awareness Week
Register for our upcoming professional development webinars:
- BPD: Caring for the carers
- The right time for return to work: Optimising work participation for patients/clients recovering from injury or illness
Listen to our podcasts:
- In The First Person: Anxiety, Depression and Art Therapy
- Book Club: Developing a Shared Understanding with Konrad Michel’s ‘The Suicidal Person’
- Creative Arts Therapies - Episode 1 - The Evidence
- Creative Arts Therapies - Episode 2 - Qualifications and Competencies
Networks
What's on
350+ interdisciplinary mental health networks meet all over the country and undertake professional development and peer support about a range of topics, relevant to their needs. View upcoming meetings below, or find a network near you.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Rockingham/Kwinana - Working with eating disorders: Making it everyone’s business | Wednesday, 2 October
Perth Women's Mental Health - Cultural factors affecting the mental health of immigrant women | Tuesday, 15 October
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Neuropsychotherapy - Does “off-label” prescription of quetiapine really help sleep, breathing, and next-day performance? | Friday, 11 October
NEW SOUTH WALES
Shoalhaven - Understanding alcohol, other drugs and problem gambling issues from a PTSD trauma and complex PTSD trauma perspective | Wednesday, 2 October
Neuro-Art & Psychology Wellness Network - Art Therapy and the Brain | Tuesday, 8 October
QUEENSLAND
Fraser Coast - The Gut-Brain axis joined by the Skin-Brain axis as key to our health
| Tuesday, 1 October
Brisbane LGBTI Mental Health - Using Arts Therapy to explore your personal connection to the Progress Pride Flag | Wednesday, 9 October
Southern Brisbane Women's Mental Health - The Diagnostic Journey: The mental health impacts of women’s experiences in seeking a diagnosis | Thursday, 10 October
Greater Brisbane Expressive Art Therapies - Celebrating Mental Health Week 2024: Introduction to Creative Arts Therapies | Saturday, 12 October
Caloundra - Queerying your Practice: LGBTIQA+ inclusion for your practice | Monday, 14 October
Queensland Transcultural - Mental Health in Diverse Cultures | Insights from one of Queensland’s 25 most influential African Australians, Dr Wole Akosile, author of “Real Men Don’t Do Therapy” | Tuesday, 15 October
Sunshine Coast Women's Mental Health - Cultural factors affecting the mental health of immigrant women | Wednesday, 25 September
Ipswich/West Moreton Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - Partnering with family, partners, friends (carers) who are supporting a person living with Borderline Personality Disorder | Tuesday, 1 October - BPD Awareness Week
VICTORIA
Lilydale - Barriers and Facilitators in Provision of Mental Health Care: Cultural Exploration | Thursday, 26 September
Inner Melbourne Clinicians Network - Harnessing Psychodynamics in the Therapeutic Relationship - A Primer for Mental Health Clinicians | Tuesday, 8 October
Geelong Women's Mental Health - Exploring the links between women’s mental health and pelvic pain | Thursday, 24 October
If these topics interest you and you live in the area, join the network via your MHPN account to get involved!
Pictured from left to right: Perth Emerging Psychedelic-Psychotherapy Community of Practice MHPN; WA Centre for Perinatal Mental Health and Parenting Support MHPN; North East Adelaide MHPN.
Get involved with peer support networks
MHPN peer support networks are small, interdisciplinary groups of practitioners. They offer an opportunity for meaningful discussions about real-life cases, successes, and challenges, as well as provide support for practitioners who experience professional isolation.
These networks are best suited to passionate professionals who are willing to share their experiences, are eager to learn from others and willing to make a commitment to attend regular monthly meetings.
MHPN are seeking expressions of interest from practitioners who are interested in joining or facilitating peer support networks. Fill out the form to receive information about new peer support networks or starting your own.
Adelaide PHN partnershipMHPN are excited to announce our new partnership network with Adelaide PHN, who work with primary health care professionals and communities to understand their local health and wellbeing needs. Working together, the new Adelaide Primary Health Eating Disorders MHPN Network will drive local innovation in interdisciplinary care to better meet the needs of people living with an eating disorder. Get involved! |
BPD Awareness Week1 - 7 October 2024 If you're looking for opportunities to upskill during BPD Awareness Week, check out MHPN's resources! The BPD Awareness Week theme for 2024 focusses on the individual nature of what recovery can look like for different people. MHPN's Online Borderline Personality Disorder Network is holding a meeting on day 1 of BPD Awareness Week, to discuss how a supportive network can play an important role in supporting recovery. Register via your MHPN account. Partnering with family, partners, friends (carers) who are supporting a person living with Borderline Personality Disorder Alternatively, explore MHPN's CPD webinars and podcast about BPD! |
Webinars
BPD: Caring for the carersWednesday 9 October | 7.15 - 8.30 PM (AEDT) Our interdisciplinary panel will discuss approaches to improve how practitioners engage and support those who care for a person living with BPD. They'll share practical advice on how practitioners can validate and support carers to manage their own mental health, and outline the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach when considering carers. |
The right time for return to work: Optimising work participation for patients/clients recovering from injury or illnessMonday 14 October| 7.15 - 8.30 PM (AEDT) Attend to hear strategies to help practitioners guide and advocate for a well-timed and healthy return to work for patients with injuries or illnesses. |
Podcasts
Creative Arts Therapies
MHPN are pleased to present the first two episodes in our four-part podcast series produced in partnership with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)!
Hosted by clinical psychologist, Professor Mark Creamer, the series features practising therapists and academics who explore the diversity of creative arts therapies and their therapeutic value.
Episode 1 - The Evidence
Mark sits down with Dr Kate Dempsey (CEO, ANZACATA) and Deanne Gray (art therapist and PhD candidate) to talk about the quality and the quantity of evidence underpinning Creative Arts Therapy.
LISTEN NOW:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MHPN Website
Episode 2 - Qualifications and Competencies
Mark is joined by Dr Henry Bowen (research and training lead for Military and Emergency Services Health Australia); Naomi Pears-Scown (creative arts therapist, clinical supervisor, and academic); and Associate Professor Drew Bird, (Dramatherapist and Head of Creative Arts Therapies at the University of Melbourne) to explain the core competencies and qualifications of becoming a creative arts therapist.
LISTEN NOW:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MHPN Website
Episodes are releasing fortnightly on Mental Health In Focus. Stay tuned for Episode 3 – Clients and Settings, and Episode 4 – Future Directions by following on your podcast app.
In The First Person: Anxiety, Depression and Art TherapyIn this episode of In The First Person, Trent McWhinney: a creative arts therapist, shares his personal story of anxiety and depression. In conversation with Professor Mark Creamer, Trent talks about the various interventions he’s tried and what impact they’ve had on his symptoms as well as how his art practice has helped him both personally and professionally. LISTEN NOW: |
Book Club: Developing a Shared Understanding with Konrad Michel’s ‘The Suicidal Person’Join Professor Nicholas Procter (Professor and Chair, Mental Health Nursing) and Dr Conrad Newman (psychiatrist and PhD candidate) as they discuss the ways in which Konrad Michel’s book ‘The Suicidal Person: A New Look at a Human Phenomenon’ (2023) has influenced their work. LISTEN NOW: |
External opportunities
Factors Affecting Community Treatment Orders Research StudyLa Trobe University invites mental health practitioners who provide care to those under community treatment orders (CTOs) to take part in an online survey to share their experiences. The survey aims to gather insights into when, why, and how CTOs are implemented. Complete the survey or learn more below. |
AEPCC Forum21 November 2024 | Melbourne The AEPCC one-day forum will shape the future of early psychosis research, ensuring it is more inclusive, comprehensive and effective. This will be an opportunity to share stories, learn from others, and help transform lives through better understanding and treatment of psychosis. |
The Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri and the
Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which our office is situated. We also acknowledge Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
