Everyone has Mental Health, just like Physical Health

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Gerowyn

Everyone has Mental Health, just like Physical Health.

Are you mentally & physically fit?

It is ok to admit you are not ok and ask for help

Support My Walk for Mental Health Research
Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of mental illness each year?

In fact, every day in Australia, 9 people will die by suicide.

Mental illness can be debilitating and can have a devastating impact on not only those living with it, but those around them.

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CRISIS SUPPORT NUMBERS

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the following crisis services:
Emergency 000
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
MensLine 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

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Safety Planning when working with people experiencing Domestic Violence

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Gerowyn

This video is an introduction to the techniques of safety planning when working with women and children experiencing violence. It should be used in conjunction with the Introduction to Risk Assessment and the Risk Assessment Frameworks

  • Have a think about what you have done in the past to help you be safe
  • when you are ready reach out for help
  • think about other options to keep yourself and your children safe

You coiuld

Call 000 if you or your children are in immediate danger

Have a bag packed with certified copies (at least) preferrably original copies of documents like:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Marriage Certificates
  • Centrelink documents
  • medical documents
  • Legal documents
  • things your partner may not allow you access to
  • Cash for short term needs

It can be a good idea to keep this bag in a safe place and potentially at a friends place.

Family Violence effects everyone

1800RESPECT

CRISIS SUPPORT NUMBERS

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the following crisis services:

Emergency 000

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

MensLine 1300 78 99 78

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

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Assessments for Autism

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Gerowyn

The Novo Psych website has a range of assessments that can be used for a variety of conditions below you will find links for various assessments related to ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ASD Screener

The ASSQ is a 27 question assessment filled in by parents or teachers of children or adolescents (6 to 17 years of age). It is designed to be an initial screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) especially in those with high or normal IQ, or those with only mild intellectual disability.

Download PDF

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a 50 item self-report measure used to assess traits of autism in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over. The measure is suitable for men and women who have normal intellectual functioning. 

Download PDF

Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)

The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a 25-item self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours for individuals of age 16 and above. It is used to identify individuals who compensate for or mask autistic characteristics during social interactions and who might not immediately present with autistic traits due to their ability to mask. This can be especially relevant for women with Autism.

Download PDF

Empathy Quotient (EQ-40)

The Empathy Quotient – 40 item version (EQ-40) is a self-report tool to assess empathy in adults (18 years of age and older). The EQ-40 (Baron-Kohen & Wheelwright, 2004) assesses various aspects of empathy and three subscales are included:

  • Cognitive Empathy (understand others’ thoughts, feelings and perspectives)
  • Emotional Empathy (attunement to others’ emotions)
  • Social Skills (interacting effectively with others).

Download PDF

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Are you trying to help a young person at risk of self harm

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Gerowyn

The following content may contain suicide or self-harm topics. Viewer discretion is advised.

Recent findings show that approximately one in ten Australian adolescents have self-harmed.

Supporting information for clinicians to work with parents of young people who self-harm can be found here.

Safety Planning With a Young Person that Won’t Engage

Clinical Toolkit
Clinical Tips: Assessing Risk of Suicide and Self-Harm

How to Address Self-Harm in a Clinical Setting

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Do you need to apply for Disability Support Pension in Australia

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Gerowyn

If you are needing to apply for the Disability Support Pension in Australia you will need to prove your level of disability and you will need to have 20 points of disability.

Centrelink with use the Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) to assess your level of impairment.

The impairment table consist of

Part 3—Impairment Tables

Table 1 – Functions requiring Physical Exertion and Stamina

Table 2 – Upper Limb Function

Table 3 – Lower Limb Function

Table 4 – Spinal Function

Table 5 – Mental Health Function

Table 6 – Functioning related to Alcohol, Drug and Other Substance Use

Table 7 – Brain Function

Table 8 – Communication Function

Table 9 – Intellectual Function

Table 10 – Digestive and Reproductive Function

Table 11 – Hearing and other Functions of the Ear

Table 12 – Visual Function

Table 13 – Continence Function

Table 14 – Functions of the Skin

Table 15 – Functions of Consciousness

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9 Sings of Mental Illness

Posted on May 19, 2024 by Gerowyn

below is an infographic showing the nine signs of mental illness to be aware of. This information is sourced from the Health Direct website https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/signs-of-mental-health-issues

For more in-depth information please go to the Health Direct website.

Nine signs of mental illness infographic

Infographic courtesy of Healthdirect Australia.

Daily Actions to improve your mental health

Research from MindSpot has shown that regularly performing five simple daily actions can improve your mental health.

Where to get help

If you’re concerned about a friend or loved one, ask them how you can help. The first step for a person with symptoms of a mental health disorder is to see a doctor or other healthcare professional.

If you need more information and support, visit Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) for resources, helplines, apps, online programs and forums.

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Exploring Depression, and Beating the Blues: Additional Free Audio Recordings

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Gerowyn

by Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett

Depression is common among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has particular features and causes.

On their website https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/exploring-depression-and-beating-the-blues-additional-free-audio-recordings/ are a variety of free audio recordings to accompany the highly regarded book and resource on depression, Exploring Depression, and Beating the Blues. For more information on the book please click HERE.

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Vicious Cycle of Depression

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Gerowyn

Explaining the Vicious Cycle of Depression (CBT Clinical Demonstration)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration Videos

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration VideosIn this video, we illustrate an example of how the vicious cycle of depression can be explained to a client. You may wish to view the follow-up video of “Reversing the Vicious Cycle of Depression”. The “Vicious Cycle of Depression” information sheet can be found here: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Reso… We also have a clinician reflection exercise that can be downloaded from our website as a companion to this demonstration video. Engaging in these reflection exercises will help you to maximise your learning, and can help prepare you to use the demonstrated principles in your own work: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Trai… _________________________________________________________________ The CCI CBT Clinical Demonstration video series aims to demonstrate the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) strategies, and is designed for use by mental health professionals interested in using CBT to treat problems such as depression and anxiety. For more info about CCI, please visit https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/

Reversing the Vicious Cycle of Depression (CBT Clinical Demonstration)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration Videos

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Demonstration Videos In this video, we describe how we can reverse the vicious cycle of depression to a client. We encourage you to watch the preceding video on “Explaining the Vicious Cycle of Depression” before you watch this video.

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How stress affects your brain

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Gerowyn

Stress isn’t always a bad thing; it can be handy for a burst of extra energy and focus, like when you’re playing a competitive sport or have to speak in public. But when it’s continuous, it actually begins to change your brain. Madhumita Murgia shows how chronic stress can affect brain size, its structure, and how it functions, right down to the level of your genes. Lesson by Madhumita Murgia, animation by Andrew Zimbelman.

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What is Anxiety?

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Gerowyn

This video contains intense issues relating to anxiety, suicide and depression

What is #anxiety? Although anxiety is a common reaction, learn about the symptoms and types of anxiety and how it can become a problem and when diagnosed as a disorder. Expand the description to find a list of free, 24/7 hotlines and text lines below. #MentalHealth

You’re not alone

Lifeline Australia Free · Confidential · Hours: Available 24 hours Chat Call 13 11 14

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