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TAG CLOUD
November 2, 2012
SMILING MIND: WEB-BASED MINDFULNESS TOOLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Smiling Mind is a free web and app based mindfulness program, which is specifically designed for children and young people. Developed by a partnership between a range of universities from Australia and overseas, the program contains guided meditation and relaxation exercises designed to improve mood and reduce the impacts of stress. The program involves an initial 8 or 10 session program, and after completing this participants can access the full library of relaxation exercises and meditation sessions which can be accessed online or via the app on a smart phone.
Find out more about Smiling Mind
Posted in: Treatment Tools, Resources for Young People
July 20, 2012
OUR HEALING WAYS: DUAL DIAGNOSIS RESOURCES FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH WORKERS
"Our Healing Ways" was a project of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative, which looked specifically at building capacity around Indigenous dual diagnosis issues. The project has just launched three key resources which many workers in Queensland will find useful. This includes "Our Healing Ways Manual: Putting Wisdom into Practice", a manual which describes best practice Aboriginal perspectives on dual diagnosis issues; "A resource book for Aboriginal workers on the relationship between alcohol and drugs and mental health" which provides general information on holistic assessment, recovery planning, stages of change and interventions; and "Supervision: A culturally appropriate model for Aboriginal workers" developed to meet the needs of Indigenous Health Workers working in AOD, mental health or related fields.
Download the resources from Dual Diagnosis Australia and New Zealand Website
Posted in: Treatment Tools
April 26, 2012
NEW WEBSITE BUILDS RESILIENCE
There are increasing numbers of online resources to address mental health concerns. Now, there's a site called Bite Back which is all about building strengths and enhancing resilience. The site has been developed by the Black Dog Institute who are well known for their work around depression and other mental health problems. Bite Back provides a number of activities designed to assist young people in improving their mental fitness, and getting the most out of life.
Posted in: Resources for Young People
February 10, 2012
SUICIDAL INTENT AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE
The Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG) published a report in November 2011 which is worth re-visiting. The paper titled "Child Deaths: Suicide Intent" looks at the circumstances surrounding children who commit suicide. The paper looks at data from the Child Death Register from 2004 - 2011. Over this period, 131 deaths of young people were considered suicide. The report found that in many of these cases, the children had communicated their suicidal intentions weeks, months or in some cases years in advance.
Child Deaths: Suicidal Intent (470KB PDF)
Posted in: Research
November 18, 2011
NEW RESOURCES ON SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) have developed a range of new resources explaining the links between mental health conditions and substance use. The resources cover anxiety, mood and personality disorders, as well as psychosis and trauma. Each guide is approximately 20 pages long, and contains comprehensive information explaining the various disorders, their relationship with substance use and tips for staying well. Hard copies can be ordered from NDARC for $1.75 each, or $8.50 for a pack of 5. Electronic copies can be downloaded free from the NDARC website.
NDARC Website: Mental Health and Substance Use Explained
Posted in: Resources for Young People
November 11, 2011
ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH APP FOR YOUNG MEN
The Inspire Foundation in conjunction with the Brain and Mind Research Institute has launched a new online app called "Work Out" designed to increase skills and encourage help seeking in young men. The site includes a number of mental health "work outs" which are self-paced check-ups for many of the signs of mental health problems. This site uses techniques often used in video games, setting competitive challenges and rewarding achievement in order to encourage progression through the various "work outs", while providing clear feedback on areas that might require attention.
Posted in: Treatment Tools
November 11, 2011
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
We've linked to this resource before, however it's definitely one worth revisiting. Designed by Orygen Research Centre at the University of Melbourne and beyondblue, the guidelines consider culturally appropriate communication as well as guidelines for assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing a range of mental health problems. This includes problematic alcohol and drug use, as well as depression, suicidal thinking, psychosis and trauma and loss.
Mental Health First Aid Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (1MB PDF)
Posted in: Treatment Tools
July 25, 2011
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR INDIGENOUS YOUNG PEOPLE
The Mental Health Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Service have published a new series of brochures for Indigenous young people on specific mental health issues. Following on from their successful range of alcohol and other drug resources from a few years back, these brochures are low literacy, youth friendly and have been designed in consultation with Indigenous young people. Copies are free of charge, and available from the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 177 833. Dovetail are hosting electronic copies on our website, so check them out below.
Self harm and suicide (1.7MB pdf)
Adjustment Disorders (1.7MB pdf)
Posted in: Resources for Young People
July 15, 2011
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2011: GRANTS OPEN
The 2011 Mental Health Week will be held across Australia from the 9th to the 15th of October. Grants are available from the Mental Health Association Queensland (MHAQ) to assist community organisations in holding community events throughout the week. Grants from $500 to $2000 are available, so get together with other services in your local area and create an event to help raise awareness about mental illness.
Mental Health Association Queensland Website.
Posted in: Training & Events
July 8, 2011
YOUTH SUICIDE IN AUSTRAILA
The House of Representatives have released their report on preventing youth suicide in Australia. Titled "Before it's too late" the report is the culmination of an inquiry which has been underway since December 2010. The inquiry took submissions from a range of stakeholders, and held public hearings in Sydney and Melbourne. The report contains a number of recommendations including capturing key demographic data on suicide statistics, enhanced youth input into suicide prevention policy and practice, and increased training of teachers to recognise and respond to mental illness in young people.
Before It's Too Late: Inquiry into Early Intervention Programs Aimed at Preventing Youth Suicide
Posted in: Research
