Mind and Soul Matters

Conversations About Suicide - A Personal Story

In Part 3 of 'Conversations About Suicide', Lisa O'Malley MLA (member of parliament) candidly and courageously shares with us her personal struggles with mental illness and the impact of losing her brother, Michael to suicide 10 years ago. A touching story that guides us in how we can support those who have lost a loved one to suicide. 

Conversations About Suicide - Emotional Pain and Loneliness

In Part 2 of 'Conversations About Suicide' series, Hoda Golestani, a counselling psychologist, sheds further light on this very important topic and explains the role of emotional pain and loneliness in those at risk of suicide. 

Conversations About Suicide: Asking the Right Questions

In Part 1 of 'Conversations About Suicide' series, Lifeline crisis counsellor, Virginia Bradshaw, shares with us some life changing tips on how we can respond to a person at risk of suicide, what questions we must ask and steps we can take to potentially save a person's life. 

Andrew’s Story: Making Choices Towards Healing

Andrew, a youth mental health worker at Headspace, has lived a life of challenges and trauma, and along the way he’s had to make choices. How has his life experiences and traumas shaped who he is today? How does a person live through trauma, and make choices that lead to healing and giving back to others with compassion, empathy and love?

Foods that Make us Happy

In Part 3 of 'Mind, Body and Environment' series, Ms Mahsa Anderson, Counselling Psychologist and a lifestyle medicine practitioner, clearly identifies for us the evidence available for foods that affect or mood. 

Social Determinants of Mental Health

In Part 2 of 'Mind, Body and Environment' series, Dr Katie Carter, shares insights from her extensive experience in social work, policy development and research, on the impact of social determinants of mental health. She explains how certain social conditions can impact our mental health, and why we need to not only look after our own mental health but be concerned with the social forces in play in our communities.

Is Exercise Really that Good for us?

Can exercise be used in treating depression and anxiety? Is it more effective that medication? And if so, how and why? In Part 1 of 'Mind, Body and Environment' series, Dr Louise Naylor, exercise physiologist and associate professor at UWA, shares insights from her research and clinical practice to answer these important questions and explain the impact of exercise on our physical and mental health. 
 
The contents of this episode do not substitute medical advice. For any mental or physical concerns please consult your medical practitioner. 

Enhancing Our Relationships with Family Therapist Nilly Cope

Positive relationships are the greatest predictor of our happiness, health and wellbeing. But how do we go about achieving these positive, fulfilling relationships? Family therapist, Nilly Cope, shares tips and strategies on how we can build relationships that are free of tension and stress in order to create a more peaceful and happy home. Nilly also explains why and when we should consider engaging in family therapy and what do we do if our partner or family member doesn’t want to come along to therapy?
More information on the steps of conflict resolution shared by Nilly can be found at: 
https://harmonyfamilytherapy.com.au/the-power-of-collaborative-conflict-resolution-and-why-it-is-so-different-to-compromise/

Human Rights and Mental Health

In Part 3 of Exploring Social Justice, Dr Wibke Timmerman gives an  informative and eye-opening presentation on human rights and mental health.
 

Peter’s Story: Taking the Prison out of the Prisoner

In part 2 of Exploring Social Justice, Peter Lyndon-James, founder of Shalom house shares his heartfelt story of overcoming severe personal circumstances, childhood trauma and an imperfect judicial system, transforming himself and establishing an organisation which now helps hundreds of others to rehabilitate and reintegrate back into society. This episode is suitable for adults only and if you find any of the content disturbing please link in with your mental health support network or contact lifeline on 131114.