Transforming Perceptions: Recent Episodes
Transforming Perceptions
Transforming Perceptions offers a range of views on subjects that may have direct or indirect links to social, emotional and mental well-being and aims to promote de-stigmatisation of mental illness in the community, especially for people of multicultural, migrant and refugee backgrounds. Discussion links self-care and mental well-being with issues including mental health research, health, education, life style choices, or to activities such as gardening, yoga, meditation or spirituality. The opinions expressed on the show are not necessarily those of the Transforming Perceptions team.
Áine chats with Sonia who was interim CEO of MARRSfor 8 months before being confirmed in her role as CEO on the 1st July 2024. We talk about the work of MARRS and the well-being needs of people from migrant and refugee backgrounds seeking to make Australia and Canberra home.
Sonia was born in Australia to Italian migrants. Growing up in Australia she is keenly aware of the challenges faced by migrant children who navigate a life between two cultures – that of the old country of their parents and family, and that of the new country, Australia. Sheand her family experienced racism at times, which later impassioned her to study law and work in the field of human rights.
She is a solicitor and human rights lawyerand has a Masters in International Law majoring in human rights law. Through her career she has set up and managed human rights programs in Pakistan and Sudan, worked on child labour rights in India; as a refugee lawyer in Australian immigration detention centres; and worked as a resettlement consultant for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Sonia has held numerousleadership roles including three years as the CEO of Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services in regional Victoria during the height of the Covid Pandemic; and was a former deputy chief executive of the ACT Disability, Aged and Carers Advocacy Service (ADACAS), in the ACT.
Dale Barlow, is an internationally renowned Australian Jazz Saxophonist, Multi-Instrumentalist, Clarinettist, Flautist and Composer. He is winner of several ARIA Awards, Album of the Year/ Jazz performer of the year/ International Artist of the Year/ Bicentennial Artist ofthe Year and has four Mo Awards and grants.
Áine chats with Dale about his life and experience of playing and creating music. Dale grew up surrounded by music. His father was a professional musician, hismother and grandmother played the piano and it was no surprise that he was playing with professional bands from the age of 14 years old and in a youth Jazz big band with a young James Morrison. Music took Dale to New York in the 1980’s where he studied and gained the most extraordinary musical experiences. Dale discusses music composition and his particular creative process. His experience of being stuck in Thailand for two years during Covid, and his eventual return to Australia which Dale says was a bit of a culture shock. We talk about his international experiences and how the world has changed and what he’s doing now in the music industry in Australia.
In Australia and South East Asia Dale has performed with many artists and groups, includinCg Keys Music Association, The Benders, Bruce Cale, Roger Frampton, , Matt Finish, Vince Jones, Margaret Ulrich, Kate Cebrano, Indra Lesmana, and Dwiki Dharmawon. Dale's group 'The Wizards of Oz' with Paul Grabowsky, Lloyd Swanton and Tony Buck, was the first Australian group toundertake a major 2 continent tour (USA/Canada/Europe) with assistance from the Australia Council for the Arts.
Dale has played and toured and recorded with many other jazz greats including Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Gil Evans, Jackie McLean, Billy Cobham, Dizzy Gillespie, Curtis, fuller, Eddie, Palmieri, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Helen Merrill, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Dave Kikoski, Richie Cole, Billy Higgins, Freddie Hubbard and Wynton Marsalis, Cindy Blackman, Ernie Wattsm Eddie Henderson, Jeff Watts, Essiet Essiet, Bennie Green and Mike Nock. He played with the Gil Evans' Big Band, and was a member of the Billy Cobham band for 3 years.
Áine speaks with Howard Conkey, author the book Tad’s Legacy. The book documents the tragic death of hislong-time friend Tad Kahsai who was experiencing psychotic symptoms after many years of alcohol misuse.
It raises questions about the supports available to vulnerable people living with both alcohol and mental health issues; the drug and alcohol support systems in ACT and the need for reforms to the Mental Health Act to better protect people at risk of self-harm.
“Tad Kahsai came to Australia from worn-torn Eritrea. He studied at the Australian National University in the 1970’s” where he met Howard. He later worked as aGeography teacher, and was part-owned Club Asmara in Civic. Tad was gifted and a vibrant personality. “He was well known in Canberra and active in humanitarian activities for his birth country”.
“Howard ... said his friend Tad’s death was a tragedy best described as a train wreck of what could go wrong did. Mr Kahsai went missing from Calvary Hospital while hallucinating and judged not to be competent at the end of 2015. A missing person investigation by police and on-ground search failed to find him and his body was discovered by chance by students near Bruce Stadium three months later”.
Áine speaks with Vesna about her multicultural women’s project - An Unexpected Life, a collection of personal stories of migrant woman. The project was a labour of love and collaboration with the wonderful women she met over the years through the process of establishing herself in Canberra Australia after leaving Serbia 34 years ago.
A few years ago Vesna became involved in writing and performing poetry in her mother tongue, through theMother Tongue Poetry group. In the group, multicultural women are inspired and supported to create and recitepoetry in their own languages which increases their confidence while showcasing their stories and identities. She became fascinated with the stories of other migrant woman she met through her journey to establish herself in her new country and wanted to showcase their courage,bravery in moving to another country, learning English and contributing to the broader fabric of Canberra society.
There are 12 stories from woman who came from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chile, Ghana, Macedonia, Malaysia, Peru, Romania, Serbia, Sri Lanka and South Africa
The Book is being launched on at 10am Saturday 20th April 2024 at the Gorman Arts Centre in Ainslie Avenue Canberra City.
Áine speaks with Amanda Hughes a registered music therapist about music therapy as a career pathway for musicians. Amanda completed her Master of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne in 2023, and aBachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Canberra majoring in Counselling. She brings her own lived experiences with mental ill health and first-hand encounters with the power of music to her practice to helps ensure she works to the highest standards, alongwith a commitment to continuing professional development to ensure she stays at the forefront of therapeutic techniques.
She specialises in mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), early childhood and adolescents, and family relationships, tailoringeach session to the unique needs of every participant, and fostering an environment where music becomes the catalyst for healing and personal growth.
Amanda believes “in the transformative power of music and strive[s] to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those [she] work[s] with in her practice”.
Áine speaks with Maree Patsouras about her research on the experiences of working mums drinking during Covid. The new studies by La Trobe University have shed light on the impact of additional responsibilities women assumed by ‘default’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, influencing a spike in drinking among working mothers. Participants noted the lack of control they felt over their everyday lives and drinking as they juggled working from home, parenting, household, and teaching roles combinedwith the limit on socialised activities outside the home.
Maree is currently a PhD student at theCentre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR). Her PhD is a mixed methods project focused on the social, commercial and structural factors influencing alcohol use amongworking mothers. Her other research interests include digital and media alcohol exposure, and emerging technologies.
Áine speaks with Mel Greenhalgh, Neuro-coach, Collective Wisdom Coaching and Consulting. Mel is presenting workshops for women, as a part of the Women’s Safety Program running from February - June 2024. The workshops are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Mel has 30 years of experience working in the community, youth work, in policy, research and higher education. She shares aspects of her personal lived experience and how that has led her into work as a Neuro-coach. We discuss the impact of the Covid Pandemic and how that affected us and our communities. How we feel about ourselves, and how we can progress through a journey of healing recovery, and by using strategies to build self-awareness and self-care, we can embrace greater understanding and empowerment.
We also discuss the upcoming workshops focused on women’s safety and unpack some of the reasons why it is hard to say, No.
Ben opens up to Áine about his personal lived experience of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He discusses his recovery journey, his work with Rebus Theatre as a community arts worker and how music creation helps him to raise awareness about ADHD as well as be who he truly is - a talented writer and composer.
Please Note - This interview features two original songs by Ben Drysdale which are available to stream on Spotify.
Lorena Flawn speaks with Dr Susanne Ilschner, Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology. Dr Ilschner has a BA in Visual Art and is currently a PhD Candidate pulling together her experience in lab, clinic and art to evaluate pathways to and meaning of a diagnosis of endometriosis, and gaining deeper insight into the socio-political context of disease. Her current project is engaging with biological questions of pathogenesis and fluid biopsy for diagnosis, involving extracellular vesicles analysed by microspectroscopy and microscopical methods.Her recent research project brought together women from Australia, France and other countries, to create artworks in various mediums that could be photographed, as a response to how they felt about or experienced Endometriosis.
"There is growing clinical and public awareness of the impact the common condition of endometriosis can have on the lives of sufferers. Women have long faced significant challenges in communicating the experience and reality of the condition to scientists, therapists and clinicians as well as within their everyday networks.
This exhibition explores communicating endometriosis through different forms of expression and response, including visual arts, music, dance, language and lab science. In this dialogue, we learn more about our bodies, emotions, embodied experiences, and their various understandable signs, fingerprints, or developed artistic expression." (Retrieved, 5, October 2023, from https://health.anu.edu.au/news-events/events/communicating-endometriosis-through-art-artists-respond).
World Sexual Health Day is the 4th September 2023 and thisyear’s global theme is ‘Consent’.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Jessica Grahame, Lecturer Sociology and Gender Studies to discuss the World Sexual Health Day Theme - Consent – Unpacking Affirmative Consent, power dynamics in sexual and intimaterelationships.
Jessica discusses why it is important to engage in an open dialogue in our communities and with intimate partners about affirmative consent. She shares from her expertise in gender research how we can share honestly and without coercion to better understand equal and affirmative consent.
Áine speaks with Thomas McIntyre, Executive Director of Service Strategy and Growth at ‘Act for Kids’. Recent research shows that 40% of young people aged between 14- 17 don’t speak to anyone when they are worried. Thomas shares about the Act for Kids campaign ‘Get Comfy Switching On by Switching Off’ which provides tips and ideas for kids, parents and carers to get conversations happening to ensure your people are being heard. - www.actforkids.com.au/get-comfy
Transforming Perceptions brings its segment Energising Your Life.
This month Matt and Erin Pepar team up to bring you an interview with Kellie Hermes a certified birth and postpartum doula.
Kellie Hermes a certified birth and postpartum doula. https://www.adorabirth-kelliehermesdoula.com/about
Kellie's motto is: "What the mind believes, the body achieves." Her business aims to support you to have not only a confident birth, but a truly empowered transition into your new self as a mother. We discuss with Kellie the support that she provides which includes - Pregnancy and birth doula support; education and birth preparation, plus on call home to hospital labour support-Postpartum doula support; feeding and settling support, emotional support, caring for your baby while you rest, cooking and light housework-Ayurvedic meals.
Andrew Aspinall, veteran of the Australian Navy speaks with Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar from Transforming Perceptions about his experience of recovery from PTSD through participation in the Veteran Surf Project on the south coast of NSW. Andrew rides out on a lone bike adventure to raise funds for the Veteran Surf Project on Saturday the 15th July 2023 and will spend 4 months traversing Australia.
Andrew joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Commissioned Officer in 1985 and studied Applied Science at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay. On graduation he undertook further professional training as an Executive Branch Officer in the surface fleet. He volunteered to train and serve in the Submarine Squadron, for the remainder of his service in the RAN which ended when he resigned in 1994. After leaving the RAN he studied for a Bachelor of Laws and worked within the Defence Industry. He held increasingly senior roles within major multinational defence industry businesses, but knew something was “not quite right” with his mental health. Unfortunately instead of obtaining professional guidance he resorted to alcohol to deal with his mental health issues. His use of alcohol became a chronic long term addiction. After decades of chronic addiction his brother stepped in and guided him towards some professional help. He discovered he was dealing with the effects of PTSD. Addiction very commonly flows from PTSD and PTSD has a vastly higher rate of occurrence amongst defence veterans and emergency services first responders than it does in the general population.
After hospitalisation for PTSD and alcohol addiction he got involved with the Veteran Surf Project (VSP). The VSP began about two years ago. It was the brainchild of Rusty Moran an ex big wave pro-surfer whose father served in the navy during WWII and suffered from chronic alcoholism and probably PTSD due to that service. Having himself recovered from the effects of trauma through surfing and having seen the impacts of trauma on his father, Rusty established the VSP to determine if surf therapy could assist veterans and first responders (who suffer from PTSD at a rate about 400% higher than the general population.
Andrew is undertaking an around the country solo adventure bike ride, raising awareness and more importantly funds for the Veteran Surf Project. This Project has been incredibly beneficial to him and hundreds of other veterans, but also serving ADF personnel and emergency service first responders, in recovering from PTSD and sometimes the impacts of addiction which may often flow from PTSD.
Donations for the VSP can be made at GoFundMe “Andys Adventure Around Australia”. Anyone interested in his solo motorcycle journey around the country can follow me on Facebook @Andys Adventure Around Australia
Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt is a member of the stolen generations. Four generations of her family were stolen. She grew up under segregation and government control in Western Australia as part of the White Australia Policy and away from her family and without any human rights. She shares her personal story of survival, recovery through writing children’s books, creating art and poetry.
We chat about her latest children’s book Old Nana Quokka and its themes of caring for country, environment and our elders. The beautifully illustrated and crafted book helps younger children to understand and learn about our Australian animals, aboriginal storytelling and how if we look after Country, it will look after us. We yarn about Naidoc Week, and why it is so important for all Australians; the devastating impacts of being stolen; about racism and truth telling. Aunty Rhonda says “it’s hard to speak about and hard for people to hear, but we need to hear.” We need to strengthen our youth and have a strong voice and advocacy for our people. I ask Aunty Rhonda her thoughts on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and what our Indigenous Elders think. Speaking with Aunty Rhonda is always an extraordinary experience. It is full of insights into our first nations peoples, of learning, of stories that support understanding, wisdom and build a strong connection with our country.
Áine and Matt are joined in the studio by Alan and Jasmine to talk about the challenges of seeking connection and dating in the 2020's.
We share from our personal experiences of dating and relationships mainly from a hetersexual perspective. We chat about our serious concerns about dating, values, communication, dating apps and also have a laugh and find common themes and threads, hopes and dreams that are experienced by others seeking to connect for companionship, or to find a partner.
The opinions and experiences expressed in this podcast are based upon the personal experience of the participants and not necessarily those of either Transforming Perceptions or 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio on which we broadcast our live shows.
We apologse that this is mainly from the heteresexual perspective and hope to bring you more diverse perspectives on the same topic in the future.
Matt Pepar interviews Neil Shepherd on Mindfulness as part of the 'Energising Your Life' segment. What is mindfulness and how can it help me manage difficult emotions and improve my wellbeing?
Neil Shepherd at Inner Synergy has professionally trained thousands of people in corporate and public programs for over 7 years. As his passion, he's also been learning and growing various practices for over 23 years - so has a rich background of knowledge & experience to draw on. Neil loves helping people develop skills in an often overly busy, challenging & exploding information age. It’s a time where skills in self-awareness, emotional regulation, personal leadership, stress management and resilience are no longer just “nice to haves”. He helps people build relatively simple, science-backed skills - that most of us just aren’t taught, or aware of. Neil defines this as "Growing Mind Intelligence”.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Sarah Wilson, Executive Operations Manager at Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra MCCI about the services and supports they provide to multicultural communities in the ACT, Queanbeyan and the Illawarra. I also speak with Sarah about her experience of working in the UK prior to migrating the Australia, especially focusing on the differences in support and services available to diverse and multicultural communities and how that compares with the Australian health and mental health services and programs.
Sarah has over 17 years in the not for profit sector with experience in both Australia and the UK. She joined MCCI in early 2018 ans has been working closely with the management team to implement quality improvement throughout the organisation with a focus on human resources, work health and safety, fleet and facilities management. Prior to her work at MCCI, Sarah worked as the Operations Manager for a regional peak body representing the community services industry and prior to that had experience in managing a variety of employment and learning and development programs. Sarah also has extensive experience in social enterprise, including the creation of a not for profit recruitment and labour hire business.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh is in conversation with Hamza Vayani, Chair of the World Wellness Group about the national multicultural health line - Multicultural Health Connect.
The phone line was an initiative of the World Wellness Group who are based in Brisbane. When the Covid Pandemic struck many international students and community members found themselves stranded without support, access to quality health, mental health information and resources to manage their well-being. The phone line was developed as a response to the needs of those multicultural and migrant communities. It operates in every state and territory excluding Tasmania and Queensland, (which has its own state phone line) and provides information in your first language on health and mental health services and supports available in your area.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
There is currently a world wide shortage of Ozempic, a drug used by people with diabetes but also popular with others who want to lose weight. The drug is extremely important to those living with type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions. There are concerns that the drug may not be available in Australia until mid-2023.
Áine chats with with Professor Cowley about the purpose of the drug and why it is so important to the health and well-being of people living with these conditions.
Professor Michael Cowley is head of physiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences, and a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. He is also a doctor of philosophy (medicine) and has a particular interest in public health, obesity, metabolics and diabetes. Michael was also the Director of the Monash Obesity and Diabetes Institute (MODI), which focuses on developing new therapies for obesity and diabetes. He is particularly interested in why leptin resistance is high in obese people. He's also looking at some of our most dangerous obesity-related diseases.
In our first show for 2023, trainee presenter with Transforming Perceptions Matt Pepar, brings you our Energising Your Life segment featuring Tapping Practitioner Emmalee Pepar.
Disclaimer: Tapping is an alternative therapy which can be used in conjunction with traditional medical, counselling and talking and clinical therapies. In showcasing Tapping it is not the intent of Transforming Perceptions to discourage people from continuing their medication or other psychological therapies.
Matt shares a unique on-air experience he recorded in September 2022 as part of his volunteer training with 2xx FM 98.3 Community Radio in Canberra. The Tapping session/demonstration was conducted by Tapping Practitioner Emmalee Pepar and features Transforming Perceptions team member Nada Hamiti as the participant/client. Nada was kind enough to share about some of the stress she has experienced in her university studies in Pharmacology. Many students undertaking clinical studies in Psychiatry, Medicine and other related sciences experience stress and sometimes heavy pressure to succeed from both internal and external forces which may impact their well-being. During the recorded and guided session Nada was assisted by Emmalee and felt some relief from her concerns.
Emmalee is an accredited Tapping Practitioner and able to work with both adults and children who are keen to make changes in how they are managing an issue and improve well-being. EFT, or Tapping, is a technique that allows us to process and release unpleasant emotions that are associated with a limiting belief, phobia, craving, or challenging event.
Em found Tapping at “a time in her life when she wasn’t thriving. Hard times at work, hard times with the family and a sense that life was racing by while she was standing still… and not really knowing how to change it. Em was able to work on what was keeping her stuck, break the patterns and get going again.
Our lives are always a work in progress, but hers has much more joy now that comes from doing something meaningful, feeling more balanced, doing work that is more aligned with purpose.” https://www.fromheretonext.com/
To hear more join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Alan Woodward Australian National Mental Health Commissioner, Founder of Lifeline Research, Board Member of Grand Pacific Health and involved with Lifeline International. The award recognised and celebrated the outstanding mental health leadership in the clinical, academic or professional sectors at a national level.
Alan discusses how he traversed an unconventional path into the field of suicide research. His upbringing in Wollongong, work as an evaluator, contributions to national mental health policy development and long and distinguished career working in the fields of mental health, crisis support and suicide prevention for 20 years as an executive leader, service and program developer, evaluator and researcher and as an expert on crisis lines and related community services.
Alan has contributed to suicide prevention policy and program development nationally. He co-chaired the Expert Advisory Group to the Special Advisor on Suicide Prevention and was a Board Director for nine years with Suicide Prevention Australia. He worked for Lifeline Australia in various executive roles for 14 years until 2018, including the Lifeline Research Foundation. Alan has a Master’s Degree in Social Science and Policy, a Business Degree in Public Administration and a Diploma in Arts/Communication and is a Fellow of the Australian Evaluation Society.
Quote – "The sad reality is that many people experiencing mental health problems that are affecting their enjoyment of life and limit their contributions to work, family, or community, do not approach services for help. A barrier can be the stigma surrounding mental health. People are reluctant to name their mental health needs for fear of being criticized, shamed or ignored. Worse still, some people who experience mental health conditions also experience discrimination towards them in how they receive (or don't receive) services, employment, education, recreation, cultural and community opportunities. Sometimes already vulnerable people have their human rights ignored” (Alan Woodward, Linkedin, 2022).
Donna Stanley, Proud Gungarri Umby Woman; Acting Executive Director Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Donna Stanley, Indigenous Mental Health Clinician about her award and work in supporting people of aboriginal backgrounds and her passion for lowering suicide rates and improving social, emotional and mental health and well-being for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Donna has a personal lived experience of suicide losing her brother 30 years ago. The experience spurred her on to train as an Aboriginal mental health clinician working in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol, providing policy advice on culturally and clinically safe models of care for indigenous communities in national mental health forums; developing education and training packages specifically for people of Indigenous backgrounds; and working with western area local health district indigenous communities to create appropriate supports for people with complex mental health issues and in rural and remote communities.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Broadcaster Gary Thorpe OAM, Manager of 4MBS Classic FM Brisbane, Silver Memories and MBS Light about his recent national mental health award for his work on Silver Memories Radio which is broadcast via satellite to over 200 nursing homes across Australia. Gary founded Silver Memories 15 years ago and travelled overseas, researching extensively on Reminiscence Music Therapy through a Churchill Fellowship grant.
Silver Memories is a special nostalgia radio service developed by the Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland Ltd. It was designed specifically to address social isolation and depression in Aged Care through Reminiscence Music Therapy. The service provides a non-pharmacological tool for the management of dementia and related issues. Silver Memories operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and plays cheerful and gentle music from the 1940s to the 1970s. The broadcast also includes cheerio greetings and birthday calls from our friendly announcers, and features old radio serials and comedies which people listened to before the advent of television.
Áine Ní Tighearnaighchats with Scientia Professor Jill Bennett Director of the Big Anxiety REsearch Centre (BARC) UNSW founder of the Big Anxiety Festival about the upcoming launch of the BARC and their work that is transforming mental health through cultural innovation. “The [BARC] is a unique transdisciplinary enterprise, dedicated to transforming thinking and practice in mental health through creative collaboration and cultural innovation”.
[The BARC] “research lived experience through a unique combination of trauma-informed, psychosocial research and creative practice, developing the rich communications and engagement practices we need to understand, connect with and support everyday experiences of mental health, trauma and suicidality”.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Craig Anderson, father of three about his personal lived experiences of post-natal depression.
The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each.
Craig is a Gidget Angel and was diagnosed with post-natal anxiety after his son was born. When his wife was experiencing post-natal depression, he made his best effort to ensure he was supporting her. However, he had been experiencing anxiety about leaving the house with his newborn son and would make excuses not to go out. His wife eventually booked him in to Gidget House and he was diagnosed with post-natal anxiety. He now is an advocate for Gidget House and wants to empower others to seek help when they need it after their children are born. Craig and his wife now also have 14 month old twins.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Cathy Ngo, mother of two about her personal lived experiences of post-natal depression as a person from a culturally diverse background.
The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each.
"Cathy Ngo is a social entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and writer based in Sydney. She’s known for pushing the boundaries and agenda for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Cathy’s continued advocacy work and thought leadership is featured across many publications, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, ABC, SBS, Women’s Agenda, and on radio.
Cathy has a five-year-old son, Hendrick. When he was born, she struggled with deep perinatal depression and anxiety which lasted for almost three years. While she felt prepared for childbirth and the possibility of perinatal depression, nothing prepared her for the cultural expectations with hormones on overdrive. As an Australian-born to Vietnamese parents, she had a choice to honour this tradition, but instead decided to lead things her own way. She didn’t find many resources at the time on the intersection of cultural heritage and PND. The demands of meeting both her Asian roots and navigating parenthood were overwhelming. Determined to help other culturally diverse families, Cathy is passionate about supporting programs that break down the stigma and barriers in reaching out for help and support.
The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each year we chat with Dr Yvonne Luxford CEO of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre here in the ACT.
The centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the ACT. As an Accredited Mental Health Service it provides perinatal mental health support to clients from pregnancy until their youngest child reaches two years of age. The organisation offers a range of programs tailored to provide mental, emotional and physical benefits to those experiencing perinatal depression and/or anxiety.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats withRadhiah Chowdhury one of the editors of 'Admissions' (Upswell Publishing, 2022). The book was recently launched in Melbourne at the Big Anxiety Festival during mental health month. 'Admissions' is a new anthology documenting the lived/living experience of mental health issues in Australia, featuring 100+ pieces from some of our leading writers, poets and public figures.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
October is National Mental Health Month promoting and raising awareness of issues affecting those living with disability, mental illness, or as a lived experience Carer or Consumer.
I speak with local Canberra girl Leisa Keen, who is not only a well-known and respected professional musician, music teacher, singer and producer of musical theatre, but who also shares the care of two sons with Autism with her partner, fellow musician Steve.
Leisa speaks openly about the challenges that musicians have faced across the past few years during the Covid lockdowns and how that impacted her and her families’ well-being, especially as Carers for their sons living with Autism. She speaks about her role as a Carer, about Autism and the importance of music in her life.
Leisa shares about her latest musical project the Olivia Show, ‘I Honestly Love You’ soon to be performed at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre on 28th October 2022, a fitting tribute to Olivia Newton – John recently deceased, whose endeavours in both music and life as a Cancer campaigner, animal lover and philanthropist inspired Leisa to pursue her love of singing and a career in the music industry. We all need to be inspired and uplifted and this show seeks to do just that!
To hear more join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page at 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
"According to the Better Health Channel, 45% of adults will experience mental health challenges in their lifetime, with Lifeline reporting that 75% of those who take their own life are male".
Áine chats with Simon Jarvis about the support and needs of men in our communities today and how Mentoring Men is assisting. "Mentoring Men aims to help men experiencing distress or a sense of helplessness by providing free one-to-one life mentoring, enabling them to adjust and transition to a better and normal quality of life”. Mentoring Men is a registered charity and relatively new organisation founded in Sydney in 2018 to support men and provide a listening ear and mentoring. They provide free long-term life mentoring programs for men Australia-wide. Focusing on a proactive approach, the charity seeks to engage with men who need help before they spiral into crisis. Simon discusses how the program works and who can be involved.
Simon has a bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Psychology and over 20 years of management experience in the not-for-profit sector in the United Kingdom and Australia. Simon brings a broad and deep range of expertise that puts the best Mentor and Mentee experience at the core of the Mentoring Men team.
Transforming Perceptions on 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
On this weekend of the Garma Festival (July 2022) in the Northern Territory we share an Indigenous story of resilience and strength.
Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt is a member of the stolen generations. Four generations of her family were stolen. She grew up under segregation and government control in Western Australia as part of the White Australia Policy away from her family and without any human rights. She shares her personal story of survival, resilience and recovery through writing children’s books, creating art and poetry.
We chat about her latest children’s book Bobtail’s Friend – From the Desert to the Sea which was inspired by Aunty Rhonda's own experiences. It has themes around bullying and racism which are conveyed in a way that children can understand. The beautifully illustrated and crafted book helps younger children to understand and learn about inclusivity and the importance of speaking up when you see someone being treated differently.
We yarn about her book Alice’s Daughter – Lost Mission Child and the devastating impacts of being stolen; about racism and truth telling. Aunty Rhonda says “it’s hard to speak about and hard for people to hear, but we need to hear.” We need to strengthen our youth and have a strong voice and advocacy for our people. Speaking with Aunty Rhonda was an extraordinary experience full of learning, being taught and sharing.
Transforming Perceptions on 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine chats with Rachel Green CEO of Sane Australia. Rachel shares her own lived experience story of recovery from mental illness, growing up in Canberra and how that has guided her work with SANE and in providing care to others who need mental health support.
In response to data from the Federal Government’s Productivity Commission showing that 150,000 Australians are currently missing out on vital psychosocial support services that could help them manage daily activities, increase social connection, and improve their quality of life, SANE has developed the country’s first digital and telephone service that provides ongoing mental health support. The service was co-designed with those with lived experience of autism, psychosocial and intellectual disability and representatives from Indigenous, multicultural and LGTBIQ+ backgrounds.
“Developed and delivered by leading complex mental health organisation SANE, this new service provides guided support for people with issues like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or OCD. The service is also built for the autistic community and those with intellectual disability seeking mental health support”. “Participants will have their own personalised programs of online or over the phone counselling and peer support as well as recovery activities, such as online community forums, social groups and art sessions – all via a new digital participant portal”.
In Conversation with Julie Tongs, OAM, CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah, Nominee, Senior Australian of the Year 2022 and Author - The Housing Growth and Renewal Program - Impact on Indigenous Families in the ACT; Over-representation of Aboriginal People in the Justice System and Systemic Racism.
Julie is a Wiradjuri woman an incredible leader, service provider and campaigner for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT and beyond. She is openly acknowledged as a warm and generous person, ready with her time, offering advice and information on matters involving the health and wellbeing of the Australian Capital Territory’s Indigenous population. She has been CEO of the ACT Aboriginal health and community service for 25 years overseeing the growth of the service and its role in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and providing a culturally safe environment.
Julie provides us with raw and honest insights into the impact of a number of significant actions being undertaken by the ACT government. The effects of forced removals of ACT Indigenous women from their public housing homes as part of the Housing authorities Growth and Renewal program which she has called the social cleansing of the inner north and inner south suburbs of Canberra. We also discuss the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the ACT justice system and the call for a royal commission. Julie is unapologetic and genuine about the impacts of our mainly white dominated perspectives and systems that keep Aboriginal people entrenched in poverty.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine speaks with Dr Emma Campbell from the ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS) about their latest media release advocating on behalf of public housing tenants who are being threatened with the loss of their homes as part of the ACT governments' Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program.
In the government's latest move this week to oust women, children, elderly and disabled tenants, government representatives rang tenants and gave them under 48 hours to arrange representation and prepare to appear before a government-appointed panel to request an exemption.
"ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “ACTCOSS has written to the ACT government on numerous occasions asking for details of the promised refined process through which vulnerable tenants can receive a discretionary decision to remain in their properties (Canberra City News, June 15, 2022)."
Dr Campbell provides an update on what ACTCOSS and its partner organisations from the community sector are doing to advocate for these tenants. She also talks about the importance and value to the whole community of planning a City around the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and should "commit to consulting with, and prioritising the needs of those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage (Canberra City News, 17 June 2022)".
Áine chats with boxing veteran and bestselling author Gary Todd who has released a very personal coming-of-age memoir called Annie's Boy, a tale of resilience and rising up above a violent childhood in gritty Dundee, Scotland, where fear and violence were rife, and struggle was an everyday part of life. Gary and his mother Annie, who worked multiple jobs to put food on the table, were stuck in an abusive cycle, living in fear for their lives due to the intimidation and violence perpetrated by Gary's Father. When Gary was only ten years old, everything came to a head as he was called to testify against his father in court as he ultimately tried to end the abuse for good.
Gary discusses aspects of his personal story, moving to Australia when he was 21 and his long-term passion for fitness using boxing as a way to overcome adversity and be strong to protect his Mum. There is a great deal more to Gary's story which is documented in his new book Annie's Boy out now and available through New Holland Publishers and all good bookstores.
Áine chats with Jason Ball, whose personal experience of coming out as a young gay man involved in his local AFL team in Yarraglen led to his passionate activism, the establishment of the Pride Cup and development of resources to educate communities and sports teams about inclusivity and the LGTBIQ+ community.
"Ball started a petition on change.org on 9 September 2012 that called on the Australian Football League (AFL) to play "No To Homophobia" television commercials on the big screen of the 2012 AFL Grand Final and also commit to a Pride Round. The petition received over 29,000 signatures and gained national and international media coverage. The AFL agreed to screen the No to Homophobia TVCs during the preliminary finals that year. Ball was invited to lead the 18th Pride March Victoria alongside his teammates from the Yarra Glen Football Club. They were also joined by AFL footballers Brock McLean and Daniel Jackson, marking the first time AFL players had been formally involved in the event. In 2013, Ball partnered with the AFL Players Association to launch a social media campaign tackling homophobic language in sport, featuring some of the AFL's biggest names, including Jobe Watson, Scott Pendlebury and Andrew Swallow." (Wikipedia, 13/6/2022).
Jason has been recognised with numerous awards and acknowledgements including being named the Victorian Young Australian of the Year in 2017.
Áine chats with Dean Widders National Rugby League (NRL) Indigenous Pathways Manager and former Roosters and Eels player about the NRL Indigenous Round 2022.
Dean is an Anaiwan Indigenous Australian from Armidale, and a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000’s and 2010’s. He works with the national Rugby League as an Indigenous Pathways manager supporting young Indigenous youth into employment and career pathways.
Áine chats with Markus Fischer, Peer Support Worker, Relationship’s Australia Canberra about his personal lived experience and recovery from the harmful impacts of alcohol and gambling addiction.
Markus works within the Gambling Harm Support Team at Relationships Australia Canberra as a Peer Worker providing education, support and awareness-raising in the ACT region. He shares insights into the impact of alcohol and how that has affected his mental health and well-being and relationships with families and friends and dive into gambling harm.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine speaks with Andy Fermo Co-founder of Invisible Injuries, a support service for veterans and their families who have been affected by their service and PTSD.
Andy talks about his personal experience of service with deployments to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2009 with the SAS. He survived the impact of an I.E.D roadside bomb (Improvised Explosive Device), witnessing many traumatic incidences including the deaths and major injuries of his colleagues, experiencing first-hand “life outside the wire”. Andy was medically discharged in 2010 and later diagnosed with PTSD. At the end of 2018, the culmination of a number of unforeseen circumstances resulted in Andy being at an “all-time low” along with his family they were essentially homeless. It was these experiences and learning how to live with PTSD that inspired Andy and his wife Claire to establish Invisible Injuries.
The Voices of Gambling Harm Project - Relationships Australia and Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT)
Áine chats with with Markus Fischer, Peer Support Worker, Relationship’s Australia Canberra, and John Dickson, Programs & Delivery Manager Client Relations Manager, MIEACT, about the new Voices of Gambling Harm community education project.
Markus has a lived experience of gambling harm and works within the Gambling Harm Support Team at Relationships Australia Canberra as a Peer Worker providing education, support and awareness-raising in the ACT region. John works within the mental health awareness and community education programs at MIEACT who have been delivering community education in the ACT since 1993. The project is a collaboration between MIEACT and Relationships Australia, that seeks to provide tools and information to young people and community members through the sharing of personal stories from people who have experienced gambling harm.
Markus also shares some of his personal story and insights into the harmful impacts of gambling addiction and how that may affect a person’s mental health and well-being and relationships with families and friends.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Dr Emma Campbell, CEO of ACTCOSS commenting on the community sectors view of the "heartless implementation by the ACT Government of its public housing renewal program".
Media release: ACTCOSS refutes claims of meaningful consultation on public housing moves
4 MARCH 2022 - ACT Housing Minister Yvette Berry MLA today answered questions during Government reporting on its Growing and Renewing Public Housing program that has seen hundreds of ACT public housing tenants given notices to vacate their homes.In her evidence to the Health and Community Wellbeing Committee of the Legislative Assembly, Minister Berry claimed that community groups including the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) had been extensively consulted, and that their advice had been followed on communication with tenants.ACTCOSS has been a member since May 2021 of a consultation group for the program with several other community groups.ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “Our advice has consistently emphasised the need for respectful and face-to-face communication with tenants, including the direct involvement of well-resourced, independent advocacy services. Many of the tenants impacted are over the age of 70, live with severe mental health issues including dementia, or are people with disability.“Our advice may have been listened to, but it has not been heard."ACTCOSS would never endorse the type of callous, heartless and cruel communication which has taken place over the last week.“Over 300 Housing ACT tenants – including older people, people with chronic health issues and people with disability – have received letters informing them they will have to leave their homes. Many have lived in them for decades.A representative of Housing ACT was interviewed on the matter this week(link is external).Dr Campbell continued: “ACTCOSS has provided advice to the Growing and Renewing program in good faith.“Contrary to the Minister’s statement today, this advice has been ignored.”ACTCOSS advocates for social justice in the ACT and represents not-for-profit community organisations. Follow us @ACTCOSS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Father Wally Kalinecki of St Volodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lyneham and Father Paul Nulley of St Joseph's Catholic Church O'Connor. Father Wally tells us about his Ukrainian background, his birth in Poland, the ethnic cleansing that happened in his native village in the Ukraine and how his family eventually migrated to Australia. Father Paul was born and raised in Canberra. He tells us about his calling to the priesthood which family and friends saw as preordained and his great friendship with Father Wally and his parish's prayers in support of Ukraine. Canberra communities are deeply concerned for family members in the Ukraine with families and communities being torn apart and plead for families to keep in touch through whatever mechanisms they have in place.
As part of the efforts in Canberra to demonstrate unity of our spiritual communities support for the Ukraine " ... Ukrainian and Russian priests sat together in the front pew of St Paul’s Anglican Church Manuka at an Ash Wednesday ecumenical vigil giving a powerful sign of unity and reconciliation. They were among members of Canberra’s Christian churches who gathered in response to Pope Francis’ call to observe Ash Wednesday as a day of prayer and fasting for peace. Russian Orthodox Archpriest Alexander Morozow and Fr Wally Kalinecki, of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, agreed that they desired to “pray for peace”.
Áine speaks to these two amazing champions of Peace and compassion, discussing the war in Ukraine and the impact that it is having on local Ukrainian and Russian communities here in the Canberra region. We pray together for a swift end to the war in Ukraine, for salvation for the people of the region, for understanding and compassion and for Peace.
People of the Ukraine can feel reassured that Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican Church and others and Ukrainian and Russian communities in Canberra Australia support their efforts to stay safe and fight for their homeland and that prayers are being offered daily for their survival and spiritual support.
Fred (Iain) Smith, musician, songwriter and diplomat is the recipient of the 2021 Chief Minister’s Rotary Peace Prize. He has penned nine albums of music that reflect on his life experiences; work within peace-building missions in the South Pacific and travels through the Texas in the USA. Fred is author of The Dust of Uruzgan, a comprehensive on-the-ground account of Australia's involvement in Afghanistan as seen through Fred’s eyes. In 2013, Fred featured in the documentary ‘A Sapper's Lullaby’ on Australian Story talking about his personal and professional experiences as part of peace-building missions in Afghanistan and Bougainville.
Áine chats with Fred in advance his charity concert on Thursday the 17th February 2022 at the Canberra Theatre Centre. The concert will welcome Afghan evacuee’s and raise funds to purchase educational supplies for those families with children. The concert will also offer and opportunity for the community to welcome the evacuees to Canberra; to thank Australian military, public servants and officials for their contributions during and after the fall of Kabul; and provide a platform to acknowledge the shared grief and loss felt by many in the wake of the end of Australia’s international mission in Afghanistan.
Fred provides an insight into the evacuation of Australian and Afghan citizens from Kabul International Airport in August 2021 and the outstanding work, in very difficult circumstances of the ADF and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) officials on the ground in Kabul and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the continued efforts of DFAT staff in Canberra to assist and help Afghan migrants. He discusses the ongoing impacts and effect of war and evacuation on Afghani evacuees and those who contributed to the Australian mission in Afghanistan.
In this last show for the year 2021, Áine chats with Kevin Gaynor from 3CR 855AM Melbourne. Áine and Kevin take both a serious and wry look at the short and long-term affects of economic policies on low income earners and the vulnerable in the community, including covering housing inequality and instability, ageism, unaffordable housing and Covid-19.
Áine raises her concerns about the historical lack of investment in affordable and public housing in the ACT; the loss of older Housing Authority properties in the inner-city that has seen a rise in homelessness and vulnerable people on the streets, and the new Growth and Renewal housing program. This program is focused on urging selected public housing tenants whose ‘homes’ have been identified for inclusion in the program to move or relocate into different or renewed accommodation so that older housing properties can be knocked down, rebuilt or redeveloped (larger properties/blocks), with the selling off of suitable properties in a buoyant property market. Many of the targeted tenants are vulnerable, living with disability and/or mental health issues and are unable to advocate for themselves.
Kevin presents the community radio show, Unemployed Workers Fight Back https://unemployedworkersunion.com/fight-back-radio/with co-host Anne. Anne and Kevin focus on applying modern monetary theory in their discussions with a variety of expert guests to difficult economic issues that are impacting society and making that knowledge accessible in plain English to the broader community.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh is in conversation Dr Maria Pallota-Chiarolli for this episode of Does Research Matter to discuss the latest research findings and recommendations from 'Navigating Intersectionality: Multicultural and Multifaith LGBTIQ+ Victorians talk about Discrimination and Affirmation.’
Dr Maria Pallota-Chiarolli of Italian heritage and an Honorary Fellow, Gender and Sexuality Studies Research Network (GSS), School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA), Deakin University. She is the author of Australia's first AIDS biography. As an activist she became involved in the work of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council. Her research specialises in the study of gender diversity, cultural diversity, family diversity and sexual diversity and intersectionality.
Maria discusses the latest research ‘Navigating Intersectionality’ that looks at forms of violence experienced by multicultural and multifaith LGTBIQ+ communities, with a key finding that racism is the primary form of violence experienced. The research was funded by the Victorian Government to inform strategies that combat the intersections between racism, queer phobia, faith-based discrimination and other forms of violence, stigma and prejudices such as ageism and ableism.
In the fourth week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with Maeve Castles, Head of Counselling at Canberra Institute of Technology about how Covid-19 has affected tertiary students.
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have had significant effects on many people in our community and have especially affected students undertaking tertiary studies. To better understand how this has affected students Áine speaks with Maeve Castles, Head of Counselling at Canberra Institute of Technology. Maeve has 30 plus years’ experience as a Psychologist working with clients with a range of mental health issues. Maeve talks about the types of challenges experienced by CIT students and the supports that are available to assist them with maintaining their well-being and continuing their studies.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
In the third week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with Dr Clare Southerton, Sociologist and Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of NSW (UNSW). Clare’s research is focused on exploring the intersections between sociology, health and social media at UNSW. We discuss the role of mainstream and social media in increasing stigma around contracting Covid-19 and the mental health and well-being impacts on community members.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
In the third week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with Mohammad Al Khafaji, CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA).
I speak with Mohammad Al Khafaji, CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), the peak national body representing ethnic and multicultural communities in Australia. Mohammad is the former CEO of Welcome to Australia, Hon. Secretary of FECCA and a member of the SBS Community Advisory Committee. Born in Iraq, he came to Australia in 2003 via Syria as a refugee when he was 13. He is passionate about changing the national conversation around asylum seekers to a positive one through education and grass roots movements. Mohammad believes cultural diversity makes us richer as a society and he is passionate about ensuring the voice of new and emerging communities are heard and are represented.
Mohammad discusses the development of the proposed Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative, a national voice to provide leadership and advice on policy, research, and practice to improve access and equity and achieve better health outcomes for multicultural Australians.
In the second week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with with Markus Fischer, Peer Support Worker, Relationship’s Australia Canberra, about Gambling Harm.
I speak with Markus Fischer from Relationships Australia. Gambling Harm Awareness Week is coming up soon and runs from the 18th – 24th October 2021. Markus has a lived experience of gambling harm and works within the Gambling Harm Support Team at Relationships Australia Canberra as a Peer Worker providing education, support and awareness-raising in the ACT region. Markus shares his personal story and insights into the harmful impacts of gambling addiction and how that may affect a person’s mental health and well-being and relationships with families and friends.
To hear more of these stories, join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page or listen to our podcasts available through AnchorFM, Spotify, BreakerFM, Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Overcast and Radio Public.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
In the second week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with Jen Ramirez, Service Manager at Headspace Canberra about National Headspace Day activities.
Áine speaks with Jen Ramirez about Headspace Day, which is a National Day of Support held this year on 6th October to acknowledge issues around the mental health and wellbeing of all young Australians. This year’s theme is - ‘Small Steps Start Big Things’. Jen says that “this year we want young people to know that small steps start big things. We are encouraging all young people to take small steps that are right for them”. We are encouraging young people to create some time and space to focus on the things they love. Spending five or 10 minutes each day on something that helps them to slow down a little, create a routine, connect with someone or take a moment to breathe”.
Join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page or listen to our podcasts available through AnchorFM, Spotify, BreakerFM, Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Overcast and Radio Public.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Speaking Out about the needs of Multicultural, Migrant and Refugee Communities.
In the first week of Mental Health Month Áine chats with Vikas Sharma about Reducing Racism, Increasing Integration and Acceptance for the well-being of migrant Australians.
Final report, August 2017 from the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism - Ways of protecting and strengthening Australia's multiculturalism and social inclusion
“According to the Scanlon Foundation, experiences of discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity or religion has increased by five per cent since 2015. This is the highest level recorded in the Scanlon Foundation's surveys to date. Further research shows that discrimination is most prevalent against those overseas-born of non-English speaking background, with the highest level of discrimination reported by South Sudanese”.
Racial discrimination and vilification have extremely harmful effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Racial discrimination has the potential to erode social cohesion, and cause individuals to feel socially isolated and disempowered.6 It can also lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes.
Vikas is a skilled migrant who migrated to Australia with his family in 2019. He is a volunteer presenter with 2xx Community Radio putting to air the weekly show ACT Desi. Vikas speaks out about his experiences of integration and concerns for the well-being of migrant communities here in the ACT.
Join us live, livestream or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page or listen to our podcasts available through AnchorFM, Spotify, BreakerFM, Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Overcast and Radio Public.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine chats with Dor Akech Achiek, Settlement Services Manager at Settlement Services International about how the Covid lockdowns are impacting the mental well-being of the refugee community in Australia.
Dor was 4 years old when his family left South Sudan running from the war, rocket propelled grenades, cheating death to spend 9 years in a refugee camp in Kenya. He left the camp for Australia when it was under attack from local bandits looting whatever supplies were left. Dor speaks about how Covid lockdowns have affected those in the refugee community, and the impacts of new trauma that may trigger a relapse in mental health and the importance of seeking help. He discusses the cultural taboos that prevent people in his community from talking about what is troubling them for fear of being perceived as weak or mad. As a man, he said, it is very hard to speak up as we are supposed to the warriors and strong. Dor says that he has had to put himself first and build resilience, prioritise his health and education first so that he can then take care of others.
In his role with Settlement Services International he has worked as a liaison between the Police, Military and community leaders to improve communication so that refugee communities can receive the support and information they need. Dor was involved in the development of the app #ChatStarter which can assist parents, family and communities in starting conversations about well-being.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, AM FAHMS, is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre. Professor Kulkarni specialises in the area of women's mental health. She has written about Premenstrual syndrome, using hormones to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression in women.
Professor Kulkarni discusses the importance of RU Okay Day, the impact of Covid-19 stress, particularly on woman, and the latest data from research being undertaken by Monash University. In the context of RU Okay Day and World Suicide Prevention Day we also discuss Suicide Prevention. Professor Kulkarni also provides strategies for starting conversations about our mental health and how we can maintain well-being in an environment of added stress from lockdowns and social and emotional impacts of Covid-19.
This week with RU Okay Day on the 9th September and World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th September Áine chats with Royina Bakshi about the development of the app #ChatStarter and how that can assist in starting conversations about well-being.
Royina, is a 24 year old student living in Melbourne. She graduated university last year after a year of online study due to the pandemic and now works in communications and public relations. She moved to Melbourne two years ago from India and has found it hard to deal with the stresses of lockdowns and COVID. Royina speaks about the major factors that contribute to her poor mental well-being and the impact of not being able to see her parents, who live in Dubai, and her grandparents who are back in India. Royina is very passionate speaking about her culture and how many of her Indian friends refuse to get help when they have mental health issues. Royina says this is widely common in India as things like depression and anxiety are seen as ‘white people’ issues. She’d like to help spread the message to her Indian community that it’s not shameful to seek help when it comes to people’s mental health.
Áine chats with local ACT musician and songwriter Matt Dent about the making of his new album ‘Stories’. Matt is a well-seasoned regional singer/songwriter performing throughout Canberra and regional NSW, from the Southern Highlands to Nowra and Eden on the south coast. Matt, like many performers, has lost so much work due to Covid that his only option to survive, feed his family and to keep making music was to go online. As well has having to reshuffle the way he works Matt has been busy writing an album called ‘Stories’. The album contains 13 brilliantly-crafted, Aussie songs, all of them produced to absolute perfection and recorded by legendary producer David Pendragon who retired to Canberra from Melbourne. Supporting musicians include Jonathon Jones (Drummer for Eric Bogal); Rose Bygrave (Goanna); Bob Magnusson (top New York sax player who toured with Frank Zappa and Whitney Houston); Lindsay Martin (renowned Aussie folk performer) and many more.
To hear Matt’s music and more about his story, listen to our podcasts available through AnchorFM, Spotify, BreakerFM, Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Overcast and Radio Public.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Dr Emma Tseris, Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Policy Studies, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney.
“Much of Emma's work is centred on the question: How are dominant understandings and responses to mental distress embedded in relations of power, and how can alternative and marginalised perspectives be made more visible?” Áine and Emma discuss these factors and how societal constructs and historical and gendered stereotyping of women may contribute to the formulation of negative perceptions and invalidation of women who have experienced domestic and family violence, rape and abuse, and in particular how this impacts women living with mental illness of disability.
“Emma’s research and teaching areas include critical mental health theory, intersections between gender and psychiatric labelling practices, power inequalities between professionals and service users, and therapisation trends within neo-liberal societies. She is the author of Trauma, Women’s Mental Health and Social Justice: Pitfalls and Possibilities, published by Routledge in 2019, which utilises critical and post-structural feminist theories to interrogate assumptions about the effects of gender-based violence on women’s lives, and to highlight the oppressive implications of an individualising, symptom-focused approach to understanding trauma” (https://www.sydney.edu.au/research/opportunities/supervisors/2145).
Does Research Matter? is a bi-monthly segment of the Transforming Perceptions radio show which focuses on discussing and exploring the benefits and value of research, types of research and showcasing current research. Guests/ researchers will argue the case as to whether evidence-based research is appropriate for the particular issue and why.
Join us live or livestream on 2xx Community Radio 98.3 FM or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Today on our Energising Your Life segment our theme is Transformation, Taking the Steps to Change. I replay an interview from October 2019 with Gabrielle Conescu, Artist, Speaker and Mentor about her decision to change her life and pursue her dream of being an artist. How many of us wish that we could follow our passion? How many of us wish that we could embrace our true selves and come more fully back to inner balance through doing what we love and what feeds our well-being? Four years ago Gabrielle Conescu was working as a professional bookkeeper, when she recognised that she could no longer sustain her well-being within an unhealthy work environment. Gabrielle shares her experiences and how she took the first tentative steps to making the significant changes that set her on a new path. Gabrielle believes that there is opportunity for everyone to step into what they love. Gabrielle is passionate about helping others living to their highest potential. She mostly works from home and exhibits her gorgeous artworks in various locations, including 2Mad Sisters, Sandgate and Optimal Life Solutions, Enoggera in Brisbane QLD.
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Zakia and I discuss the changing role and work of the Multicultural Hub in Canberra and the barriers faced by people of multicultural backgrounds in gaining mental health services and information.
Zakia has an extensive network within the community sector, with a particular passion for young people in the community, especially young people from a migrant back ground. Zakia is an advocate for migrant women and works to promote the importance of women in leadership roles. In 2019 Zakia was a keynote speaker at an International Women’s Day event, as well as a panel speaker at the 2019 YWCA She Lead’s Conference.
Join us live, livestream on 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio, or listen back On Demand off our 2xx Transforming Perceptions program page.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
The final report from the Royal Commission into the Victorian Mental Health System was formally released on the 2nd March 2021. Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Dr Kathryn Daley, Senior Lecturer & Program Manager, Youth Work and Youth Studies at RMIT University about the recommendations, proposed changes and initiatives and whether they meet the needs of youth.
Kathryn was a youth alcohol and other drug outreach worker before becoming a Research Fellow at the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) prior to completing her doctorate. As Senior Lecturer & Program Manager, Youth Work and Youth Studies at RMIT University her work and research is about improving the well-being and opportunity of young people who are experiencing chronic disadvantage in our community including those with substance misuse, and working to develop interventions for young people with concurrent housing and mental health issues. Her other areas of expertise are youth policy, self injury, gender, corrections and poverty.
The final report from the Royal Commission into the Victorian Mental Health System was formally released on the 2nd March 2021. Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Chris Maylea, Senior Lecturer at RMIT University and Deputy Chair of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) about the recommendations, proposed changes and initiatives.
Chris speaks from his experience as a mental health social worker and practising lawyer. He is the Deputy Chair of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) and the author over 50 peer reviewed publications and reports, as well as Law for Social Work, published by Macmillan in 2020. Chris has managed mental health services and researched extensively in the area of mental health law.
Kate Taylor, is an innovative business woman working within the recruitment industry, telehealth and corporate health and well-being. Kate has expanded her business in 2021 and knows the benefits of keeping her team’s mental health top of mind, as well as her own, especially through the challenging COVID-19 period.
“Small Businesses are the largest employers in Australia. They account for almost 98% of all actively trading businesses in NSW and have an increased risk of mental ill-health due to the unique stress factors they face, in particular financial stress. With the additional stress of COVID-19, there has never been a tougher time to be in business, especially for those who survived the challenges presented last year”.
“The National Mental Health Commission (NMHC), in collaboration with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, has developed Australia’s first national mental health resources to support both business owners and employees during COVID-19. The resources, which are a series of easy to use evidence-based guides, acknowledge the difficulties and financial stress of COVID-19 on Australian workers and provide simple and practical advice that can help employers and employees recognise the signs that someone may need support, and assist them to find help when they need it”.
“Small Businesses are the largest employers in Australia. They account for almost 98% of all actively trading businesses in NSW and have an increased risk of mental ill-health due to the unique stress factors they face, in particular financial stress. With the additional stress of COVID-19, there has never been a tougher time to be in business, especially for those who survived the challenges presented last year”.
“The National Mental Health Commission (NMHC), in collaboration with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, has developed Australia’s first national mental health resources to support both business owners and employees during COVID-19. The resources, which are a series of easy to use evidence-based guides, acknowledge the difficulties and financial stress of COVID-19 on Australian workers and provide simple and practical advice that can help employers and employees recognise the signs that someone may need support, and assist them to find help when they need it”.
Yohana Franklin, is an experienced project manager with a Bachelor of Neuroscience (Honours) from Cardiff University and a Prince 2 Project Management Qualification. Yohana’s work focuses on designing, delivering and implementing evidence-driven, mental health promotion and prevention projects and translating knowledge into practice. Yohana is currently leading on Ahead for Business a mental health and wellbeing support for small business owners across Australia; and Minds Together project - a suite of programs and resources designed to inform, empower and support the mental health and wellbeing of families, educators, carers and communities.
2020 has been a difficult year and Transforming Perceptions has been covering all issues that connect mental health and well-being, diversity and the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
Put to air on the 5th December 2020, this is the last discussion in the series around Aged Care and Covid for 2020 featuring insights from Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi. Áine and Jeff also dive into the Productivity Commission report and recommendations, the Dementia and Covid report and recent research that cites technology addictions, particularly focused on the use of smart phones. We also discussed the prevalence and increase in workplace surveillance, whether it is ethical practice and how it is impacting mental health and well-being.
Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi is a Researcher in Neuro-degenerative Diseases, Specialist in Dementia Care and Head of Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry Department at the Australian National University Medical School, Canberra.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Celebrating the rich mythology, customs and traditions of our countries has many benefits for our physical and mental well-being helping us to maintain social connection and community. At a time when we are living in the new paradigm of a Covid-19 world, it is even more important to get together and share these fun and special cultural festivities.
Ambassador Ó Caollai, shares the background of the Irish mythology that has led to our modern-day Halloween now enjoyed on All Hallows Eve, the 31st October, all around the world. We explore the history and practices of Samhain, first celebrated by the Druids and ancient Celts as an end of year harvest festival and how Halloween is celebrated today.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Celebrating the rich mythology, customs and traditions of our countries has many benefits for our physical and mental well-being helping us to maintain social connection and community. At a time when we are living in the new paradigm of a Covid-19 world it is even more important to get together and share these fun and special cultural festivities.
Political and Cultural Attache of the Embassy of Mexico, Santiago Ballina, shares the rich cultural heritage of Mexico which has been influenced by their indigenous population, the Conquistadors and Christianity. The multi-day festival Day of the Dead is celebrated by Mexicans across the world and has great cultural significance.
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
This is an on air conversation I had with my father Jim Tierney and Baoxuan Ong, a young Singaporean student in January 2014. I did this interview with Jim and Baoxuan when he was visiting to attend a performance of the Celtic Woman who were travelling Australia at that time. I wanted to honour my father, who passed away a few years after the interview was undertaken and have now produced this podcast.
Jim loved music, especially Irish traditional music and he played the Violin. He hailed from a very musical family from the west coast of Ireland, in Kilfenora, County Clare. Baoxuan is from Singapore and her native tongue is Mandarin. She talks about the music and culture of Singapore and together they discuss and compare the power of music, the way their different cultures share and make music and what it means to them and for their well-being.
Today regular guest clinician, Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, Researcher in Neuro-degenerative Diseases, Specialist in Dementia Care, Head of Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry Department at the Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, and Áine Ní Tighearnaigh, consumer/carer advocate continue their conversation on the most recent recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care, Quality and Safety.
Jeff and Áine analyse the latest recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission which have been highly influenced by Covid-19 exposing the pre-existing weaknesses in servicing, management and oversight of the Aged Care system. They examine the validity of health economics arguments, ageism, cultural perceptions and practice, against mainstream community attitudes to older people and voter apathy. To bring about greater community awareness of aging, is there value in educating young people about what to expect as you age and how to plan for these contingencies? What part does representative democracy play in the inclusion of older peoples voices in lobbying and in the development and design of services and accommodation options? What is certain is that we need more humane planning of services, inclusion of the voices of the elderly, better coordination, governance and workforce development strategies.
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Transforming Perceptions - Saturday 17th October 2020 - 2 - 3:30 pm (AEDST), Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Mary Ivec, Convener, Canberra Restorative Community Network and Rhiân Williams, an Independent Social Researcher and Dispute Resolution Consultant about Restorative Justice Practices, ACT Child Protection and it's impact on the social and emotional well-being of Canberra’s Indigenous communities.
Mary provides a background to the development of restorative justice practices, in particular the work of local Australian National University (ANU) Canberra, academic John Braithwaite in the 1990’s and the establishment of the Canberra Restorative Community Network. Mary shares that restorative justice processes have been successfully used to address social and community issues in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada and New Zealand. Rhiân explores the difference between assisted negotiation and restorative justice processes providing examples of how restorative justice processes can work to reduce conflict, increase social cohesion and improve outcomes for community members. We also discuss how restorative processes could be implemented to reform coronial processes in the ACT.
In the ACT, Child Protection practices are having significant negative impacts upon the well-being of Indigenous communities. 2018/19 financial year data shows 806 children being in care, including 696 in out of home care in the ACT. In 2019 alone, 119 children were taken into out of home care in the ACT. The Canberra Restorative Community Network has commissioned preliminary research that reveals the economic benefits of reforming the ACT’s Child Protection System, the benefit to children and their families and which supports using restorative approaches in child protection to reduce numbers of removals. www.canberrarestorativecommunity.space/blog
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Transforming Perceptions - Saturday the 10th October 2020 is World Mental Health Day
Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, Dr Doris Kordes and Áine Ní Tighearnaigh discuss Mental Health and the Federal Budget, Covid-19 and the impact on mental well-being and Aged Care within the context of the theme for World Mental Health Day - Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access.
Bringing together the clinical and consumer and carer lived experience perspectives, Jeff, Doris and Áine dive into a discussion and analysis of the mental health allocations in the federal budget. They explore workforce issues, the impacts of Covid-19 on mental well-being, the systemic and structural issues in the mental health sector, and the inclusion of marginalised voices in policy and service development through co-design and co-production. They discuss the need for oversight, transparency and good processes and strong and ethical leadership from political representatives. They raise concerns about the growing quantification of exchanges and communication with stakeholders, and the bureaucratization and corporatization of mental health servicing and the sector, all within the context of WMHD theme - Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access.
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
OCTOBER is Mental Health Month in the ACT and we are celebrating 10 years on air working to promote the de-stigmatisation of mental illness. Transforming Perceptions will be showcasing some of our best of shows from our archives as well as new interviews on topics relevant to today's sector.
Saturday 3rd October 2020 2 pm - 3:30 pm (AEST) we are bringing you an extremely relevant interview from our archives which first went to air 11th August 2012 where David Lovegrove, Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi Head of Psychiatry at the ANU discuss the topic of Bullying and Workplace Bullying and it's impacts on mental well-being.
What is Bullying? - "Bullying happens when a person or a group of people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions to cause distress and harm to another person’s wellbeing. It isn’t the same as a ‘normal’ conflict between people (such as having an argument or a fight) or simply disliking someone. It’s more about repeated behaviour by someone who has power or control over someone else"
(https://au.reachout.com/bullying/workplace-bullying)
"At work, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace, which means one that's free of bullying. This means that by law if you report bullying behaviour, your employer has to go through a proper process for handling your complaint".
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Catriona Bisset, middle-distance runner and Tokyo Olympic 2021 hopeful about the National Mental Health Commission's campaign #GettingThroughThisTogether and her personal experience of recovery from an eating disorder.
Catriona is based in Northcote, Victoria and is currently living under Stage 4 restrictions. Catriona has a personal lived experience of anxiety, depression and an eating disorder and has become a Lifeline Community Custodian promoting messages about mental well-being and raising the profile of mental health awareness in the community.
Catriona is an Australian middle-distance runner, national record holder in the 800m. As an Olympic hopeful Catriona is currently training for the Tokyo Olympics which has been rescheduled to July 2021. She chats with Áine about how she is maintaining her training regime and motivation during the lock down and provides helpful advice to those in lock down or who are struggling to keep active.
GettingThroughThisTogether is a national conversation to support the mental health and well-being of Australians as the uncertainty around Covid-19 continues.
Shame is a complex feeling that can be carried from childhood and remain into adulthood. Equally younger and older adults can experience situations in which they are 'shamed' by others, or may feel 'ashamed' of failures in their own actions or the actions of others. Shame is viewed as a taboo topic, one that it is not appropriate to share or in some communities, of which to speak.
Áine and Naeem share some of their personal experiences about Shame and how it has affected them. Naeem discusses how cultural and religious structures can create or embed shame into ways of thinking and behaving at a personal or collective community level and the importance of talking about feelings of shame and identifying our own barriers to living consciously. Áine and Naeem acknowledge that Shame is a difficult topic and that neither of them are experts on the topic. They both hope to continue to explore the topic of Shame in future shows in partnership with others.
Naeem takes us through an 11 minute meditation at the end of the today's show helping us to deeply contemplate and recover.
Naeem Zaman is a member of the Transforming Perceptions Team assisting with discussions around health, mental health and well-being, sharing insights from his own experience and as part of our Energising Your Life segments. Naeem works as a fitness instructor teaching body balance and is studying Psychology with a view to undertaking a Masters in Social Work.
Naeem used this meditation after our first exploration on the topic of Shame. It is a short and relaxing 11 minute meditation. Music by Sean McVitty, music for healing. To hear the full discussion on Shame and Naeem's post discussion commentary and meditation go the Podcast - Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Naeem Zaman talk about Shame.
Naeem Zaman is a member of the Transforming Perceptions Team assisting with discussions around health, mental health and well-being, sharing insights from his own experience and as part of our Energising Your Life segments. Naeem works as a fitness instructor teaching body balance and is studying Psychology with a view to undertaking a Masters in Social Work.
In this episode Naeem takes us through a short and relaxing 12 minute meditation. Music by Sean McVitty, music for healing. This meditation followed our Energising Your Life segment where Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Naeem Zaman discussed ''Themes around Conscious Living'. You can hear that full episode and Naeem's pre and post meditation comments in the episode dated 13th June 2020.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh is in Conversation with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, Researcher in Neuro-degenerative Diseases, Specialist in Dementia Care, Head of Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry Department at the Australian National University Medical School, Canberra.
Many elderly, approximately 295 people nationally (at the time of interview), who are living in government-subsided residential aged care homes have passed away from Covid-19, without having their last few moments with their families since the pandemic commenced. The current crisis with Covid-19 imperilling aged care facilities was foreseeable in the known shortfalls of the system - but will action occur, apart from emergency takeovers, now?
We ask - Is it enough to say “Sorry”, when this Aged Care Covid Crisis could and should have been prevented?
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world. Our Podcasts are available at AnchorFM, BreakerFM, Spotify, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, Overcast, Radio Public and Pocket Casts.
On Transforming Perceptions on Saturday 28th September 2019, Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and David Lovegrove are in conversation with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, ANU and Dr Tony Schumacher Jones, Churchill Fellow Award Winner 2013 on the topic - The Politics of Loneliness – Humane Aged Care: Robot or Human? Tony and Jeff discuss the politics around dealing with loneliness in our communities, especially as how loneliness affects older people who are living in aged care and new innovations to address their needs. But is their needs or the need to reduce or not make financial and emotional investment into humane care? Are robots and artificial intelligence the solutions to the challenges we face with an aging population? And, if so, how far do we want to take it?
What do we gain and lose by taking it all the way to having robots running facilities? And, if we don’t want to take it all the way – that is, having robots run the entire facility, then why not? At what point do you say too much? To what extent will we allow the technological tail to wag the ethical dog?
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, updates and diverse views on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural, mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
We are in conversation with Dr Anthea Rhodes, a practising developmental and behavioural paediatrician at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.
Anthea is the Director of the Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll. She has a clinical interest in the health needs of the vulnerable child, and has speciality training in immigrant health and paediatric forensic medicine.
"As Director of the RCH National Child Health Poll, Dr Rhodes seeks to put the voice of Australian families and communities at the heart of conversation about child and adolescent health, and ultimately inform national discourse, health priorities and policy formulation". Anthea discusses the most recent findings from the poll which demonstrate how the lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions across Australian states and territories are affecting children and families. The impacts are diverse and multi-faceted including affects on health, diet, exercise, loneliness and isolation, financial stressors, sleep patterns, IT and internet use and the mental health and well-being of children and families.
We are in conversation with Dr Carolyn Gurvich, Senior Research Fellow and a clinical neuropsychologist.
Carolyn is the Deputy Director of Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), and Head of the “Hormones and Cognition Group". Caroline combines neuropsychological assessments with eye movement research to clearly characterise cognition. She has a particular interest in how hormones influence cognitive functioning in mental health and illness.
Carolyn is managing the nationwide survey being undertaken by MAPRC tracking the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australians. "The survey is ongoing and has already been completed by 2000 Australians nationally – looking at both the mental health consequences of the pandemic and resilience factors that contribute to good mental health. Researchers will continue to follow the participants for two years and document their findings". Carolyn discusses the most recent findings of the survey which highlight a concerning trend of higher stress responses among young and older women and significant impact that Covid is having on the mental well-being of community members.
In this Transforming Perceptions interview Áine Ní Tighearnaigh talks with TJ, a Community Champion for the Butterfly Foundation about his lived experience of the Eating Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, and Butterfly's new campaign 'Talking Helps'.
TJ, a 26 year old man whose family immigrated from Sri Lanka when he was a child describes how being a male of colour from a culturally and linguistically diverse background made it harder to initially reach out for help as he didn’t recognise himself in images and stories used in the media about eating disorders. TJ speaks about the barriers faced by people from diverse cultural backgrounds, acculturation , racism, stigma and body image issues and how he struggled to find his identity in his families new country Australia. He shares about the support he and his family received through the Butterfly Foundation to help him to recover. Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors and music from round the world.
'The Tin Man and Does He Have a Heart and does it matter?' Ãine brings you an interview she recorded in December 2016. She speaks with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, Acting Head of the School of Psychiatry at the ANU and Dr Tony Schumacher Jones, winner of the 2013 Churchill Fellowship and independent behaviour consultant in dementia care.
The topic of aged care and the aged care reform is one that is not adequately addressed in health policy. Jeff and Tony discuss the need for proper resourcing for the aged care sector; the possibility of technological changes in aged carer provision and the ethics of robots and artificial intelligence providing care in aged care units. Transforming Perceptions, bringing you mental health and well-being updates, news, views and diverse perspectives from the national, local and mainstream and multicultural sectors, and music from round the world
On the 9th November 2019 on Transforming Perceptions Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Rodney Stanton chatted with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi and Churchill Fellow Dr Tony Schumacher Jones on the topic - When will Australia provide effective mental healthcare for the aged?
In light of the impact of Covid-19 and the high number of infections and transmissions in aged care homes in Victoria and NSW we share this conversation with Jeff and Tony from the 9th November 2019, critiquing the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report which had almost daily media coverage in late 2019. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report detailed how the aged care system "fails to meet the needs of its older, vulnerable, citizens ... does not deliver uniformly safe and quality care, is unkind and uncaring towards older people and, in too many instances, it neglects them". We discussed the recommendations in depth with Jeff and Tony providing a number critical comments and further recommendations on how aged care system and workforce could be improved. As Tony stated "if you want a 21st Century Aged Care Service you're going to have to pay for it. That's the reality isn't it. Your'e going to have to put money into it, not take money out it".
Jeff and Tony are experts working in Dementia care and research. They have been regular guests on Transforming Perceptions for many years providing expert advice on support and care for people living Alzheimer's Disease and mental health issues. This discussion follows on from our last show in September 28th where we discussed The Politics of Loneliness – Humane Aged Care: Robot or Human? Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural, mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Since his retirement from politics Jon has been working as an advisor to CEO Julie Tongs at Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, as a journalist writing for the City News, and as a professorial fellow in the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, based at the University of Canberra. Jon has been a passionate advocate of human rights throughout his career in politics. Between 1979 and 1987, his community roles included being original co-convener of Racial Respect in the ACT and in 2004 he introduced the Human Rights Act to the ACT. During his appointment as Administrator of the Indian Ocean Territories (Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island from 2012 - 2014 and at a time when the Australian Government introduced a policy of indefinite offshore detention in July 2013, Jon was sadly witness to 24,000 asylum seeker refugees landing on Christmas Island.
Áine chats with Jon about human rights themes emerging in his recent article in the City News, 17 June 2020 - 'Despite the deaths, the attorney snubs families'. They discuss the underlying socio-economic issues of poverty, racism and discrimination impacting the well-being of people of Aboriginal backgrounds living in the ACT; the importance of culturally appropriate service delivery for those most marginalised in the community especially the need for aboriginal run services and programs; and the continuing indefinite offshore detention of refugees.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and David Lovegrove are In Conversation with Professor Sandy McFarlane, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide. In our conversation with Sandy, we continue this month's theme for our shows where we are discussing the impacts on our diverse communities from the bushfires, hazardous smoke and climate change. We particularly focus our discussion how these events affect people who are more vulnerable to stress, those who either have had a prior trauma experience, are living with or caring for someone with mental illness, and those diagnosed with PTSD. Sandy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our discussion from his research with bushfire affected communities, war veterans and those who have been impacted by natural disasters in Australia and overseas. Professor McFarlane has been the "Director of The University of Adelaide's Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies. His area of specialty is the effects of traumatic stress and he is an international expert in the field of the impact of disasters and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is a Past President of both the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. He is the recipient for the Robert Laufer Award for outstanding scientific achievement in the study of the effects of traumatic stress". Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse cultural and lived and living experience perspectives, from the community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors and; music from round the world.
Energising Your Life - Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Naeem Zaman about 'Conscious Living' - Themes for Recovery as part of our first Energising Your Life segment for 2020. Naeem shares his personal experience and discovery of how to live a conscious life. As a Bengali boy growing up in Australia, Naeem had a range of experiences which brought him to the point where he began to examine the conditioning from his cultural and religious backgrounds as well as the pressures to acculturate within the Australian society. He dove deep into exploring the creation of his identity formed by these various forces. Naeem talks about the importance of good communication as the foundation of relationship building, concepts of masculinity and the need to be vulnerable and authentic in relationship with others. Naeem works as a fitness instructor teaching body balance and is studying Psychology with a view to undertaking a Masters in Social Work. At the end of the today's show Naeem takes us through a 10 minute meditation. Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, mainstream and multicultural mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine speaks with Michelle Marquadt, Program Manager, Household Surveys Branch, Population and Social Statistics Division, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) about the recent survey findings of Impacts of Covid-19. Michelle Marquadt outlines the regular surveys being conducted by the ABS findings on the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic to identify the key factors affecting Australians. Recent surveys have shown that Loneliness has been a most common stressor during Covid-19. A survey into the Impacts on Parents Keeping Children at Home reveals some of the challenges around home schooling and effects on woman and children. Michele Goldman, CEO of Asthma Australia outlines the impact of smoke on the community from findings released on Friday 5th June 2020. The survey conducted from December 2019 to end of January 2020 has ten key findings and a number of recommendations for federal and state governments, community, businesses, service providers and health and mental health stakeholders and the building industry. Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine speaks with Michele Goldman, CEO of Asthma Australia about the survey findings of the Smoke Impact Survey conducted during the bushfires from December 2019 to end of January 2020. Michele Goldman, CEO of Asthma Australia outlines the impact of smoke on the community from findings released on Friday 5th June 2020. The survey conducted from December 2019 to end of January 2020 has ten key findings and a number of recommendations for federal and state governments, community, businesses, service providers and health and mental health stakeholders and the building industry. To find out more join us live, livestream of listen back On Demand off the 2xx 98.3 FM Transforming Perceptions Program page. Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh In Conversation - Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Director of Women's Health Research at Monash University - New data on the mental health impacts of COVID-19, and why suicide modelling is problematic on suicide modelling. Jayashri commenced her appointment as Professor of Psychiatry, The Alfred and Monash University in 2002. She founded and directs a large psychiatric research group, the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), which expanded from 25 personnel in 2002 to 185 staff and students in 2015, covering seven different research streams, and conducting over 110 clinical trials. The aim of the research centre, encapsulated in its catchphrase “We Mend Minds”, is to develop new treatments, new understanding and new service deliveries for people with mental illness. MAPrc is a clinical psychiatry research centre that translates cutting edge neuroscience discoveries into innovative treatments for severe mental illnesses. Women’s Mental Health is a major area of Jayashri’s research and she successfully ran the 3rd International Congress on Women’s Mental Health held in Melbourne in March 2008. She has worked in this area for 25 years to improve the quality of care for women with mental illnesses by developing specific treatments that are tailored to suit women’s needs biologically, socially and psychologically. In 2015, Professor Kulkarni founded the Australian Consortium for Women’s Mental Health. She is also the President of the International Association for Women’s Mental Health, a role she commenced at the 2017 IAWMH Congress in Dublin, Ireland.
Many people are being impacted adversely during the Covid-19 Pandemic and lock down restrictions. With Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Week from 4th - 10th May 2020, Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Conor Maysey about his lived experience of Tourette's Syndrome.
Conor is a 25-year-old living in the Gold Coast. He had an official diagnosis around three years ago that answered a lot of questions from his childhood. Conor has physical tics including; nodding, chest hitting, finger tapping and fake sign language. He also has vocal tics that include; snorting, clicking, yelping and swearing. He works about 15 hours a week for an online fashion company in their distribution warehouse and in his spare time likes to make art, spend time with his dog, cook and trying to help others be the best they can be. Conor is super passionate about people with TS getting the respect, acceptance and understanding that every human being deserves.
Many people are being impacted adversely during the Covid-19 Pandemic and lock down restrictions. With Mother's Day tomorrow and Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Week from 4th - 10th May 2020, Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Melinda Cruz of Miracle Babies about the issues being faced by Mum's and Dad's with premature babies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Miracle Babies Foundation was initiated and co-founded by Melinda Cruz in 2005. Melinda's drive and passion comes from a very personal position. As the mother of three boys all born premature, Melinda knows firsthand the long term challenges and trauma having a baby in specialised care can bring. Her first son, Elijah, was born at 34 weeks, spending 21/2 weeks in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her second son Dillon was born at 27 weeks and resuscitated at birth. He spent nine weeks in hospital before being allowed to go home. Her third son, Jasper, born at 37 weeks also spent time in NICU. Having had her three babies cared for by the NICU, Melinda wanted to remain linked to other mothers of premature babies. She also wanted to give back to the NICU and thank the wonderful staff she credits for saving her babies’ lives. It was from those experiences that the Miracle Babies Foundation was born, and has since helped and supported thousands of families.Melinda is now a trusted expert and educator to medical professionals and a sought-after public speaker. She is the first parent in Australia to be invited as an Associate Investigator on Neonatal Studies and Trials and presented at the Vermont Oxford Network Annual Meeting and Quality Congress, Chicago in October 2012.
Áine speaks with Kati Gapaillard, CEO of The Fathering Project about their new initiative - The Fathering Channel launched this week. The Fathering Channel as a virtual community to support dads, kids and families with all of the challenges of daily life.
The channel releases new content daily, featuring podcasts, videos, chat forums, research–based articles and light-hearted celebrity conversations.
Gerry speaks at great length and depth about the issues affecting the homeless and those at risk of homelessness and suicide in Perth, Northern Territory, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America. He shares his insights from his role as National Coordinator, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project and his wealth of experience of working with homeless populations which encompass first nations peoples, those of who are migrant and Australian born. There are approximately 100,000 people with complex needs living on the streets who may have mental health, drug and alcohol issues, trauma experience, domestic and family violence, or socio-economic issues that have led to homelessness. Many people during the Covid-19 crisis are at risk of becoming homeless through job loss and lack of financial support as visa holders or as international students. Gerry shares the steps that he and his organisation and other organisations are taking in Perth and Darwin to address and help homeless people who are at risk of contracting Covid-19 to find shelter off the streets; and the urgent action that desperately needs to be taken in what is an humanitarian crisis.
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates, in-depth discussion and diverse lived and living perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh In Conversation with Professor Sotiris Vardoularkis, Professor of Global Environmental Health at the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. – Climate Change, the Canberra Air Quality Crisis and the Impact of Vulnerable Communities. We discuss climate change, the impact on vulnerable communities, the elderly, people with mental illness, the current Canberra Air Quality Crisis and the short and long-term impacts of bushfire smoke on health and mental well-being. Professor Vardoulakis also provides guidance on what measures we need to take individually, as a community and as a nation to address climate change into the future. "Sotiris is founding co-chair of the International Consortium for Urban Environmental Health and Sustainability (Healthy-Polis) and Honorary Professor at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at University of Exeter Medical School. Previously he was Head of the Environmental Change Department at Public Health England and held academic positions at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Birmingham. He was one of the lead authors of the first UK Climate Change Risk Assessment and contributor to the National Adaptation Programme. He served as a member of the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, UK) Public Health Advisory Committee on Air Pollution. Over the last 20 years, he has advised national and local governments and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the European Parliament, on the health effects of climate change and air pollution, and on environmental sustainability and urban health. Sotiris has been involved in numerous research projects, including field studies, environmental modelling, risk assessment and policy analysis in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific".
Dan chats with Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Rodney Stanton of Transforming Perceptions about E-CPR, humane and person-centred practice, love, the importance of community and building connection as central to life and recovery. "Dan is a person who has recovered from schizophrenia. He was hospitalised several times prior to becoming a psychiatrist. He is one of the few psychiatrists in the world who publicly discusses his recovery from mental illness. He is a role model for others who are struggling to recover, and his life dispels the myth that people do not recover from mental illness. His recovery and work in the field were recognised by his selection as a member of the White House Commission on Mental Health". Transforming Perceptions, one show at a time and music from round the world. #TransformingPerceptions
Ãine and David chat with Mandy (pictured below) about the new Restrictive Practices Act 2018, the types of restrictive practices that are used and how her role supports improving best practice for staff while increasing well-being outcomes for people living with a diverse range of disabilities including psychosocial social disability. Mandy also discusses the importance of good behavioral management planning, data gathering and how reviewing data, debriefing, leadership, mentoring and training are fundamental in reducing seclusion and restraints which is one of her primary aims. Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural, mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Ãine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Jenny Smith, Chair of Homelessness Australia, the national peak for the homeless about the homelessness crisis in our country today. Jenny is also CEO of the Council of Homeless Persons, the Victorian peak body for homeless people. Our conversation is focused on the factors that contribute to the homelessness crisis, housing affordability and the solutions we have within our grasp. Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors, and music from round the world.
Áine Ní Tighearnaigh talks with Maurice Fitzpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of Creeney Films about his documentary - In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America and the whether we have lost our appetite for Peaceful processes. The documentary was screened in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney in April - May 2018 and has been seen in America and Europe.
The Irish Film Festival 2018 stated that "John Hume saw that by harnessing the political influence of the Irish American diaspora in Washington it was possible address the legacy of colonial division in Ireland and to achieve peace. In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America is a compelling feature documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, with dramatic footage from the conflict in Northern Ireland and stirring accounts by Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as well as US Congressmen and Senators. This film shows how one man with courage and charisma, inspired by Martin Luther King, mobilized Irish Americans and America to bring an end to years of bloody violence in his homeland. With musical score by Bill Whelan (Riverdance), this beautiful film reminds us of the redemptive powers of politics to overcome hatred and division: in the words of Hume’s fellow Derryman, Seamus Heaney, when, ‘once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme’. At a time of great world instability, this is a timely film highlighting creative leadership and the need for steady international co-operation." (Irish Film Festival 2018)