Black Dog Institute Podcasts for Health Professionals

Irregular hours. Night Shifts. Long days, blurring into longer nights. For many health professionals, disrupted sleep isn’t the exception; it’s the norm. But poor sleep doesn’t have to be part of the job. In this panel discussion, we’ll explore the science behind sleep and shiftwork, share the latest research on how disrupted sleep impacts health and wellbeing, and provide practical strategies to build healthier sleep habits, no matter your roster. Featuring insights from Dr Matthew Coleshill (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Black Dog Institute) and Kristy Ross (Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute), and moderated by Dr Sarah Barker, this session will share practical, evidence-based strategies to help you manage fatigue, optimise rest, and perform at your best, no matter your roster.  

What happens when perimenopause overlaps with neurodivergence - especially when a person may be unaware of their neurodivergent profile?Dr Sarah Barker (Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog Institute) and guest Dr Ceri Cashell (GP, Avalon Family Medical Practice) and will explore supportive, respectful, and validating approaches to taking a comprehensive life history. Their discussion will focus on conducting thorough mental health assessments in the context of perimenopause, particularly when neurodivergence may be a contributing factor. They will explore effective approaches for initiating conversations, identifying key questions to ask, and screening for co-occurring concerns. The discussion will also cover how to understand and navigate complex presentations involving perimenopause, neurodivergence, and mental health. Join us for this Short Mental Health Interventions perimenopause sequel.

What happens when standard treatments for depression don’t work? In this special Mental Health Month episode from the Black Dog Institute, we explore the next steps for primary care teams supporting patients with treatment-resistant depression.Designed for GPs and allied health professionals, this conversation explores practical strategies, novel interventions, and referral pathways that can make a difference when conventional care is insufficient.In this episode, you’ll learn:·         The latest evidence and approaches for managing treatment-resistant depression·         The evolving role of ECT as a safe and effective option for severe depression·         How ketamine treatment can be integrated with psychotherapy for improved outcomes·         What’s emerging in psychedelic-assisted therapies, including psilocybin·         How Black Dog Institute’s training in neuromodulation, ketamine, and interventional psychiatry can support your clinical practiceFacilitator: Dr Sarah Barker – Clinical PsychologistPanelists:·         Dr Adam Bayes – Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Academic Psychiatrist, Black Dog Institute·         Dr Melanie Babooram – Clinical Psychologist, Black Dog InstituteJoin us to discover how the field is evolving and how you can help patients navigate new pathways to recovery when traditional approaches fall short.Learn more about Black Dog Institute’s world-class neuromodulation clinic here https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/clinical-services/sydney-tms-neurostimulation-and-ketamine-program/

Join us for an insightful webinar on how digital resources can play a vital role in youth self-harm and suicide prevention. In this webinar, Dr. Michelle Tye and Dr Lauren McGillivray will share research on the effectiveness of digital suicide prevention innovations, explore the potential of existing and emerging digital tools for at–risk young people, and discuss how these could be integrated into care pathways to support young people. They will also highlight some practical strategies for supporting children and young people in ways that can prevent self-harm and suicide.Learning ObjectivesDiscuss how digital interventions/tools can be used in the prevention and treatment of self-injurious thoughts and behaviours of young people, based on current research and evidence.Describe how to evaluate and compare different intervention options for children and young people.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an ideal framework and set of tools to enhance mental health support provided to clients and patients in a range of settings. It is evidence-based, easy to learn, clearly structured, time-limited, and it is respectful and consultative.Health professionals working across all fields are reporting mental health aspects to their work with clients. Indeed, all health professionals can benefit from core CBT strategies to help support their clients and patients.On the panel we will have Melissa Black, Ph.D., a researcher from The Black Dog Institute; Dr Kristine Kafer, Clinical Psychologist and Andrew Atkinson, a Lived Experience representative who has experienced success with CBT strategies.Join us for this episode, where we will explore the role of the potential benefits of introductory-level, practical core CBT for use with clients and patients and delve into the broad applicability of introductory CBT skills for health professionals who have limited CBT training. This episode will give health professionals skills to use with clients who may benefit from addressing unhelpful thinking patterns which may be interfering with their health management.Facilitator: Dr Sarah Barker – Clinical PsychologistPanelists: Clinical Research Lead & Clinical Psychologist: Melissa Black, Ph.D.Clinical Psychologist: Dr Kris KaferLived Experience Representative: Andrew AtkinsonFor more information on our courses: https://black-dog-institute.my.salesforce-sites.com/forms/bdi_EducationCourseLanding