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Self-care resources
Black Dog Institute: COVID-19 resources for health professionals
Black Dog Institute continues to provide great resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of health professionals. Their ‘Coronavirus resources for health professionals’ page provides advice and guidance on a range of topics such as dealing with financial stress and exercise for your mental health.
‘How to support a healthcare worker during COVID-19’ guide from Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue has put together a list of ways we can support Australia’s healthcare workers as they continue to play a vital role in the COVID-19 pandemic response.
WellMob – social, emotional and cultural wellbeing resources
Developed by eMHPrac in partnership with the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, WellMob is a new website for frontline health and wellbeing workers, providing one place to find culturally relevant resources to use with their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
Are you bogged mate? – a service helping rural men talk about mental health
‘Are you bogged mate?’ aims to boost awareness and start a conversation around the rising issue of depression and suicide rates amongst men in rural areas.
Read about ‘Are you bogged mate?’ on ABC or watch the ABC Landline segment.
Pandemic Kindness Movement from the Agency for Clinical Innovation
Created by clinicians from across Australia, the Pandemic Kindness Movement provides resources to support the wellbeing of the health workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Head to Health COVID-19 support
Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations.
Provided by the Australian Government Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
Lifeline Tool kit: Getting through bushfires, drought and extreme climate events
Created by Lifeline, the Getting through bushfire, drought and extreme climate events tool kit aims to assist individuals and communities to take care of themselves and those around them.
Life in Mind Australia provides practical and emotional support for bushfire-affected communities
Life in Mind Australia has provided a comprehensive list of resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals in bushfire-affected communities.
Beyond Blue launches Settling the Mind: Mental Health and COVID-19 webinar series
The “Settling the Mind” webinar series, presented by Black Dog Institute, focuses on mental health resources and support available for health professionals and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond Blue launches dedicated COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Support Service
Beyond Blue has launched a dedicated COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Support Service. Funded by the Australian Government, this free service is available to support all Australians to manage the impact of the pandemic on their mental health and wellbeing.
The importance of self-care planning during COVID-19
Self-care is an important component in looking after your mental health during a crisis such as COVID-19. Black Dog Institute has developed a resource to help you develop a daily, self-care plan.
Lifeline’s mental health support during COVID-19
Lifeline has put together a number of mental health and wellbeing resources and support services for community to access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 mental health resources from Pheonix Australia
Pheonix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health has a number of mental health resources on their website to support health practitioners and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian Psychological Society COVID-19 support
The Australian Psychological Society has provided helpful information for coping with anxiety, mental health issues during isolation and how to stay mentally healthy during the COVID-19 crisis.
Black Dog Institute resources for anxiety during COVID-19
Black Dog Institute has helpful tools and resources for coping with anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Life in Mind mental health and wellbeing support
Life in Mind Australia has put together a comprehensive list of resources to support those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental health support during COVID-19
The Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) has put together information and support for looking after your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bushfire support resources from RAMHP
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) has a number of useful resources for rural communities and health professionals during times of crisis.
An illustrated guide for coping with traumatic news
The ABC has put together an illustrated guide for coping with traumatic news. The guide provides strategies for dealing with stress and grief and is appropriate for both adults and children.
GP psychiatry support line
The GP Psychiatry Support Line is a free service for GPs to help manage the care of mental health consumers. Advice can support GPs with diagnosis, investigation, medication and safety plans.
APNA bushfire information for primary health care professionals
The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has released information for primary health care professionals to assist during the bushfire crisis.
Resources include mental health support and helpline information for each state.
AH&MRC of NSW self-care toolkit
The AH&MRC of NSW has put together a self-care toolkit to support and promote self-care practices to increase overall health and wellbeing.
Australian Association of Practice Management bushfire response
The Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) has provided resources to assist practice managers throughout Australia facing difficulties in the current bushfire crisis.
Audio: keeping mental health in check during this bushfire season
In conversation on the ABC, Clinical Psychologist David Younger discusses how the bushfires can have an impact on the mental health of affected communities.
Plan for an emergency: bushfire resources
The ABC has put together a range of recourses to support you in planning for an emergency, including what to do before, during and after a bushfire.
ACRRM support for college members
The Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine (ACRRM) has provided information and resourses for its college members affected by the bushfires.
Nepean Blue Mountains PHN bushfire support resources
Nepean Blue Mountains PHN has provided bushfire support resources including local clinical services and digital support services available, for communities affected by the bushfires.
Bushfire support resources for South Western Sydney communities
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network has put together useful resources for individuals and communities in South Western Sydney in need of bushfire recovery assistance and support.
Resources for supporting children after bushfires
As part of Emerging Minds Community Trauma Toolkit, the ‘supporting children after bushfires’ resource pack is designed for educators and authority figures to assist them in supporting children’s mental health after trauma.
Mental health resources and support for health professionals, first responders and community
Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health has developed a range of resources to support health professionals, first responders and community members affected by the bushfires.
How to protect yourself and others from bushfire smoke
The Australian National University’s Research School of Population Health has provided helpful information for health professionals and community members on how to protect yourself and others from bushfire smoke, including identifying those who are at a higher risk of complications from smoke exposure.
Mental health support measures announced for individuals affected by the bushfire crisis
The Australian Government has announced a new mental health support program for Australians affected by the bushfire crisis. The measure will ensure people have access to coordinated and tailored support they need to recover from the effects of the 2019–20 bushfires, including access to on the ground counselling and mental health support.
RACGP’s managing emergencies in general practice guide
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) managing emergencies in general practice guide aims to assist practices to prepare, respond and recover from disasters and emergencies in Australia.
Bushfire psychological preparation and recovery from the Australian Psychological Society
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has put together a range of resources to help Australians prepare and recover from the threat of bushfire, including managing emotional distress and looking after children who have been affected by bushfires.
National Bushfire Recovery Agency information
The Australian Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Agency was established on 6 January 2020 to lead and coordinate a national response to rebuilding communities affected by bushfires across large parts of Australia.
Bushfire smoke
SARRAH has put together a range of resources for communities, including information about air quality and exposure to bushfire smoke.
Primary health disaster response information from Coordinare
Coordinare has provided tips and resources to assist organisations in preparing for, responding to and recovering from a disaster, including mental health resources and support for health professionals.
Beyond Blue’s advice for looking after yourself during and after a disaster
Beyond Blue has put together a list of mental health support services and advice for dealing with the emotional impact of a disaster, to assist individuals in bushfire-affected communities.
P2/N95 rated face masks advice from NSW Health
NSW Health has provided helpful information about disposable P2/N95 face masks including how to fit a mask and conduct a fit check, and a list of community pharmacies in bushfire-affected areas where P2 masks have been distributed by NSW Health.
Bushfire mental health support from NSW Health
NSW Health has provided helpful information to assist in accessing mental health and counselling services during the current bushfire emergency.
The National Rural Health Alliance provides resources for people in bushfire-affected communities
The National Rural Health Alliance has provided information from Alliance members and the health sector that may be helpful to anybody living or working in fire-affected communities including specific recourses, information and advice.
Planning for disaster management guide by Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network
Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, has put together an emergency preparedness guide for primary health networks and others supporting the local GP response during emergencies.
Keeping mental health in check during this bushfire season
Even if you’re not directly affected by the fires this season, the devastation can still have an impact on your mental health.
Clinical Psychologist, David Younger who works with disaster affected communities says it’s important to have some down time away from the news.
He gave ABC’s Craig Hamilton a list of ways to look after yourself in these tough times.
RACGP fact sheet: Emergency planning and response in general practice
This RACGP fact sheet outlines important information about bushfires in Australia and provides tips for keeping your practice and patients as safe as possible in the event of extreme weather.
Track how you are going
This useful resource from the Centre of Rural and Remote Mental Health helps you assess how you are going and provides tips on what to do and how to get help.
Community trauma toolkit
Created by Emerging Minds, an organisation dedicated to advancing the mental health of Australian children and families, the community trauma toolkit contains recourses for health professionals and GPS to help and support adults and children before, during, and after a disaster or traumatic event.
Webinar: Mental health care in rural Australia
A pre-recorded podcast by the Black Dog Institute explores the problems in mental health care delivery in rural Australia, from the point of view of the consumer and service provider.
Mental health community of practice
The Black Dog Institute’s Mental Health Community of Practice is a private online community for health professionals with an interest in mental health. To join the community you must be a health professional in Australia.
Being Well podcast series
The Black Dog Institute offers a number of podcasts and webinars online, focusing on a range of mental health topics, from expert knowledge to personal stories. These podcasts each tackle an important mental health topic and provide support for health professionals.
Black Dog Institute Online Clinic
A free mental health assessment tool by the Black Dog Institute, the online clinic is for anyone worried they may be developing a mental health problem or would like better understanding of their mental health. The online clinic takes you through a range of clinical assessments and provides a personalised report with suggestions for support services.
Let’s talk: managing stress during drought fact sheet
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and the Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) have put together downloadable fact sheets to encourage talking about mental health, focusing on taking care of yourself during drought.
Mental health and wellbeing in first responders
What are the factors that contribute to excess stress and burnout for health workers? The Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN has been partnering with NSW Rural Doctors Network to educate clinicians on how to identify the signs and symptoms of depression, especially suicidal ideation, intent and plans in the first responder population.
Black Dog Institute – online self-care for doctors
In a free, recorded webinar, the Black Dog Institute explores the role e-mental health programs can play in the lives of doctors at risk of or already suffering from mental health problems. This resource is for GPs interested in self-care as well as the care of their patients.
Self-care – RVTS4GPs
Read RVTS4GP’s blog ‘Self Care’, an honest, realistic and practical look at GP self-care. Listen in on a discussion led by Dr Louise Stone, a GP who practices in Yarralumla (ACT).
Australia’s first Chief Medical Wellness Officer
Dr Bethan Richards is Australia’s first Chief Medical Wellness Officer. Dr Richard’s passion is to drive cultural and systemic change in health and reduce stress and burnout among junior and senior doctors. Her program, MDOK, teaches all medical staff the skills to care for their own health, manage traumatic events and mentor younger staff, in addition to attending workshops and sessions on goal-setting, relaxation, stress management, clinical debriefing, nutrition and exercise.
Create mentally healthy workplaces with Heads Up
Heads Up gives individuals and businesses tools to create mentally healthy workplaces. The Heads Up website includes information for employers, employees, managers and small business owners. Its webinar series includes videos on ‘Supporting staff and colleagues’ and ‘Developing a mental health strategy for your workplace’.
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network launches a new mental health and suicide prevention resources webpage
The new page provides local organisations and community groups with access to mental health and suicide prevention resources to help them build local awareness, community capacity and reduce stigma.
The resources webpage is a result of collaboration between a range of organisations including Wellways Australia, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Department of Education, headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation), Centacare South West NSW, Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation, RivMed, Relationships Australia, and Federal members for Farrer and Riverina.
Resilience – a positive characteristic for rural and remote health practitioners
Is resilience out of favour? Apparently, suggesting one should be resilient is saying we should ‘suck it up’ and get on with it, and this is not the way that things should be done in this day and age. Resilience is defined as the ability to adapt successfully in the face of adversity. Remote and rural health practitioners need this adaptation to adversity to maintain their own mental health, so they can continue to provide excellent care to their patients.
Your health matters: A guide from Nurse and Midwife Support
Guide, Tips, Resilience, Health, Midwives, Nurse, Student, Nurse & Midwife Support
As nurses, midwives and students we know you understand the importance of staying healthy. However, the caring nature of the profession, teamed with increasingly busy lives, may mean that you put other people’s health ahead of your own. To guide you Nurse & Midwife Support has put together a range of tailored resources on topics including exercise, mindfulness and sleep.
Understanding drought-related stress – video for health professionals
This Centre for Remote and Rural Mental Health video is for health professionals wanting to understand the impact of drought on mental health and outlines how to support patients impacted by the drought. The advice in this video is not intended for patients with a diagnosable mental illness. Find this video and other drought resources on the Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health website.
Podcast: Disasters, Trauma and Mental Health
In this podcast the Centre for Remote and Rural Mental Health focuses on what happens to our mental health when we experience emergencies and disasters. Disasters can strike at any time. From car accidents to natural disasters we can find our mental health pushed and tested in many ways. Listen for tips about keeping yourself and those around you mentally well during tough times.
Taking Care of Yourself Following a Natural Disaster
Extreme weather events can have a big impact on those affected. If there has been a disaster or extreme weather event in your area, there are things you can do to take care of yourself and your mental health. Find out more with this fact sheet from the Rural Adversity and Mental Health Program.
Podcast: The Mindful Nurse
The Mindful Nurse Lucinda Jones van-Buuren joins Nurse & Midwife Support to discuss how practising mindfulness can assist nurses and midwives. Lucinda has some valuable insights to share, including not being afraid to ask for support, self-awareness being essential for a healthy mind, and the importance of mediation or mindfulness as a daily practice to promote wellbeing.
This podcast is part of Nurse and Midwife Support’s 2018/19 summer podcast series.
Podcast: Hopelessness is the most infectious disease
MJA InSight has brought together its top 10 articles for 2018 and doctors’ health, with mental health a particularly strong theme. Explore speaking out, seeking help and getting treatment from a personal perspective as individuals share their stories.
Big year for doctors’ mental health
MJA InSight has brought together its top 10 articles for 2018 and doctors’ health, with mental health a particularly strong theme. Explore speaking out, seeking help and getting treatment from a personal perspective as individuals share their stories.
7 tips from farmers for staying mentally tough during drought
A drought is one of the toughest challenges a farmer can face. It chips away at their finances, emotions and mental health.But in the face of these challenges, their resilience shines through. Rural Weekly has put together some tips from folk from the land on how they stay strong during the dry.
The Black Dog Institute Psychological Toolkit
The Psychological Toolkit is a collection of practical resources available for health professionals to assist in the management of mental illnesses in their clinical work. The material includes questionnaires to assist health professionals in the assessment of depression, charts to assist with treatment protocols, tools for self-monitoring, and exercises for patients.
Get your “Glove Box Guide to Mental Health”
Volume eight of Glove Box Guide to Mental Health, released by The Land in partnership with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), is a 64 page resource which includes personal stories, advice, support and contact information to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of rural communities.
Podcast: Your mental health matters
The mental health of nurses, midwives and students is important. Mental health is not only necessary to living a full life; it is vital for nurses, midwives and students to ensure a well-functioning healthcare system.
In this podcast from Nurse & Midwife Support, host Mark Aitken RN is joined by experienced mental health nurse Anne and nurse/midwife Sonya who share their insights into maintaining mental health.
A full transcript is provided.
The Mindful Nurse – podcast
In this podcast from Nurse & Midwife Support, Lucinda Jones van-Buuren – “The Mindful Nurse” – shares some valuable insights including don’t be scared to ask for support, self-awareness is essential for a healthy mind, and the importance of mediation or mindfulness as a daily practice.
R U OK? – Mateship Manual
R U OK? has developed ‘The Mateship Manual’ a short simple guide with tips, resources and more to help you start a conversation with someone who’s doing it tough in rural and remote areas.
By asking and listening, we can help our mates and loved ones feel more supported and connected. The R U OK? Mateship Manual is a simple and practical guide that will help you do this.