Mental Health Communication and Support

Suicide intervention skills are very important but they rely on a trained person being available and present at a time of suicidal crisis, which is not always the case. A suicide prevention plan is a powerful prevention tool which contains personalised strategies which a suicidal person can draw upon, even if they are alone when considering an attempt.

“Dialectical” means integration of opposites and DBT treatment is a powerful cognitive-behavioural approach, which helps people integrate the seemingly opposite strategies of acceptance and change.

This course focuses on the crucial areas of habit, addiction and behaviour change and explores what it takes to break a cycle. Designed for anyone working in human services, community or caring professions, it also welcomes people who may be interested to learn more about their own habits or those of a family member.

Not all abuse is physical. Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour such as assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their behaviour.

Just as young people have specific mental health issues and needs, so too do older Australians. Mental health symptoms and best practice responses do vary with age, and age-related cognitive changes also impact mental health.

Grounding techniques are sensory experiences which ground or “anchor” us in the present and help us manage emotions and maintain wellbeing. Creating sensations that say “there is no emergency” helps calm the body’s alert system so the brain (prefrontal cortex) can regain its ability to think.

Like any of us, people with disabilities experience mental health disorders. Yet, identifying and responding appropriately to mental health issues can often be complex when the person also has other disabilities.