Mind and Soul Matters

In Part 3 of "Aging and Mental Health", Mrs Nahid Meshgin summarises her personal journey with life and aging, giving us valuable tips on some of the protective factors in aging well.

In Part 2 of "Aging and Mental Health", Gabriela Di Perna shares her research findings to highlight issues around loneliness in older adults. She sheds light on how we can prevent loneliness and gives us insights into how we get from loneliness to meaningful belonging. If you would like to receive a copy of Gabriela's thesis once published, please contact Gabriela.diperna@griffithuni.edu.au

In Part 1 of "Aging and Mental Health", Dr Frans Hugo, a psychiatrist with expertise in older adults, distinguishes the facts from the myths. He highlights some of the challenges older adults face and how they can effectively combat these, as well as how others can support them to stay mentally healthy.

In Part 3 of "Youth Mental Health" series, Dr Jay Thomas shares his experiences of working with youth in the Baha'i community, exploring issues related to meaning, purpose and importance of hope. Preventative measures, such as a sense of belonging and service to others is also discussed as potential factors that may protect youth from some mental health challenges as they navigate through this critical stage of life.

In Part 2 of "Youth Mental Health" series, Amie shares publicly for the first time her personal experience and struggles with mental illness. She courageously highlights for us the challenges and gives us an insight of how we may be able to support those struggling with mental illness.

In Part 1 of "Youth Mental Health" series, psychologist Sarah McPharlin gives us an insight into the changes in the brain of a young person as they move from childhood to adolescents, providing an explanation of some of those behaviours that adults may perceive as negative or rebellious. Sarah also highlights the key "needs" of this age group and how as parents and adults we can help young people develop their potential as they enter adulthood.

Is there a downside to winning? What is the cost of competition? And what is the alternative? Luke McPharlin, a former Australian Football League player, is back by popular demand to share his insights and to answer these critical questions, particularly as we live in a society that is consumed with competition and success. He gives advice to the next generation on success - advice that is useful not only to the aspiring football player but to all of us who want to succeed, whether as a parent, CEO or sports star.

As part of the Mental Health Forum series, this episode captures from both a professional and personal lens what constructive resilience looks like when migrant women are faced with challenges.

In 1971, Charlie Pierce left his home in the UK and took a post as a school teacher in Port Villa, in Vanuatu. For over 40 years Charlie dedicated himself to teaching in the small island nation. In 2012, however, Charlie was the victim of a brutal attack in his own home. This is Charlie’s story, courtesy of Baha’i Blog productions and Sam Irwin Media.

Dr Laura Hedayati, a clinical psychologist, discusses the impact of forgiveness on our well-being and shares steps we can use to train ourselves to move from hurt, anger and resentment towards forgiveness, peace and healing.

In Part 3 of the "Family Wellbeing" series, Danae Watkins from Relationships Australia talks about the importance of connection. Danae explains that as we make time for our physical fitness, we must also prioritise our social fitness by making time for connecting to others. She also shares some of the services provided by Relationships Australia and how these can enhance our connections.

In Part 2 of "Family Wellbeing" series, we welcome back Veronica Anderson, facilitator of the Spiritual Parenting Program who shares with us an overview of how we can bring out the best in our children. "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." Baha'i Writings

In Part 1 of "Family Wellbeing" series, family therapist Nilly Cope shares findings from research on how we can be masters in our relationships, rather than disasters. She also identifies for us what John Gottman, a world leading relationship expert, referred to as the sulfuric acid of relationships and how we can avoid it.

Hero candidly shares her struggles with mental health and how the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of therapy has helped her navigate through these challenges. What can we take away from her story to help us in our own healing and to support others, particularly youth, to overcome mental health challenges?

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

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

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

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

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

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