A future me problem
By Samuel J Hockey
A future me problemNov 02, 2021
A national reference group with Joey Brogden & Elian Au
You may remember Joey Brogden on the podcast mid-last year (listen here if you haven't already: https://apple.co/3TeiVt9), discussing the BHP Foundation's Right care, first time, where you live program with Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) for Canberra.
Joey and Elian discuss core learnings that have come from this research program, the increasing youth involvement, and what their newly appointed positions on the National Youth Reference Group means.
The relationship between mental health and autism with Andrew Shim
You may remember Andrew Shim appearing on the podcast mid-last year (listen here if you haven't already: https://apple.co/40gU2OS), breaking down the history of advocacy over the years with fellow Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) Lived Experience Working Group member Rachel Laidler.
Andrew returned to open our consciousness to the prevalent interrelationship of mental health and autism. Andrew proudly identifies as a queer autistic person of colour who uses their voice to share and normalise the experiences they had. Intertwined with this identity are Andrew's experiences of mental ill-health and service access– which you will hear about in the episode.
If you're like me, my knowledge surfaces in the statistics, lives of individuals, and adversities faced by those with autism. When it comes to the prevalent mental health diagnoses among autistic people, I was horrified to hear the stark facts and figures faced by people with autism in our communities.
Some readings on the strategy:
– Developing the National Autism Strategy's Discussion paper: https://bit.ly/3tUT2UK
– National Autism Strategy: https://bit.ly/3MnaDee
– Australia’s Disability Strategy Hub: https://bit.ly/3QmhBBg
Digital technology and mental wellness with Dr Frank Iorfino
Smart tech is forever improving, more accurate, intuitive, personalised, and accessible. However, evidence of the helpfulness this technology can be to the individual is scarce.
These improvements mean clinicians can better deliver and support you and your mental health. Particular smart tech can track/ record core health aspects like sleep, activity and exercise, overall movement, light exposure (natural and digital), and menstrual cycles.
Dr Frank Iorfino’s research interests are in youth mental health and early intervention, specifically focusing on how digital health can change how services assess, manage and treat youth mental health problems.
Frank is head of the Digital Mental Health research program for the Youth Mental Health and Technology team at The Brain and Mind Centre. This program focuses on building sophisticated digital technologies through co-design that permit young people, their families and carers to be at the centre of clinical care and equal partners with clinicians in crucial treatment decisions.
Youth mental health with Prof Ian Hickie [PART 2]
Professor Ian Hickie is co-director of the University's multidisciplinary initiative, the Brain and Mind Centre. He is an internationally renowned researcher in clinical psychiatry, particularly regarding medical aspects of common mood disorders, depression and bipolar disorder in young people, early intervention, new and emerging technologies and suicide prevention. He is a dual winner of the 2021 Australian Mental Health Prize, recognising his contributions to the mental health sector. Ian and I go way back in the sector, notably serving as National Mental Health Commissioners to Australia.
Youth mental health with Prof Ian Hickie [PART 1]
Professor Ian Hickie is co-director of the University's multidisciplinary initiative, the Brain and Mind Centre. He is an internationally renowned researcher in clinical psychiatry, particularly regarding medical aspects of common mood disorders, depression and bipolar disorder in young people, early intervention, new and emerging technologies and suicide prevention. He is a dual winner of the 2021 Australian Mental Health Prize, recognising his contributions to the mental health sector. Ian and I go way back in the sector, notably serving as National Mental Health Commissioners to Australia.
Changing opportunities for young people
Jordan and Wendy both speak from their expertise within the community, noting the current challenges, service provisions, and where and what needs to be addressed to better support young people in intuitive and personable care.
With the program’s workshop 1 down we get to open up the thoughts, feelings, and revelations in the room.
The sobering seasonal change
Thrive by five
This program aims to give every child a chance to reach their full potential and thrive by age five– ensuring they meet every neurodevelopmental and emotional marker.
Thrive By Five has been rolled out in 9 countries, working closely with each country's, community's, and leader's local requirements and laws to ensure the program has the best possible outcomes. This has included the translation/vehicle of the delivery of the program.
When things go low, I get high
I try to briefly explain how it works, why I am doing it, and my experience. It has been an episode I have recorded many times as I have wanted to get it right. However, I figured that this episode is an opener; therefore I am open to record and discuss more.
Biting the bullet, here it is. Also, check my Instagram, @samueljhockey, to see a carousel of me on it—just for fun.
New year, new stream
Sarah is a clinical psychologist interested in the dynamics of the parent-young person relationship and how qual. and quant. data can shed light onto the nuances within those relationships and further inform the young person’s developmental outcomes.
Sarah breaks down the new stream of research, its context with the broader Brain and Mind Centre Youth Mental Health Technology Team, and why it’s needed now.
Mentioned links:
Youth Mental Health and Technology Team;
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disturbances and depression in young people: implications for prevention and early intervention.
Guess who is back?
The second half of 2022 was equal parts a touch-and-go shit show, an absolute privilege, and a great teacher.
When it comes down to it, I overcommitted, and as a result, I became quite unwell, let people/ teams down, and learned a lot about not being an island (constant journey).
In this new first episode of 2023, I briefly go over the last 6–8 months, the new year ahead, and a slight change in rhythm. I am excited to reintroduce the podcast under the new title (I know, again!!) of a future me problem. A quintessential me term vis-a-vis overcommitting, saying yes and working out later—think Confessions of a Shopaholic scene, ‘good angles on APRs’, knowing I am going to do it but don’t have the space to right now, and finally working on this currently to solve a future me problem—early interventions.
I’m keen to hear your feedback, topics you want me to discuss, and people you want me to chat to. DM me or email the pod at afuturemeproblem@gmail.com.
Tom from Podlike is continuing his editing prowess, proud to have my brother’s band’s music mixed in, and the exciting new addition of Carolyn’s illustrations 🤘🏻.
No order is too tall for true inclusion | ACT Health
EDITING | Podlike
MUSIC | Sampson
The history of lived experience advocacy
Relationship between mental ill-health and loneliness | MP Tracey Crouch
In 2018 the UK announced a new ministerial position within, then Prime Minister, Theresa May's cabinet; this was the result of late Labor MP, Jo Cox's extensive advocation to address the threat their nation was facing in loneliness. In 2016 Jo Cox was horrifically murdered in a shooting and stabbing in Birstall, UK. Tracey Crouch was elected to carry this portfolio through, on behalf of her late friend and colleague.
We clearly define loneliness and it's independent relationship to mental ill-health; noting that each have the ability to be the antithesis for the other.
MUSIC | Sampson
EDITING | Podlike
The effects of toxic positivity | Dr Whitney Goodman
Whitney is a therapist who uses her platform to help us understand and identify things that impact our mental health, often when we don’t even realise it. The concept I got to dive into with Whitney was toxic positivity.
Whitney has written the book titled 'Toxic Positivity'. This book was birthed during COVID and is the culmination of her years as a therapist and what she has personally witnessed on social media in regard to toxic language, inspiration quotes, greener grass, and the constant search for good vibes only. Whitney walks us through the understanding, identification, and impact toxic positivity can have on not just our own mental health and self-esteem, but that of those around us.
MUSIC | Sampson
EDITING | Podlike
Unpacking the LGBTQIA+ mental health experience | Chris Sweeney
Mental health provision | ACT Health
Both Elizabeth and Joey speak passionately to the troubles facing young people in the community that are impacting their mental health. We also spoke about the upcoming program workshop (one of three) where the mapping foundations are laid by those residents of the community, decision makers, consumers and carers, policy reps, and clinical providers.
EDITING | Podlike
MUSIC | Sampson
Psychographics in mental healthcare | Grace Lee & Leon Young
Grace Lee, whom we interviewed last season about this research program, is a PhD candidate with the university of Sydney, and the evaluation manager for this research program.
Leon Young is the founding CEO of Cogniss—a for profit tech company that creates human solutions for human problems. For Leon Cogniss is the culmination of a creative digital career that spans education, advertising and marketing, behaviour change and games.
Welcome back to part two of my chat with Sydney University’s Brain and Mind centre evaluation research manager, Grace Lee, and founding CEO of Cogniss, Leon Young.
EDITING | Podlike
MUSIC | Sampson
Trauma and the war on Ukraine | Rebecca Ruiz
Last week I shared an article published by Mashable, 'Watching footage from Ukraine? Here's how to protect your mental health', written by journalist Rebecca Ruiz; a frequenter of many large publications like Mashable, Forbes, NBC News, and Al Jazeera America. I had the great opportunity to sit down with Rebecca and dive deeper into her article, its research, and how we can practically support ourselves and those around us as Russia continues to invade Ukraine.
Rebecca and I talk specifically about current research from Dr E Alison Holman and Dr Roxane Cohen Silver on the trauma responses we as removed individuals can have to confronting reports of events/ subjects.
EDITING | Podlike
MUSIC | Sampson
Identity as political resistance (Part 2) | Kirthana Selvaraj
Kirthana and I sit together in some difficult and uncomfortable topics in order to learn and understand better each other's experience ❤️
EDITING | Podlike
MUSIC | Sampson
Identity as political resistance (Part 1) | Kirthana Selvaraj
EDITING | Podlike
MUSIC | Sampson
Boys to Men | Hunter Johnson
Hunter and Man Cave have also launched a new men’s personal care line for your face, head, pits, and bits; brilliantly called STUFF. Which helps fund the mental health programs Man Cave provide.
Hunter is already making waves with his work in boys and young men’s emotional intelligence development, his work to date receiving some prestigious accolades. Young Australian of the Year Awards (VIC), listed as one of Harper’s Bazaar’s “Visionary Men of 2019”, named a 2018 Queen’s Young Leader by Her Majesty The Queen, 2018 Winner of the EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and in April this year selected to be one of Forbes 30 under 30 in South Asia’s list of recognition.
Despite his acclaims, Hunter’s humility and earnest desire to help boys transition to young men who reach their full potential within their communities is palpable.
This conversation truly opened my eyes and shed so much light onto that transition period, most of us boys, if not all, experienced in high school. Moreover, highlighting the need for a program like Mancave, with diverse men like Hunter and his fellow facilitators, to be accessed by more boys and young men nationally.
In this episode we talk boy’s and young men’s mental health, as well as physical violence. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact life line on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | Sampson
EDIT | Podlike
Man in the Mirror | Dr Zac Seidler
This month of November is Men’s Health Month, and so here on The Informed we are going to focus on men’s mental health briefly for this month.
We know in mental health that men account for approximately twice the amount of suicides as women, boys account for 52.5% of reported eating disorders, girls are 80% more likely than boys to seek professional support and in adulthood women 50% more likely than men, and the coping mechanisms men implement such as gambling, drug use, misuse, and abuse are not recognised by society as calls for support.
Therefore, kicking off this small series I had the great pleasure of chatting with leading men’s mental health expert Dr Zac Seidler. Zac holds dual roles as Director of Mental Health Training at Movember and Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne.
Zac has dedicated his professional career as an academic and clinical psychologist towards the further understanding of men’s mental health and masculinity. His ultimate goal is to help reduce the staggering rate of male suicide worldwide.
This goal has lead to the fully-funded project, Men in Mind – a world first training program to help mental health clinicians better understand and respond to men’s distress and suicidality.
Over our conversation we traversed a great deal of topics in men’s mental health, from origins, stigma, help-seeking, clinical support, the inseparable role of masculinity, and the need for an approach overhaul. This chat was enlightening from assumption, we often all fall prey to, of how far we have actually come in definitions of masculinity.
In this episode we discuss general mental health and covid 19. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | Sampson
EDIT | Podlike
Mental Health's Magic 8 Ball | A/Prof Louise Freebairn & Dr Ante Prodan
In this episode I had the chance to speak with A/Prof Louise Freebairn and Dr Ante Prodan, who’s work is contributing to The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre and BHP Foundation’s research Program 'Right care, first time, where you live'.
Louise is Senior Research Fellow at the Brain and Mind Centre, the Director of Knowledge Translation and Health Outcomes in the Epidemiology Section at ACT Health, and also holds an adjunct associate Professorship with the Research School for Population Health at the Australian National University.
Dr Ante Prodan is an independent director at Computer Simulation & Advanced Research Technologies (CSART). He’s a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing Engineering and Mathematics at Western Sydney University, teaching computer simulation and is Systems Architect with Decision Analytics for the Sax Institute.
Checking back into this community shaping research Program from The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre and BHP Foundation, we are hearing in depth about dynamic systems modelling and the key role this is playing within each community – building a decision support tool that will have predictability capabilities for each communities specific needs and challenges faced.
In this episode we discuss general mental health and covid 19. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact life line on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | Sampson
EDIT | Podlike
Roadmap to Reducing Anxiety | Chris Cheers
This week I spoke with Melbourne based psychologist and educator, Chris Cheers on a subject I’m sure we are all feeling to a degree in this present time; the anxiety of returning to life after lockdown.
Chris is passionate about creating accessible, accepting and safe spaces where people become empowered to live a meaningful life.
Through extensive training and lived experience, Chris has also developed an expertise in providing individual psychology services and workshops to artists and creatives, and the LGBTIQ+ community.
Part of his passion is making psychology accessible and understandable through commentary in media and social media.
Chris is an endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist and board-approved Supervisor. He has also developed an expertise and interest in sexuality and gender development, completing specialised training in supporting LGBTQI+ clients across all ages.
Chris is also a member of the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health (AusPATH) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated (AAPi).
I know that today’s topic was one requested by many a few months ago when I put out a poll. Since then, here in Australia, we have entered and are, some of us, exiting an arduous lockdown.
With numerous restrictions, health warnings, safety regulations, and 11am press conferences, there has been a subliminal fear instilled within us to the dangerous of sustained, un-masked, face-to-face interaction.
Now, given we have some restrictions eased and there is more to come, it is inevitable that this has created the perfect tinderbox for our over-worked frontal lobes and kicked our over-protective amygdala’s in to drive.
Chris and I chat the reasons why we’re feeling this way, and how we can nurture our anxieties not only individually, but collectively without denying our existence or worth. Note that a key element to this whole process is self-awareness and curiosity.
MUSIC | Sampson
EDITOR | Podlike
Designing Your Life with Well-being in Mind | Vince Frost
I wish to also acknowledge those listeners with lived experience in mental health and/or suicide. I extend this to those families, friends, and carers who might be bereaving a loss through suicide.
I got the chance this week to chat with my ex-boss, mentor, and dear friend, the incomparable Vince Frost. Vince is an internationally renowned designer, known for his innovative design and business skills across advertising, branding, environment, and his intuitive gift with typography.
Vince is the founder of the multidisciplinary design studio, Frost*collective. Their approach to service offered by addressing a client's needs collectively and/or individual through their independently functioning businesses cohabiting under the same roof is revolutionary and inspiring.
In 2014 Vince published the book, Design Your Life. This book was Vince's documentation of his evolution to his next step, reasoning with the reader that if he has been hired to help clients live smarter through designing their lives, why can’t apply the same principles to bring value to his?
This isn’t a self-help book and will not solve your problems, but having read it, it lives up to exploring how we can live better by living smarter.
When I studied at Billy Blue Design College we looked at Vince’s impact on design. So when I was hired at Frost*collective, it felt like a full-circle moment for me.
Witnessing Vince's ease and natural caressing of typography one weekend when the two of us worked the infamous Frost*magazine, back in 2018, it was clear to he held an unteachable, instinctual gift. This stemmed from his upbringing, spending time in his father's letterpress business, serving as a compositor to the Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Unwittingly distilling a love for and second nature with typography.
At the time of writing this book, Vince's professional life was littered with accolades – he was deemed successful by peers and clients, and was helping people to live smarter. Yet for himself, he says his personal life was a mess. He didn’t know how to live smarter.
Design Your Life the book and now the launch of the podcast by the same name is his continual documentation and investment in how we can be living smarter, to live better.
In this episode, we discuss general mental health and substance use and misuse. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact LifeLine on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | Samson
EDIT | Podlike
Mother Knows Best | Prof Pat Dudgeon
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land from which I am recording, the Wodiwodi people of the Dharawal nation; acknowledging their elders past, present and emerging.
I wish to also acknowledge those listeners with lived experience in mental health and/or suicide. I extend this to those families, friends, and carers who might be bereaving a loss through suicide.
This week I spoke with a national and internationally recognised leader in Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention, Professor Pat Dudgeon. Pat descends from the Bardi people in the Kimberley’s, having been born and raised in Darwin. If you have had the benefit to meet Pat, you will know how infectious she truly is.
Pat is a fellow former National Mental Health Commissioner, an NMHRC chief investigator for the million minds grants: transforming Indigenous mental health and wellbeing, and she is the director of the Centre of Best practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. Professor Pat Dudgeon’s work has been immensely influential to the aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention and mental health improvement.
This episode is part of the announcement for the university of Sydney’s partnership with the University of Western Australia’s Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention.
The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention was established in 2017 to develop and share evidence about effective suicide prevention approaches for Indigenous people and communities.
Building on the foundation of the earlier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project, they influence Indigenous suicide prevention policy, practice and research by promoting access to evidence and resources and through advocacy.
The work of the Centre is focused on the rights of Indigenous people and communities to self-determination, and the critical importance of cultural responses to distress alongside clinical approaches.
In this episode we discuss Indigenous mental health and comorbidities. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact life line on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | SAMSON
EDITOR | PODLIKE
It's Not Me, It's You | Dr Ramani Durvasula
Earlier this year Apple News recommended an article published with Aeon Media on gaslighting, its origins, its stages, characteristic, impact on the gaslighted individual, and how we can support someone being gaslighted. This article was written by Dr Ramani. Immediately after finishing this article I emailed her to say how illuminating and educational it was to the ominous experience of gaslighting.
If you are unaware of what gaslighting actually is, this episode is perfect for you.
Gaslighting is at it’s core the abuse of power and/or authority over another, purely to combat the gaslighter’s own insecurities, by grooming and secluding the gaslighted individual through consistent undermining, provoking the gaslighted individual to question their knowledge, relationships, trust, mental health, and sometimes sanity. We chat first person, relational, societal, organisational, and systemic gaslighting; as well as the tinder we all are subject to, priming us to be victims of gaslighting itself.
In this episode we gaslighting, mental health, domestic violence, and emotional abuse. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact life line on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | Samson
EDIT | Podlike
A Mental Healthcare Model Focused on You | A/Prof Elizabeth Scott
As part of our research partnership with the University of Sydney, and a second instalment to last week's episode with Dr. Haley LaMonica, about the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre Youth Model. This week, I spoke with the formidable A/Prof Elizabeth Scott. Her clinical career is as long as Santa's list.
We spoke quality mental health care for young people, particularly what this looks like in this day of COVID.
Remember, if you are aged between 16 and 25, you can participate in this co creation by following the link in the show notes to fill out a 10 minute survey on the personal experiences you may have in mental health care as a young person. In this episode, we talk all things mental health related, particularly during this time of COVID. If you or someone you know needs help in their mental health journey, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
MUSIC | Samson
EDITING | Podlike
A Mental Healthcare Model Focused on You | Dr Haley LaMonica
This week I had the great opportunity to chat with Dr Haley LaMonica on The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre Youth Model; a model created to deliver quality mental healthcare to a help-seeking young person.
Dr. Haley M LaMonica is a mid-career researcher and practicing Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist. She has 15 years clinical experience across her career lifespan. Dr LaMonica holds a position as a Senior Research Fellow with the Youth Mental Health and Technology Team at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, where she leads the Digital Technology, and Brain and Mind Centre Youth Model research streams to which we chat about in this episode. In this research stream. Her work focuses on the development of effective and clinically relevant digital solutions to improve mental health outcomes as well as the education and training programs necessary to improve the quality of mental health care, including how this can be facilitated through the use of technology.
Excitingly, the next phase involves the co-creation of a young person’s education and training module to equip, empower, and support young people in identifying their rights and expectations for quality mental healthcare.
If you're between the ages of 16-25 you can participate in this co-creation by following the link in the show notes to fill out a 10 minute survey on your personal experience in mental healthcare as a young person (click here).
MUSIC | Samson
EDITING | Podlike
Suicide prevention on and offline | A/Prof Jo Robinson & Dr Louise La Sala
I had the immense pleasure of chatting with two of Orygen’s (Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne) youth suicide prevention researchers. A/Prof Jo Robinson, who is the Head of Suicide Prevention at Orygen, and Dr Louise La Sala, Youth Suicide Prevention Researcher at Orygen.
Jo Robinson is an Associate Professor at Orygen, where she leads the suicide prevention research unit, which is regarded as the leading centre of youth suicide research in the world.
A/Prof Robinson’s work focuses on the development, and rigorous testing, of novel interventions that specifically target at risk youth across settings, on evidence synthesis, and on the translation of research evidence into practice and policy. Her work has a strong focus on the potential of social media platforms in suicide prevention. This includes the development of the #chatsafe guidelines, the first evidence-based best practice guidelines for safe peer-peer communication about suicide online, which are now available in 12 countries around the world.
Dr Louise La Sala is a researcher with the suicide prevention unit at Orygen. Her expertise is in the area of online behaviour and youth mental health, focusing on the social and psychological impact digital technologies can have on young people. Louise is a lead researcher on the #chatsafe project, exploring the role social media can play in youth suicide prevention and evaluating the impact of universal suicide prevention interventions.
We talk all things, youth suicide prevention, the need to listen to young voices experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours today, the role social media plays, the current global pandemic, and empowerment and education through advocacy.
Jo’s spoke passionately about the much needed disruption in the suicide prevention sector by co-creating deliverables for online communication about suicide among young people; as well as providing guidelines for their significant adults around them.
EDITING | Podlike MUSIC | Sampson