The festive season is a time of celebration but it can also be a period of high stress for those of us working in mental health. The festive season can mean preparing for the shutdown of a private clinic whilst ensuring that our clients are well-supported in our absence. It can also mean managing higher rates of grief, trauma, and isolation in our client sessions. This Christmas period may be particularly challenging following a difficult two years of living with the uncertainties of COVID and, the anniversary of the 2019/20 bushfires.

This Expert Insights panel session discusses the challenge this festive season presents us with plus tips, insights and resources to prepare for the holiday period as a mental health practitioner.

Panelists
Melissa Black – Clinical Psychologist and Researcher at the Black Dog Institute
Chris Basten - Principal Clinical Psychologist at Basten Psychology
Cassandra - Lived Experience Representative

Dr Carol Newall - Clinical Psychologist and facilitator
Nathan Bell - Recording and sound production
Cameron Banks - Voiceover

The Other Side of Christmas - Expert Insights for Health Professionals

Distinguishing between grief and depression can at times be clinically challenging. While both may manifest in similar ways, there are some key differences helpful in separating the two. However, grief and depression can also co-occur with the course of one influencing the other, further adding to the complexity of the presentation. This month's Black Dog Institute Expert Insight  forum brings together clinicians, researchers and consumers to answer questions on managing grief and depression in clinical practice. 

Panel members: Professor Gordon Parker, Scientia Professor, University of New South Wales, Consultant Psychiatrist, Prince of Wales Psychiatry; Amelia Paterson, Researcher, Black Dog Institute; Michael Dash, Bereavement Coordinator, Sydney Local Health District; Sharyn McGee, Lived Experience Representative

Facilitated by: Dr Vered Gordon, Black Dog Institute GP Consultant 
Recording and sound production: James Stewart, audioPost 
Voiceover: Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute 



Is it grief or depression? - Expert Insights forum for health professionals

In this podcast Dr Jan Orman talks to Professor Gavin Andrews, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of NSW, about what GP's can do to help patients get the best out of online programs.

Teaching your patients to fish: the benefits of online therapy - eMental Health

In loving memory of Paula, thank you for your generosity in sharing your story.

Paula is a counsellor specialising in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, a former dancer and a mother, who is living with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. 

Paula has remained an optimist throughout her treatment, and shares her story of living with chronic disease on this episode of Being Well. 

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Presented by Jan Orman
Produced by Nathan Bell 
Additional production by Olivia De Pomeroy.

Paula's Story

Black Dog Institute is a global pioneer in the identification, prevention and treatment of mental illness and the promotion of well-being. Our unique approach incorporates clinical services with research, education and the voice of lived experience to reduce the incidence of mental illness and suicide, remove stigma and improve lives.

The Other Side of Christmas - Expert Insights for Health Professionals

Black Dog Institute for Health Professionals

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