July PD activites

Some of the professional development activities available during July.  Be sure to add any further suggestions in the comments or contact the library.

 

Write – presentations and papers

Rural and remote mental health symposium

Abstracts now open for the symposium and this year’s topic is Innovation and Opportunity
Conference topics include:

• Working smarter: overcoming the challenges and innovative solutions
• Developing programs that build resilience, reduce stigma and offer accessibility to services
• Service delivery strategies, development, implementation, management and evaluation
• Child and youth mental health: prevention and early intervention
• e-Health, tele-Health, technology and social media
• Suicidal and self-harming: behaviour and prevention
• Aboriginal health and engagement
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community programs, support and education
• Recovery in the Bush
• Building healthy communities: policy, practice, community innovation
• Employment opportunities for better health outcomes
• The voice of the lived experience

Submissions due: 17^th July 2015

http://anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/

The 2015 Australian Stop Domestic Violence Conference

Abstracts now open for this year’s conference on the topic of “Connecting the dots…”

Presentation topics include:

• Community (e.g. Educational Programs, Homelessness, Intervention, Helplines)
• Communication and Interstate Collaboration
• Law Enforcement, Protection and Legal System
• Government and Policy Making
• Mental Health (e.g. Impact on service provider personnel, Preventative care, Access to services, Identification of core issues and diagnosis)
• Indigenous Communities
• Special Topics/Open (e.g. Children, CALD, Disability, Elder Abuse, IPV and Sexual Assault, LBGTI, Parental Violence)
• Research

Authors or organisations interested in speaking at the Conference, are invited to submit an abstract or paper of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.

There are spots available for oral presentations, workshops, and poster presentations.

Submissions due: 29^th August

http://stopdomesticviolence.com.au/submit-abstract/

Read – professional reading

Gorman, D. M. (2015), ‘Everything works’: the need to address confirmation bias in evaluations of drug misuse prevention interventions for adolescents. Addiction, doi: 10.1111/add.12954.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12954/full

Darvishi N, Farhadi M, Haghtalab T, Poorolajal J (2015) Alcohol-Related Risk of Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempt, and Completed Suicide: A Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE 10(5): e0126870. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0126870 

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0126870

Morandini, J. S., Blaszczynski, A., Dar-Nimrod, I. and Ross, M. W. (2015), Minority stress and community connectedness among gay, lesbian and bisexual Australians: a comparison of rural and metropolitan localities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 39: 260–266. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12364

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12364/abstract?campaign=woletoc

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Journal club for this month is yet to be finalised.  Below date is tentative only.  Details will be provided as soon as possible.

When: Thursday, 16th July, 2pm

The addicted brain – Emory University

This is a course about addiction to drugs and other behaviours. It will describe what happens in the brain and how this information helps us deal with and overcome addiction. It will also discuss other topics such as government policy and our vulnerability to take drugs.  Course is delivered in 7 online modules

When: Available anytime

https://www.coursera.org/learn/addiction-and-the-brain

Attend - conferences

Aboriginal Health Conference

The conference theme Healthy families - healthy futures will be addressed through presentations, clinical updates, practical workshops, hands-on concurrent sessions and case study learning opportunities that are professionally accredited and delivered by expert specialists and speakers.  Includes optional family program/child care.

When: 4-5^th July

Where: Perth

Cost: $320-450

http://www.ruralhealthwest.com.au/professional-development/conference/2015/07/04/default-calendar/aboriginal-health-conference-2015

Australian Winter School Conference

Now in its 28th year, AWS aims to support health care professionals in developing skills and knowledge in responding to and treating alcohol and drug related issues, including mental health. It brings together practitioners, researchers, policy makers and workers from across the sector including community and private practice and all levels of government and provides a forum for cross-disciplinary dialogue. The conference suits those working in alcohol and other drugs, including nurses, allied health, GPs and other support agencies. It also appeals to those working in EDs and mental health care.
When: 22-24 July
Where: Brisbane
Cost:  See website for costs (and for the clever names they’ve given the various ticket types)
http://winterschool.org.au/

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Dovetail webinar: Practical harm reduction

This webinar will include an overview of the types of harms that young people using substances might experience and practical strategies that young people can use to reduce these harms.  The webinar will cover cannabis, MDMA (ecstasy), LSD and methamphetamine, with strategies that can be applied at any stage of a young person's engagement with a service from intake / assessment, through to treatment and relapse prevention.
When: 9am – 10am (AEST) Friday, 3^rd July.
http://www.dovetail.org.au/latest-news/2015/june/dovetail-webinar-practical-harm-reduction-friday-july-3rd-9am-10am.aspx

Everyday racism – Podsocs

Everyday racism is alive and well in Australia. But do we know what it is, how it manifests and how it affects people in our community. Jessica Walton talks about everyday racism.
Duration: 23mins
http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/everyday-racism/

June PD opportunities

Write – presentations and papers

Rural and remote mental health symposium

Abstracts now open for the symposium and this year’s topic is Innovation and Opportunity
Conference topics include:

• Working smarter: overcoming the challenges and innovative solutions
• Developing programs that build resilience, reduce stigma and offer accessibility to services
• Service delivery strategies, development, implementation, management and evaluation
• Child and youth mental health: prevention and early intervention
• e-Health, tele-Health, technology and social media
• Suicidal and self-harming: behaviour and prevention
• Aboriginal health and engagement
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community programs, support and education
• Recovery in the Bush
• Building healthy communities: policy, practice, community innovation
• Employment opportunities for better health outcomes
• The voice of the lived experience

Submissions due: 17^th July 2015
http://anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/

The 2015 Australian Stop Domestic Violence Conference

Abstracts now open for this year’s conference on the topic of “Connecting the dots…”
Presentation topics include:

• Community (e.g. Educational Programs, Homelessness, Intervention, Helplines)
• Communication and Interstate Collaboration
• Law Enforcement, Protection and Legal System
• Government and Policy Making
• Mental Health (e.g. Impact on service provider personnel, Preventative care, Access to services, Identification of core issues and diagnosis)
• Indigenous Communities
• Special Topics/Open (e.g. Children, CALD, Disability, Elder Abuse, IPV and Sexual Assault, LBGTI, Parental Violence)
• Research

Authors or organisations interested in speaking at the Conference, are invited to submit an abstract or paper of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.
There are spots available for oral presentations, workshops, and poster presentations.
Submissions due: 29^th August
http://stopdomesticviolence.com.au/submit-abstract/
  

Read – professional reading

Keane, C., Magee, C. A. and Lee, J. K. (2015), Childhood trauma and risky alcohol consumption: A study of Australian adults with low housing stability. Drug and Alcohol Review, 34: 18–26.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12177/abstract

Wardle, J. L., & Chang, S. (2015). Cross‐promotional alcohol discounting in Australia's grocery sector: a barrier to initiatives to curb excessive alcohol consumption?. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 39 (2): 124-128.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12291/epdf

Posselt, M., Procter, N., Galletly, C., & Crespigny, C. (2015). Aetiology of Coexisting Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders: Perspectives of Refugee Youth and Service Providers. Australian Psychologist, 50(2), 130-140.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ap.12096/epdf

Gowing, L. R., Ali, R. L., Allsop, S., Marsden, J., Turf, E. E., West, R., and Witton, J. (2015), Global statistics on addictive behaviours: 2014 status report. Addiction, 110, 904–919.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12899/epdf

 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

This internal professional development session is held both in the library and via Lync meeting this month.  June’s session is being presented by the Library (woot!) looking at some amazing article (yet to be determined).
When: Wednesday, 17^th June, 10am

Questionnaire design for social surveys
This course covers the basic elements of designing and evaluating questionnaires.  The process of responding to questions, challenges and options for asking questions about behavioral frequencies, practical techniques for evaluating questions, mode specific questionnaire characteristics, and review methods of standardized and conversational interviewing is reviewed.
Duration: 6 weeks, 4-8hr/wk
Cost: free or $63 to receive verified certificate
Starts: 1st June
https://www.coursera.org/course/questionnairedesign

Becoming a resilient person: the science of stress management
The purpose of this course is to teach individuals the science behind becoming a resilient person. Stated simply, resilience is the ability to survive and thrive. Resiliency is not only about your ability to positively adapt in the face of adverse or challenging circumstances (that is, survive), but it is also about learning the positive skills, strategies and routines that enable you to live a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life (in other words, thrive). This course gives you the permission to take care of yourself in order to effectively manage life stressors and do what matters most in life.
Duration: 8 weeks, 2-3hr/wk
Starts: 2nd June
https://www.edx.org/course/becoming-resilient-person-science-stress-uwashingtonx-ecfs311x-0#!

 

Attend - conferences

2015 National Aboriginal Wellbeing Conference

This year’s conference theme will be “Lateral Violence – Everybody’s Business” and the conference will focus on the issues related to lateral violence and showcase the innovative programs being delivered within our communities to address the effects to ourselves and our families. 
When: 9-10^th June
Where: Ballina, NSW
Cost: $450
http://www.aboriginalwellbeingconference.com/

AH & MRC Harm Minimisation Summit

Registrations are open for the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW ‘Sustainable Futures: Investing in Everyone’ Summit.  The Summit will focus on identifying the most effective ways to address injecting drug use in Aboriginal communities using a harm minimisation framework, and is for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service staff, Aboriginal workers from other settings and others who work with Aboriginal communities in NSW around injecting drug use.
When: 10-12^th June
Where: Sydney
Cost: $250
http://bit.ly/1Rj2MuL

Suicide and self-harm prevention conference

The Suicide & Self-harm Prevention Conference 2015 is about bringing together researchers, practitioners, health workers, the “key players” within the suicide prevention sector, those within the community and anyone affected by suicide.
When: 24-26^th June
Where: Cairns
Cost: See website for packages
http://www.kochfoundation.org.au/Suicide-Prevention-Conference-2015.77.0.html

 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

‘Troubled’ or ‘disadvantaged’ families?

Podcast conversation with Sue Bond-Taylor Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Lincoln, England.  Troubled Families programs have been introduced in England for those most ‘troubled’ families. Sue Bond-Taylor discusses an evaluation of one these programs and the differences between political and practice meanings of words like empowerment and troubled.
Duration: 32mins
http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/troubled-or-disadvantaged-families/

ReGen - Innovation in action seminar 2015

View presentations from this year’s “Innovation in Action” seminar held on 30^th April.
Video footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euF5UnP3KCs&feature=youtu.be&a
Slides/presentations:
http://www.slideshare.net/ReGenUC

Gender identity: responding to gender incongruence and/or people who identify as Transgender

MindOUT!’s seminar/webinar from April is up and available for viewing
Duration: 1hr
http://www.instantpresenter.com/WebConference/RecordingDefault.aspx?c_psrid=EB55D784864B

Insight Webinars

Catch up on the Insight webinars you’ve missed on their Vimeo channel
https://vimeo.com/user38079975

NCPIC Quitting cannabis 1-6 sessions - clinical interventions
The National Cannabis Prevention & Information Centre UNSW is presenting a new 4-part webinar series ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ starting in three weeks on 12, 19, 26 June and 3 July 2015.  Registration and attendance for each of the four ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ 1 hour webinars is free of charge.  The intervention is especially suitable for counsellors and psychologists who have a thorough understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
NCPIC 12^th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 1 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_12th_June_2015

NCPIC 19^th June 2015

11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 2 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_19th_June_2015

NCPIC 26^th June 2015

11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 3 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_26th_June_2015

NCPIC 3^rd July 2015

11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) - A Clinical Intervention’ PART 4 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_3rd_July_2015
 

Assessed learning – short courses, certs, dip., bachelors, post-grad

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in AOD studies

The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in AOD Studies deliver an applied approach to alcohol and drug studies with subjects including; Assessment, Treatment and Planning, Counselling Interventions, Group Work, Dual Diagnosis as well as Evaluation and Reflective Practice. Graduates may be employed in the specialist AOD field and satisfy requirements for the Minimum Qualification Strategy for working in services funded by the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria. Graduates can take on more senior specialist AOD clinical and treatment roles, as well as roles in research, evaluation and policy development. Applicants require a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline and must apply through Turning Point. Most subjects in the courses are delivered online. The graduate awards are received from Turning Point.
Applications due for mid-year entry: 15^th July, 2015
Delivery: Online
For costs and prerequisite requirements see website
http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Education/Graduate-Programs.aspx

Federal budget 2015/16

Here are a few of the relevant points from last night's budget for AOD and mental health.



New way of working for grants
$55.6 million over 3 years to continue front line community services whilst the "New Way of Working for Grants" framework is implemented. 

Illicit drugs campaign
$20 million over 2 years to renew the National Drug Campaign, a media campaign to prevent and encourage people to cease illicit drug use.  No surprises at the documented focus on "ice".

Streamlining health services
Cuts in funding including cuts to the Health Portfolio Flexible Funds

Plain packaging litigation
Undisclosed amount will be given to defend international legal challenges to the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011,

NDIS
Sector Development Fund to be transferred to the Department of Social Services from the National Disability Insurance Agency.  NDIA will continue with focus on care packages for individuals.

National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness
Extended to 2017

Domestic violence awareness
Contribution of $16.7 million to the Council of Australian Governments' planned $30 million awareness campaign 

Stronger relationships trial

Trial, which included $200 vouchers for relationship counselling services, has been discontinued

Department of Human Services/Welfare integrity

$1.7 billion over 5 years for increased fraud prevention, debt recovery and improved assessment processes.

Efficiency review to take place.  Phase-out of cheques and credit EFTPOS in favour of electronic funds transfer for Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit payments.

Implementation of new Centrelink IT systems.

 

Young job seekers

The Government will reverse the 2014‑15 Budget measure Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30, requiring a 6 month waiting period for income support and instead require young people under 25 years of age without significant barriers to employment to actively seek work for a four week waiting period.

$212 million of funding allocated to young people at high risk of long term unemployment.

Low income supplement

Abolished. 

Microfinance

Continuation of microfinance services including StepUp and No Interest Loan Scheme.

Health

Government not proceeding with Medicare co-payments and redefinition of time requirements for type A and B medical consultations.

Continuation of e-health system. Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHR) to be renamed My Health Record 



Feel free to add anything I missed in the comments.  There was a small reference to prevention in health, but I will need to investigate more to see what this was about. 

 

FARE Annual alcohol poll 2015

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education has released the 2015 Annual alcohol poll today.  See the full report here:

http://www.fare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ALCOHOL-POLL-2015-REPORT-27032015.pdf

Some of the key findings:

• 75% of Australians think we have a problem with alcohol
• 73% of Australians think more needs to be done to reduce the harms of alcohol and 71% think that the situation is going to get worse of stay the same in the future
• 50% believe alcohol advertising should be banned from sports grounds
• 81% support bars closing at 3am or earlier and 60% think health warnings should be placed on alcoholic products
• 20% of parents say their children have been harmed or put at risk of harm from another person's drinking

More findings on the FARE website can be found here: http://www.fare.org.au/AlcPoll2015/
or follow #AlcPoll2015 on social media.

May PD Opportunities

Some of the professional development opportunities available in May.  As always, comment or contact the library if you have something to add.

Write – presentations and papers

Second National Complex Needs Conference – 17-18^th November, Canberra

Abstract submissions are now open for the November conference.  Abstracts can be submitted under the following themes:

• Building stronger linkages in NGO service provision
• Prevention and social determinants of health
• Comprehensive case management and/or care coordination – service providers working together
• Strengthening individual and family capability
• Engaging communities in designing responses and building community capacity
• Breaking down structural and systemic barriers, providing integrated services
• Cross-sectoral and cross-portfolio approaches
• Collaborative Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug service delivery
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services
• Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities
• Family, Housing and Community Services
• Partnerships with the private sector
• Consumer/peer worker perspectives
• Improving throughcare for people transitioning out of adult prison or youth detention
• Research, evidence, evaluation and establishing best practice

Spots are available for oral and poster presentations
Submissions close: 12^th June, 2015
https://phaa.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/second-national-complex-needs-conference/2ncncwebsite
 

Read – professional reading

Maksimovic, L., Shen, D., Bandick, M., Ettridge, K., & Eckert, M. (2015). Evaluation of the pilot phase of the “Give up smokes for good” social marketing campaign. Health Promotion Journal of Australia.

http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=HE14066.pdf

Loree, A. M., Lundahl, L. H., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2015). Impulsivity as a predictor of treatment outcome in substance use disorders: review and synthesis. Drug and alcohol review.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12132/epdf

Galvani, S. (2015). Alcohol and Other Drug Use: The role and capabilities of social workers. Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester.

http://www.smmgp.org.uk/download/guidance/guidance037.pdf?utm_source=ADF+Master+List&utm_campaign=e4136c17e3-DrugInfo_15_April4_15_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fe135ee49e-e4136c17e3-297991729

 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

This internal professional development session is held both in the library and on the Queensland teleconference line.  May’s session is being presented by the South Australian team with the topic to be confirmed.
When: Thursday, 21^st May, 2pm (AEST)

Slide presentations from the 2015 VAADA conference are now available to view

The VAADA conference was held in February this year and the presentations are now available to view through a hyperlinked program.
Presentation titles include items such as:

• Moving beyond tokenism: Looking at the challenges and exploring key considerations in servicing transgender clients
• Walking a tightrope: AOD usage and violence, a guide for workers
• SMART recovery Australia: Innovations for a new era of community mutual-aid

Open hyperlinked presentation titles to view the presentation
http://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Final-conference-program-2015-PDFs.pdf

Indigenous studies: Australia and New Zealand – Short course

Online short course exploring the history and contemporary issues facing Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 
Requires 2-4 hours study per week, for four weeks.  Students completing the course receive a Certificate of Achievement  
Starts: Late May – check website for new dates
https://www.open2study.com/courses/indigenous-studies
 

Attend – conferences, symposiums

National Methamphetamine Symposium

Responding to methamphetamine use using the best and most recent research

Cost: $195

When: Tuesday 12 May, 2015 - Register by 8th

Where: Melbourne

http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/nceta/events/methamphetamine-symposium/

Walk on the wild side 7: Harm maximisation

A one-day symposium for health professionals examining substance use and society
Includes:

• Steroid education: A users perspective;
• Change the things I can: serenity for the humble health worker;
• The War on Drugs;
• and, three workshop options.

Where: Education Centre - Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Cost: $100 Early bird (by 30^th April), $150
When: Friday, 15^th May
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/metronorth/events/wows/wows-program.pdf
 
Addiction conference
The conference will address the treatment and recovery of alcohol, other drugs and behavioural addictions and is hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association
Streams include:

• Prevention
• Addiction professional support/training
• Treatment & recovery
• and much more…

Our own Joanne Mazzola, National Prevention Officer, will be presenting Thursday morning on the new MyAOD Prevention website – discussing putting theory into practice.
Where: Surfers Paradise, Queensland
Cost: See registration details
When: 20-22^nd May
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/

 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Being tech savvy and ‘appy – ReachOut Pro webinar series

“Learn to use technology safely and effectively through this “How To” webinar series from the field. From negotiating your ‘virtual’ boundaries to advocating for change in your workplace, these webinars will offer practical, ‘tried and tested’ tips to help support you in using technology with young people.”
E-self care: Self care, virtual boundaries and professionalism
              When: Tuesday 5^th May, 11am (AEST)
Tech tips: Practical tips on how to use technology in day-to-day practice with young people
             When: Tuesday, 12^th May, 11am (AEST)
Navigating change: Ideas and examples of how to advocate for the use technology when working with young people
             When: Tuesday, 19^th May, 11am (AEST)
http://au.professionals.reachout.com/webinar-sign-up

Understanding methamphetamine webinar - Dovetail

There continues to be increasing community concern about the use of methamphetamine, particularly crystal methamphetamine.  In response to this, Cameron Francis from Dovetail will be presenting a webinar on Tuesday the 5th of May, from 9am - 10am.  The presentation will help increase workers' knowledge about methamphetamine and some of the unique issues this substance presents.  The presentation will provide an overview of the history of amphetamine both globally and in Australia, as well as an overview of how it works, the risks and harms, strategies to reduce the harms and information on treatment interventions
When: Tuesday 5^th May, 9am (AEST)
http://www.dovetail.org.au/latest-news/2015/april/dovetail-webinar-understanding-methamphetamine-friday-1st-of-may-9am-10am.aspx
 

Insight webinars for May

Amphetamine Use in Australia: Barriers to Treatment and New Interventions

Presented by Eliana Hirakis, Griffith University.
Rates of amphetamine use in Australia have stabilised; however, people are increasingly using more potent forms of amphetamines and thus are at greater risk of harm. As amphetamine users are difficult to engage in treatment, investigation into barriers to treatment is vital in order to develop and tailor interventions to better engage this population. The latest research on barriers to treatment and online interventions will be presented.
When: Wednesday, 6^th May, 9am (AEST)

Measurement – The Key to Improvement Metro South ATOP Experience

Ellenora Staunton-McKenzie, CNC, & Lan Wu, CN, Metro South Addictions Service
As the current treatment outcome measurement tool in Metro South Addictions Service, ATOP has been implemented since June 2013. This presentation will discuss two topics: the nine months experience at Inala ADS since the implementation of ATOP (data collection and data analysis); and incorporating treatment outcome measurement into the quality improvement experience across Metro South Addictions Service.
When: Wednesday, 13^th May, 9am (AEST)

Adolescent alcohol misuse: Be mindful of your mechanisms

Dr Matthew Gullo, NHMRC Early Career Fellow, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, University of Qld
Progress in reducing adolescent alcohol misuse has been modest. A key problem is the lack of clear evidence regarding the causal mechanisms of risk and of behaviour change.  This presentation will discuss a new program of research aimed at disentangling causal factors in adolescent drinking and the unique effects of different techniques to reduce it (eg belief modification vs mindful meditation.)
When: Wednesday, 20^th May, 9am (AEST)

http://www.dovetail.org.au/insight/webinars.php

 

Assessed learning – short courses, certificates, diplomas, bachelors, post-grad

Assessable unit - Drugs, Policy and Public Health 5001 on offer at Curtin University.

“Alcohol and other drug use are amongst some of the greatest contemporary public health challenges. Effective alcohol and other drug use policy development requires a high level of background knowledge of the area, knowledge of key population groups impacted by drug use, and awareness of the policy development framework at various levels of government.”
This is a one week post-graduate level intensive class including presenters from the National Drug Research Institute and other international experts.  See the program here http://ndri.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/pdf/seminars/dpph_draft_program.pdf
Enrolments close: 19^th June
Class dates: 20-24^th July in PERTH
http://ndri.curtin.edu.au/students/dpph5001.cfm

April PD Opportunities

Find below some of professional development opportunities available in April.  As always, please comment or contact the library if you have something to add.

Write – presentations and papers

International Mental Health Conference at the Gold Coast

Abstract submissions are still open for the International Mental Health conference
The conference program will be designed to challenge, inspire, demonstrate and encourage participants while facilitating discussion. The program will include an extensive range of topics with keynotes, concurrent sessions, workshops and posters. Topics will include:

• Early intervention and treatment advances
• Recovery oriented practice
• e-Health, technology and social media
• Suicide prevention and support
• Child, youth and family mental health promotion and services
• Demands for an ageing population
• Targeted services for vulnerable groups
• Indigenous mental, social, emotional and environmental health
• LGBTI mental health promotion and resilience
• Workplace health and wellbeing
• Mental health in the custodial and forensic setting
• Consumer and carer participation and opportunities
• Offering hope: stories from the front line and lived experience
• Open topic

Abstract submissions close 10^th April, 2015
http://www.anzmh.asn.au/conference/abstracts.html
 

3^rd NCPIC Conference in Melbourne

Organisers are still taking abstract submissions for the 3^rd NCPIC conference.
There are specific instructions on the format and style of the abstract which can be found here:
http://mers.vpweb.com.au/upload/CALL%20FOR%20ABSTRACTS.pdf

The NCPIC Conference Scientific committee is calling for submissions on a range of issues including:

• cannabis use and intervention approaches particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• cannabis use and mental health
• interventions for the prevention and reduction of cannabis use
• treatment approaches for cannabis use disorder
• the role of genetics in cannabis use and dependence
• cannabis and driving
• toxicology and evidence-based pharmacological applications of cannabinoids
• the relationship between cannabis, tobacco and other drugs
• synthetic cannabinoids
• cannabis and comorbid mental health conditions.

Abstracts can include empirical research (group and single case studies), topic reviews, clinical issues and initiatives
Abstract submissions close 1^st May, 2015
http://mers.vpweb.com.au/3rd-NCPIC-Conf.html
 

 

Read – professional reading

Kelly JF, Wakeman SE, Saitz R. (2015). Stop talking “dirty”: clinicians, language, and quality of care for the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The American journal of medicine, 128(1), 8-9.

http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(14)00770-0/pdf

Van Den Abbeele, J., Penton-Voak, I. S., Attwood, A. S., Stephen, I. D., & Munafò, M. R. (2015). Increased facial attractiveness following moderate, but not high, alcohol consumption. Alcohol and Alcoholism, agv010.

http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/content/alcalc/early/2015/02/25/alcalc.agv010.full.pdf
This article is included due to the high levels of media coverage

Posselt, M., Procter, N., Galletly, C., & Crespigny, C. (2015). Aetiology of coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drug disorders: Perspectives of refugee youth and service providers. Australian Psychologist, 50(2), 130-140.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ap.12096/epdf
Access for Healthy Options staff, volunteers and students provided by Healthy Options Library

Schifano, F., Orsolini, L., Duccio Papanti, G., & Corkery, J. M. (2015). Novel psychoactive substances of interest for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 14(1), 15-26.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4329884/pdf/wps0014-0015.pdf
 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

This internal professional development session is held both in the library and on the Queensland teleconference line.  April’s session is being presented by Monica Reitano and Rebecca Sion of the Creating Options Program with the topic to be confirmed.
When: Wednesday, 15^th April, 10am
 

Online course - Social Entrepreneurship

In this course you will learn how to create societal impact through Social Entrepreneurship (S-ENT). S-ENT describes the discovery and sustainable exploitation of opportunities to create social change. We will introduce you to S-ENT examples and guide you through the process of identifying an opportunity to address social problems as well as outlining your idea in a business plan.
Free online course, participants receive a verified certificate
Duration: 12 weeks
Time commitment: 4-6 hours/week
Enrol before: 7^th April
https://www.coursera.org/course/socialentrepeneur

Online course – eHealth Opportunities and challenges

KIeHealthX will introduce students to the field of eHealth and its opportunities and challenges. During the course you will get to know the different concepts that are used in the field and learn how it developed historically. This basic knowledge will help you to understand the opportunities and challenges of the field. You will meet different stakeholders from various countries and get to know their views on the opportunities and challenges of eHealth. We will introduce you to eHealth strategies and frameworks for developing and analyzing them. You will get to know methods for eHealth service development and discuss basic requirements that are necessary to achieve sustainable eHealth applications for both clinical professionals and patients.
Free online course with opportunity to earn an Honor Certificate.
Duration: 6 weeks
Time commitment: 6hr/week
Enrol before: 22^nd April
https://www.edx.org/course/ehealth-opportunities-challenges-kix-kiehealthx#.VQJwArccSUk

 

Attend conferences

Grey matters conference

Adelaide
NCETA are hosting this national conference on identifying, preventing and responding to alcohol and other drug problems among older Australians.
Date: 1^st April, 2015
http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/workforce/projects_and_research/alcohol-and-drug-use-ageing-populations/events/

 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Disruption beyond adoption: In conversation with Julie Selwyn

In this podcast, Julie Selwyn talks about a study conducted with colleagues on UK adoption disruptions involving severely abused children adopted from care. She paints a picture of complex cases and the need for child participation and preparation, ongoing therapeutic support for children and adoptive parents, support and training for foster parents, and the importance of open communication about a child’s history and other ongoing issues.
http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/disruption-beyond-adoption/.
Duration: 45min

Fostering Professional Resilience: The Professional Resilience Paradigm

http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=162
In this episode, Ellen Fink-Samnick describes the core components, building blocks, and practical strategies associated with the Professional Resilence Paradigm. This framework provides an operationalized context and a specific set of behaviors that foster professional and personal growth as well as resilience for health and human services professionals.
Duration: 45mins

Developing therapeutic responses to methamphetamine use and dependence.  Presented by Associate Professor at NCETA, Dr Nicole Lee

http://www.regen.org.au/iaod14
Duration: 2hr 40min
 

Insight webinars for April

Trauma, substance use and well-being in a young population

John Kelly, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist at Youth and Biala specialised clinical service – Presentation of research that examined prevalence rates of trauma among young people attending an AOD youth service in Brisbane, and examined the links between trauma, patient characteristics, patterns of substance use and levels of psychological well-being
Date: 1^st April, 9am

The hidden harm: Alcohol’s impact on children and families

Sarah Ward, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education - This research, funded by FARE, examines in detail the impact of alcohol’s harms from others on women, children and families.
These harms are often hidden, occurring in the home.
Date: 8^th April, 9am

Demon weed or wonder drug? The science of medicinal cannabis

Iain McGregor, Prof of Pharmacology/NHMRC Principal Research Fellow School of Psychology, University of Sydney. - Until recently, attitudes towards cannabis have centred around possible links between cannabis use and schizophrenia, and adverse effects on the adolescent brain. New understanding shows that cannabis contains many cannabinoid molecules in addition to THC and that many non-psychoactive cannabinoids have major potential health benefits. This talk will explore the current state of play with medicinal cannabis at this exciting time of major scientific advances and political change.
Date: 15^th April, 9am

An introduction to EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Anthony Bligh Psychologist, Metro North Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Service. - EMDR therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for the treatment of PTSD. However, controversy exists as to whether the therapy is any different to CBT. It has also been suggest EMDR therapy may be effective in the treatment of substance use disorders. This presentation will outline the basic EMDR processes, model, and evidence for the therapy, and discuss the suggested applications to the treatment of substance use disorders.
Date: 22^nd April, 9am

Functional Imagery Training: A new way to support self-management of AOD issues

Professor David Kavanagh, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology. - Motivational interviewing shows strong effects, but is largely used to engage people in AOD treatment rather than teaching a skill for everyday use. Nor is it based on recent cognitive research and theory. Functional Imagery Training addresses these issues adopting an MI style to help people use vivid imagery to support behaviour change in the natural environment
Date: 29^th April, 9am

To register or join an Insight webinar see: http://www.dovetail.org.au/insight/webinars.php