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 

Alcohol's harm to families and children - report

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) have released a report this week looking at the harm alcohol causes to families and children. 

"The Hidden Harm: Alcohol's impact on children and families" has received a fair bit of media attention this week, especially around reported findings of the relationship between alcohol use and domestic and family violence.

Data for the report was compiled from the 2008 Harm to Others survey and 2011 Harm to Others follow-up survey and information from alcohol and other drug treatment, child protection, police and family violence services.

Some of the findings:

• Past harm was the strongest predictor of future harm for children and families, as well as the number of adult heavy drinkers in respondents' household and among their relatives, girlfriends, boyfriends and ex-partners. Half (50 per cent) of adult respondents harmed in 2008 were also harmed in 2011 and 35 per cent of children harmed in 2008 continued to be harmed in 2011.
• In 2011 there were 29,684 police-reported incidents of alcohol-related domestic violence in Australia
• Children are being verbally abused, left in unsupervised or unsafe situations, physically hurt or exposed to domestic violence because of others’ drinking. Many were also witnessing verbal or physical conflict, drinking or inappropriate behaviour.
• Over a million children (22 per cent of all Australian children) are estimated to be affected in some way by the drinking of others (2008). 142,582 children were substantially affected (2008), and more than 10,000 Australian children are in the child protection system because of a carers drinking (2006-07).

You can read reflections from one of the researchers here: http://drinktank.org.au/2015/02/hidden-harm-research/

You can also find FARE's "Policy Options Paper for preventing alcohol-related family and domestic violence" here: http://www.fare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/FARE-Policy-Options-Paper-Preventing-alcohol-related-FDV.pdf

Health on the Internet

Two new developments that may be of interest when searching about health on the internet.

Medicare Local, Mater Health Services, University of Southern Queensland and a number of other partners have come together to develop a health website for refugee women.  The Community Health Hub provides health information in French, Swahili, Kirundi, Arabic and English.  Be aware that people with very low English literacy may still need help navigating the site's English menu options.

See: http://www.communityhealthhub.com.au/index.html


Google are adjusting their search algorithm to help deliver factual information to those searching health information online.  Due to the nature of the internet, some of the information you may come across is... less than reliable.  Google statistics suggest that 1 in 20 searches performed are health related, and more people are searching symptoms and illnesses as a part of assessing their own health.

To ensure that factual information from evidence-based sources is prominently featured when a user searches, a "Knowledge Graph" will appear with information such as symptoms, treatments, how common the ailment is, and whether it is contagious.  Information is sourced from reliable websites and from doctors involved in the project.  However, Google are quick to state that search results are not a replacement for visiting a doctor.

Image: Google 2015 http://bit.ly/1Aba7Fl

The changes came into place on the U.S. site from the 10th February and will be rolled out through all the sites.  You should start to see the Knowledge Graph appear when you do a medical search in the future.

For more information see:
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2364942?p=medical_conditions&rd=1
http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/health-info-knowledge-graph.html

March PD Opportunities

Find below some of professional development opportunities available in March.  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 now 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 now 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

Fitzpatrick, J. P., Latimer, J., Carter, M., Oscar, J., Ferreira, M. L., Carmichael Olson, H., ... & Elliott, E. J. (2015). Prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in a population‐based sample of children living in remote Australia: The Lililwan Project. Journal of paediatrics and child health.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpc.12814/abstract

Keane, C., Magee, C. A., & Lee, J. K. (2015) Childhood trauma and risky alcohol consumption: A study of Australian adults with low housing stability.  Drug and Alcohol Review, 34(1), 18-26.

Request from the library

Khanjani, Z., Mosanezhad Jeddi, E., Hekmati, I., Khalilzade, S., Etemadi Nia, M., Andalib, M., & Ashrafian, P. (2015). Comparison of Cognitive Empathy, Emotional Empathy, and Social Functioning in Different Age Groups. Australian Psychologist, 50(1), 80-85.

Online access for Healthy Options workers:  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ap.12099/pdf

Petitjean, S. A., Dürsteler-MacFarland, K. M., Krokar, M. C., Strasser, J., Mueller, S. E., Degen, B., ... & Farronato, N. S. (2014). A randomized, controlled trial of combined cognitive-behavioral therapy plus prize-based contingency management for cocaine dependence. Drug and alcohol dependence, 145, 94-100.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871614018511

 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

 

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Journal club for March will be included as part of the Healthy Options national workshop program.  Presenter and topic to be announced.
Date: TBC
 

Online course - An Introduction to Global Health

Online course facilitated by the University of Copenhagen. Modules include: Global Health Governance and Health Systems, Epidemiological Transition and Global Burden of Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Environment, Sanitation and Climate Change, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Mental Health and Injuries, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Migration, Disasters and Emergency Health.
Free online course: Participants receive a “Statement of Attainment”
Duration: 6 weeks
Weekly time commitment: 3-5hrs
Enrol before: 13^th April
https://www.coursera.org/course/globalhealthintro
 

Online course – Leadership: Identity, Influence and Power

Offered by the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, this free online course examines recent research into leadership and its practical application in the workplace. Modules include: the romance of leadership, leadership theories, leader and followers, and the practice of leadership.
Free online course: Participants receive a “Certificate of Achievement”
Duration: 4 weeks
Weekly time commitment: 2-4hrs
Enrol before: Check website for March dates
https://www.open2study.com/courses/leadership-identity-influence-power
 

Attend - conferences

Australasian Drug and Alcohol Strategy Conference

The conference is organised by the Queensland Police Service and Australian Federal Police and covers research and initiatives addressing the harms of AOD.  There is also a focus on shared experiences and forming interagency partnerships.
Conference is held in Brisbane.
Date: 17^th-20^th March
http://event.icebergevents.com.au/adasc-2015

 

Listen – podcasts, webinars, presentations

 

Network MindOUT! webinar

Topic is yet to be confirmed.  Details will be provided as soon as possible.  Network MindOUT! is a national LGBTI suicide prevention project.
Date: 11^th March
http://www.lgbtihealth.org.au/mindoutwebinars

 

It Just Crept In: The Digital Age and Its Implications for Social Work Practice
Dr. Faye Mishna discusses her research examining social workers' experiences and how communication technology has entered their daily practice. Existing literature has highlighted the risks involved, but Dr. Mishna recommends that social workers rethink the restrictions and attempt to maximize the potential that may be present. Based on her research, she makes practical suggestions and discusses practice implications of embracing this technology.
Duration: 25mins
http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=160
 

Improving lives through virtual reality therapy

Advancements in virtual reality technology have not only led to improved experiences for people who enjoy video games but they are also treating very serious psychological and physical disabilities. In this episode, psychologist Albert “Skip” Rizzo, PhD, discusses research into the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and how this technology can improve the therapist-client relationship.
Duration: 12mins
http://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/virtual-reality.aspx

Busting the charity overhead myth

Juanita Wheeler busts the overhead myth in this powerful talk around her journey from high-powered for-profit marketing exec to non-for-profit overhead.
Duration: 11mins
http://youtu.be/0diX8EHOKZE

Insight Webinars for March
Down and out in Paris and London
Dr Jeremy Hayllar, Clinical Director of Metro North Mental Health - Alcohol and Drug Service, discusses "methadone buses" in Amsterdam and other innovative models of service in Europe.
Date: Wednesday, 4th March, 9am

Cultural, social and trauma perspectives of AOD
Dan Nguyen, Capacity Building Officer at QPASTT, discusses issues around AOD and cultural, social and trauma perspectives.  Recovery model and working with Vietnamese clients will also be discussed
Date: Wednesday, 11th March, 9am

A novel approach to harm reduction
Dr. David Caldicott, Consultant Emergency Physician at Calvary Hospital ACT, discusses his most recent findings in relation to novel psychoactive substances and strategies to reduce harm for people using psychoactive substances.
Date: Wednesday, 18th March, 9am

Resilience based practice in AOD services
Andrew Bruun, Director of Research, Education. Advocacy and Practice at Youth Support and Advocacy Service, examines contemporary resilience research and how this can inform practice to help address AOD problems and co-occurring behavioural issues.
Date: Wednesday, 25th March,  9am

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

Dovetail Good Practice Guide

Dovetail have released a fourth component to their Good Practice Guide series.

The new issue Learning from each other: Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people examines the historical and contemporary contexts, which impact on young ATSI peoples.  The guide covers engagement, assessment and intervention in AOD services.  It details practical strategies and directs workers to a number of useful tools.  The guide also looks at worker and organisational capacity, and provides guidance on improving cultural awareness and inclusivity.

You can view all of the Dovetail Good Practice Guides here
http://www.dovetail.org.au/i-want-to/open-the-good-practice-toolkit.aspx

February PD Opportunities

Some of the amazing professional development opportunities for AOD and MH workers in February.  Most of these are available online and accessible to all.  Post any additions in the comments or email library@healthyoptions.org.au with events for March.

Write – presentations and papers

TheMHS Conference: Translating best practice into reality

The call for papers is now open.  The conference will examine what is “best practice” in Mental Health Services.  Topic ideas include consumer led services, workforce development, and cross cultural translation.
Submissions due: 6^th March, 2015
http://www.themhs.org/pages/themhs-conference-2015.html

 

Suicide and self-harm prevention conference 2015
Conference organisers are now taking submissions for presentations. 
Conference themes explore new concepts, research and practices in suicide prevention:
Ø  Adults
Ø  Youth
Ø  Elderly adults
Ø  Indigenous communities
Ø  CALD communities
Ø  In self-harm prevention
Ø  In post suicide support
Submissions due: 24^th March, 2015
http://www.kochfoundation.org.au/fileadmin/content/Suicide_Prevention_Conference_2015/Call_for_Abstracts_2015_01.pdf

 

Aboriginal Health Conference 2015: Healthy families – healthy futures
Abstract submissions are now open.  The conference looks at building strong rural and remote communities to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities.  Abstracts about research and projects across all areas of Aboriginal health, community engagement, education and workforce development are sought. 
Submissions due: 30^th March, 2015
http://www.ruralhealthwest.com.au/professional-development/conferences-events/2014/10/13/aboriginal-health-conference-2015

 

Read – professional reading

Mendrek, A., Dinh-Williams, L., Bourque, J., & Potvin, S. (2014). Sex Differences and Menstrual Cycle Phase-Dependent Modulation of Craving for Cigarette: An fMRI Pilot Study. Psychiatry journal, 2014. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/psychiatry/2014/723632/

Torchalla I, Linden I, Strehlau V, Neilson EK, Krausz M. (2015). “Like a lots happened with my whole childhood”: violence, trauma, and addiction in pregnant and postpartum women from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Harm Reduction Journal, 12 :1.

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/12/1/1
 

Hogarth, L., Maynard, O. M., & Munafò, M. R. (2015). Plain cigarette packs do not exert Pavlovian to instrumental transfer of control over tobacco‐seeking. Addiction, 110(1), 174-182.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12756/pdf

 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)
Internal professional development session held in the library and on the Queensland teleconference line. February’s session is presented by Nicole Cooper, Queensland CAFSS placement student. This session’s article:
Best, D., Gow, J., Knox, T., Taylor, A., Groshkova, T., & White, W. (2012). Mapping the recovery stories of drinkers and drug users in Glasgow: quality of life and its associations with measures of recovery capital. Drug and alcohol review, 31(3), 334-341.
When: Wednesday, 18th February, 10am.

 

Online course - Connecting with families: conversations that make a difference
This elearning course has been developed by KidsMatter to support early childhood educators and teachers in their work with families. However, the resources will be useful for anyone building relationships and connections with families or other professionals.   
The course provides a practical framework and model to help structure conversations. It also offers extensive strategies, tips and downloadable resources which can be saved and shared with colleagues. 
Health and community professionals may also wish to use the e-learning course and resources in their work with early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and schools; for example, by directing educators or teachers to the site.  
Each module can be stopped, started and finished as time permits. A certificate is provided upon completion of each module for recognition of professional development. 
Can be completed anytime
http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/health-and-community/professional-development/elearning

 

Online course - Understanding drugs and addiction – Kings College London
Kings College are again offering this free online course.  The course looks at:
1)      How addiction develops – including the personal, environmental and societal risk factors
2)      How it can be treated – what happens to the body and mind when taking drugs and the treatment interventions that are supported by the evidence
3)      How it can be prevented – including examining national and international policy
Free online course – receive a Statement of Participation or option to pay to receive a Statement of Attainment
Duration: 6 weeks
Time commitment of about 4hr/week
Enrol before: 9^th March
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/understanding-drugs-and-addiction

 

Workshop in Qld NSW and SA – Mental Illness and Bereavement – SANE
Aimed at mental health professionals, this workshop looks at:

• Understand the importance of supporting bereaved family and friends of people with mental illness who have died by suicide
• Understand grief responses to mental illness
• Understand new models of grief
• Understand new ways of working to support families and friends after suicide
• Knowledge of current resources and referrals to effectively support bereaved family and friends

Dates:   Sydney – Wednesday 11^th February

             Adelaide – Tuesday 3^rd March
             Brisbane – Wednesday 18^th March
Cost - $125
http://www.sane.org/workshops

 

Attend - Conferences

2015 TheMHS Summer Forum - Men’s Mental Health: building a healthier future
TheMHS Summer Forum 2015 will bring together men and women from all walks of life to discuss new thinking, latest research, and innovative programs for improving men’s mental health. It will ask us to reflect, to listen and to work together for a healthier future for men. Improving men’s mental health is everyone’s business.
Registration now open – costs listed on website
Date: 19-20 February
http://www.themhs.org/pages/2015-summerforum.html

 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Podcast – Monitoring the Future: Teleconference 2014

Dr. Nora Volkow, NIDA Director, discusses the results of the 2014 “Monitoring the Future” survey during a teleconference on December 16, 2014. Monitoring the Future tracks annual drug abuse trends of 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students in America, including attitudes and perceived risk of specific drugs of abuse.
Duration – 33mins
http://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/podcasts/2014/12/monitoring-future-teleconference-2014#content-area

 

 

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

Master of Addictive Behaviours @ Monash University/ Turning Point

The Master of Addictive Behaviours is to be offered through Turning Point, part of Eastern Health Clinical School. The course aims to produce graduates who have both theoretical and practical knowledge around current perspectives and advances in the substance misuse and gambling fields, and its relationship to other fields including nursing, social work, medicine and psychology. As work in the addiction field is multidisciplinary, the course will be relevant to a range of professionals including those working directly in the field of addiction or those who wish to specialise in addiction-related issues in their area of expertise. This could include health and allied health clinicians, researchers, academics, teachers, policy-makers or professionals in human resources, justice, the education system or sports administration. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the disciplines that inform addiction science and will provide critical awareness around policy, practice and research. It will allow students to enhance their career prospects towards a number of roles, such as a specialist clinician, treatment service manager, public health planner or policy advisor.
http://www.monash.edu/study/coursefinder/course/4519/?courseview=domestic
Course is available to external students
Applications close: 6^th February

 

 

January PD Opportunities

Professional development opportunities available in January for those who work in the Alcohol and Other Drug or Mental Health sector.

Write – presentations and papers

Addiction 2015 conference

Submit an abstract for the 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.  Positions are available for workshops, oral presentations, poster presentations and opportunities for peer review.  Relevant topic areas are listed on the website.
Submission closing date: 28^th January 2015
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/submit-abstract/

Australian Winter School conference

Call for abstracts is now open. The theme of the 2015 conference is “Unleash Potential”.  Abstracts are welcome on a broad range of alcohol and drug topics, including prevention, treatment and recovery.  There is a particular focus on innovation and new research.
Submission closing date: 23^rd January 2015
www.winterschool.info/call-for-abstracts-now-open/

 

Read – professional reading

Gibney, P. B. (2014). Developing and articulating one’s own practice framework. Psychotherapy in Australia, 21 (1), 82-91.

Contact the library for access to this article

Livingston, M. (2014). Socioeconomic differences in alcohol-related risk-taking behaviours. Drug and Alcohol Review, 33 (6), 588-595.

Contact the library for access to this article
 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminars, conferences

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Internal professional development session held in the library and on the Queensland teleconference line.  January’s session is presented by Kate in the library  Sam, Queensland Prevention Worker. 
When: Thursday, 15^th January, 2pm
 
Addiction Conference
The Addiction conference addresses treatment and recovery of alcohol, other drugs and behavioural addictions.  The conference is held at the Gold Coast, Queensland
When: 20^th – 22^nd May
Registration: Early bird registration until 7^th April, 2015
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/
 

Online– podcasts, webinars, videos

Pragmatics and pleasures of drug use

Dr. Magdalena Harris speaking at the HIT Hot Topics conference in Liverpool. She talks about measures to make harm reduction interventions effective & the essential need to acknowledge the pragmatics & the pleasures of drug use, and not to focus only on risks & harms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDpSuFkxAOo&list=UUeHbriRIjC2pgUPt8HKp0tQ

Talking about sex

Talking about sex. The question is - do we? Rosalyn Dischiavo throws some light on the subject in this podcast.
Rosalyn Dischiavo is the founder of the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment (ISEE), a holistic sex education school in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A. She is a professor, marriage and family therapist, and sexuality educator with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Doctor of Education in Human Sexuality. Roz has been presenting webinars, retreats, workshops and lectures on topics related to wellness, spirituality, sex and gender issues for over 25 years. Her style is engaging. A former radio personality, she uses humour and insight to dynamically engage participants in a meaningful and unique dialog about sexuality and other wellness-related topics.
http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/talking-about-sex/
 

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

Graduate Certificate in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Studies – University of Queensland
Within the field of Public Health, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use are associated with a significant burden of illness and injury in populations around the globe. In addition, individuals, families and communities experience adverse social harms arising from specific patterns of intoxication, modes of drug use and illicit drug markets. The majority of courses listed in this program are offered externally only.
To enrol, a student must hold an undergraduate degree in a related field or a combination or tertiary study and relevant work experience. 
Application closing date: 31^st January, 2015 (For semester 1 entry)
http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5508

Graduate Certificate of Alcohol and Drug Studies – University of Southern Queensland

Are you a doctor, nurse, psychologist or allied health professional looking to acquire practical skills that will help you respond to substance abuse in a range of health settings? Well the Graduate Certificate of Alcohol and Drug Studies is designed for those of you wanting to assess substance misuse, undertake motivational interviewing and assist people through relapse prevention. Designed in conjunction with Queensland Health’s Alcohol and Drug Training and Resource Unit, the award-winning program also provides an introduction to psychoactive drugs.
Don’t live near a USQ campus? Don’t worry. Delivered entirely online, the innovative degree is offered full-time or part-time to meet the competing demands of busy health professionals. Live in Brisbane or Birdsville? Work in nursing or mental health? The assessment schemes will offer opportunities to development knowledge and skills pertinent to your practice specialisation.
Application closing date: 26^th February, 2015 (For semester 1 entry)
http://www.usq.edu.au/study/degrees/graduate-certificate-of-alcohol-and-drug-studies


Please feel free to share other opportunities in the comments section.